Nursing (Adult)

Nursing (Adult) - BSc (Hons)

Your future in Adult Nursing starts here. Focusing on the needs of the individual with our person-centred approach to care, you can make a real difference to people’s lives. Benefit from a robust curriculum which combines theory and authentic clinical practice to enable you to qualify as a competent and confident Adult Nurse.

Year of entry

2023 - for 2022 entry see here

Course type

Single Honours

Location

Keele University campus Hospital campus

Subject area / School

School of Nursing and Midwifery

UCAS code

B740

Duration of study

3 years

Enquire about this course Book an open day Chat to students

Why study Nursing (Adult) at Keele University?

Top 20 for Nursing and Midwifery (Guardian University League Table, 2022)

Nursing and Midwifery Council approved programme

6th in England for Nursing and Midwifery (Complete University Guide, 2022)

£5,000 non-repayable annual grant to support your studies

Course overview

Our programme places the patient at the centre of care delivery. You will grow into a nurse who can assess and manage the changing and complex needs of individuals, at what could be one of the most challenging times in their lives.

Adult nurses care for individuals with diverse healthcare needs. From empowering patients with long-term conditions to working in a fast-paced clinical setting to support patients with acute illness, nurses can have a critical influence on patient outcomes.

Our curriculum is designed to provide you with the theoretical knowledge required to be able to practice confidently and competently. It also gives you the opportunity to develop and refine your clinical skills in a safe and controlled setting before going onto clinical placement.

Your first year will concentrate on meeting people’s care needs. Years two and three will develop your capabilities to evaluate, provide and manage the care needs of individuals and groups of people.

We believe a multidisciplinary approach to teaching is the key to developing tomorrow’s global health care workforce. You will benefit from inter-professional education by learning alongside other aspiring healthcare professionals such as medical students and pharmacy students. This exposure allows you to appreciate the role that each healthcare professional plays in every patient's journey - a critical factor for success within the clinical setting.

Facilities

Gain evidence-based practice experience that supports the ethos of dignity, care, and compassion for patients. Learning is enhanced by our excellent facilities including an anatomy suite and Health Library. Innovative teaching methods including High Fidelity Simulation and skill-based development in our Clinical Skills Lab.

Strengthening your employability

Placements

We have strong partnerships with placement providers including NHS trusts, and the private and voluntary sectors. An important part of becoming a nurse is gaining real experience in diverse environments. Field placements provide a range of experiences to expand your professional values and nursing skills linking the theory you have learnt in the lectures with practice. This enhances your employability, increases your confidence, and fully develops your nursing expertise. 50% of your time is spent on clinical practice in in different health care settings.

Placements take place within a 60 mile radius of Keele across NHS trusts and the independent health and social care sector.

You will be supported in practice by clinical supervisors and assessed by a practice assessor, and reviewed by an academic assessor. This ensures you practice safely, and allows you to learn from clinicians who have a wealth of experience in their field.

You may also choose to study abroad through elective placements with organisations like Work the World.

Student support

There is a strong system of support for you every step of the way of your course. We have a peer mentoring system in place to help you and you will be allocated an academic mentor at the beginning of the course.

You will have the support of the Faculty Student Experience and Support team who offer advice, guidance and one to one support to students within the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Extra assistance is available from the School's Disability Liaison Officer who provides an additional layer of support for all students, particularly for those who have additional learning needs.

You will have access to a range of advice and support services at Keele which include;

Learning Support and Academic Guidance
Disability Services
English Language Unit
Student Advice at Keele (ASK)
Student Support Services
Occupational Health Department / University Health Centre

Financial help

Student nurses are eligible to receive an annual grant of at least £5,000 to help cover their living costs. Additional financial grants are also available for eligible students - more information and full eligibility criteria can be found here.

Related Courses

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Approved programme

Adult Nursing is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and has been designed to meet the seven NMC platforms which underpin pre-registration nursing education. The course is taught by lecturers who are expert clinicians, and qualified teachers in different specialisms. Their research feeds into our teaching. On successful completion of this course, you can apply for NMC nursing registration.

Nursing and Midwifery Council logo

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Additional opportunities

Foundation year Explore more

There are a range of additional opportunities available when studying this course.
Please note, undertaking one may impact upon the availability of another.

Entry requirements

Keele strives to be a place where learning, living and working is a positive experience for our entire community, and we're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of 'alternative offer' schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United Kingdom and International students.

If you are interested in becoming an Adult Nurse and already have a degree you may qualify for our MSc Adult Nursing course programme.

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, Foundation Year offers an alternative route to study for this degree.

UK / EU ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Please note in addition to the below academic entry requirements, to be accepted onto a Nursing or Midwifery programme at Keele you must also fulfil a range of additional requirements. Details of these additional requirements and expectations can be found here.

GCSEs: GCSE English and Maths at grade C (or 4) or above or equivalent qualifications (e.g. Functional Skills Level 2 / Key Skills Level 2). Maths and English qualifications must have been achieved prior to application.

If English is not your first language, normally applicants will have IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of 7.0, including at least 6.5 in the writing section and at least 7.0 in the reading, listening and speaking sections. The University may be able to accept alternative English Language qualifications from applicants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) on a case by case basis in line with the appropriate Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) guidelines.

Plus one of the following level 3 qualifications:

Qualification	Required Grade Profile	Further Information
A levels (Full A2)	BBB / ABC	GCSE Maths and English at grade 4 or above is required.
Access to Higher Education Diploma	118 UCAS points. At least 21 Level 3 credits at Distinction	Health / Science related Maths and English Language at Grade C/ Grade 4 or above or equivalent, or 12 credits at Level 2 or 3 in English and 12 credits at Level 2 or 3 in Maths. Maths and English qualifications can be pending if studied alongside a pending Access to Higher Education Diploma
T Level	Merit overall in Health T Level
Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma / Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)	DDM	Any subjects accepted.
BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (QCF) and National Extended Certificate (previously known as the Subsidiary Diploma) (QCF) are acceptable combined with additional A level or equivalent Level 3 qualification(s).	120 UCAS Tariff points from the equivalent of 3 A level qualifications. Use the UCAS Tariff Calculator to work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth.
NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma/Technical Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care	Grade B
NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma/ Technical Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education	Grade B
NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma for the Children & Young People's Workforce	Grade B
Open University K101/K102 - An Introduction to Health and Social Care	Pass - 60 points at Level 1
Previous degree	Pass Applicants with a previous degree at 2:2 or above and healthcare experience may be interested in MSc Nursing	Any subject accepted.
International Baccalaureate	H5,H5,H5 or 30 IB points	One science subject is required (Higher or Standard level – Biology preferred)
Irish Leaving Certificate	120 UCAS tariff points from 5 Highers. Use the UCAS Tariff Calculator to work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth.	Ordinary level English Language and Maths grades O1-O4 (or A-C / A1-C3 up to ands including 2016) are required in lieu of GCSEs.
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma (core) is acceptable combined with additional A level or equivalent Level 3 qualification(s).	120 UCAS Tariff points from the equivalent of 3 A Level qualifications. Use the UCAS Tariff Calculator to work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth.

The School will also consider applicants who hold a relevant Higher National Diploma, Foundation Degree or other health related higher education qualifications. Please contact nursing.admissions@keele.ac.uk for advice.

Vocational qualifications: NVQ or equivalent qualifications are not accepted.

If your qualifications are not listed here please contact nursing.admissions@keele.ac.uk for advice.

We recognise that applicants have different backgrounds and experiences and that some applicants may not have had the same opportunities to demonstrate their suitability for HE. Therefore, we will consider the additional data and information provided on your application (the contextual data) as part of the selection process to help identify applicants whose academic performance to date may not be a true reflection of their potential to succeed at University. Our offer will reflect our recognition of individual circumstances.

We recognise the skills and knowledge acquired whilst studying an EPQ qualification and therefore will take this into consideration when assessing your application. If your EPQ is in a relevant subject to the course you have applied for, it will be included in your offer. If you are also eligible for another offer scheme, for example our Contextual Data Offer Scheme, your offer will reflect this and your EPQ qualification will not form part of your offer.

Further entry requirements

Offers are subject to Occupational Health clearances and an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.

The University follows the DBS Code of Practice in these issues and can provide a copy of the Code on request.

A reference for the applicant will be completed on the UCAS form by the referee. This is normally from an academic tutor. For applicants invited for interview, a second reference may be required. Friends, relatives or neighbours are not eligible to act as referees. All offers are subject to satisfactory references.

All candidates for pre-registration Nursing and Midwifery programmes are required to meet or exceed NMC requirements, including literacy, numeracy and digital literacy skills.

Application Process: Application is via UCAS. The UCAS application is scored. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview. This can be either in person or remotely as appropriate.

International entry requirements

The following information is for applicants with Overseas qualifications and / or classed as Overseas for fees.
If you are unsure of your fee status, please check the guidance on the fee assessment pages.

Academic requirements

Please view equivalent entry criteria for your country.

If the qualifications you have are not listed, or you are unsure whether you meet our criteria, please contact the admissions office for advice: nursing.admissions@keele.ac.uk

English language requirements

All students must provide evidence of a recognised qualification in English Language, such as:

GCSE (first language) English Language – Grade C (Grade 4 for applicants taking the reformed GCSE qualifications in England)
International English Language Testing Service (IELTS, academic) - 7.0 overall, with at least 6.5 in the writing section and at least 7.0 in the reading, listening and speaking sections
Pearson (PTE) Academic - 65 (components 55)
Cambridge English First (foundations) and Advanced - 185 (subtests 176)

If you have taken a school qualification in English we may be able to accept this: please email nursing.admissions@keele.ac.uk for advice.

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

Preparation programmes for international students

International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.

These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.

Next Steps

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"The support from my practice assessor and personal tutor has been outstanding. The course is very structured, with placement and academic blocks to prepare you."

Richard, Adult Nursing

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"To sum up the 3 years i'd say it's been the hardest 3 years of my life but totally worth it. I'm extremely privileged to be a nurse."

Danielle, Adult Nursing

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Your Nursing and Midwifery Checklist

In addition to our academic requirements, to be accepted onto a nursing or midwifery programme you must also fulfil a range of additional requirements and expectations to esnure you can practice safely and complete the programme effectively.

DBS Check

An enhanced DBS clearance prior to starting your course is required so that the public are protected, and their safety can be assured. You'll need to provide additional documents to support your DBS application which may include a current passport, valid driving licence, birth certificate and utility bill.

Shifts

Programmes are demanding but rewarding. You are expected to work a variety of shift patterns including early, late and night shifts to enable you to participate in care over a 24 hour period. Shift work provides you with excellent experience and builds your skillset.

Travelling to placements

You are expected to fulfil your placement requirements which may require you to travel. Organisation is therefore key to ensure you are able to complete a range of placements.

Occupational Health

Occupational Health Clearance is required to assess medical fitness to engage in pre-registration nursing and midwifery programmes.

Placement circuits are fixed

Placements during your course are fixed to ensure you get the range of experiences required to become a nurse or midwife.

Personal care

You will care for a diverse group of people and will deliver personal care to patients with different gender identities.

Vaccines

You must have the required vaccinations so that you protect yourself and those whom you are caring for.

Uniform

Uniform must be worn smartly, as you represent Keele University and also the nursing and midwifery professions.

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Hours

Programmes are full time and can be demanding. You can expect your time to be split into 50% theory and 50% practice.

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Nursing at Keele

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Foundation year

Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years' experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you'll study on campus, joining our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support that you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.

Course content

Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.

This Foundation year is a is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing. For example, in the Academic and Professional Development for Health module you will begin to develop an awareness of professional standards that you will be working to in your degree and professional career. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.

You will gain a greater appreciation of historical and contemporary approaches to health and social care within the UK, considering key health issues and challenges facing health and science services. At the same time, we will advance your knowledge of human biology and chemistry, giving you a solid grasp of body systems, science and lab work. You'll develop safe, professional laboratory skills and get to know the mathematical techniques and quantitative methods used across health science-related and social care programmes.

Throughout the programme, you will develop subject-specific and broad based skills that will be invaluable in your academic career and beyond. You can find out more about our Foundation Year, Including Information on learning, teaching and assessment methods and further opportunities available to you by visiting our homepage.

Course structure

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

Semester one modules

FYO-00237	Foundations of Human Biology for Health	15 credits
FYO-00241	Foundations in Chemistry - Health	15 credits
FYO-00213	Foundations of Numerical and Quantitative Methods for Health Students	15 credits

Semester two modules

FYO-00239	Advancing Human Biology for Health	30 credits
FYO-00245	Foundations in Health and Society	15 credits

Year long modules (semesters one and two)

FYO-00181

Academic and Professional Development for Health

30 credits

Entry requirements

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview.

Candidates who progress from this Foundation Year onto year 1 of the degree course will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check (Enhanced plus Barring Lists) and health check.

For admission enquiries please contact nursing.admissions@keele.ac.uk

English Language Requirements for International/EU Applicants

In addition to meeting the Level 3 requirements, candidates whose first language is not English will need IELTS with an overall score of 7.0, including at least 6.5 in the writing section and at least 7.0 in the reading, listening and speaking sections, or GCSE English Language at 4 (C) or above.

A-levels	Alternative Qualifications	Additional GCSE requirements
CDD	Further Information	GCSE in English and Maths at grade C/4 or above or equivalent qualifications (e.g. Functional Skills Level 2 / Key Skills Level 2). Must have been achieved prior to application (unless studied alongside a pending Access to Higher Education Diploma). Please see the Alternative Qualifications section for further details.

How to apply

UCAS applications

Visit UCAS for applications. You should apply for Adult Nursing with Foundation Year.

UCAS code: B742

Direct entry students

If you already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.

Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.

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Book an open day

Nursing (Adult) - BSc (Hons)

Year of entry

Course type

Location

Subject area / School

UCAS code

Duration of study

Why study Nursing (Adult) at Keele University?

Approved programme

Additional opportunities

Your Nursing and Midwifery Checklist

Nursing at Keele

Foundation year

Course content

Course structure

Semester one modules

Semester two modules

Year long modules (semesters one and two)

Entry requirements

How to apply

UCAS applications

Direct entry students

Keele University Enquiries Form

Your Preferences

Nursing (Adult) - BSc (Hons)

Year of entry

Course type

Location

Subject area / School

UCAS code

Duration of study

Why study Nursing (Adult) at Keele University?

Course overview

Facilities

Strengthening your employability

Placements

Student support

Financial help

Related Courses

Next Steps

Approved programme

Additional opportunities

Entry requirements

UK / EU ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Further entry requirements

International entry requirements

Academic requirements

English language requirements

Preparation programmes for international students

Next Steps

Fees and funding

Next Steps

Modules

Next Steps

Your future career

Enhance your employability

Next Steps

Your Nursing and Midwifery Checklist

Teaching, learning and assessment

Nursing at Keele

Foundation year

Course content

Course structure

Semester one modules

Semester two modules

Year long modules (semesters one and two)

Entry requirements

How to apply

UCAS applications

Direct entry students

Keele University Enquiries Form

Your Preferences

Discover the Keele difference