Why study BSc Nursing (Adult) at Aberystwyth University?
This innovative adult nursing programme will ensure you learn about holistic patient and family centred care and how to apply this approach confidently in a variety of clinical settings. You will experience lots of different practice placement learning opportunities which will be facilitated by our Practice Learning Partners.
As a full-time student, undertaking the 3-year nursing programme (adult or mental health field), you will be expected to undertake 37.5 hours weekly study during theory weeks, and 37.5 hours per week when attending practice placements. Theoretical content will be delivered in lots of different ways to suit all types of learning styles including lead lectures, seminars, workshops, small group work, clinical skills simulation, blended online learning and self-guided study.
The full-time programme is divided equally into theory and practice learning weeks with a total of 4,800 hours of learning.
In pre-registration nursing we use a three-semester year (trimester), like a school year. This means each year or part of your programme of study will commence early in September before most other programmes’ students have arrived in the University and will continue until the end of July in any academic year.
The Aberystwyth University Healthcare Education Centre
The Aberystwyth University Healthcare Education Centre [AUHEC], is located opposite the University’s Penglais campus. The AUHEC is newly established and houses the Clinical Skills Unit, a state-of-the-art simulation suite where you can learn and practice clinical skills in a safe and supportive environment.
Want to study in Welsh?
Fifty percent of the overall programme is available through the medium of Welsh. This is delivered through the practice-based module, where you will be supported by Welsh speaking Practice Supervisors and Practice Assessors whilst on clinical placements, and complete practice related clinical assessments through the medium of Welsh. If you are a non-Welsh speaker and wish to learn Welsh, the programme also offers basic conversational health-related Welsh lessons.
APeL/RPL (Contextual Admissions):
- Submit a portfolio of evidence which maps your prior experience and learning to the module learning outcomes (modules 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Part 1 of the programme).
- Provide confirmation of practice hours (800 hours over the last two years)
- Evidence of EC directive mapping for general care (Adult field only)
- Mandatory training compliance as stipulated by your employer which meets programme skills mapping for Part 1
- Application and approval for study leave, and line manager agreement
- GCSE (or equivalent) at a minimum grade C/4 in English/Welsh Language and Mathematics
APeL applications normally incur a charge for academic support and assessment. This will be agreed in accordance with the number of credits to be APeL’d.
Additional Requirements
In addition to academic achievements, in order to comply with professional requirements, the admission’s criteria also include other conditions, such as:
- Good Health and Good Character assessment (see Fitness to Practise information below)
- If you are offered a place with us, you will have to complete an:
- Occupational Health Screening
and
- Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Screening
- For international students, an International English Language Testing System [IELTS] with an overall score of at least 7 and at least 6.5 in the writing section and at least 7 in the reading, listening and speaking sections is accepted. An OET certificate minimum of C+ in writing alongside a minimum of B in reading, listening and speaking will also be accepted.
Please see Guidance on health and character from the NMC for more information.
Fitness to Practise
Good health and character requirements as stipulated in NMC legislation means that you are capable of safe and effective practice either with or without reasonable adjustments. It does not mean the absence of a health condition or disability. Therefore, should any issues regarding your health and character be identified through our screening processes, a Fitness to Practise Panel will look at each individual situation and make a decision regarding your eligibility to be accepted onto the programme. If you have any concerns about this, please feel free to discuss this further with the Admissions Tutor.
The Fitness to Practise Panel also consider students’ health and character throughout the programme as well, should any incidences and/or ill-health occur during your training which will impact on your learning and/or on clinical placements. You can access support and advice regarding your health and wellbeing via Student Support and Career Services at any time during the programme.
Student Selection
In line with the Once for Wales approach, shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a Student Selection Event. The University’s selection events will be supported by internal Healthcare Education staff, Practice Learning Partners, service users and carers and students. Events will normally last for around half a day.
Aberystwyth University’s selection event will consist of:
- An introductory talk and overview of the programme
- Tour of the department and of wider University facilities
- Group debate/discussion
- Unseen teamwork activity
- Individual scenario
- 1:1 interview
- An opportunity to meet staff and current students, and ask questions
During the event, you will be scored against the All Wales Recruitment and Selection Principles for pre-registration nursing and midwifery programmes.
The full-time programme will offer one intake per year, and the commencement date will be in September.
Our Staff
The majority of teaching staff at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active. Vocational courses also have staff whose background lies within industry. The Institute has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact.
