Course content

Adult Nursing at Keele develops adult nurses who deliver excellent evidence-based practice in a range of care settings and who place the patient at the centre of decision making by promoting dignity, care, and compassion. Over your three years, you will develop the ability to assess, plan, implement, evaluate, and monitor care safely and effectively.

By taking a person-centred approach to care delivery, you will initially focus on meeting people's essential care needs and, as you progress through your second and third years, you will develop the skills and capabilities to assess, provide and manage the complex care needs of individuals and groups of people.

Students’ clinical and academic skills are developed within a strong and established system of support through personal tutors in the school and clinical mentors in placements. To develop your skills in academic writing, reflection, critical thinking, and decision making, a small group approach to learning is adopted whereby you are supported by your personal tutor. This is complemented by lectures, online activities, individual tutorials, directed study, and skills-based learning in the school’s Clinical Skills Laboratories.

Learning in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Keele is enhanced by superb classroom facilities, an excellent Health Library, computer suite, and established relationships with local primary and secondary health care providers.

Course structure

The module details given below are indicative and will give you a good idea of the range of subjects that we teach. We regularly review our teaching to ensure that the modules we offer are up-to-date; therefore, the modules available to study are liable to change.

The curriculum plan has blocks of theory and practice modules to enable you to fully engage with both theory practice experiences. The revision weeks are designed to give you opportunity to prepare of summative assessments. Consolidation periods enable students to further develop their studies, and will also support students needing to retrieve assessments or practice hours at the end of the academic year.

All four pathways contain generic and field-specific elements with assessment of both theory and clinical practice. All module learning outcomes must be successfully met in order to be eligible for academic award and professional registration with the NMC.

The Programme meets the professional requirement (NMC, 2018a) for a minimum of 4,600 hours over a 3-year period and for an equal emphasis to be placed on practice-based teaching and learning during clinical placements and on theoretical teaching and learning activities.

50% Theory and 50% Practice Hours are met across the three years with an increasing number of practice hours over the duration of the programme to maximise practice learning prior to programme completion.

 

Compulsory modules	Abbreviation	Module Code	Credits	Trimester
Person-Centred Nursing Care	PCNC	NUR-10053	30	One/Two
Clinical Nursing Practice 1	CNP1	NUR-10054	30	One/Two
Fundamentals of Nursing Practice	FNP	NUR-10055	30	Two/Three
Clinical Nursing Practice 2	CNP2	NUR-10056	30	Two/Three

 

 

Compulsory modules	Abbreviation	Module Code	Credits	Trimester
The Role of the Nurse in Promoting Health and Wellness	RNPHW	NUR-20147	30	One/Two
Clinical Nursing Practice 3	CNP3	NUR-20148	30	One/Two
Evidence – based Nursing Practice	EBNP	NUR-20149	15	Two/Three
Pharmacology and Concepts of Safety and Quality of Care in Nursing	PCSQCN	NUR-20150	15	Two/Three
Clinical Nursing Practice 4	CNP4	NUR-20150	30	Two/Three

Compulsory modules	Abbreviation	Module Code	Credits	Trimester
Nursing Dissertation	ND	NUR-30223	30	One/Three
Leading, Managing and Shaping Future Nursing Care	LMSFNC	NUR-30224	15	One/Two
Clinical Nursing Practice 5	CNP5	NUR-30225	30	One/Two
Clinical Judgment and Decision-making in Nursing	CJDMN	NUR-30226	15	Two/Three
Clinical Nursing Practice 6	CNP6	NUR-30227	30	Two/Three

Entry requirements

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, European Union and International students.

UK / EU ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

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)	BBC - 112 UCAS Tariff points	Any subjects accepted excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking.   For applicants taking the reformed A levels in Biology, Chemistry or Physics in England, we will require a pass in the practical element.
Access to Higher Education Diploma	60 Credits At least 45 Credits at Level 3. At least 15 level 3 credits at distinction and 30 level 3 credits at merit.	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
Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma / Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)	DMM	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).	112 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.	Any subjects accepted excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking.
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	30 IB points	One science subject is required (Higher or Standard level – Biology preferred)
Irish Leaving Certificate	112 UCAS tariff points from 4 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).	112 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.	Any subjects accepted excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking.

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.

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

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. Subject to initial scoring you may be invited to interview after which a decision is made in regards to offers.

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.

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.

Foundation year

You may choose to study this course via foundation year.

If you’re returning to education following a break, wish to study a new subject or don’t have the grades or sufficient equivalent experience for direct entry to this course, a foundation year may be a good option for you.

Following successful completion (including any additional progression requirements) of the foundation year you can progress on to this course.

For more details visit our foundation year webpages.

Fees and funding

Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.

We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.

For more information visit our money, advice and guidance section.

Student Grant

Student nurses can benefit from guaranteed, additional support of at least £5,000 a year to help with living costs. The grant is given to all new and continuing degree-level nursing students. 

There are also additional grants of up to £1000 available to eligible students, including those living in certain regions of the country and studying in specialist disciplines. 

Career prospects

96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE, 2017)

You will experience a range of hospital and community placements in which you’ll develop the required skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed for contemporary adult nursing practice. Many nurses progress to work in leadership, academia and strategic roles within various healthcare environments.

With further modules or courses, you could also go on to work in various areas:

• Alternative or specialist nursing fields
• Further Education or Higher Education lecturer
• Health Visitor
• Senior positions and Management roles within healthcare
• Social Work

This is a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) approved programme for the Future Nurse standards. Students who successfully complete the programme may apply for NMC nursing registration.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.