Details
With a thorough grounding in concepts of health derived from the study of the biological and social sciences, professional studies and communication skills, you will develop the professional disciplinary knowledge and understanding of your chosen field of practice of nursing (adult, mental health or child). This is underpinned by the aquisition of the professional leadership and research skills you will need to practise and manage evidence-based care.
First year
The first year provides an introduction to the theory and practice of adult, mental health, child and public health nursing. As well as examining these areas in lectures, seminars, and simulated practice, you will gain invaluable practical experience through placements in hospital and community settings. The focus is on health and through the study of the biological sciences, core clinical skills (including first aid) professional studies, research and health care psychology, you will have gained an appreciation of the physical, psychological and social needs of patients and their families. On completion off the first year you express a preference for the field of practice you wish to pursue in years 2 & 3. (Places in some fields will be limited).
The fields of practice offered are:
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Mental Health Nursing
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Child Nursing
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Adult Nursing
Second and third years
Building on the foundation of year one, you will develop your clinical nursing and managerial skills further when studying your chosen field of practice. The 50% University study and 50% clinical placement model continues throughout the programme to ensure you have access to a wide range of theoretical and clinical input. This involves taking clinical modules specific to your field of practice and those that support your development as a nurse including: medicines management, research, and professional development. Coordinated support from a workplace mentor and University staff will help you build your competence and confidence to deliver and manage nursing care in your chosen field of practice.
At the end of the second year you undertake the elective experience, which you can arrange to study overseas. This placement is linked to the Globalisation and Comparative Health Policy module, which provides insights on the wider policy of heath care in the UK and internationally. You complete your degree with a research-based dissertation and the Transition to Professional Practice module which includes a 12-week placement to prepare you for qualification as a registered nurse.
Listen to the Admissions Tutor, talk about this programme.
Why study this course
The University of Birmingham is a research focussed institution and this shapes the curriculum of the BNurs degree. The theory and practice of nursing are studied in the context of cutting edge research in the University and on clinical placements in a variety of NHS and non-NHS health care organisations in the vibrant multicultural city of Birmingham.
This rigorous programme will appeal to you if you are looking for a degree which demands a high level of commitment and intellectual attainment, leading to a rewarding career as a nurse.
A unique opportunity
Our programme is distinctive in that it provides you with experience of nursing in adult, mental health and child environments before making a decision about the field of practice you wish to study in years 2 & 3. This ensures you are able to make an informed choice about becoming an adult, mental health or children’s nurse.
The nursing degree at Birmingham incorporates an international focus including an elective experience which you can plan to incorporate a study visit overseas. In recent years students have undertaken four week placements in New Zealand, Australia, North America, India, Africa and South East Asia to learn about health care and nursing practice in these countries.
Placements
Listen to the Admissions Tutor, talk about placements.
At Birmingham, you will have the opportunity to practice nursing in some of the country's leading hospital trusts ranging from Primary Care to Acute Trusts.
You will be seconded to a range of diverse and exciting placements, where you will gain a variety of experiences with a wide range of client groups, under the guidance of skilled clinicians.
Clinical practice modules occurs throughout all three years of the programme and assessment of your clinical practice is continuous. Students undertake placements within Birmingham and Solihull.
Mental Health Field of Practice
Students on the mental health field of practice will have the opportunity to work with children and adolescents through to older adults with mental health problems. They will work in community, residential and hospital settings, gaining a wide range of clinical skills.
Child Field of Practice
Students on the child field of practice will focus on the child and their family and will work in local nurseries, communities and hospitals, as well as the internationally renowned Diana, Princess of Wales, Children's Hospital.
Adult Field of Practice
Students on the adult field of practice will work in hospitals and community settings, with the opportunity to work in medical and surgical wards, accident and emergency departments, critical care units, rehabilitation settings and the community with district nurses as well as the brand new Queen Elizabeth Hospital which is adjacent to the University campus.
Where are our placements?
Please see our placements map (link to pdf opens in new window) for details of where our placements boundaries are.
Have a look at the following web sites for more information about some of our clinical placement providers:
Elective study – Overseas or UK
Between years two and three as part of your Professional Development module you will have the opportunity to focus on an area beneficial to your professional development either in the UK or Overseas on a placement.
You will experience differences in culture, clinical practice, healthcare systems and language. These experiences will benefit you when caring for patients from different backgrounds and will provide you with insight into different fields of practice which can help inform your future career direction.
Where do people go?
UK: Devon, Cardiff, Isle of Man, Wirral, Worcestershire, Wales, Shropshire, Dudley, Birmingham............
Overseas: Australia, Tanzania, Ghana, Singapore, India, Barbados, Europe.............
Listen to our Podcasts
Nursing student, Ava, talks about her elective experiences at a hospital in Dubai
Nursing student, Lindsay, talks about her elective experiences at two sexual health clinics in London
Nursing student, Eleanor, talks about her elective experiences, travelling to, and spending time with pilgrims in, Lourdes
Modules
Year 1
Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing (20 credits)
Core Clinical Skills (10 credits)
Developing as a Health Professional (10 credits)
Health Psychology in Nursing (10 credits)
Principles of Nursing (40 credits)
Public Health: Children and Families (20 credits)
Research 1 (10 credits)
Year 2
Medication Management (20 credits)
Principles of Research in Nursing Practice (10 credits)
Professional Development (20 credits)
Society, Policy and Practice (10 credits)
Adult field of practice
Acute Adult Nursing (20 credits)
Long-term Conditions (Adult) (20 credits)
Principles of Assessment in Adult Nursing (20 credits)
Mental Health field of practice
Assessment, Framework, and Interventions in Mental Health (20 credits)
Nursing Older People (Mental Health) (20 credits)
Principles of Mental Health Nursing (20 credits)
Child field of practice
Children Staying Healthy (20 credits)
Children's Planned Care (20 credits)
Principles of Children's Nursing (20 credits)
Year 3
Globalisation and comparative health policy (20 credits)
Nursing research dissertation (40 credits)
Transition to professional practice (20 credits)
Adult Field of Practice
Critical Care (adult) (20 credits)
Community Care (adult) (20 credits)
Child Field of Practice
Nursing children (20 credits)
Seriously ill child (20 credits)
Mental Health Field of Practice
Promoting mental health and recovery (20 credits)
Collaborative mental health (20 credits)
This is the module list for 2013, but the programme continues to evolve and you should check the website regularly for any changes for next year.
Fees and funding
The Department of Health funds your tuition fees, therefore we can only accept applications from those considered as home fee status. Students on the Bachelor of Nursing programme resident in England, Wales or Scotland can apply for a means-tested bursary. Please go to www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students for further details. There are additional costs related to travelling to practice placements and these can be discussed at our open day or if you are invited to interview.
Entry requirements
Number of A levels required: 3
Typical offer: ABB
General Studies: not accepted, but a good performance may be taken into account if you fail to meet the conditions of your offer
Preferred subjects and grades: Biology, Psychology or Sociology A level, and two other A levels in subjects of your own choice.
GCSE requirements: 5 GCSEs are required at GCSE grades A*–C; they must include English & Mathematics at grades A*-B and 3 other subjects at grade C or above to include a Science subject.
Edexcel/BTEC Diploma: Health and Social Care or Science preferred minimum level DDM
International Baccalaureate Diploma: 34 points with at least 4 at SL English and Maths (if not offered at GCSE grade C or above).
Access to Higher Education (Health or Science preferred): Overall 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 including 30 at distinction, 15 at merit (to include study of Physiology) and 15 credits at level 2. If you do not hold Maths and English at GCSE grade A-B you will need 12 credits at level 2 in both in order to meet University entry requirements.
Graduate Entry Requirements: Must have achieved (or be predicted to achieve) at least a 2.1 at degree level.
Additional information:
Listen to the Admissions Tutor talk about applying for this programme.
1. Other qualifications are considered – learn more about entry requirements
2. A satisfactory health declaration, including evidence of appropriate immunisations is required from accepted candidates before registration for the programme. All students will be required to sign the subject-specific Fitness to Practise Code of Conduct on entry, details of which will be forwarded with an offer letter.
3. Students will be required to complete a successful Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before admission to the programme.
4. We take a positive view of what candidates with disabilities can achieve as future healthcare professionals and take seriously our obligation to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that all students with disabilities can successfully complete their studies. All applicants will be assessed up to and including the interview on the basis of the criteria outlined above regardless of any disability. If you declare a disability we will invite you to work with us together with the disability team, clinical colleagues and specialist services to explore how best we can support your studies.
5. All candidates offered a place will have been interviewed.
6. We are influenced in our selection for the nursing programme by a number of different factors, over and above your academic record. We like, for example to see evidence of your motivation for a nursing career in the shape of appropriate work experience or voluntary work. Your outside interests too are a pointer to whether you are the sort of person likely to make the most of the degree.
7. If you do decide to take up a place at the University of Birmingham you need to take the following into account:
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Placements are situated within Birmingham and Solihull. All students have to ensure that they are able to travel to these placements for practical experience from their place of residence. Living within Birmingham should pose little difficulty.
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Students are expected to be able to undertake shifts (including early morning, afternoon, evening and night duty) within both hospital and community settings.
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Holidays are fixed and not negotiable. Students have two weeks at Christmas, two weeks at Easter and six weeks in the summer.
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First choice of branch at the end of year one cannot be guaranteed.
International students:
We can only accept applications from those considered as home fee status.
Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in the Birmingham Foundation Academy, a specially structured programme for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on the foundation academy web pages.
How to apply
Key Information Set (KIS)
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