Adult nursing at The University of Nottingham. Photos by Alex Wilkinson Photography and Videography, www.alexwilkinsonphotography.co.uk

Nursing (Adult) BSc

Medical School, Nottingham, UK

Course overview

Study an innovative nursing course and launch your career with confidence.

You'll learn how to care for adults with a range of needs, in many different settings, to give you flexibility in your future profession.

Through expert teaching and supportive supervision, you will learn to attend to adult patients' health care needs and care for their personal wellbeing. We nurture your creativity, critical judgement and ability to lead as you develop your clinical skills. You'll be prepared for whatever challenges you might face as a practising nurse or healthcare leader.

Modules

Mandatory

Year 1

Biosciences Applied to Nursing (1 and 2)

Mandatory

Year 1

Clinical Learning (1 and 2)​

Mandatory

Year 1

Introduction to Professional Nursing

Mandatory

Year 1

Evidence Applied to Nursing Practice

Mandatory

Year 2

Biosciences and Introduction to Pharmacology

Mandatory

Year 2

Psychosocial Influences on Health

Mandatory

Year 2

Clinical Learning 3

Mandatory

Year 2

Clinical Practice: Application of Learning

Mandatory

Year 2

Using Evidence to Improve Nursing Practice

Mandatory

Year 2

Leadership for Nursing

Mandatory

Year 3

Preparing to Prescribe

Mandatory

Year 3

Advanced Clinical Learning – adult field

Mandatory

Year 3

Development of Management and Leadership Skills for Practice

Mandatory

Year 3

Extended Literaure Review (dissertation)

Optional

Year 3

Year three optional modules

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About modules

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. This content was last updated on Monday 19 June 2023.

Year one

Your first year follows a 41-week university year, with no teaching on Wednesday afternoons or over the summer holiday. There is one placement towards the end of your first year, lasting four to six weeks.As well as having lectures and seminars, you will develop your skills in a simulated clinical environment within our Medical School.

Year two

In year two your knowledge and skills in biological sciences, sociology, psychology and pharmacology will grow. You will apply your learning to assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating how people are cared for.There are a variety of placements in year two, with resilience-based clinical supervision to support your development.

Year three

In year three you will select one optional module. This will guide your career and expand your knowledge and skills.You will be able to express a preference for your final management placement - preparing you for your future career and/or giving you experience in a new area of nursing practice.

Teaching methods

  • Case-based learning
  • Clinical skills sessions
  • Lectures
  • Placements
  • Practical classes
  • Seminars
  • Small group learning
  • Self-study
  • Tutorials 
  • eLearning

Assessment methods vary from module to module, but may include:

Assessment methods

  • Case studies
  • Clinical exams
  • Objective structured clinical exams
  • Coursework
  • Written exam
  • Literature review
  • Presentation
  • Dissertation
  • Examinations
  • Formative assessments
  • Poster presentations
  • Workplace-based assessment

You'll spend approximately 37.5 hours a week in theory and practice across a full-time academic year. The teaching contact time each week can vary depending on the module. During the theory phase, you may be in University for three 7.5-hour days per week and the other two days you will carry out independent study. Some weeks may include five days of teaching contact.

You will also complete a minimum of 2,300 hours of clinical supervised practice throughout your degree programme. During placement you can expect to be working full-time (approximately 37.5 hours), with some weekend, evening and night work also required.

All our BSc and graduate entry nursing courses are approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). After successfully completing any of these courses, you will be eligible to register with the NMC as a registered nurse.

Graduate destinations

You will have the experience needed to work within the NHS, private healthcare or within the voluntary and independent sector. You may also choose to pursue a career in teaching, research or management.

Average starting salary and career progression

A newly qualified nurse working within the NHS can expect to start at salary Band 5, earning a minimum of £24,214. 

As you gain experience as a nurse and develop your professional skills, you may progress on to a senior clinical post at NHS Band 7 or higher. The top salary on Band 7 is £43,772.

 

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.

Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2020, High Fliers Research).

Laboratory staff helping second year undergraduates in a chemistry lab session, Chemistry building, University Park. November 5th 2021.

Course data