Regulations for the Diploma in Nursing Three Year and Three Year Plus Options (September 1998 Entry)


  1. The pre-registration course leading to the Diploma in Nursing shall be of three years' full-time duration. The course will normally extend over the summer periods and include 7 weeks vacation allocated across each calendar year. However, students on the full-time programme may elect not to attend for the second summer period and may make up practice time at the end of the programme (Three Year Plus Option).

  2. Candidates for admission to the course must satisfy the general entry requirements of the University and the following requirements; the subjects offered must include at least 5 subjects at GCSE/'O' level, (4 in one sitting) including: Mathematics, English Language; and a science or combined science subject. Admission to and continuation on the course is subject to specific status and health requirements. Students are required to inform the Head of School of health and other problems relevant to their education and training or employment as a health professional.

  3. In order to qualify for the Diploma in Nursing candidates must: have satisfied the entry requirements; have followed the three year nursing curriculum and passed all the required assessments and examinations; have completed satisfactorily all practical work, clinical work and other course work as required; fulfilled all NMC requirements; and have acquired 240 credits at the required levels.

  4. Normally, progress from one year of the course to the next will depend upon the successful completion of the appropriate examination and course work requirements and the satisfactory completion of clinical and other practical work. Candidates are permitted two attempts at each assessment; further attempts are not normally permitted.

  5. The Common Foundation Programme (CFP) shall extend over 68 weeks and branch programmes in Adult, Child, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities nursing will be offered over the following 67 weeks.

  6. The programme shall comprise a total of twenty five units. The first part equates to 120 credits at Level 1, and the second part to 60 credits at Level 2. Successful completion of part 3 equates to 60 credits at Level 2.

  7. In each year students shall be examined by means of in-course assessments, clinical assessments and formal examinations.

  8. A candidate who fails to satisfy the Examiners at the end of an Assessment Part will normally be re-examined within three months. Failure at re-examination will normally result in a recommendation for termination of the course.
Students who achieve an average of 60% in all theory and practice assignments up to and including the end of semester 1, Year 2 are eligible for transfer to the Advanced Diploma in Nursing programme.