Undergraduate Course

Accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council

Nursing (Adult)

BSc (Hons)

Course details

Study options

Full-time: 3 years

UK fee

£9,250 per year (2024/25)

International fee

£14,900 per year (2024/25)

UCAS points

112-128 (September 2024 entry)

UCAS code

B770

Course level

Undergraduate

Qualification

BSc (Hons)

Start dates

September, January, See below

Location

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus
St Helena, Chesterfield

Course description

The best bits

  • Our nursing programmes are approved to the NMC's Future nurse: Standards of proficiency for registered nurses
  • You will gain essential practical experience on a range of clinical placements in different health care settings
  • You will benefit from some of the best University facilities of their kind, including clinical skills suites and our state-of-the-art immersive suites
  • You will learn from a highly experienced and enthusiastic teaching team who provide full support to help you achieve your ambitions
  • Choose to study at our Derby or Chesterfield site, starting in either January or September
  • You could be eligible for the NHS Learning Support Fund that could provide a grant for training, childcare costs and travelling to placements

Choose a career where you can make a difference every day. We will equip you to deliver exceptional care as a confident, capable and compassionate adult nurse.

This programme is a holistic learning experience, enabling students to become emotionally resilient and transformational Registered Nurses of the future. This is a full-time three year course and students will complete a range of modules to develop the fundamental knowledge and skills for safe effective nursing practice where the interests of people using or needing nursing services are put first.

Students develop an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of their chosen field of practice and recognise the principles of nursing across all fields and across the lifespan.  Modules provide the foundation for students to develop a compassionate professionalism whereby they are trusted in the care they provide. Learning will be facilitated through a range of classroom-based activities, skills laboratories and by electronic means such as online learning, web-based training and technology-delivered instruction.  

‌Join a degree accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). When you graduate, you'll be eligible to register and practise as a nurse, as long as you meet the NMC's requirements. Our nursing programmes are approved to the NMC's Future nurse: Standards of proficiency for registered nurses.

Nursing is challenging, satisfying and life-changing. This highly respected course represents your first step into a profession it is a privilege to join.

Top 20for teaching quality in Nursing**Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
99% in professional occupations 15 months after graduation**Guardian University Guide 2024 (Adult Nursing and Nursing Associate)
Top15for student satisfaction in Nursing**Complete University Guide 2024

Ideal preparation for your career

We have a strong track record in providing high-quality and innovative nurse education. We help you develop an in-depth understanding of the demands and rewards of the role so that you are fully prepared to work with adult patients who have diverse, acute and chronic conditions.

Because this course is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, you will be eligible to register and practise as a nurse as soon as you graduate, as long as you meet the NMC's requirements.  If you already hold a degree and are looking to qualify as a nurse, find out more about our MSc Nursing (Adult).

Specialist facilities

Both our Derby and Chesterfield sites offer outstanding including clinical skills suites built to professional standards, with replica wards, counselling rooms and treatment rooms fully equipped with the latest clinical resources.

Our state-of-the-art immersive simulated environments allow you to practise your skills in a realistic setting. These suites are the first university facilities of their kind outside London. They replicate the atmosphere and sights and sounds of, for instance, the inside of an ambulance, a busy A&E ward or an operating theatre. They will give you a greater understanding of clinical decision-making in action. 

Female adult nursing student replacing a drip bag
Female adult nursing student working with an adult mannequin

What you will study

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day
Chesterfield students showing open day visitors around the nursing facilities.

Chesterfield Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at The University of Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the campus, tour our first-class facilities and meet our academic team.

Book your Chesterfield Open DayBook your Chesterfield Open Day

How you will learn

So that you are fully prepared for your career, we ensure that your skills and knowledge match current working practices in health and social care. The practical abilities you develop on placement will be underpinned and extended by the knowledge you gain through lectures, tutorials, workshops and simulated practice activities.

We harness latest technology in all aspects of the course. Modules are linked to the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), so that you have 24-hour access to relevant resources both on and off campus. We also capture ‘live’ lectures via Panopto which you can view at times that suit you via the VLE.

In addition, our students benefit from access to a range on line resources such as Clinical Skills Net, an online resource offering video tutorials in essential clinical skills. The anatomy and physiology content of the programme is supported in a similar way through WhileyPLUS.

How you’re assessed

There are a diverse range of authentic assessments within the programme.  Assessments are aligned to module learning outcomes and support students to build academic skill and professional development.  Assessment feedback and feedforward mechanisms encourage dialogue, provide action plans, and utilise academic, student, and practice support staff where required.  This ensures that students are fit for practice, purpose, award, and professional standing on completion of the award.

Each assessment within the programme has the following underpinning characteristics:

Assessment of practice learning is recorded in the Practice Assessment Document (MYEPAD), which is designed to support and guide students towards successfully achieving the criteria set out in the Future nurse: Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses and Standards for Education and Training (NMC 2018).  The MYEPAD is a regionally validated document developed collaboratively with other local universities.  The University of Derby continues to work in partnership to support a consistent approach to student supervision and assessment.  

Who you will meet

You will be taught by qualified health professionals with extensive experience of nursing and leadership roles. They have proven, sustained track records in higher education teaching, with most holding Fellowships of the Higher Education Academy.

Our staff keep up to date with latest developments in the sector by undertaking continuing professional development as part of their registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Research is an integral part of our work and we make key contributions to the University’s Health and Social Care Research Centre. There may even be opportunities for you to work alongside our researchers to gain an insight into the value of research.

The teaching team is supported by ‘experts by experience’ – leading practitioners who regularly share their knowledge in teaching sessions at the University, together with clinical staff from our placement providers.

Personal academic tutoring

Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.

Find out more about personal academic tutoring

Who will teach you

Faith Vargasf
Programme leader

As a lecturer in Adult Nursing, Faith is involved in delivering Stage 2 of the undergraduate Adult Nursing programme. This involves teaching clinical skills, supporting students as a personal tutor and helping to prepare students for Stage 3 of their course

View full staff profileView full staff profile

Entry requirements

2024 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for the 2024-25 academic year which includes September 2024 and January 2025 entry. Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points112-128
A LevelBBC-ABB
T LevelMerit
BTECDMM-DDM
GCSEGCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6

If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, our admissions team may offer you an alternative course that will enable you to continue in your aspirations towards becoming a registered nurse. 

*The University will accept the Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship in lieu of UCAS points or level 3 qualification requirements.*

Students should apply for the full degree programme and our admissions team will get in touch with you after the interview stage if this pathway is suitable for you.

Health or care experience that demonstrates insight into the professional values and behaviours associated with health and care environments is desirable. 

 

Additional entry requirements

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area)

Fees and funding

2024/25

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,250 per year

N/A

International

£14,900 per year

N/A

Funding for Nursing and Allied Health courses

By studying on this programme, you are eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £9,250. The loan will support your studies and enable you to start a rewarding career in healthcare. 
 
All new and continuing nursing and allied health students on pre-registration courses will also receive a grant of at least £5,000 per year that is not means-tested and will not have to be repaid. This is provided through the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) and is not managed by the University. Please check with the LSF for residency requirements and eligibility criteria.

If you're eligible, you can get: 

Among others, the shortage specialisms have been confirmed to include: 

In addition to this non-repayable grant, you are also able to access a maintenance loan of up to £9,488 per year to support your studies, giving you access to over £17,000 per year of funding. Training grant payments will be paid in three instalments over the academic year. This is to provide you with a consistent flow of funding throughout the academic year as far as possible. 
 
All NHS LSF applications must be submitted within six months of the start of the academic year and you will need confirmation of your Student Finance in order to complete your application. You need to set up an NHS Learning Support Fund online account to apply. 

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


UK students

If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.

Apply through UCAS

If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

Careers

On completion of the programme, students are eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC link) in their field of practice. Students have five years to register their award with the Nursing and Midwifery Council following completion of the programme. A variety of careers and career pathways are open to Registered Nurses and may choose to work in hospitals, community services, primary care services, mental health services, children’s services, learning disability services, general practice, and private, voluntary, and independent services across the NHS or other health and care organisations.

Graduates of the programme may wish to return to academic study, further developing their skills and knowledge to undertake a range of specialist or advanced roles.  There is a wide offer of post-registration provision within the College of Health, Psychology, and Social Care, and many students chose to return to the University of Derby for postgraduate study; at masters and doctoral level and for continuing professional development.

A nurse writing patient notes beside a hospital bed

A personal insight into nursing placements

Many things can define your time during the journey to becoming a qualified nurse. Perhaps most defining are your placements. Final-year student Kieron Powis gives his personal insight into how his placements have shaped his learning.

Read Kieron's blogRead Kieron's blog
A group of students on a project abroad trip

My voluntary work experience in Mexico

Nursing student Natalia Martinez Soler volunteered for placement during her second year - helping migrants in Mexico

Read Natalia's blogRead Natalia's blog

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Contact us Contact us

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Additional costs and optional extras

We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

Included in your fees
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
Optional costs not included in your fees

Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course, you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Minimum numbers

Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.

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