BSc Nursing (Adult) - B74P (part-time)

Female nurse on a hospital ward.

Nursing is more than just an amazing and valuable career choice. It is a professional journey, filled with rewarding experiences from touching the lives of a diverse range of people across all walks of life at their time of need, providing holistic care, kindness and compassion when they are at their most vulnerable. Nursing will become your identity and will include a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences, but it is going to be so worthwhile.

The 21st century sees varied nursing career opportunities being offered in different sectors of society, which this course will thoroughly prepare you for. The nursing programme at Aberystwyth University embraces its rural Mid Wales roots, offering a bespoke and intimate learning experience where the mountains meet the sea. The fundamentals of holistic nursing practice are complemented by dynamic nursing care delivery models underpinned by evidence-based healthcare. Aberystwyth University will provide you with different perspectives of caring and the programme will equip you with the skills needed to enhance the future nursing workforce.

Working collaboratively with Health Boards and other Healthcare Services in the area, the adult and mental health field programmes will benefit from a different and innovative curriculum, where theoretical knowledge will be complimented with practical clinical application in real world environments.

Overview

This innovative adult nursing programme will ensure you learn about holistic patient and family centred care and how to apply this approach confidently in a variety of clinical settings. You will experience lots of different practice placement learning opportunities which will be facilitated by our Practice Learning Partners.

As a part-time student, undertaking the 2-year 7 months nursing programme (adult or mental health field), you will be expected to undertake 37.5 hours weekly study during theoretical weeks and 22.5 hours per week when attending practice placements.  Theoretical content will be delivered in lots of different ways to suit all types of learning styles including lead lectures, seminars, workshops, small group work, clinical skills simulation, blended online learning and self-guided study.

The part-time programme is divided equally into theory and practice learning weeks with a total of 3,200 hours of learning.

In pre-registration nursing, we use a three- semester academic year (trimester), like a school year.  Your part-time programme of study spans over 4 academic years and will normally commence mid-June and will continue until mid-January.

The Aberystwyth University Healthcare Education Centre

The Aberystwyth University Healthcare Education Centre [AUHEC], is located opposite the University’s Penglais campus. The AUHEC is newly established and houses the Clinical Skills Unit, a state-of-the-art simulation suite where you can learn and practice clinical skills in a safe and supportive environment.

Want to study in Welsh?

Fifty percent of the overall programme is available through the medium of Welsh. This is delivered through the practice-based module, where you will be supported by Welsh speaking Practice Supervisors and Practice Assessors whilst on clinical placements, and complete practice related clinical assessments through the medium of Welsh.  If you are a non-Welsh speaker and wish to learn Welsh, the programme also offers basic conversational health-related Welsh lessons.

Our staff

All of the healthcare lecturers at the Healthcare Education Centre are registered practitioners with the Nursing and Midwifery Council or Health and Care Professions Council.  The team have a breadth of experience and have worked extensively across a variety of clinical, research and academic settings.  All of our healthcare education lecturers maintain their registration through continuous professional development and have a range of post graduate qualifications to reflect this. 

 Teaching and learning activities will be supported by our Practice Learning Partners, charitable and voluntary organisations and most importantly service users and carers who are members of the public, who will share their personal experiences.  Patients and their families are at the heart of everything that we do. That is why we believe shared experiences are a powerful way to learn and gain new understanding.

 Wider University colleagues, who are renowned experts in their field will also provide additional teaching expertise within the nursing programme. 

Employability

As a nurse, your skills will forever be in demand, and your learning experiences during your degree course will allow you to develop your clinical interests and expertise. Nursing is a versatile profession, with employment opportunities available within primary, secondary and tertiary care, community services, education, research, tourism, industry, public and private sectors, voluntary and charitable organisations - both here and internationally. Enhanced roles can lead to opportunities which help progress your career once qualified including roles in management, advanced and specialist clinical practice and research.

The study places on this programme are commissioned by Health Education and Improvement Wales, and funding to cover tuition fees will be in accordance with the NHS Wales Bursary Scheme.  Further financial support from the Scheme is also available (see our Fees and Finance page for further information).  You will have to commit to working in Wales for two years after qualifying and registering as a nurse with the NMC.  This process is managed centrally by NHS Wales Shared Service Partnership, and the Student Streamlining Scheme will ensure that you will be matched to a suitable position of your choice in your identified locality.

Teaching and Learning

What will I learn?

Part 2 will focus on enhancing your professional practice. Field specific modules will develop your understanding of knowledge underpinning your chosen field of practice (adult or mental health), exploring common and complex conditions, underlying pathophysiology, disease process and symptom management. You will also develop a more advanced understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology and how this knowledge informs professional nursing practice and holistic person-centred care, specific to your chosen field of practice. You will also have two practice-based placements during the course of the year.

Part 3 will see both cross-field and field specific modules being taught, where the focus will be on developing your compassionate leadership skills which will be required for professional practice. The module will introduce fundamental principles underpinning creativity, innovation and change in practice, as well as revisiting key concepts which supports nursing and medicine management. You will be guided to examine your learning journey so far and critically explore your readiness to become an autonomous registered professional with the confidence to deliver safe and effective, holistic person-centred nursing care. In addition, you will also have another two practice-based placements throughout the year.

 

How will I be taught?

The nursing programme has adopted a student-centred blended learning approach using a combination of self-directed, on-line and face to face teaching, which will be delivered through lead lectures, seminars, group work, presentations, workshops, simulation, case studies, action learning sets and clinical supervision. Where possible the programme aims to be family friendly and minimise travel for academic lectures, and you will be able to attend some sessions virtually via the University’s online learning platforms.

Simulation is essential in nurse education and the University has invested in a Clinical Skills Unit which models local care delivery. This includes areas which reflect the patient journey from home and community services to assessment, planned and acute care. You will be able to gain valuable exposure to clinical skills in a safe, learning environment which mirrors the nurse/patient experience.

You will of course learn the art of nursing practice during your clinical practice placements, where you will have first-hand opportunities to participate in delivering patient care under supervision. You will experience lots of different practice placement learning opportunities which will be facilitated by our Practice Learning Partners. It will be essential for you to attend placement learning opportunities in rural areas across Mid Wales and some placements will be a distance away from the main University campus.  Where transportation to access your placement areas are a concern for you, funded accommodation possibilities can be explored whilst undertaking these practice placements.  You will be supported in practice by experienced nurses known as Practice Supervisors and Practice Assessors. 

We will use a variety of approaches to assess your learning. You will also be assessed in practice by your allocated Practice Assessor and Academic Assessor.  You must pass the Once for Wales proficiencies, professional attitudes and behaviour assessments and specific in-point assessments, which are all part of the All-Wales Practice Assessment Document and Ongoing Record of Achievement.

Every student will be allocated a personal tutor during the three-year programme, who will support your learning journey and professional development. The personal tutor role is crucial in supporting students with any problems or queries and will help you maximise your student experience.

 

Modules

Module 5: Introduction to Field Specific Nursing (Adult and Mental Health field modules - Part 2)

These field specific modules introduce key concepts underpinning adult or mental health nursing.  The focus will be on developing an understanding of field specific knowledge, exploring common conditions, underlying pathophysiology, disease processes and symptom management.  Skills associated with caring for service users across the lifespan will be studied, which will concentrate on care policies, legal, moral and ethical principles as well as exploring the ageing process which will include associated societal and cultural concepts.

Module 6: Complex Field Specific Nursing (Adult and Mental Health field modules - Part 2)

These field specific modules will explore the complex care requirements of service users with multiple pathologies and complex life limiting illness, and how to meet both physical and emotional needs.  The focus will be on further developing understanding of symptom management in complex care situations and how this informs adult/mental health nursing practice, as well as learning the key skills required.  Death and dying will be explored as well as key theories associated with the grieving process and societal/cultural norms.

Module 7: Pathophysiology of Common Conditions (Adult and Mental Health field modulesPart 2)

The focus of these field specific modules will be on developing a more advanced understanding of human anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology and this knowledge informs professional nursing practice.  Using a case-based approach, students will be encouraged to further explore common disorders and consider how these impact on individual services users using the ‘virtual family’. 

Module 9: Compassionate Leadership and Management (Part 3)

This cross-field module introduces the core principles and skills underpinning compassionate leadership and effective management.  Leadership and management are described as fundamental to the success of future health policies, in order develop practitioners who can instigate change, empower and lead by example as well as being able to create environments where continuous innovation and improvement can drive up the quality of health and care services.

Module 10: Innovating Practice (Part 3)

This cross-field module introduces the fundamental principles underpinning creativity, innovation and change in practice to enhance compassionate holistic person-centred care.  Registered nurses make a key contribution to the continuous monitoring and quality improvement of care and treatment in order to enhance health outcomes and to ensure a positive patient experience.  The focus will be to explore strategies used for monitoring quality, and to consider how to develop healthcare innovation through quality improvement principles.

Module 11: Transition to Autonomous Practitioner (Adult and Mental Health field modulesPart 3)

These field specific modules revisit key concepts underlining nursing, medicines management, professional practice and holistic person-centred care.  The focus will be on examining the learning journey so far and to critically explore students’ readiness to become autonomous registered professionals with the confidence to deliver safe and effective, holistic patient-centred nursing care.

Practice Placement Modules:

Module 8: Enhancing Professional Practice (Part 2)*

Module 12: Leading Professional Practice (Part 3)*

There are six practice placement experiences during the course of the 2-year 7 month programme.  The focus will be on developing the personal skills and attributes associated with professional nursing practice to enable safe, compassionate nursing care. You will be supported in placement by Practice Supervisors and Practice Assessors. Students will work alongside clinical colleagues to attain agreed proficiencies which reflect the skills that registered nurses must demonstrate when caring for people of all ages and across all care settings.

* These modules are also offered through the medium of Welsh

Entry Requirements

The Healthcare Education Centre at Aberystwyth University promotes an inclusive admission criterion in line with the UCAS Tariff points system. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Healthcare Education Centre’s Admissions Tutor (nrsstaff@aber.ac.uk) and line manager for further information. 

Application via UCAS:

  • UCAS Tariff 104 – 96
  • 3 A levels – BCC/CCC
  • Welsh Baccalaureate - Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A level (at the grades listed above)
  • BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM-MMM
  • BTEC Diploma – D*D-DD
  • Access to HE Diploma – Merit overall
  • International Baccalaureate – 26-28
  • European Baccalaureate – 26% overall
  • Or any other equivalent qualifications
  • GCSE (or equivalent) at a minimum grade C/4 in:
    • English/Welsh Language and Mathematics 

 APeL/RPL (Contextual Admissions):

  • Submit a portfolio of evidence which maps your prior experience and learning to the module learning outcomes (modules 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Part 1 of the programme).
  • Provide confirmation of practice hours (800 hours over the last two years)
  • Evidence of EC directive mapping for general care (Adult field only)
  • Mandatory training compliance as stipulated by your employer which meets programme skills mapping for Part 1
  • Application and approval for study leave, and line manager agreement
  • GCSE (or equivalent) at a minimum grade C/4 in English/Welsh Language and Mathematics

APeL applications normally incur a charge for academic support and assessment. This will be agreed in accordance with the number of credits to be APeL’d.

Additional Requirements

In addition to academic achievements, in order to comply with professional requirements, the admission’s criteria also include other conditions, such as: 

  • Good Health and Good Character assessment (see Fitness to Practise information below)
    If you are offered a place with us, you will have to complete an:
  • Occupational Health Screening

and

  • Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Screening
  • For international students, an International English Language Testing System [IELTS] with an overall score of at least 7 and at least 6.5 in the writing section and at least 7 in the reading, listening and speaking sections is accepted. An OET certificate minimum of C+ in writing alongside a minimum of B in reading, listening and speaking will also be accepted. 

Please see Guidance on health and character from the NMC for more information.

Fitness to Practise

Good health and character requirements as stipulated in NMC legislation means that you are capable of safe and effective practice either with or without reasonable adjustments. It does not mean the absence of a health condition or disability.  Therefore, should any issues regarding your health and character be identified through our screening processes, a Fitness to Practise Panel will look at each individual situation and make a decision regarding your eligibility to be accepted onto the programme.  If you have any concerns about this, please feel free to discuss this further with the Admissions Tutor.

The Fitness to Practise Panel also consider students’ health and character throughout the programme as well, should any incidences and/or ill-health occur during your training which will impact on your learning and/or on clinical placements.  You can access support and advice regarding your health and wellbeing via Student Support and Career Services at any time during the programme.

Student Selection

In line with the Once for Wales approach, those meeting the admissions criteria will be invited to attend a Student Selection Event.  The University’s selection events will be supported by internal Healthcare Education staff, Practice Learning Partners, service users and carers and students.  Events will normally last for around half a day.

 Aberystwyth University’s selection event will consist of:

  • An introductory talk and overview of the programme
  • Tour of the department and of wider University facilities
  • Group debate/discussion
  • Unseen teamwork activity
  • Individual scenario
  • 1:1 interview
  • An opportunity to meet staff and current students, and ask questions

During the event, you will be scored against the All Wales Recruitment and Selection Principles for pre-registration nursing and midwifery programmes.

The full-time programme will offer one intake per year, and the commencement date will be in September.

 

Aberystwyth and the Welsh language

Aberystwyth University prides itself on its commitment to the Welsh language and is recognised as a leading provider of Welsh Medium higher education. When in times of illness, communication can be a concern to some patients and their families and communicating in the patient’s main/preferred language can be vitally important.  The nursing programme at Aberystwyth University is committed to supporting and championing the Welsh language.  Some staff at the Healthcare Education Centre are first language Welsh speakers and others are committed Welsh language learners, so everyone will be on hand to help and support you.

 

Fifty percent of the overall programme is available through the medium of Welsh. This is delivered through the practice-based module which is spread throughout each year of study.  You will be supported by Welsh speaking Practice Supervisors and Practice Assessors whilst on clinical placements, and you can complete practice related clinical assessments through the medium of Welsh. 

 

As per Aberystwyth University standard practice, Welsh speaking students will be allocated Welsh speaking personal tutors intuitively, and you are entitled to submit/sit all module assessments in Welsh regardless of the language delivery of the modules. 

In accordance with Health Education and Improvement Wales [HEIW] requirements, all nursing students’ Welsh language abilities will be assessed using an appropriate language assessment/checker when you begin your course with us.  In addition, all first year students will be given time to complete the HEIW's Welsh Language Introduction eLearning package and encouraged to undertake the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol [CCC] Welsh Language Skills Certificate, with free optional sessions being available to prepare you.  Additional resources are also available, such as the Language Awareness in Health and Care package and the CCC language app Gofalu drwy’r Gymraeg

If you are a non-Welsh speaker and wish to learn Welsh, the programme also offers free, basic conversational health-related Welsh lessons via our Cornel Coffi a Chlonc [coffee and chat corner], where you can learn everyday words and phrases.  Our Welsh speaking staff along with other Welsh speaking students will support your development in a relaxed and informal environment. 

Further intensive and fractional Welsh Language classes are also available within the University, via its dedicated Learn Welsh department, as are a range of in-person and online classes at every level within the community.  Further information and details about concessionary rates can be found here.  Support for fluent students who are less confident in their ability to study through the medium of Welsh is available from our Welsh medium Academic Skills Tutor, for further information e-mail sgiliau@aber.ac.uk 

Students can also follow a more informal way of learning Welsh by joining the free UMCA (Aberystwyth Welsh Students’ Union) classes.  The classes are taught by volunteering students.  This is a great way to meet other students who speak or are learning Welsh.  For further information, contact: umca@aber.ac.uk

Further bespoke Welsh language skills support is available via the Welsh Language Skills Tutor, for further information e-mail  dfm@aber.ac.uk  

Students studying in Welsh will receive an automatic AU Welsh medium study scholarships, worth up to £400 a year, depending on the number of modules/credits undertaken fully in Welsh. The CCC also offer an Incentive Scholarship, worth £500 per year, where at least 40 credits must be studied in Welsh each year.  Please see their website for further details and application processes: Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol