Nursing (Adult)

Theory

You will be taught through a combination of interactive workshops, lectures, seminars, tutorials, and simulation-based practical activities. These sessions are designed to help you build both theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for professional nursing practice.

• Lectures provide foundational knowledge and theoretical frameworks.
• Workshops are interactive and scenario-based, allowing you to apply theory to practice.
• Seminars support small group discussions, encouraging critical thinking, debate, and deeper exploration of subject matter.
• Tutorials offer personalised academic support, feedback, and guidance.
• Practical activities take place in simulation labs and clinical settings, helping you develop essential nursing competencies.

Case studies—developed in partnership with service users—support a scenario-based approach to learning, facilitating small group activities and discussions that lead to shared and individual problem-solving and decision-making.

A campus-based curriculum design is adopted, complemented by appropriate use of both synchronous and asynchronous online learning, including:

• Virtual lectures
• Discussion forums
• Interactive modules
• Flipped classroom activities
• E-learning packages such as SafeMedicate, ClinicalSkills.net, and e-workbooks

These online components offer flexibility and cater to diverse learning styles, including virtual simulations and case-based learning.

You will have a named Personal Academic Tutor throughout the programme. In year one, you will attend four scheduled group meetings to help you settle into university life and access support services. In years two and three, you will have a mix of individual and group meetings, with three planned meetings per year. You can request additional tutorials at any time. Designated sessions will also be provided on academic integrity, reflective writing, and study skills.

The University places strong emphasis on developing your independent learning capabilities, preparing you for lifelong learning and future employment. Support is available through Student Services, Library Services, and the Academic English and Skills Centre, which offers academic study days in part one.

Practice Learning

At the core of the programme is learning in a diverse range of clinical placements, which make up 50% of the course credit. These placements are mapped across the programme and increase in intensity as your confidence grows, from 43% of programme hours in year one to 55% in year three.

Placements run in blocks, typically including at least two placements per year, in settings appropriate to your field of practice. You will also take part in ‘spoke’ visits to alternative settings, offering exposure to a wide range of patient needs across the lifespan.

You will be supernumerary while on placement, supported by a Practice Supervisor and assessed by a Practice Assessor, both trained for their roles. You will have access to internet and library resources while on placement.

To prepare for practice learning, you will complete simulated practice learning activities, involving:

• Role play
• Hands-on practical skills sessions
• Simulation manikins
• Video recording and playback
• Interprofessional learning

These sessions take place in state-of-the-art simulation suites, replicating hospital and community environments. You will receive formative feedback to support safe and effective skills development.

In year one, 20 days are allocated for simulation-based preparation. In years two and three, this is reduced to 10 days per year.

In year three, semester one, you will have the opportunity to complete a UK or international elective placement, either as a formative four-week experience or a summative placement lasting 6–12 weeks, supporting global learning and employability.

You will also be assigned a designated Academic Assessor for each part of the programme, in line with the NMC (2023) Part 2: Standards for student supervision and assessment.