BSc (Hons) Nursing*

The course content is aligned to both the NMC Standards for Future Nurse Education and the Person-centred Framework for Nursing (McCormack and McCance, 2019). We therefore focus our learning units on parts of the framework which are: Metaparadigms, Pre-requisites, Care Environment and Person-centred Processes.

These themes are developed across the four years and include group learning within a learning set and this is where you will build a personal portfolio of your learning in practice and in university.

On this course you will:

• be able to register with the NMC and practise as a nurse;
• be able to confidently deliver safe, effective and person-centred nursing care;
• become part of a community of learners, working collaboratively with lecturers, clinical staff, service users and other students on a transformational journey towards registration;
• actively engage in creative and critical ways of working and learning including approaches such as critical inquiry, reflection, contemplation, simulation and
• practice learning experiences; and
• carry out invaluable practice learning experiences (PLEs) that will enrich your learning.

Structure

This is a four-year BSc (Hons) degree course. On completion students will be eligible to apply for registration with the NMC as a registered adult nurse. Over the four years you will complete a total of 4,600 hours of theory and practice experience that is split equally. The main difference from our Master of Nursing  is the credit level of the academic work, which will be higher in the master’s to allow for a higher level final qualification.

Teaching, learning and assessment

Our aim in developing this course has been to use a range of creative ways of teaching and learning to promote self-development and the skills for interacting with others. You will be facilitated to learn in lectures, seminars, practical laboratories and have practice learning experiences. Outside of timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning through self-study.

We aim to include creative ways of assessment that may involve student choice. Assessments include practical and written exams, assignments and group work.

Placements (Practice Learning Experience)

A Practice Learning Experience (PLE) is offered each year. PLEs provide the opportunity to integrate theory and practice by working directly with people in whichever setting they are.

PLEs can be in a variety of settings such as the community area, a hospital or care home. These may be in the Lothians and Borders. Edinburgh Napier University manages the sourcing of PLEs for each student on this course. Lecturing staff at QMU manage the allocation of PLEs for each student.

The teams are always looking at widening opportunities for students and we are increasing the variety of available PLEs all the time. Opportunities to work with specialist research nurses are being developed.

To enhance future employability PLEs take place across across Scotland. It is therefore likely that students will have to relocate for at least some of their practice-based learning unless they have individual requirements (eg specific health needs or school age children) that mean they must remain in a specific location. 

Exchange opportunities

There are no specific exchange PLEs available within the course, however, we promote available opportunities to students and these may include exchanges for a limited number of students and also volunteering opportunities which can be done in the summer break. 

Teaching staff, class sizes and timetables

You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

For more information, please also visit ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.

Year One

You will:

• focus on the foundations of professional nursing care;
• explore a range of influences on health, professional issues, skills for nursing practice, and the bio-sciences to inform person-centred care;
• focus on the healthy person and healthy communities;
• start to develop research and academic enquiry skills, which are embedded throughout the course; 
• begin to learn to meet the needs of people across the lifespan and what the key health challenges may be nationally and internationally;
• prepare for and carry out practice learning experiences in a variety of settings; and
• receive great support towards your own self-care, incorporating contemplative learning approaches. 

Modules

• Exploring Nursing’s Metaparadigm in a Local Context
• Pre-Requisites for Person-Centred Practice 1
• Exploring Care Environments
• Person-Centred Processes in Nursing 1
• Active Learning Communities 1

Year Two

You will:

• build on learning from Year One and learn how to plan and evaluate care in a person-centred way;
• prepare for and carry out practice learning experiences in a variety of settings;
• learn how to assess and care for people as they cope and adapt to ill health, combining science subjects with nursing care; and 
• focus on facilitating and supporting health and self-care in persons/family/carers.  

Modules

• Analysing Nursing’s Metaparadigm in a Global Context
• Pre-Requisites for Person-Centred Practice 2
• Developing Person-Centred Teams and Cultures
• Person-Centred Processes in Nursing 2
• Active Learning Communities 2

Year Three

You will:

• focus on the care of people with complex needs and increasing dependency in a range of settings;
• focus on making person-centred judgements and decisions;
• further develop leadership skills and the promotion of person-centred cultures in care environments; 
• explore healthcare governance and research evidence relating to effective, compassionate nursing practice;
• prepare for and carry out practice learning experiences in a variety of settings; and
• develop knowledge of the integration of health and social care through engagement with the voluntary sector.

Modules

• Applying Nursing’s Metaparadigm in Person-Centred Contexts
• Pre-Requisites for Person-Centred Practice 3
• Developing as a Person-Centred Facilitator and Leader
• Person-centred Processes in Nursing 3 

Year Four

You will:

• integrate previous learning to enable you to graduate with advanced skills;
• complete a portfolio and develop research themes related to current healthcare priorities to support development of a dissertation/ final project;
• experience more advanced assessment and practice learning experiences. This will prepare you for registration and include preparation for prescribing in the future and supervising students when registered; and
• prepare for and carry out practice learning experiences in a variety of settings.

Modules

• Integrated Person-centred Nursing Practice for Human Flourishing
• Dissertation/Workplace Project
• Person-centred Assessment Skills

The modules listed here are correct at time of posting (Feb 2023) but may differ slightly to those offered in 2024. Please check back here for any updates.

This course will give you the confidence and expertise you need to succeed in the field of nursing that you choose. Your professional prospects will be excellent. Our graduates are now working in acute medical and surgical areas, oncology, haematology, critical care, research, care of older people and rehabilitation, in the UK and overseas. Many have moved outside the traditional idea of a uniformed nurse in a hospital to forge careers in the community, the forces and postgraduate studies.

Entry requirements

Scottish Higher: Standard - BBBB Minimum - BBBC

A Level: BCC

Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H2 H3 H3

International Baccalaureate: 30 points

International: IELTS of 7.0 (with no component below 7.0 for reading, speaking and listening, and 6.5 for writing)

Required subjects: All combinations of qualifications must include a science and discursive subject at Higher or A Level. Science may include Chemistry and Physics as well as Biology or Human Biology. Discursive subjects include English, Philosophy, History, Modern Studies or Religious and Moral Education. You should have Maths and English at Nat 5 (B)/GSCE B or 03/H4 in ILC if not studied at Higher level. We can also accept National 5 Application of Maths or Lifeskills at the same grade.

Mature/Access: Applicants with Access qualifications must demonstrate a strong academic profile. We welcome applications from mature students with other relevant experience and qualifications. More information on related Access courses.

Am I a Widening Access student?: We apply the minimum entry criteria to applicants who meet one or more contextual factor. To see if this would apply to you, please refer to the access and application page.

Direct Entry: Direct entry into Year Two is considered, depending on current numbers, on an individual basis. For details of related HNC and HND courses, visit our College Leavers and Mature Students Advice page. 

Other requirements

• You will be offered immunisation against Hepatitis B.
• A satisfactory criminal records check from the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme, an occupational health check and personal indemnity insurance (normally through membership of the professional body) are required.
• The NMC requires you to complete a declaration of good health and good character each year.
• Applicants may be required to take part in an interview.

Other costs

• The cost of professional indemnity insurance is the responsibility of the student. For more information on this, visit the UG 2024 fees page on our website.
• The additional costs associated with placement travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the student. Students who receive SAAS funding may be able to claim for some of these expenses to be reimbursed.
• Uniform, PVG and badge costs – please see UG 2024 fees page on our website.

Applying for this course

As this BSc (Hons) route has not yet been fully validated at the time of posting, you will not be able to apply for it yet via UCAS. This section of text will be removed from this page once application is possible.

Disability/health conditions

If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of your studying at QMU. However, if you are not sure whether your disability might be a barrier in your studies or in relation to the professional standards, please contact the disability service who will be able to have a conversation with you about reasonable adjustments and supports available to you.

Terms and Conditions

The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2024/25 Entry Terms and Conditions (Undergraduate).

For more information, please visit ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.

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