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) BSc (Hons) Public Health 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.

Note: this programme has been granted an opt-out relating to paragraph 4.5 of Section IV : General Regulations, Progression, Determination and Classification of Results

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
  • Be able to demonstrate financial and practical support for your studies.

  • The normal requirement for entry is 120 HE4 and 120 HE5 credits in place.

  • Opportunity and employer support to access a Practice Teacher/Mentor in practice.

  • You should normally have at least two years relevant work experience some of which must be at a senior level.

  • You must be able to satisfy the Programme Leader that you are competent to pursue the programme.
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.

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 public health practitioner/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 as well as NMC regulations.

Specific Criteria for Admission - Specialist Community Public Health Nursing

These are as follows:
  • You should fully comply with the Nursing and Midwifery Council's requirements for programmes designed to meet the proficiencies for Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Health Visitor) or (School Nurse) [NMC 2004]. You must be registered on either Part 1 or Part 2 of the NMC Register.

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

  • The programme pathway for Specialist Community Public Health 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 Public Health Nursing.
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.

Specific Criteria for Admission - International Students

These are as follows:
  • Provide evidence of your ability to communicate effectively in the English language.


2. Structure of Programme(s)
 
This modularised programme can be achieved by gaining 120 credits at level HE6 through one of two distinct pathways:
  • Generic pathway designed for all public health workers.

  • Specialist community public health nursing for registered nurses and midwives seeking a specialist community public health nursing (health visiting) or (school nursing) registration with the NMC.
Both pathways are offered on a full-time or part-time basis and require you to be in practice.

There are four core modules which must be completed on both pathways.  A further 20 credits are achieved through optional modules – the choice will be dependent on field of practice.  Students on the specialist community public health nursing pathway must complete the specialist community public health nursing module.


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, due to the requirements of the Department of Health, Regulatory, Professional and Statutory bodies, that they differ, this is described below.

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

Second attempts
Failure at second attempt(s) will result in failure which normally leads to discontinuation from the programme. This is outside of the University Calendar, Section IV : General Regulations; Progression, Determination and Classification of Results.


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.

Assessment of practice and theory is integrated. Within specified modules, students must achieve proficiencies in practice which are verified in the practice setting. He/she must pass all assessment components to pass the module overall.

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


5. Award of Qualification(s)
 
In order to qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Public Health Practice candidates must have:
  1. satisfied the entry requirement;

  2. followed the approved curriculum and passed all the required assessments and examinations achieving a minimum of 120 CATS points 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
 
The specialist community public health nursing pathway is funded through NHS sponsorship/secondment and is only available through pre-purchased NHS contracted places. Sponsorship/secondment must be in place before university application is returned by July. Otherwise application deadlines are as for all the programmes.

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: 27-Jul-2010
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