Nursing - Adult - BSc (Hons)
Our BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing degree will provide you with the clinical skills and experience you need to be a professional nurse. You will spend time on placement in different hospital and clinical settings within the Birmingham and Solihull area, as well as learning from our experts at the University.
This course is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and you will be able to apply for Registered Nurse Status on completion.
What's covered in the course?
Our aim is to develop you into a graduate nurse who is able to work flexibly across a range of settings and meet the health needs of the whole person throughout their lifespan. We will work with you on your development to help you become a skilled, knowledgeable, emotionally intelligent nurse, able to lead and co-ordinate compassionate, evidence-based, person- and family-centred care while working as an integral member of interdisciplinary teams.
The university-based elements of the first two years of your course are integrated, with all fields of nursing working together. In your final year, the theory you learn will be specific to adult nursing. You will study five modules each year. In year one, you will complete a year-long practice module which will prepare and support you to develop your confidence and competence in practice as you work towards independently leading and coordinating care.
In your first year, you will gain theoretical and practice knowledge to develop a range of key skills. This will include: exploring the evidence that underpins person- and family-centred care; professional values; self-leadership; and the role of the registered nurse. Second year modules will further enhance your first-year learning and explore evidence-based complex care incorporating a wide range of research, skills, team leadership and principles of coordinating care. During your third year you will continue build on your previous learning and develop proficiency in adult nursing. The modules you study will develop you as a leader who uses research-informed critical thinking to co-ordinate care, supervise other health professionals and gain confidence in the safe management of medication. You will also have access to personal tuition throughout the course which will enrich your learning experiences and will enable to reflect meaningfully on your practice and the development of your individual field identity.
Your practice placements will be specific to your field, adult nursing, throughout the three years. To help you become a more rounded nurse, you will also have opportunities to learn across the four fields of nursing. Your placement learning experiences may be within community, hospital or home environment settings and at a location anywhere within the West Midlands and potentially into neighbouring counties. While on placement you will be supported, supervised and assessed by practice and academic staff to develop your knowledge and skills.
We are committed to providing excellent, innovative, learning, teaching and assessment experiences through the use of technology, which we use to enhance your learning, through lectures, seminars, skills simulation and virtual learning. Engaging with practice partners and service users is also integral to our approach.
Our BSc (Hons) Nursing course has been designed to comply with the new Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) standards (2018) meaning that successful completion of this course makes you eligible to apply and be entered onto the NMC register in one of the four fields of nursing: Adult, Child, Learning Disabilities or Mental Health.
“Birmingham City University had the best facilities for my course, including excellent practice areas. This enabled me to get an insight into what it would be like to work in a hospital... from the mock wards.”Susan Donegal
Why Choose Us?
- Excellent employability rate - over 99 per cent of our graduates are studying or in work within six months (DLHE 2016/17)
- You will study at our recently extended £71 million City South Campus, complete with real-life hospital environments and simulation equipment so you can practice your practical skills at all times – not just on placement
- We offer two intakes a year in January and September so that you can start at the right time for you. Contact our Admissions team to find out more
- Birmingham is one of the UK’s most diverse cities outside of London, which provides you with a wide variety of experience that will be valuable to take forward into your future career.
- Opportunities to go abroad, if this is something you would like to explore during your time studying with us
- Student finance - have you already had a student loan to study an undergraduate degree but would like to do a second degree in nursing, midwifery or the allied health professions? You may still be eligible for funding
Meet or Beat scholarship for undergraduate students
Meet or beat our entry requirements and you could be eligible for an achievement scholarship worth £1,000.
*Terms and Conditions apply - some undergraduate courses are not eligible for this scheme. The £1,000 scholarship is made up of an £850 scholarship and £150 free credit to spend in an online shop.
This course is open to International students
Discover the School of Nursing and Midwifery
Visit our School site for more student work and extra information.
Course Accreditations
This course is accredited by:
Entry Requirements
We now recruit to the values of the NHS constitution. This influences our selection criteria and especially the values we are seeking to be demonstrated in both your application and interview, which we view as essential in any individual involved in patient care.
120 UCAS tariff points
The entry requirements here show our standard UCAS tariff points. However we review applications on a case by case basis and so some flexibility may be possible.
Essential Requirements
| Level 2 qualifications which must be achieved PRIOR to application for all applicants except Access Students (Please see Access entry requirements below): |
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| A minimum of three GCSEs at Grade 4 or above (previously Grade C), must include English Language, Mathematics and one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Science Double/Triple Award or equivalent. Acceptable GCSE Science Equivalents:
or |
| Irish Leaving Certificate A minimum of five Ordinary levels at Grade B3 or above, must include English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject. or |
| Scottish qualifications A minimum of five Intermediate Standard 2 or above, must include English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject. |
| Plus one of the following Level 3 qualifications which you may be working towards: (Except Access students - please see entry requirements below) |
| GCE A/A2 Level 120 UCAS points from a maximum of three A/A2 Level passes, which must include one of Health and Social Care, Human Biology, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Applied Science, Psychology or Social Science at Grade B. A typical offer would be BBB. General Studies, Critical Thinking and Extended Project are not accepted. |
| GCE AS/A2 Level 120 UCAS points from a maximum of two AS/A1 Level passes, plus a maximum of two A/A2 Level passes at Grade C or above, which must include one of Health and Social Care, Human Biology, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Psychology or Social Science. General Studies, Critical Thinking and Extended Project are not accepted. |
| GCE/AVCE Double Award in Health and Social Care 120 UCAS points from an A* A* profile or combined with UCAS points from a maximum of one GCE A/A2 level. General Studies, Critical Thinking and Extended Project are not accepted. |
| BTEC National Certificate (NQF) in Health and Social Care, Society, Health and Development, Science or equivalents Acceptable only when combined with other Level 3 qualifications. |
| BTEC National Diploma (NQF) in Health and Social Care, Society, Health and Development, Science or equivalents 120 UCAS points from a DDM profile. |
| BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) in Health and Social Care Society, Health and Development, Science or equivalents 120 UCAS points from a DDM profile. |
| BTEC Diploma (QCF) in Health and Social Care Society, Health and Development, Science or equivalents 120 UCAS points from D*D* profile. Plus one AS/A2. |
| BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) in Health and Social Care Society, Health and Development, Science or equivalents Acceptable only when combined with TWO other Level 3 qualifications. |
| City and Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (1080) in Health and Social Care at Distinction. |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Minimum Grade 30 points required. Acceptable on its own or combined with other level 3 qualifications. |
| Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced diploma Core plus combined other Level 3 qualifications CACHE Diploma in Child Care and Education Minimum Grade B required (120 UCAS tariff points). |
| CACHE Certificate in Child Care and Education 120 tariff points, must be offered along with either one A Level, two AS Levels or one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma. |
| CACHE Award in Child Care and Education 120 tariff points, must be offered along with either one A Level, two AS Levels or one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma |
| CACHE Diploma in Child Care and Education Minimum Grade B required (120 UCAS tariff points). |
| CACHE Extended Diploma for Children's Care, Learning and Development (Wales and Northern Ireland) Minimum Grade B required (120 UCAS tariff points). |
| CACHE Extended Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce Minimum Grade B required (120 UCAS tariff points). |
| CACHE Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care Minimum Grade B required (120 UCAS tariff points). |
| CACHE Diploma in Early Years Education and Care (Early Years Educator) Minimum Grade B required (120 UCAS tariff points). |
| CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care Minimum Grade B required (120 UCAS tariff points). |
| The Open University K101 – An Introduction to Health and Social Care or equivalents Completion of full year (transcripts will be required). K101 is acceptable with another level 3 qualification. |
| Irish Leaving Certificate 120 UCAS tariff points from a maximum of 5 Highers at Grade B2/H3 or above |
| Scottish Qualifications – Advanced Highers Achieve a minimum of 120 tariff points achieved in either three Advanced Highers or from a combination of two Advanced Highers plus two Highers. |
| NVQ Level 4 in Health and Social Care Full award required, plus GCSE English Language and Mathematics at Grade C or above. |
| 14-19 DIPLOMAs in Society Health and Development To be achieved in Advanced Diploma or Progression Diploma 120 UCAS points from an A Grade. |
| OCR National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care or Science 120 UCAS points from an M1 Grade. |
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Access to HE Diploma in a Health and Social Care Subject If an applicant is studying an Access qualification or has already achieved an acceptable Level 3+ qualification, but is missing an acceptable Level 2 qualification, then they will be asked to complete Functional Skills Level 2 Maths and/or English Language (as applicable) by the 31st July alongside the GCSE they are studying. |
| Foundation Degree Foundation degrees will be reviewed on an individual basis and will require a transcript of the content of the course. |
Other qualifications:
Qualifications that are not listed will be considered on an individual basis.
Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website.
International candidates:
Those who meet residency/academic requirements of UK students but whose language is not English will need to hold IELTS with an overall score of at least 7.0.
In addition
- You must provide evidence of having been in general education for a minimum of 10 years
- You must provide evidence of study within the last five years
- No offers are made without a face-to-face interview
- All offers are subject to satisfactory Occupational Health Clearance, Disclosure and Barring Service report and, registration with Independent Safeguarding Authority
- You should be aware that qualifications, personal statement, interview and references all form part of the selection criteria for this course
I really want to become a nurse but do not meet your entry requirements. What advice can you give me?
- All applicants must meet our academic entry requirements in order to be considered for the course.
- If you do not have sufficient Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications we advise you to consider undertaking a course which will give you the opportunity to gain the correct entry criteria. For example, an access course in a health/science-related field at your local further education college. This course contains the right mix of level 3 and level 2 qualifications which allow you to access higher education.
- Alternatively, you could undertake the Open University K101 course, as long as you have the appropriate GCSE qualifications (as defined in our entry criteria) with another level 3 qualification.
Don’t meet our entry requirements?
You could apply for a foundation course or a course at our International College. These routes have lower entry requirements and act as the bridge to a full degree. To find out more, please select your status:
- UK/EU students
- International students
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2020
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £9,250 per year
- Apply via UCAS
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Jan 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £9,250 per year
- Apply via UCAS
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2020
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £12,800 per year
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Jan 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £12,800 per year
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
Guidance for UK/EU students
UK and EU students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
Register with UCAS
Login to UCAS
Complete your details
Select your course
Write a personal statement
Get a reference
Pay your application fee
Send UCAS your application
Our advice for applying to a health care course
Applying for a course and preparing for an interview can be a daunting process, so we have created a series of films to help you through the process, including what to put in your personal statement.
Non-EU (International) students
There are three ways to apply:
1) Direct to the University
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
2) Through a country representative
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
3) Through UCAS
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
Frequently asked questions
How will I know what has happened with my UCAS application when I have submitted it?
You'll be notified via UCAS if your application is unsuccessful. If your application is successful you'll be invited to attend an interview from our Health Admissions department.
What will the interview consist of?
You'll have a face-to-face interview with academic and clinical staff.
How will I know the outcome of my interview?
You'll be notified via UCAS track.
If I'm not offered a place, can I have some feedback?
Yes, you can request feedback from NMSW.Admissions@bcu.ac.uk
Additional costs
We offer a wide range of professionally accredited and vocational courses that require the purchase of, among other things, uniforms, equipment, subscriptions, professional body memberships and DBS checks, and may require you to pay to attend conferences or participate in placements.
The link below provides our estimate of the possible costs associated with key activities on specific courses. Please bear in mind that these are only estimates of costs based on past student experience and feedback. The actual costs to you could vary considerably (either greater or lower than these estimates) depending on your choices as you progress through the course. We set out where we can, based on experience, where these indicative costs are for activities that are optional or compulsory.
All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
Find additional costs for your course
Accommodation and living costs
The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.
Learning Support Fund
From 1 November 2017 you may be able to apply for elements of the learning support fund if:
- you are studying a pre-registration healthcare course
- are studying in England and
- your course started on or after 1 August 2017
Worried about personal statements?
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
Financial Support
We offer further information on possible undergraduate financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
Student loan finance - have you already studied an undergraduate degree but would like to do a second one in Adult Nursing? You may be eligible for funding.
Year One
In order to fully complete this course and be eligible for application for entry onto the NMC register, a student must successfully achieve all 360 credits. |
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What is Nursing?
20 credits
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Assessing Needs and Planning Care
20 credits
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Providing and Evaluating Care
20 credits
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Introduction to Leadership and Teamwork
20 credits
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Professional Practice 1
40 credits
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Year Two
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Complex Care 1: Assessing and Planning
20 credits
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Complex Care 2: Providing and Evaluating Care
20 credits
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Improving Quality and Safety in a Global Context
20 credits
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Leadership and Co-ordinating Care
20 credits
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Professional Practice 2
40 credits
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Year Three
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Nursing Care: Adult
20 credits
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Medicines Management and Applied Physiology in Adult Nursing
20 credits
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Leadership and Decision Making in Adult Nursing
20 credits
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Delivering High Quality, Safe Nursing Care within Adult Nursing
20 credits
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Professional Practice 3
40 credits
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Course structure
The course is delivered using a modular approach which divides the content into manageable elements of study and practice learning opportunities.
The first year prepares you for further study and facilitates the understanding of the principles which underpin nursing. This is supported by numerous placement learning experiences over the year.
In year two there is an increasing field-specific focus. Core modules help to contextualise nursing while Field Specific modules prepare you for placement experiences which follow each period of study.
In year three all modules are Field Specific but there are opportunities for shared learning with the other fields of nursing and you will again complete placement experiences.
You'll experience a mixture of teaching, self-directed study and practice-based clinical placements, spending half of your time each year on placement.
Upon successful completion you'll graduate with a BSc (Hons) Nursing degree worth 360 credits and be eligible to apply for Registered Nurse status with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Additional support
If you're dyslexic, or have a specific learning difference or disability, we have a Disability Tutor who can help and support you.
More on our disability tutor >>
We offer extra technical and learning support.
Further study
Nursing provides the opportunity for lifelong learning and our BSc (Hons) Nursing award forms the basis for progression on to further study.
So many opportunities exist for post-registration and postgraduate study. As a graduate, you may progress to a Masters degree, eg Masters in Advanced Nursing Practice, PhD.
A comprehensive portfolio of post-registration courses called Continuing Professional Development is available. These courses allow for academic and/or clinical development.
Many of the courses are taught as part-time flexible modules to fit around your work and domestic commitments.
This course is accredited by the following organisation:
The Nursing and Midwifery Council
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) works with partner organisations to set and maintain high standards of nursing and midwifery education across the UK.
This course has been approved and monitored by the NMC to make sure that the education and training on offer meets their standards.
To work as a nurse or midwife, you must pass an NMC approved course at a higher education institution (HEI) in pre-registration nursing and midwifery, leading to registration with the NMC.
Why should you become a nurse?
Thinking about becoming a nurse? Here's seven reasons why you definitely should!
Practise your skills in SPACE
Filled with state-of-the-art equipment, our SPACE (Skills Practice and Care Enhancement) area is the perfect place for you to practise a wide range of skills at your own pace.
Watch our video to see how access to SPACE has helped our students to succeed.
Employment opportunities
Once qualified and registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council you can practice in the UK and many countries overseas. As a qualified nurse you could find yourself working within the NHS, the private sector, in the community, at GP surgeries, at schools, plus many more - the options are endless.
Placements
Placements take place across a range of settings. You may experience care in acute, critical care, long-term care and community settings which are related to your Field. During your second year there will also be the opportunity to undertake a placement learning experience elsewhere in the UK or abroad (subject to selection criteria).
A placement is your chance to be a part of the working world of health and social care as it really is: your first taste of your career. For most of our courses, it's a compulsory part of your training; it's that important.
Placements help you with your confidence, by putting theory from the classroom into practice. We make sure you get a quality experience and that you are fully supported by a workplace mentor on hand throughout your placement.
OpportUNIty
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
BCU Graduate+
Through our courses we give you the skills and experience needed to get a head start when applying for jobs. But we offer something extra too – Graduate+.
Our unique programme gives you the chance to develop valuable skills outside of the more formal classroom learning. We award points for Graduate+ activities (including firewalking!) and these can be put towards a final Graduate+ award.
More about Graduate+
98%...of students are in graduate level employment or full time study six months after graduating2016/17 DLHE Response
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies.
The UK remains one of the world's leading study destinations
The UK remains one of the world's leading study destinations for international students.
The first-class experience offered by universities are reflected in the world’s largest survey of international students. International students are more likely to recommend the UK than any other leading English-language study destination.
Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC)
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £260 million on new learning facilities.
We boast up-to-date, innovative facilities that simulate the real situations that medical staff may come across.
These resources are essential in offering students a hands-on introduction to health and social care practice. Much of our teaching is carried out within our state-of-the-art, £30m Seacole Building, which houses cutting-edge learning facilities.
In a sector where new techniques are constantly being discovered, we work hard to ensure that students learn using the most up-to-date equipment available. These include a mock operating theatre and a cutting-edge radiography virtual clinical training facility, virtual ward and virtual case creator.
Virtual Case Creator
For pre-registration midwives, Virtual Case Creator software contains a range of scenarios to let you experience birthing situations and decide on appropriate interventions in a safe environment.
Hospital Ward
Our mock wards enable you to get a feel of what a ward is really like before you head out for your first placement. They contain ‘Sim Men’, which are demonstration dummies that develop ailments, allowing you to treat them as you would a real patient and build your confidence in reacting to the changing needs of patients.
The Hospital Ward can be adapted from a low care to high dependency care environment with the necessary monitoring equipment.
Part of the package is our SIM baby, SIM man and Mega code kid. There are also nursing manikins for fundamental skills teaching and various equipment to support essential skills teaching, such as blood pressure monitoring venepuncture and cannulation equipment.
Skills Practice and Care Enhancement facility
The SPACE (Skills Practice And Care Enhancement) learning facility lets you further practice the skills taught in class, at your own pace and convenience.
It is fully stocked with the specialist items and equipment needed for procedures such as taking blood pressure, giving an injection, abdominal examination of a pregnant woman and caring for ill babies in an incubator.
Biomedical Laboratories
We have recently installed new laboratory facilities to help you explore understand the scientific principles underpinning many of our courses. The physiology laboratory is equipped to help you learn about the way the human body works by performing investigative experiments. The biomedical science laboratory is undergoing an upgrade over the summer and will allow you to learn about anatomy, cellular processes, immunology and enzymology in a hands-on way that links directly to day-to-day health care.
Simulation Mannequins
We have several Simulation men (SIM men) and Simulation babies (SIM babies) which are leading edge, anatomically correct mannequins used for teaching specific techniques such as advanced adult and paediatric life support skills, acute and high dependency clinical skills, first aid and communication skills.
The SIM men and SIM baby mannequins are complete with software, which is used to replicate real symptoms, and are enhanced by the manipulation of for example blood pressure, pulse and heart rate for extra realism. SIM Man can also “talk” to the students which adds another dimension to their use in teaching clinical skills and in simulation exercises.
Mary Seacole Library
The Seacole library, based at City South Campus, is one of the UK's largest specialist health education libraries. The state-of-the art facility offers an extensive range of range of information and reference materials set out in a relaxing environment, conducive to studying. There are comfortable seating areas, group study areas, a silent study area and private study rooms.
Computer Facilities
The Seacole building houses a large open access IT Suite which comprises of 96 PCs, full colour printers, photocopiers and scanners. Our PCs use the latest Intel i5 core technology, all with:
- Fast (unrestricted) internet connectivity
- Ability to save files to USB, DVD and CD
- Microsoft Office software
- Research and statistical software
- Storage space which can be accessed from any PC across the University and from home
Our PCs are also designed to support students who may have difficulties with reading and writing, featuring specialised software with zooming/magnification and screen reading capabilities, which may also be customised for individual student needs.
The IT Suite offers extended opening hours and is supported by a specialist Open Access Assistant during term time. In addition to the open access PCs within the IT Suite, there are 12 networked student PCs available within Seacole library.
Our staff
A large number of staff are engaged in clinical-focused research, with many pursuing doctorates and recognised for their expertise in areas such as chronic disease and Multiple Sclerosis. All are Adult Nurses themselves, holding fully up-to-date accreditation and engaging in clinical work, maintaining close links with our partner NHS Trusts and the state of the nursing art.
Staff are also regular contributors to leading professional journals such as The BMJ, as well as publishing and speaking in local and national media.
Liz Hardie
Assistant Lecturer
Liz currently teaches on the BSc Nursing Programme. This is a new role for Liz and one she is very excited and enthusiastic about.