Top 25
Ranked 21st out of 121 universities in the UK
The Guardian University Guide 2022
Top 10
for teaching quality and student experience
Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022
Top 25
Ranked 25th in the UK for student satisfaction
National Student Survey 2021
Overview
Prepare for a career in a variety of rewarding Adult Nursing opportunities
NHS Funding
Receive at least £5,000 a year of NHS Funding on this course, with up to £3,000 further funding available for eligible students. Find out more on the NHS website.
This Postgraduate Diploma route will enable graduates from any subject to build on their experience in a care role and becoming a Registered Adult Nurse with a postgraduate qualification. This is an accelerated course, which means that you will achieve your goals in two years. This will enhance your opportunities for employment in areas of your choice, especially when combined with the high-level attributes that you will acquire as a University of Chichester graduate.
You’ll study 50% of your time at the university and 50% of your time in clinical placement learning or simulation-based learning in developing your theory and practice. You’ll begin your course with a transitional module to prepare you to become a graduate professional nurse. As a postgraduate student at the University of Chichester you’ll develop an elevated level of compassionate leadership and enhance your already established digital literacy skills and resilience.
Throughout the course you’ll work closely with others in gaining the necessary experience, competencies and skills needed to become a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). You’ll be supported by nursing practitioners and healthcare leaders in a safe and controlled setting within the University and clinical setting. On completion you’ll have access to a varied and fulfilling career with opportunities to work in practice, education, research, and leadership.
Once you have completed your Postgraduate Diploma you’ll have the option to return to your studies within a few years and complete your dissertation through topping up to a MSc in Nursing.
You will be taught by nurse academics who are all registered and experienced nurses, in addition to other allied health professionals, a range of nurse specialists, public health experts, researchers, academics and leaders in the field. Your teaching will occur in a purpose-built nursing facility which is modern and spacious with excellent connectivity.

Molly Ntange

Mariann Vargha-Miko
The Course
Learn through a combination of theory, stimulation and practical sessions
Year One
- Becoming a Graduate Professional Nurse
- Developing Person Centred Nursing with Integrated Care
- Caring Science – Leading and Managing the Promotion and Prevention of Illness
- Understanding Illness and its Associated Pharmacological Interventions
- Preparation for Practice Part One
- Preparation for Practice Part Two
Year Two
- Leading Person Centred Nursing Practice
- Caring Science – Advancing Nursing Practice
- Delivering Person Centred Nursing Practice
- Preparation for Practice Part Three
This list is indicative and subject to change.
Facilities
Brand new, on-campus facilities to 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.
Flexible teaching space
Learning and social hub spaces
Clinical skills and Simulation Environments
Learning technology room
- Bright and dedicated flexible teaching space for Nursing students
- Learning and social hub spaces where you have the opportunity to discuss and debrief either following some simulated learning experience or just from your classroom experiences.
- Clinical skills and Simulation Environments:
– Six bedded ward environment to recreate a hospital environment
– Separate Community flat to recreate community nursing/social care environment
– Consultation room to recreate primary care environment
- Learning technology room
Lecturers will support your learning through a connected system of live cameras and also through a range virtual learning technology. We are using the latest healthcare technology so you can learn how to increase safety, improve outcomes for patients and develop your own professional skills here.
- Virtual Learning Environment
A virtual learning environment that provides a range of virtual learning opportunities via embedded software such as ClinicalSkills.net.
These facilities will provide you with an outstanding study experience. We use the latest healthcare technology, so you can learn how to increase safety, improve outcomes for patients and develop your own professional skills within the safe space of the clinical simulation labs.
Entry Requirements
Typical Offer (individual offers may vary)
General education
GCSE
Undergraduate Honours Degree
- A minimum of seven weeks (265.5 hours) evidenced work experience in a professional caring role within the previous three years that is verified by either an NMC Registered Nurse or Care Manager and an employment contract
- Capability for digital and technological literacy or demonstrate potential to meet programme outcomes
- Evidence of study within the last five years
- Attend a values-based interview
- Complete satisfactory occupational health assessment, enhanced criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and relevant immunisations before entering the programme
- Completion of a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) claim prior to entry
Record of Prior Learning (RPL)
For your Record of Prior Learning (RPL) to support entry to the Postgraduate Diploma in Adult Nursing (Pre-registration), you will be required to develop evidence through a portfolio of achievements for the relevant module outcomes and some practice learning hours.
The RPL process must demonstrate the equivalence of 600 hours of theoretical learning and a minimum of seven weeks (262.5 hours) of evidenced work experience in a professional caring role within the previous three years. This will need to be verified by a registered nurse or care manager and include a reference and an employment contract.
All RPL portfolios will be assessed by the admissions tutor. Those identified as potentially meeting the criteria will be ratified by the exam board. A selection will be reviewed by the programme external examiner to ensure academic consistency.
We encourage you to achieve the care certificate prior to application.
As an accelerated Postgraduate Diploma in Adult Nursing (pre-registration) programme, you must be able to demonstrate prior learning for the equivalent of BSc (Hons) Level 4 nursing programme. Recognition will be considered on an individual basis in line with the university’s admissions policy and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) standards and requirements.
- 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% of the programme and comply with Article 31(3) of Directive 2005/36/EC.
- 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% of the programme.
Immunisations
It is a requirement of this programme to have immunisations for the following diseases so that you may go on placement:
- Chickenpox
- Covid
- Hepatitis B
- Meningitis
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
- Tuberculosis (BCG)
You will be given further advice and support regarding how to obtain all these, if you are accepted onto the programme. You may be required to pay for some outstanding immunisations.
Course Costs
Course Fees 2022/23
UK fee
For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fee page.
For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.
Course specific costs
You will be required to have a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check costing £40 which needs to be paid for before the start of the course.
To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.