University Calendar 2010/11
Section X : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Health Sciences


PREFACE
CONTENTS
SEMESTERS
SECTION I
SECTION II
SECTION III
SECTION IV
SECTION V
SECTION VI
SECTION VII
SECTION VIII
SECTION IX
SECTION X
SECTION XI
SECTION XII
SECTION XIII
SECTION XIV
 
ARCHIVE 2004/5
ARCHIVE 2005/6
ARCHIVE 2006/7
ARCHIVE 2007/8
ARCHIVE 2008/9
ARCHIVE 2009/10
 
Academic Unit Faculty of Health Sciences
Final Award Bachelor of Science (Hons)
Programme(s) Clinical Practice
Last modified July 2010

Reference should be made to the University's General Regulations found in Section IV and Section V (Higher Degree Regulations) of the University Calendar.

Except where an opt-out has been granted by the University (see below) the following academic regulations apply in addition to the General Regulations.

1. Admissions
 
Candidates for admission must satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Programmes as specified in Section IV of the University Calendar and meet the entry requirements for either school leaver or mature applicants stipulated for this profession.

Additional Criteria
  • Funding arrangements identified.
  • Support from clinical manager to achieve outcomes of modules.
  • Opportunity and managerial support to access a mentor in practice for appropriate modules.
Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to specific health requirements (consistent with the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act [1995]). Prospective students are required to inform the Faculty of any health problems relevant to their future employment as a health professional. All students will be subject to an occupational health check.

Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to consideration of any criminal convictions. The programme is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act [1986]. Prospective students are required to inform the Faculty of all criminal convictions. All students will be subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.

It is important to note that, when assessing applications, your suitability to undertake the programme is being evaluated not your suitability for eventual registration on Part 3 of the NMC Register. The offer of a place is not a guarantee or suggestion of likelihood of registration at the end of the programme. On application for registration, the NMC considers each application individually and a decision is made based on each individual's circumstances particularly in relation to criminal records and health requirements. In addition, registration with the NMC on Part 3 of the Register does not guarantee employment. Employers will evaluate all applications for employment on an individual basis in relation to organisational policies and procedures.

Equality Statement
The Faculty wishes to make places available to a wide range of people who will make a useful contribution to the study and practice of nursing. The University and the Faculty are committed to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities in which students are recruited on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities and are given equal opportunities within the University. The aim of the policy is to ensure that no prospective or current students should receive less favourable treatment on any grounds that are not relevant to academic ability and attainment.

The University’s Disability Equality Scheme includes an Action Plan which identifies the steps that the University is taking to improve the opportunities available to disabled students. Applications from candidates with disabilities are always considered and assessment of their abilities and needs undertaken sensitively.

Decisions are based on whether or not the applicant meets the admission criteria, whether the programme can be delivered to the applicant in a way that meets their requirements, making reasonable adjustments if necessary, and whether at the end of the programme, the graduate would meet the competencies set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
APEL/APCL will be considered on a case by case basis and in accordance with the University regulations for APL.

Specific Criteria for Admission - Specialist Community Nursing Pathway
  • You should fully comply with the Nursing and Midwifery Council's requirements for programmes designed to meet the proficiencies for specialist practice (district nursing or community children's nursing) [UKCC 2001]. You must be registered on Part 1 (adult or child) of the NMC Register.

  • You should have attended an interview by the selection panel. This normally consists of one lecturer in Specialist Community Nursing, a senior representative of the District Nursing/Community Children's Nursing service, and a representative of the sponsoring/seconding employer.

  • You should normally have one year's experience post qualifying.

  • The programme pathway for specialist community nurses is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act [1960]. This means that you will be subject to an enhanced check by the Criminal Records Bureau and any Police cautions and civil or criminal convictions will be revealed. You must disclose any Police record and discuss it, in confidence, with your employer/programme sponsor. Having a record will not necessarily prevent you from entering the programme pathway for Specialist Community Nursing.
Specific Criteria for Admission - International Students
International students must provide evidence of their ability to communicate effectively in the English language.

It is important to note that, when assessing applications, your suitability to undertake the programme is being evaluated not your suitability, where a recordable qualification is applicable, for eventual registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The offer of a place is not a guarantee or suggestion of likelihood of registration at the end of the programme. On application for registration, the NMC considers each application individually and a decision is made based on each individual's circumstances particularly in relation to criminal records and health requirements. You are required to inform the Head of Faculty of any health and other problems relevant to your education and training or employment as a health professional.


2. Structure of Programme(s)
 
There are two pathways within the degree:
  • Generic pathway designed for all health and social care practitioners.

  • Specialist pathway designed for community nurses seeking a specialist community nursing qualification (district nursing or community children’s nursing)
Both pathways require you to be in practice.

There is one core module for the generic pathway after which a further 80 credits is compulsory. There are two core and one compulsory module for the specialist pathway.

The remaining credits (20) are optional and are dependent on your workplace and practice needs.


3. Progression
 
Progression Regulations are as described in the University Calendar, Section IV : General Regulations; Progression, Determination and Classification of Results. Where it is necessary that they differ, due to the requirements of the Department of Health, Regulatory, Professional and Statutory bodies, this is described below.

The pass mark for each module will be 40% for all levels. Students must meet the pass criteria in both academic and practice experience to pass overall.

Module Referral

The criteria for module assessment referral are:
  • Failure to achieve a Pass/Fail assessment.

  • Where an assessment comprises of two or more components the minimum pass mark for one part must be 35%.

  • In order to meet NMC requirements in drug calculations, specified assignments in Year 1 and Year 3 must achieve 100% pass mark for this component.

  • Non-attendance or late arrival more than half an hour after the start of an examination/presentation, or is required to leave the examination room.

  • Submission of an assignment 24 hours or more after the published deadline.
Termination of Registration

A student’s registration will normally be terminated following resit/retrieval assessments if he/she:
  • achieves a mark of 39 or below on a re-submitted/resit attempt;

  • fails a Pass/Fail assessment on a re-submission/resit;

  • does not attend, or is more than half an hour late for a resit examination or is requested to leave the examination room;

  • submits a written further attempt assessment more than 24 hours after the stated deadline.


4. Assessment
 
Students must meet the pass criteria in both academic and, when required, practice assessment to pass overall. Non-assessed work may also be a course requirement.

Candidates who exceed the specified word limitation (+/-10%) within a module will incur a 10% penalty reduction in their assessment mark.

Assessment of Practice
Assessment of practice and theory is integrated. Within specified modules, students must achieve competencies in practice which are verified in the clinical setting.

Specific Criteria for Assessment - Specialist Community Nursing Pathway
Candidates who successfully complete the specialist community nursing pathway of the programme and achieve 120 HE6 credits in the compulsory modules, and submit a proficiency-based portfolio passed in practice by a Practice Teacher, may apply for recording on the NMC register for specialist practice.


5. Award of Qualification(s)
 
In order to qualify for the award of BSc Clinical Practice candidates must:
  1. have satisfied the entry requirements as set out in the programme specifications;

  2. have undertaken all the levels of the curriculum as appropriate to each award and passed all the compulsory assessments.
BSc (Hons) Clinical Practice is awarded to students who achieve 120 credits at level 6.


6. Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork
 
Practice experience forms an integral part of the programme and students are required to pass in order to be awarded.


7. Other
 
These regulations may be revised during the student's period of registration in accordance with the procedures approved by Senate.

Special Considerations
Compensation is not permitted on this programme. The treatment of special considerations/mitigation is dealt with under separate Special Considerations procedures.

Submitted by Corporate Services
Last reviewed: 31-Jul-2010
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