Study patterns: Nursing Studies (Top-Up) BSc (Hons) (online) - B700

On this page, you will find the study patterns for our BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (top-up) online (B700) programme.

Please use the links below to move directly to the relevant study pattern for the term you are enrolling onto.

These study patterns highlight the modules that you will need study over the next 12 months. Please note that all students are required to re-enrol at the start of every academic year in September and so within your enrolment you can only choose modules for the current academic year.  

The scheduled modules for the remainder of your programme (outlined below) are based on the current plan, however, the order of these may be subject to change. Should any changes be made, we will communicate this to you as soon as possible.   

Please note that any optional modules are subject to viable group sizes. Should you choose a module that is deemed to be non-viable, you will be notified of the alternative available options.   


Diploma Entry: Select four optional modules of 20 credits each and the Independent Studies module at 40 credits.

Advanced Diploma Entry: Select one optional module at 20 credits and the Independent Studies module at 40 credits.

You may choose to take optional modules in any sequence however your last module must be the Independent Study to allow for the development of skills in critical analysis through previous module feedback. This module is studied consecutively over two trimester periods and you can elect to take this starting from the Autumn, Spring or Summer trimester.

Pace of your study

For students completing the programme at the standard rate of study, the required minimum number of study time is 20 hours per week. 

If you opt to undertake the accelerated study plan whereby you will study two modules in one trimester, we recommend 40 hours of study per week.

Should you decide to study on the accelerated rate* you must ensure that you have the capacity to fully engage with your studies and achieve the best grades and final award. You will need to balance approximately 40 hours of study per week alongside your professional and personal life and commitments.

It may be helpful to consider studying one module at the standard rate of study before deciding whether to then increase to the accelerated rate of study.

Optional modules available:

Option A Modules (Autumn): Teaching Supervision and Assessment in Practice (6NU584); Leadership and Quality Improvement (6NU578); Implementation of Health and Clinical Research (6NU576); Infection Prevention and Control (6NU548); Managing the Acutely Ill Patient (6NU550)

Option B Modules (Spring): Advanced Concepts of Palliative Care (6NU545); Nursing Therapeutics and Medications Management (6NU580); Children and Young People: Perspectives in Health (6NU574); Diabetes: A Contemporary Approach (6NU521); Public Health UK and International Perspectives (6NU519); Intellectual and Developmental Disorders: Perspectives in Care (6NU577); Critical Care (6NU575)

Option C Modules (Summer): Supporting People with Dementia and Other Neurocognitive Disorders (6NU583); Minor Injuries (6NU518); Maternal and Family Health (6NU579); Perspectives in Mental Health (6NU581); Respiratory Diseases (6NU582); Infection Prevention and Control (6NU548); Care of the Surgical Patient (6NU547); Managing the Acutely Ill Patient (6NU550)

BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (top-up) - standard rate with September start

Students joining with a Diploma in Nursing Studies will be required to successfully complete 120 credits to achieve the full award. This equates to four optional modules at 20 credits each and the Independent Studies module at 40 credits.

Study Pattern Autumn (September) Spring (January) Summer (May)
Year 1

Option A Module
20 credits

Option B Module
20 credits
Option C Module
20 credits
Year 2 Option A Module
20 credits
Independent Study
(6NU995)
40 credits
Independent Study
(6NU995)
40 credits continued

BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (top-up) - accelerated rate with September start

Study Pattern Autumn (September) Spring (January) Summer (May)
Year 1 Option A Module
20 credits

Option A Module
20 credits
Option B Module
20 credits

Independent Study
(6NU995)
40 credits
Option C Module
20 credits

Independent Study
(6NU995)
40 credits continued

BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (top-up) - Advanced Diploma entry with September start

Students joining with an Advanced Diploma in Nursing Studies only will be required to successfully complete 60 credits to achieve the full award. This equates to one optional module at 20 credits and the Independent Studies module at 40 credits.

You must enrol onto one of the 20 credit optional modules for your first trimester with us. You can then enrol onto the Independent Studies module for your second/third trimester.

Study Pattern Autumn (September) Spring (January) Summer (May)
Year 1 Option A Module
20 credits
Independent Study
(6NU995)
40 credits
Independent Study
(6NU995)
40 credits continued

< Go back to the top of the page >

BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (top-up) - standard rate with January start

Students joining with a Diploma in Nursing Studies will be required to successfully complete 120 credits to achieve the full award. This equates to four optional modules at 20 credits each and the Independent Studies module at 40 credits.

Study Pattern Spring (January) Summer (May) Autumn (September)
Year 1

Option B Module
20 credits

Option C Module
20 credits
Option A Module
20 credits
Year 2 Option B Module
20 credits
Independent Study
(6NU995)
40 credits
Independent Study
(6NU995)
40 credits continued

BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (top-up) - accelerated rate with January start

Study Pattern Spring (January) Summer (May) Autumn (September)
Year 1 Option B Module
20 credits

Option B Module
20 credits
Option C Module
20 credits

Independent Study
(6NU995)
40 credits
Option A Module
20 credits

Independent Study
(6NU995)
40 credits continued

BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (top-up) - Advanced Diploma entry with January start

Students joining with an Advanced Diploma in Nursing Studies only will be required to successfully complete 60 credits to achieve the full award. This equates to one optional module at 20 credits and the Independent Studies module at 40 credits.

You must enrol onto one of the 20 credit optional modules for your first trimester with us. You can then enrol onto the Independent Studies module for your second/third trimester.

Study Pattern Spring (January) Summer (May) Autumn (September)
Year 1 Option B Module
20 credits
Independent Study
(6NU995)
40 credits
Independent Study
(6NU995)
40 credits continued

< Go back to the top of the page >

BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (top-up) - standard rate with May start

Students joining with a Diploma in Nursing Studies will be required to successfully complete 120 credits to achieve the full award. This equates to four optional modules at 20 credits each and the Independent Studies module at 40 credits.

Study Pattern Summer (May) Autumn (September) Spring (January)
Year 1 Option C Module
20 credits
Option A Module
20 credits
Option B Module
20 credits
Year 2 Option C Module
20 credits
Independent Study
(6NU995)
40 credits
Independent Study
(6NU995)
40 credits continued

BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (top-up) - accelerated rate with May start

Study Pattern Summer (May) Autumn (September) Spring (January)
Year 1 Option C Module
20 credits

Option C Module
20 credits
Option A Module
20 credits

Independent Study
(6NU995)
40 credits
Option B Module
20 credits

Independent Study
(6NU995)
40 credits continued

BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (top-up) - Advanced Diploma entry with May start

Students joining with an Advanced Diploma in Nursing Studies only will be required to successfully complete 60 credits to achieve the full award. This equates to one optional module at 20 credits and the Independent Studies module at 40 credits.

You must enrol onto one of the 20 credit optional modules for your first trimester with us. You can then enrol onto the Independent Studies module for your second/third trimester.

Study Pattern Summer (May) Autumn (September) Spring (January)
Year 1 Option C Module
20 credits
Independent Study
(6NU995)
40 credits
Independent Study
(6NU995)
40 credits continued

< Go back to the top of the page >