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| Academic Unit |
Health Sciences |
| Final Award |
Bachelor of Science (Hons) |
| Programme(s) |
Clinical Practice |
| Last modified |
July 2011
Reviewed in July 2012; no changes made
Reviewed in July 2013; no changes made |
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 |
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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 Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) 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. |
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| 2. |
Structure of Programme(s) |
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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. |
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| 3. |
Progression |
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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.
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| 4. |
Assessment |
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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.
When attending for an examination you must produce either your university ID card or a form of photographic ID in which you are clearly identifiable. Students without photographic ID will not be permitted entry to the examination.
Work submitted up to 5 days after the deadline will be marked as usual. The final agreed mark is then reduced by the factors detailed in the relevant University Policy. https://sharepoint.soton.ac.uk/sites/ese/quality_handbook/Handbook/Assessment%20Framework.aspx.
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. |
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| 5. |
Award of Qualification(s) |
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In order to qualify for the award of BSc Clinical Practice candidates must:
- have satisfied the entry requirements as set out in the programme specifications;
- 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. |
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| 6. |
Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork |
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| Practice experience forms an integral part of the programme and students are required to pass in order to be awarded. |
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| 7. |
Other |
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These regulations may be revised during the student's period of registration in accordance with the procedures approved by Senate.
Compensation
Compensation is not permitted on this programme.
Special Considerations
Students are guided to the Special Considerations guidance in the University Calendar in particular the guidance relating to the deadlines for submission of Special Considerations forms.
The treatment of special considerations is dealt with under separate Special Considerations procedures.
A student's performance may be worthy of special consideration if their performance in a relevant assessment has been adversely affected by exceptional circumstances outside their control and there is evidence to support such a claim.
Special considerations shall only apply to circumstances which can be clearly related to performance in particular elements of assessment.
The authority of the Special Considerations Board to make allowance for exceptional circumstances may be restricted in some programmes subject to Professional, Statutory or Regulatory requirements or because of the special requirements of particular programmes. In such cases, this will be made clear to students in programme documentation.
Fitness to Practice
Students are advised to acquaint themselves with the Faculty Fitness to Practise Policy which is used within the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Academic Integrity
Where issues of Academic Integrity are detected, the Faculty will follow the published Academic Integrity Regulations. Where a case remains active prior to an examination board, a mark of 0 will be presented to the examinations. This mark will then be amended by Chairs Action depending on the outcome of the Academic Integrity process.
The Faculty is moving to the use of Turnitin software as an educational resource to help students to help evaluate the originality of their own work. Where Turnitin submission is required of work that will contribute to summative assessment and the student fails to submit, they will be awarded a mark of 0 for the component in question.
Academic Appeals
Students are guided to the Academic Appeals Regulations in the University Calendar. |
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