Nursing Science

BSc (Hons)

2023/24 Full-time Undergraduate course

Award:

Bachelor of Science with Honours

Faculty:

Faculty of Life and Health Sciences

School:

School of Nursing and Paramedic Science

Campus:

Belfast campus

Start date:

September 2023

This course is now closed for International applications for September 2023

Overview

Building your academic profile to degree level, with a particular emphasis on the application of knowledge for safe and effective nursing practice.

Summary

The BSc (Hons) Nursing Science (Nursing Practice in the UK) programme is tailored to overseas nurses with relevant prior learning who want to top-up to a degree award and undertake preparation for the NMC Test of Competence Part 2 (OSCE).

This programme will be offered subject to viable demand.

We’d love to hear from you!

We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.

Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:

  • Course specific information
  • Fees and Finance
  • Admissions

For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.

For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.

We look forward to hearing from you.

About this course

About

The course is typically studied over two semesters (September to May) as a top-up to degree. Programme and module content are subject to ongoing review. For the latest information please contact us: d.odonnell@ulster.ac.uk.

The modules currently include:

- Nursing Science in a Global Health Context (NUS620)

- Professional Knowledge for Nursing in the United KIngdom (NUS610)

- Preparation for Nursing OSCE Assessment (NUS611)

- Research project (NUS619)

Attendance

The BSc Hons Nursing Science (Nursing Practice in the UK), is a full-time programme delivered over one academic year typically from September to May.

Engagement will be monitored in keeping with UKVI monitoring requirements and programme regulations. Failure to attend and engage in classes on a weekly basis from the start of the programme may have implications for your student visa.

Start dates

  • September 2023

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The course provides the opportunity for a range of diverse and immersive learning experiences including lectures, simulated clinical skills practice, tutorials, groupwork, guided reading and self-directed learning. Students will be supported to develop their knowledge and skills throughout the programme.

Students will engage in formative and summative assessment as a means of demonstrating their learning with feedback to enhance their learning and development.

Academic profile

The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.

Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).

We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.

The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise.  The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff.  This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.

Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.

Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.

Belfast campus

Accommodation

High quality apartment living in Belfast city centre adjacent to the university campus.

Find out more - information about accommodation  


Student Wellbeing

At Student Wellbeing we provide many services to help students through their time at Ulster University.

Find out more - information about student wellbeing  


Belfast Campus Location

The Belfast campus is situated in the artistic and cultural centre of the city, the Cathedral Quarter.

Find out more about our Belfast Campus.

Campus Address

Ulster University,
2-24 York Street,
Belfast
BT15 1AP

T: 02870 123 456

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

A level

The BSc (Hons) Nursing Science (Nursing Practice in the Uk) typically offers a 'top-up to degree' award. It is suitable for overseas licensed nurses who have sufficient and relevant prior learning to allow direct entry to study at level 6. It is therefore not suitable for direct entry by those who have studied up to A-Level.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Additional Entry Requirements

All international applicants must meet the UKVI student visa requirements.

In addition, all applicants must satisfy the University’s general entry requirements as set out in the prospectus and demonstrate their ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of relevant prior learning. Under the University’s ‘Qualifications and Credit Framework’, the achievement of an Honours degree requires the successful completion of 360 credits of study at levels 4, 5 and 6. In relation to this programme, students will typically enter the programme at level 6 having gained exemption for level 4 and 5 modules through the University’s ‘Accreditation of Prior Learning’ policy when prior learning will be accepted in consideration of exemption. Where exemption is obtained for levels 4 and 5 modules, the programme is normally completed over one academic year in full-time mode.

In order to achieve exemption from level 4 and 5 of the programme, an applicant shall have achieved the equivalent of a UK Higher National Diploma or Foundation Degree in Nursing.

Applicants to the BSc (Hons) Nursing Science (Nursing Practice in the UK) must be licensed as a nurse in their home country.

Exemptions and transferability

This programme typically offers a 'top-up to degree' award. It is suitable for overseas nurses who have sufficient and relevant prior learning to receive exemption for Level 4 and Level 5 credits and to allow direct entry to study at level 6. Such applicants will typically have attained the equivalent of a UK Higher National Diploma/ Foundation degree in Nursing.

Careers & opportunities

Career options

BSc Hons Nursing Science (Nursing Practice in the UK)

Upon successful completion of this programme, you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) Nursing Science. This programme does not include a professional award and therefore does not automatically lead to registration as a nurse in the UK. However, by studying the Nursing Practice in the UK pathway you will be supported to prepare for the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Test of Competence Part 2 (OSCE). If you are interested in registering as a nurse in the UK, you must check your eligibility with the NMC.

After you complete the BSc (Hons) Nursing Science (Nursing Practice in the UK) programme and, if you meet the NMC eligibility criteria and the NMC English language requirements, you may then choose to apply for registration as a nurse in the UK. You will need to progress through the NMC application assessment process which is between you and the NMC. As part of this process, you will be required to undertake the Test of Competence Part 1 (CBT) and Part 2 (OSCE). Part 2 OSCE must be undertaken at an NMC Competence Test Centre in the UK. If your application to register as a nurse with the NMC is successful, and, subject to UKVI regulations, you will be able to apply for a post as a registered nurse in the UK. You may also wish to consider postgraduate study opportunities.

Work placement / study abroad

This programme provides practice in nursing procedures in a simulated clinical environment. The programme does not include practice in a clinical setting.

Apply

Start dates

  • September 2023

Fees and funding

Fees (per year)

Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and EU Settlement Status Fees

£4,710.00

England, Scotland, Wales and the Islands Fees

£9,250.00

International Fees

£15,840.00

Scholarships, awards and prizes

Further information about scholarships are available at: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/fees-and-finance

Additional mandatory costs

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.

There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.

See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.

Contact

We’d love to hear from you!

We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.

Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:

  • Course specific information
  • Fees and Finance
  • Admissions

For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.

For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.

We look forward to hearing from you.


For more information visit

Disclaimer

  1. Although reasonable steps are taken to provide the programmes and services described, the University cannot guarantee the provision of any course or facility and the University may make variations to the contents or methods of delivery of courses, discontinue, merge or combine courses and introduce new courses if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Such circumstances include (but are not limited to) industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key staff, changes in legislation or government policy including changes, if any, resulting from the UK departing the European Union, withdrawal or reduction of funding or other circumstances beyond the University’s reasonable control.
  1. If the University discontinues any courses, it will use its best endeavours to provide a suitable alternative course. In addition, courses may change during the course of study and in such circumstances the University will normally undertake a consultation process prior to any such changes being introduced and seek to ensure that no student is unreasonably prejudiced as a consequence of any such change.
  1. The University does not accept responsibility (other than through the negligence of the University, its staff or agents), for the consequences of any modification or cancellation of any course, or part of a course, offered by the University but will take into consideration the effects on individual students and seek to minimise the impact of such effects where reasonably practicable.
  1. The University cannot accept any liability for disruption to its provision of educational or other services caused by circumstances beyond its control, but the University will take all reasonable steps to minimise the resultant disruption to such services.
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