University Calendar 2015/16
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 2010/11
ARCHIVE 2011/12
ARCHIVE 2012/13
ARCHIVE 2013/14
ARCHIVE 2014/15
Academic Unit Health Sciences
Final Award BN (Hons)
Programme(s) Bachelor of Nursing (Hons) with Professional Registration on Part 1 of the Register of the Nursing and Midwifery Council
Last modified July 2015

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, 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 in Section IV of the University Calendar and meet the entry requirements for either school leaver or mature applicants stipulated for this professional route. They must normally offer at least three A level passes (BBC) and, additionally, at least five GCSE passes at Grade C or above including English language.

Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to specific health requirements (consistent with the provisions of the Equality Act [2010]). 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.

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 student should receive less favourable treatment on any grounds that are not relevant to academic ability and attainment and state registration as a professional nurse.

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).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL will be considered on a case by case basis and in accordance with the University regulations for RPL as well as the NMC regulations.


2. Structure of Programme(s)
 
The programme leading to the award of Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) shall be of three years duration. The maximum period of registration shall normally be five years. This period of registration will incorporate periods of suspension or interruption of studies.

In Year 1 students will study 60 ECTS at Level 4 (Certificate) (120 CATS)
In Year 2 students will study 60 ECTS at Level 5 (Diploma) (120 CATS)
In Year 3 students will study 60 ECTS at Level 6 (Honours) (120 CATS)

All modules are core.


3. Progression
 
Progression Regulations are as described in the University Calendar, Section IV : General Regulations; Progression, Determination and Classification of Results for Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes.

Standard University progression regulations apply, except for the following to meet NMC professional requirements.

Section 4.1 and 4.3
No restriction is placed on the number of modules on which a student may be referred for a second attempt. In exceptional circumstances students may conditionally progress to the next part. Outstanding outcomes must be met by week 12 of the following part.

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. The only exception to this is where, in order to meet NMC requirements in drug calculations, specified assignments in  each year of the programme must achieve 100% pass mark for this component.

Failure to declare good health and character at the beginning of the academic year may result in termination of the programme.


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

Special Considerations cannot be applied for practice modules where the reason for failure is a lack of competence.

When attending for an examination students must produce either their university ID card or a form of photographic ID in which they 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 for Late Submissions.


5. Award of Qualification(s)
 
In order to qualify for the award of Bachelor of Nursing (Hons), 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 programme and passed all the required assessments (theory and practice);

  3. have completed satisfactorily all practice assessment, practice experience and other coursework as required;

  4. have met all the NMC requirements for progression;

  5. have met the NMC requirements of a minimum of 2300 hours of academic study and a minimum of 2300 hours of practice experience;

  6. for Adult field students, have met the NMC requirements of the EU77/453/EEC directive;

  7. be judged as of good health and good character and worthy of admission to the NMC register.
Students who are successful at Level 4 assessments but are unable to complete the full programme shall be eligible for the exit award of a Certificate in Health Studies.

Students who are successful at Level 5 assessments but are unable to complete the full programme shall be eligible for the exit award of a Diploma in Health Studies.

Any student who has achieved the academic requirements of the programme for which they are registered but have not met the good health or good character and conduct requirements for professional registration will eligible for the award of BA (Hons) in Health Studies as appropriate. The award cannot be named BN (Hons) Nursing as the term ‘Nursing’ is a title protected under the Health Act (1999) for those who are fully qualified and registered as nurses.

Any student who experiences grave or terminal illness/injury which prevents them from continuing on their programme of study and achieving qualification may be eligible for a posthumous or aegrotat qualification named either Certificate in Health Studies or Diploma in Health Studies or BA (Hons) in Health Studies. The award cannot be named ‘Nursing’, as the term ‘Nursing’ is a title protected under the Health Act (1999) for those who are fully qualified and registered as nurses.


6. Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork
 
Practice experience forms an integral part of the programme and students are required to pass in order to successfully complete the programme. Opportunities for study abroad are available through the Erasmus scheme for students fulfilling criteria set by the Faculty. Students are not permitted to continue in placement whilst progressing an academic appeal against a relevant body.


7. Other
 
As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our programmes to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. As a result, these regulations may be revised during a student’s period of registration, however, any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Please read our Disclaimer to see why, when and how changes may be made to a student’s programme.

Compensation
Compensation is not permitted on this programme.

Fitness to Practise
Students are advised to acquaint themselves with the University Fitness to Practise Policy.

Submitted by Corporate Services
Last reviewed: 21-Jul-2015
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