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BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing

Experience a transformational, high-quality, future-ready education in nursing

Experience a transformational, high-quality, future-ready education in nursing

UCAS Logo
B700
3 years full-time
Bishop Otter Campus (Chichester)
  • Designed with your nursing career in mind
  • Undertake placements with our local Health and Social Care partners
  • Discover brand new facilities and supervised clinical and simulation environments
  • Guaranteed employment within UHSussex after completing your degree
Nursing practitioner explaining to a nursing student

Top 40

UK University

Guardian University Guide 2024

Gold

rated university in the Teaching Excellence Framework

TEF 2023

7th

best university in the South East

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

Join us at one of our Open Days!

Saturday 22 June  |  Saturday 12 October  |  Friday 1 November  |  Saturday 23 November

Saturday 22 June

Saturday 12 October

Friday 1 November

Saturday 23 November

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Overview

Become a highly-skilled, digitally-competent, and compassionate nurse

NHS Learning Support Fund

You will receive at least £5,000 a year, with further funding available for eligible students. You can find out more on the NHS website.

On our BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing course we offer small cohorts in a community. During the course you will develop into a resilient, attentive, and caring professional ready for the ever-changing and dynamic healthcare sector.

We welcome curious learners who are looking to make an impact on people’s lives by learning the skills and procedures that help patients and pursue a career with excellent employment prospects.

Develop your person-centred approach

You will learn how to observe patients and assess their needs, to plan and deliver the most appropriate care for them, and evaluate the results.

We will support you in becoming a caring and compassionate professional who delivers skilled, evidence-based care in partnership with patients, families, and communities.

Experiential learning through cutting-edge technology

Our brand-new facilities offer innovative teaching methods that provide immersive learning experiences and simulation-based learning, allowing you to engage with scenario-based activity using robotic manikins, virtual reality, and actors to reflect real situations.

Head of School of Nursing and Allied Health Dr Nita Muir has published international research in virtual simulation learning and Senior Lecturer James Wilson is a National Teaching Fellow with expertise in Forum theatre.

Facilities include

  • Immersive sensory simulation space
  • Virtual reality equipment
  • Six-bed clinical practice area
  • Responsive robotic mannequins
  • Simulated community nursing settings

Work alongside our practice-experienced staff

Our skilled and expert staff are all clinicians in practice who will support you to achieve your learning goals.

As a curious and motivated learner, we will work with you in developing your study skills and ability a professional nurse registrant and a graduate.

Discover our supportive community

We pride ourselves on our community and the support we offer our students. Our smaller class sizes ensure that you will be known by a name and truly valued, as you feel the support of your personal tutor from the moment you join.

A rich history of nursing education

In 1973, the 25-year-old Graylingwell School of Nursing combined with Royal West Sussex and St Richard’s Hospital School of Nursing to form Chichester and Graylingwell School of Nursing, which was responsible for most nurses who practiced in the area before it closed in 1978.

The School of Nursing and Allied Health at the University of Chichester now takes up the mantle to promote and develop nurse education in the local area.

Study on a nationally-accredited course

This course is accredited against the Nursing & Midwifery Council’s (NMC) 2018 standards, enabling you to be eligible to seek admission to part 1 (Adult) of the NMC register on successful completion of this three-year programme.

The NMC has assessed the course as requiring no improvements against 2018 standards, which is an exceptional outcome. This means you can be confident that you will be gaining the required level of theoretical and clinical training to succeed as a graduate nurse.

Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC) logo

Guaranteed employment within UHSussex

University Hospitals NHS trust guarantee employment within UHSussex as a Registered Adult Nurse for those students who successfully complete their degree at University of Chichester and gain professional registration.

This is subject to successful pre-employment checks at the time of graduating.

UHSsussex logo

On this course you will:

  • Learn how to deliver the most appropriate, evidence-based care for patients.
  • Become a resilient, attentive, and compassionate professional.
  • Graduate ready to enhance the quality of person-centred care.
  • Develop a strong professional network that strengthens your career opportunities.
  • Gain elevated digital skills to prepare you for a rapidly evolving health and social care sector.
  • Engage in annual inter-professional conferences.

The Course

Learn through a combination of theory, simulation, practical sessions, and placements

Throughout the three years of the course, you will undertake placements at local healthcare institutions to provide you with the required level of experience and knowledge for a registered nurse.

Your on-campus studies to help you learn and develop as a professional nurse.

Study areas include:

  • Caring sciences
  • Person-centred care
  • Professional issues
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Mental and physical health conditions
  • Preparing for practice learning

Year One

In your first year, you will focus on the foundations of anatomy and physiology alongside your introduction to the concept of person-centred care. You will also explore the fundamentals of caring science and its relationship to compassionate nursing practice., alongside a focus on your personal development as a practitioner.

Year Two

Your second year continues to develop your caring science knowledge and practical clinical skills, as you expand your understanding of clinical decision making in response to adult patient deterioration.

You will also explore the subject of pharmacology and its applications within nursing, as you develop your ability to work within a healthcare team dynamic.

Year Three

In your third year, you will develop your understanding of person-centred care in relation to those with complex needs and those who need end of life care. In addition, you will explore the delivery of effective nursing leadership and policy development.

Your final year also sees you focus on working across healthcare systems, as you prepare to work in array of care settings and develop your leadership and management skills.

Module list

This module list is indicative and subject to change.

Select a year

Becoming A Professional Nurse

This module will introduce you to the concepts of professionalism in relation to the specific profession of nursing.

For example:

  • Duty of care
  • Duty of candour
  • Accountability
  • Self-regulation and autonomy
  • The legal and ethical frameworks that govern nursing practice
  • The values and skills required to become a professional such as: reflection, resilience and emotional intelligence to support effective and compassionate communication.

Caring Science and Understanding

Caring science is the concept of caring science defined as the underpinning evidence-base for holistic nursing practice through an evaluation of research methods, ethics and governance, the ability to apply a range of evidence, drawing on experience to make evidence informed decisions will be explored.

Foundations of Health and Wellbeing for Nursing

This module develops your foundational knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and behaviour by examining key body systems and homeostasis which are fundamental to nursing assessments and developing appropriate care plans.

Introducing Person-Centred Care

You will explore the concept of person-centred care as applied to nursing assessment and care planning and the methods used to ensure an individual approach is undertaken, taking into account reasonable adjustments and the vulnerability of the person.

Preparation for Practice – Year 1

In this module, you will safely demonstrate evidence-based practice in all year one skills and procedures undertaken in placement.

Caring Science in Promoting Heath and Preventing Illness

Your understanding and application of the aims and principles of health promotion, protection and improvement and the prevention of ill health when engaging with people and understanding global patterns of health and wellbeing outcomes will be addressed.

Delivering Person-Centred Case

Understanding of person-centred care in complex situations is considered across a wide range of integrated care settings including a change in a person’s mental capacity or transition points such as coordinating safe and effective transfer of care or discharge to home.

Developing as a Professional Nurse

You will continue to develop your skills and abilities required to develop, manage and maintain appropriate relationships with people, their families, carers and colleagues. This module will also revisit and strengthen the developing skills of self-reflection, resilience and emotional intelligence.

Understanding Illness for Nursing

You will develop your knowledge and ability to respond proactively and promptly to signs of deterioration or distress in mental, physical, cognitive and behavioural health and use this knowledge to make sound clinical decisions.

The subject of pharmacology applied to nursing and the principles of safe and effective administration and optimisation of medicines will also be covered.

Preparation for Practice: Year 2

This module will continue your development of the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for nursing practice to enable the student to meet the Future Nurse: Standards of proficiency for registered nurses (Nursing and Midwifery Council [NMC] 2018).

Being a Professional Nurse

This module will cover the delivery of care through effective nursing leadership, how nurses can influence policy development and promote the profession of nursing at an individual level and within the wider context of systems.

Caring Science for Quality Improvement

This module will cover an understanding and application of the aims and principles of quality improvement through an evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of nursing care.

You will also cover the importance of undertaking a collaborative approach to quality improvement and how health economics contributes to quality improvement through measures of efficiency, effectiveness, value and behaviour in the production and consumption of health and healthcare.

Maintaining Person-Centred Care

This module will continue your expert understanding and the ability to recognise the need to respond to the challenges of providing safe, effective and person-centred nursing care for people who have complex care needs specifically end of life care.

Preparation for Practice: Year 3

This module develops your communication and relationship management skills and nursing procedures for part three of the programme that must be able to demonstrate in order to meet the proficiency outcomes of the Future Nurse: Standards of proficiency for registered nurses (Nursing and Midwifery Council [NMC], 2018).

Dr Nita Muir - Head of School of Nursing and Allied Health

Dr Nita Muir

Head of School of Nursing and Allied Health
"As a graduate entry nursing student at the University of Chichester you will become part of a supportive university and wider nursing community on a small friendly campus where lecturers know your name and are approachable. You will become a compassionate, person-centred Registered Nurse with confidence in your practice and learning. You will be an be an active learner throughout; seeking opportunities in your development and learning closely from your peers both at university and in practice learning."

Facilities

Experience brand new on-campus facilities that help you thrive

School of Nursing and Allied Health

The School of Nursing and Allied Health is based on the Bishop Otter campus, you will learn both on campus and in a variety of practice and simulation settings.

All learning will be supported by our lecturers in a safe and controlled setting and by your practice assessors and supervisors in health and social care environments.

Immersive sensory learning technologies

Explore our immersive learning room that recreates sounds and visuals from a range of clinical settings, supported with the latest virtual reality technologies.

Mariann

Mariann Vargha-Miko

BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing student
"I'm very excited to start my nursing journey at the University of Chichester. The cohort is small, and the lecturers are very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and supportive, so I feel we have every opportunity to thrive as nursing students. Learning in a small cohort is a very good experience, as everyone feels comfortable to ask questions, and have open discussions during lectures and seminars. I feel that my aspirations are seen and valued here, and that I'll learn a lot more than just the required skillset by the time I qualify."
Molly Nursing

Molly Ntange

BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing student
"As a nursing student, I don’t think there is a better university out there. We feel cared for and strongly supported by our lecturers. They know us by names which makes our relationship with them even better therefore we can approach them anytime. The lectures are top notch with the highest possible standard. They have provided all the necessary resources. We go into lecture rooms almost everyday which other universities don’t do which is a very important aspect when studying a professional course like nursing. I am very privileged to be part of the pioneer nursing cohort 2021 Chichester University. For anyone out there interested in studying at this university especially, be sure that your money will be put to proper use. Studying nursing at this university is the best decision I have made for myself and my children."

Daniel Grigorita

BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing student
"Learning in a small cohort is a very good experience, as everyone feels comfortable to ask questions, and have open discussions during lectures and seminars. I feel that my aspirations are seen and valued here and that I'll learn a lot more than just the required skillset by the time I qualify."

Marta Kumczyk

BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing student
"The lecturers are all passionate about their subjects and come from different areas of healthcare that it makes studying so interesting. This course really is so worth it for young and mature students as childcare and personal circumstances are taken into consideration."

Teaching and Assessment

Innovative teaching delivered by expert and supportive staff

Collaborative learning

You will experience a range of different techniques such as enquiry-based learning groups, blended learning, keynote lectures and small group seminars.

Our innovative and supportive teaching approach is based on a collaborative learning philosophy, which encourages you to learn with and from other and achieve your own learning goals.

Experiential learning

From clinical practice settings to recreations of community nursing settings, our use of modern, highly-equipped simulation environments and situations combined with our simulated-based approach to learning develops your professional practice skills and your confidence ahead of your clinical placements.

You will have the chance to simulate various clinical situations with both actors and real service users in care.

Digital competency

We will work with you to develop your digital competencies across the three years as you utilise a range of technologies which will support your learning both now and in your future career.

We are exploring new technologies constantly and you will be exposed to virtual learning environments that recreate clinical scenarios, in addition to using an online learning practice portfolio and developing your own vlog.

Varied assessment methods

Your placements are assessed through an electronic portfolio, alongside more traditional forms of assessment for your clinical learning. Half of these are completed in practical sessions and can include presentations, essays, case-study analyses, and multiple-choice exam questions.

Meet our teaching staff

You’ll be taught by academics, with many who are registered practitioners from a variety of clinical backgrounds. Healthcare qualifying degrees offer a range of options for future employment both internationally and nationally. Roles can be within emergency care, primary care, end-of-life care and development into becoming advanced practitioners.

Nita Muir

Head of the School of Nursing and Allied Health

Nita is an active researcher as an Adult Registered Nurse and academic with an international reputation, with a particular focus within community nursing and nurse education.

She has undertaken evaluative consultations for Health Education Improvement Wales, is a member of the British Safety Institute, and is on the editorial board of a national nursing journal.

At an international level, Nita has participated in global research and led funded innovation projects to develop sustainable curriculum with colleagues in Zambia, Sweden, Denmark and China.

James Wilson

Senior Lecturer in Nursing

James is an award-winning nurse academic recognised for his student-focused work in nurse education and interactive theatre. James is a Registered Mental Health Nurse and as an innovator in education. He successfully applies transformative learning theory to an immersive suite of drama-based approaches that have since gained national and international recognition and his research interests are in this field. He is also National Teaching Fellow.

Paul Watters

Programme Leader - BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing

Paul is an experienced nurse and educator. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and his teaching practice is at the praxis of end-of-life care, caring science, research, and evidence-based practice. His educational practice enables students to grow and develop, both academically and practically, to achieve their best potential. Paul is a nurse historian and is currently exploring a local oral history project.

Claudia Cadman

Lecturer Practitioner

Claudia is a Lecturer Practitioner and is excited to be beginning her academic career by supporting the delivery of the new nursing programme at the University of Chichester. As a Lecturer Practitioner, Claudia’s role is to facilitate a programme that bridges the gap between theory and clinical practice.

Louise West

Lecturer Practitioner in Nursing

As a Lecturer Practitioner, Louise works both in a clinical role as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and as a Lecturer at the school of Nursing and Allied Health and is delighted to support the next generation of nurses.

Erika Thorne

Senior Lecturer in Nursing (Practice Learning)

Erika has been a senior lecturer in Nursing for the last 10 years, moving after 25 years from a successful and enjoyable clinical career in critical care. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and her areas of educational practice include critical/acute care, simulation, pedagogy and practice learning. Erika has a research interest in exploring simulated based education.

Work Placements

Transfer the theory into real life practice

Gain vital practice experience

Practice learning will occur within allocated health and social care placements, which start from December: around three months after you start with us. You will undertake approximately six placements of around 8-10 weeks each.

These placements range across a variety of clinical settings to ensure you experience all fields of nursing, a variety of experiences and the range of hours expected of registered nurses.

Placement allocation

Whilst placement allocation is based on availability across the sector, it is non-negotiable as there is consideration of your home address and travel required. In some instances where travel to placement will be up to one and half hours from your home address, there is a travel bursary available to support this.

Additional placement options

There is the option also for a two-to-three-week self-choice placement in year two which can be arranged in discussion with our practice learning team. This enables you to choose an area of health care that you may not otherwise have access to. Additionally, we can provide you with a two-week placement in Mental Health Nursing should you wish.

Expect to:

  • Attend across the 7 day week 24/7
  • Travel 1.5 hours one way to placement
  • Work in a range of clinical settings i.e., at home, in community and at hospital
a map showing a 1.5 hour radius from Chichester of where placements will be

Please note the map above provides an overview of the placement areas and not an accurate representation. Placement travel time will usually be up to an hour and a half from the Bishop Otter campus.

Careers

As a registered nurse, you'll have a varied and fulfilling career ahead of you.

Graduate ready for a career in healthcare

As a University of Chichester BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing graduate, you will demonstrate an elevated level of compassionate leadership, excellent digital literacy skills, resilience and evidence-based knowledge which is person-centred and will prepare you to enter a modern-day nursing workforce.

Become a core part of a healthcare team

Adult nurses are a key part of the multidisciplinary teams that care for patients. You will be at the centre of teams which can include: social workers, doctors, occupational therapists, pharmacists, radiographers, and healthcare assistants. You’ll also work closely with patients’ families and carers.

Prepare for your future with a bespoke careers day

A bespoke careers day is offered with our local health and social care employers designed to prepare you for your future applications, and assist your decision making for your future career in nursing.

Career support

As a University of Chichester graduate, we will provide you with clear guidance for future career choices across the healthcare sector. There will be an opportunity to attend many recruitment fairs with local employers, who will be keen to recruit you.

Guaranteed employment within UHSussex

University Hospitals NHS trust guarantee employment within UHSussex as a Registered Adult Nurse for those students who successfully complete their degree at University of Chichester and gain professional registration.

This is subject to successful pre-employment checks at the time of graduating.

UHSsussex logo

Open up your career options

After completing your degree your career options are wide and varied. There are opportunities in advanced practice in clinical, research, education, and leadership areas.

Potential careers include:

  • Community nurse
  • Critical care nurse
  • Palliative care nurse specialist
  • Practice nursing
  • Care home manager
  • Nurse educator
  • Nurse researcher
  • Nurse leader

Course Costs

Course Fees 2024/25

UK fee
£9,250
International fee
£17,220

For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fees page.

To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.

Course specific costs

  • One uniform will be provided but you are likely to require additional uniforms which cost in the region of £30.
  • The University will pay for an occupational health assessment, however you may need to pay for immunisations if they are not covered by your GP.
  • You will need a pair of suitable comfortable shoes while on clinical placement and studying in our simulation settings (estimated cost £40- £60).
  • You will need to purchase some of your own clinical items, for instance a stethoscope and fob watch (estimated cost £30).
  • You will need to be able to travel to your placement.

NHS Learning Support Fund

You will receive at least £5,000 a year, with further funding available for eligible students. You can find out more on the NHS website.

Entry Requirements

Typical Offer (individual offers may vary)

UCAS
104 - 120
tariff points.
A Levels
BCC
must include a Science or Social Science.
T Levels
Merit (with C in the Core)
in Health/Healthcare Science.
BTEC Extended Diploma
DMM
in a Health or Science subject.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass
with 60 credits overall. At least 45 credits at level 3, with 15 credits at distinction and 30 credits at Merit. Must be in Health Studies, Nursing or Science.
GCSE
Grade C/4
in English Language, Mathematics or higher (Functional Skills English and Maths Level 2 Pass are accepted equivalents) and Science at C/4 or higher.
IELTS
Grade 7
with no component lower than 6.5.

Further requirements

  • Capability in digital and technological literacy
  • Evidence of study within the last 5 years

Background checks

We are required to verify that you are of good health and character. We achieve this through a satisfactory occupational health assessment and enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check on entering the programme. You are required to self-declare this on an annual basis.

Interview

You will be required to attend a nursing values-based interview for this degree. You will meet current students, complete different activities, and go on a campus tour. Activities include problem solving and ethical dilemmas. For more information on the interview process, please visit our Interviews and Auditions page.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applicants will be considered on an individual basis in line with the University’s Admissions policy and the Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards and requirements:

1.5 permit recognition of prior learning that is capable of being mapped to the Standards of proficiency for registered nurses and programme outcomes, up to a maximum of 50 percent of the programme and comply with Article 31(3) of Directive 2005/36/EC.

1.6 for NMC registered nurses permit recognition of prior learning that is capable of being mapped to the Standards of proficiency for registered nurses and programme outcomes that may be more than 50 percent of the programme.

Foundation Year in Health and Exercise Science

Our Foundation Year in Health and Exercise Science course provides an opportunity for those who require a foundation year to prepare for admission to the BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing course.

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