Program Overview

BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing (Top Up)

The BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing (Top Up) course is designed for registered Nursing Associates to join the existing BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing degree course. This course provides an equal balance of theory and practice learning with placements in both hospital and community settings.

Course Overview

This course is an entry route for registered Nursing Associates to join our existing cohort of students on the BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing degree course. We’ve designed our course around the core values of the NHS constitution so that you understand what’s required in caring for and supporting people. Our aim is to make sure we prepare you for the challenges you may face and develop the expertise you’ll need to become a leader in nursing.

Features and Benefits

• Approved course: This course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
• Employability: 95% of BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing graduates are employed/in further education six months after graduating.
• Teaching excellence: Ranked 11th in the UK for nursing.
• Become a registered nurse: As a graduate, you’re eligible to register as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
• Real-world experience: You will spend an equal amount of time on clinical placements in community and hospital settings and attending University studying nursing theory.
• Enhanced Content: You will have the opportunity to gain the added benefit of an additional experience in Acute Illness Management.
• Outstanding facilities: We have well-equipped clinical skills lab complete with computerised sim-man manikins, used to demonstrate both basic and challenging conditions and nursing interventions.
• Shared learning: Opportunity for shared learning with other undergraduates and learning with the mental health nursing students within the integrated elements of the course.

Accreditations, Awards, and Endorsements

• Teaching Excellence Framework: We have received an overall gold status in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), meaning we're rated as an outstanding university for our student experience.
• National Student Survey 2025 (NSS): 95.8% of students were positive about teaching staff being good at explaining things.

Year 1

This year will focus on the concepts of health for all, health inequalities, health behaviour, and support you to develop a greater understanding of your role as promoters of health within the sphere of the public health agenda. There will be a focus on anti-discriminatory practice and application of the principles of partnership, collaboration, and working across boundaries.

Core Modules

• Developing into an Accountable Professional: The module will focus on practice skills thus enabling students to undertake a comprehensive assessment and develop an understanding of commonly encountered presentations regarding safe person-centred care in a number of placement areas, working with the multidisciplinary team.
• Developing Governance in Practice: This module will focus on the underpinning nursing knowledge and skills required for contributing to risk monitoring and the quality of care improvement agenda.

Year 2

In Year 2, you will apply the knowledge acquisition gained from year one. The focus will be on developing critical, autonomous, and accountable professional nurses for practice who will lead and deliver person-centred, evidence-based care.

Core Modules

• Being an Accountable Professional: The module will focus on practice skills that enable the student to engage in safe, confident, competent management of person-centred care, critically appraising the quality and effectiveness of nursing care.
• Translating Evidence into Practice: This module will focus on evaluating research and evidence in health and social care and support students to make links between theory and practice.
• Medicines Management: This module focuses on developing students' knowledge and skills in medicines management in accordance with professional and regulatory standards.
• Leading, Managing and Evaluating Complex Care: This module will focus on enhancing and potentiating students' knowledge and skills required for their role as future leaders and managers in terms of coordinating mental health nursing care and working effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Study and Assessment

• Study: Year 1: 30% lectures, seminars or similar; 50% placement; 20% independent study. Year 2: 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 50% placement; 25% independent study.
• Assessment: Year 1: 75% coursework; 25% examination. Year 2: 75% coursework; 25% examination.

Additional Information

• Health checks: You will be required to complete an Occupational Health Assessment to ensure that your health does not constitute a barrier to the achievement of the programme learning outcomes or eligibility to apply for registration with the professional body.
• Professional suitability: Students on programmes leading to professional qualifications are required to adhere to professional standards and codes of practice during their studies.
• Course-specific regulations: Professional, Statutory, and Regulatory Bodies require students to achieve results that demonstrate their ability to practise safely.

Placements

Placements in the clinical practice settings are a key element of the programme and form an equal part of this course.

Entry Requirements

• IELTS score: IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum score of 6.5 in Reading, Listening, and Speaking and 6.0 in Writing, taken within two years of the course start date.
• Interview: We will interview you as part of your application.
• UK students: A minimum of 2 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above including Mathematics, English Language, and evidence of IT skills or equivalent. Registered Nursing Associate (NMC) qualification.
• International students: IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum score of 6.5 in Reading, Listening, and Speaking and 6.0 in Writing, taken within two years of the course start date.

Fees and Funding

• UK and Channel Island students: Full-time fee £2383.75 per 30 credits.
• EU and non-EU international students: Full-time fee £5375 per 30 credits.
• Tuition fees: Fees may be subject to change. See the tuition fees section for full details.

Careers Support and Prospects

• Employed or in further study: 88.7% of our UK-domiciled, full-time, first-degree graduates are employed or in further study 15 months after graduation.
• Explore your options and build sought-after skills: Through our Careers Service, you will be supported and encouraged to get ready for further study or working life, including starting your own business.