Intro

Studying adult nursing at the University of Brighton enables you to work closely with patients and their families as part of a versatile team of health and social care professionals including doctors, psychologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. You will learn how to tailor individual care for adults with a range of clinical needs.

This course starts in February and is based on our Eastbourne campus. You also have the option to start the course in September, this is based on our Falmer campus in Brighton. You can specify your preferred date in your UCAS application.

We will support you in becoming a caring and compassionate professional who delivers skilled, evidence-based care in partnership with patients, families and communities. Our focus on interdisciplinary learning across all our health courses enriches your experience while also preparing you for the reality of professional practice. There are varied placements across Sussex in both acute and community settings, and you will have the opportunity to experience nursing abroad through our international placements.

You’ll spend 50% of the course on placement in healthcare settings with local NHS trusts, private and voluntary organisations. You will participate in simulation learning in our well-equipped clinical skills and simulation suites, allowing you to apply theory to practice in a supported environment.

The recognition that patients come first in everything the NHS does, and the values of the NHS constitution – respect, dignity, compassion and working together for patients – are embedded in our curriculum.

Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and are entitled to practice anywhere in the UK.

Key facts

Location Eastbourne

UCAS code B7L0

Full-time 3 years

Apply now for February 2020

This course meets the NMC 2018 education standards and course graduates are eligible for registration.

We are a top 10 university for world-leading research impact in allied health professions, nursing and pharmacy (REF 2014)

Clearing 2019

Places are available on this course to start in 2019.

01273 644000

Call us now for advice

Book your open day place

Course content

Course structure

You can start this course in:

  • February – based at our Eastbourne campus, or
  • September – based at our Brighton: Falmer campus.

The course content is the same for both programmes.

You’ll share some modules with students on our other nursing courses, allowing you to benefit from interprofessional collaboration, sharing knowledge and expertise. You will also benefit from patients contributing to your learning through shared stories.

In each year of the course you engage with both theory and practice learning. The course alternates between academic terms and blocks of practice. Theory sessions in academic terms take place at the university. You will attend Monday to Friday with independent study days. Practice placement blocks are 32 hours per week and are eight and 12 weeks long.

Term dates for February entry
Check our programme planner for details.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through our applicant portal.

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Year 1

You are introduced to the profession of nursing and begin your development of the required knowledge and skills. You will develop an understanding of the structure and function of the human body. 

Modules

  • Nursing Assessment in Partnership with People

    This module will enable you to undertake a holistic nursing assessment of a person in terms of their mental, physical, social and spiritual needs. You’ll learn the importance of completing an assessment in partnership with the person, taking into account their circumstances, characteristics and preferences.

    You will also gain an understanding of the role of the nurse in assessing the person’s needs as a member of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT).

  • Planning Nursing Care in Partnership with People

    This module will enable you to plan nursing care based on the information gained from a holistic nursing assessment. You’ll learn the importance of identifying priorities in the mental, physical, social and spiritual needs of the person and formulating a plan of care in partnership with the person and the multi-disciplinary team (MDT).

  • Human Biology for Nursing

    This module will enable you to explore human biology in relation to the health, well-being and illness of a person across the lifespan. You’ll develop an understanding of how human biology and altered physiology underpins your developing nursing practice.

  • Practice Learning for Nursing Year 1

    This practice assessment of the course is divided into three parts. This module comprises part one, which will enable you to begin developing the knowledge, skills and values required for nursing practice.

    You will integrate learning from your placement and at university in order to meet the Future Nurse: Standards of proficiency for registered nurses (Nursing and Midwifery Council [NMC] 2018).

Adult nursing students

Year 2 

You continue to build your skills and knowledge in professional practice. You will start to develop the principles of adult nursing and gain an insight into the clinical settings in which nurses work such as public health, acute services, community and research.

Modules

  • Quality Improvement Using Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
  • Nursing to Promote Health and Prevent Illness
  • Nursing Assessment and Management of Clinical Deterioration in an Adult
  • Approaches to Nursing Adults with Long-term Conditions
  • Practice Learning for Adult Nursing Year 2
ECG workshop

Final year

You will complete an extended project and develop your professional practice further in the areas of leadership, physical assessment and complex care needs.

Modules

  • Contemporary and Future Nursing Practice
  • Leading and Managing Nursing Care and Effective Teams
  • Enhanced Nursing Assessment and Clinical Decision Making
  • Palliative and End of Life Care Using an Integrative Nursing Approach
  • Practice Learning for Adult Nursing Year 3
Nurses Brighton

Facilities

Clinical Skills and Simulation Suite

Clinical skills and simulation rooms on both our Brighton: Falmer and Eastbourne campuses provide an invaluable tool for assessment and monitoring students' progress throughout the course.

You will benefit from practising nursing skills in an environment that simulates nurses’ real-life professional experiences. Learning by simulation with state-of-the-art mannequins enables you to practice in a safe environment under supervision, so you can apply your knowledge and skills in professional practice with confidence.

We have skilled technicians on every campus to support you.

Medical students practising on a dummy

Click to view a virtual tour of our Eastbourne nursing facilities.

Nursing skills zone – practice independently in a safe environment

Located on both our Brighton: Falmer and Eastbourne campuses, the nursing skills zones are fully equipped open access areas where you can practice your skills at a time to suit you.

You can practice skills including ECG electrode application, sterile glove application, nutritional assessment, basic life support, aseptic technique, urinalysis, physical measurements, personal hygiene, catheterisation, peak flow measurement, administration of medicines, A-E assessment and physical assessment.

You can book a nursing PASS leader to help you in the skills zones. Our PASS (peer-assisted study sessions) project is a student-led scheme where you can discuss issues relating to your course material and student life informally with your peers and trained student facilitators.

Nursing skills zone

Flexible Learning Environment 

The Flexible Learning Environment is an adapted home environment in a residential location where you'll be able to practise skills and learn from other students while taking part in realistic training scenarios.

Every room is fitted with cameras and microphones, so that students can be directed and monitored from the control room while the observation room provides the opportunity to review, playback and debrief.

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Placements 

Our flexible approach to practice-based learning and excellent links with local healthcare trusts enable us to offer clinical practice in hospital and community settings, working alongside multi-professional teams.

You will spend 50% of the course studying theory which requires attendance in lectures and the other 50% on placement. You must accumulate 4,600 hours in total over the three years before you can register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Practice placements are up to 32 hours per week and you will be supported by a practice supervisor. Clinical placements take place across across Sussex, Surrey and Kent.

Community placements offer experience in schools, doctors surgeries, with health visitors and community staff.

It is currently possible to claim back excess travel costs, this is reviewed each year by the NHS.

A day on placement can be between 07.00 and 22.00, some weekends and some nights.

Nursing placements map

Supporting you 

You will receive lots of support throughout your nursing degree. During your course you'll have access to: 

  • personal tutor
  • practice liaison lecturers
  • practice supervisor in clinical practice
  • PASS (peer-assisted study sessions) nursing student leaders
  • student support and guidance
  • welfare.

Nursing Society
Our student-run Nursing Society provides support for all nursing students at every stage of their degree.

The society facilitates group learning and extracurricular lectures from speakers across the multidisciplinary team.

Study abroad

Within the School of Health Sciences we are committed to providing a global perspective to nursing and midwifery education. As such we offer a range of international English-speaking exchange placements to nursing, midwifery and paramedic science students. All of our international placements are fully supported and academically credited.

International placements are only with partners with which we have an agreement – this ensures a good quality learning opportunity and safe experience. 

European

Active placement of up to three months in year 2 with one of our partner universities.

  • University College, Denmark
  • University College of Borås, Sweden

Two-week observational placement with one of 25 institutions across 13 European countries in our European Nursing Module Network. For more information on our European partners and network visit the  European Nursing Module Network website.

For an insight into what life is like on a study abroad placement, have a read of Sabrina Barnes' experience in our Graduate Views below.

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International

  • Observational placements of up to three weeks in Africa, Asia or South America through Work the World.

We provide guidance with sourcing accommodation, visas, occupational health checks and insurance. You will be connected with a key personal contact for each partner and have access to online support from the university whilst you are abroad.

All students who take part in a study abroad experience identify its immense value, whether through hosting visiting students or participating in an exchange. We share all students' experiences through our newsletters and through the student ambassador project. 

If you wish to learn more about these opportunities you are welcome to discuss this at interview. 

Careers

 

Careers and employability 

This course provides a solid foundation for working in numerous healthcare settings and for further professional development in clinical practice, education, management and research. 

Our adult nursing graduates have developed successful careers in both hospital and community settings. Many of our graduates leave university with a firm offer of employment.

After a period of consolidation and further study you can work as a specialist practitioner in the community in areas such as practice nursing, health visiting or in the hospital as a clinical nurse or nurse consultant. Acute care offers a range of roles, for example caring for patients needing emergency and intensive care or surgery.

Successful completion of the course will enable you to access further academic study at masters and doctoral level.

Nurse and doctor using diagnostic equipment

Graduate views 

Daisy Bower, Community Staff Nurse in Bexhill District Nursing Team, East Sussex Healthcare Trust

"Eastbourne campus is great place to study nursing. The lecturers are really supportive and I felt I could approach them with academic questions as well as personal problems.

"The placement opportunities are varied and allowed learning in focused, friendly environments. I found this really improved my confidence and developed my skills as a nurse. The clinical area for simulation aided in practical learning and there are good quality sporting facilities on campus for leisure.

"Student nurses looking to start a career locally and who benefit from attentive and welcoming teaching should consider Eastbourne campus."

 

Daisy Bower

Rachael Fisher, graduate Feb 2017, GP practice nurse, Eastbourne

"When looking back at my time studying at the University of Brighton I have the fondest of memories.

"I studied adult nursing at the Eastbourne campus and feel the university offered me a great platform to start me off in my career. What really struck me was the relationship the lecturers had with their students and feel their support had a huge impact on my studies.

"The variety of placements on offer helped improve my employability but also made me more aware of what field of nursing I wanted to go into.

"I made lifelong friends along the way. I am grateful to the university for nurturing and moulding me into the person I am today as they provided me with knowledge and skills to follow my dreams of becoming a nurse.

"I went straight into practice nursing. I did the Introduction to Practice Nursing module at university. This gave me insight into the role of a practice nurse and highlighted areas that I was interested in – for me this was diabetes care.

"I am working at a large GP medical practice and enjoy being part of the team there. What I love is that I am always learning and every day is not the same. But most of all is the impact I have on the patients to help empower them to take an active role in their own care. I hope my story encourages more people to enter this profession as it is an extremely rewarding job."

Rachael Fisher

Sabrina Barnes, graduated 2018

"In May 2017, I was lucky enough to spend two weeks in Kathmandu, Nepal on placement in three different paediatric wards; general medicine and surgery, neonatal intensive care and paediatric intensive care. In this time, I was able to learn how different the Nepali culture was and both the differences and similarities between nursing in Nepal and the UK. 

"I was also able to learn a lot about myself and my own nursing practice and share some of my experiences with the Nepali nurses. I had never travelled alone before so even before I got to Nepal, I had done something new and when I got there, I was able to meet lots of other nurses doing exchange placements from across the world. This enabled me to learn about other people’s experiences of healthcare and I also met friends that I went travelling with recently to Pokhara, Nepal.

"My experience in Nepal taught me a lot about family-centred care and I have been able to take this in with my nursing practice as a qualified nurse. In particular my time on the intensive care unit in combination with my second year placement on HDU, inspired the title of my dissertation, which had a focus on supporting family involvement in intensive care environments."

Sabrina Barnes in Nepal

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course and should be used as a general guide. For courses that require interview or portfolio review, this may also be considered in the level of any conditional offer we may make, if your application is successful.

A-levels
BBB, must include a science or social science subject.

BTEC
DDM in a health or science subject. 

International Baccalaureate
30 points.

Access to HE Diploma
pass with 60 credits overall. Health studies, nursing or science. At least 45 credits at level 3, with 30 credits at distinction.

GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)

  • with Access course – maths and English.
  • with A-levels, BTEC or K101 – at least five GCSEs including maths, English and science.

A wide range of other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, for example, Open University K101.

For all nursing courses leading to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a nurse, you must demonstrate the following:

  • completion of 10 years general education
  • successful completion of literacy and numeracy assessments during the interview process
  • evidence of study within the last five years is desirable
  • evidence of commitment to the profession
  • passing of occupational health and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
  • ability to meet travel requirements to attend placements
  • ability to follow a shift pattern that could cover any part of a 24-hour seven-day cycle.

Foundation degree
Completion of our Health and Social Care Practice foundation degree with 120 credits at level 5 may enable you to start in year 2 of our nursing degrees – Nursing (Adult), Nursing (Child) or Nursing (Mental Health).

Studied before or got relevant experience?
A qualification, HE credits or relevant experience may count towards your course at Brighton, and could mean that you do not have to take some elements of the course or can start in year 2 or 3. 

Interviews
Students successful at the application stage will be invited to attend an interview which comprises a values-based multiple mini interview format.

Personal statement 

Tips for writing a good personal statement

  • Identify why you are interested in the course.
  • Only apply for one field of nursing (adult, mental health or child).
  • Provide insight into your personal experiences, work or voluntary work.
  • Do not discuss Florence Nightingale or quote words of wisdom as an opening statement.
  • Consider how your referee may describe you and reflect this in your statement.
  • Our nursing degree is theory and practice so discuss your ability to cope with the demands of the whole course.

Our applying to Brighton section provides more information on writing a personal statement.

Come for an interview

Application timeline – February  

November

  • Receive email regarding occupational health and DBS – start completing these forms

  • Receive online enrolment email 

December

  • Complete your occupational health and DBS forms 

  • Complete online enrolment

January

  • Early January – receive your week one induction timetable. 

  • Mid January – deadline for completing your occupational health and DBS forms

Remember, you must enrol before the start date.

Occupational health check

Your offer is subject to occupational health and DBS clearance.

All applicants must complete a University of Brighton occupational health clearance check. If you are working within an NHS/healthcare organisation you will still require a University of Brighton health clearance check.

Once you receive your health questionnaire you must fill this in immediately and return your completed and signed form to the occupational health department by the deadline provided (usually a couple of weeks before your start date), failure to do this will affect your ability to attend your first placement.

Send your form by email or registered post, see the form for contact details. Please note that the questionnaire will need your GP's signature which your GP may charge for, this will need to be paid for by you. We suggest that you use your current GP to complete this form rather than a university-based GP who will not have immediate access to your medical records.

The University of Brighton will pay for your occupational health clearance throughout your course. However you will personally have to pay for any travel to occupational health appointments at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

We will send you your occupational health questionnaire by email in November if you are starting in February.

DBS check 

All applicants must complete a University of Brighton DBS clearance check. 

If you are currently working within an NHS/healthcare organisation you will still require a University of Brighton DBS check. Failure to complete a University of Brighton DBS will affect your ability to attend your first placement. 

  • We will send you an email regarding filling in your DBS form in November if you are starting in February. 
  • The deadline for completing your DBS form will be provided but it is usually required at the beginning of the month in which you start your course.

Fees

Course fees

UK/EU (full-time) 9,250 GBP

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with us for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly. You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

If you've already got a degree in another subject you are still eligible for the student finance package for this course.

 

Location

Local area

Easy-going Eastbourne

The South Downs National Park, the bustling town centre and the beach with the pier, prom and bandstand are all within a 15-minute walk of our Eastbourne campus. Officially the sunniest place in the UK, Eastbourne has loads on offer: a year-round calendar of sporting events, the independent shops and cafes of Little Chelsea, music and arts festivals, theatres, galleries, great restaurants and high street shopping.

Every June, leading tennis players descend on Eastbourne for one of the main warm-up tournaments for Wimbledon. One of the UK's biggest free extreme sports festivals, Beach Life, takes place on the seafront in July, bringing hi-octane action on land and sea. The international airshow Airbourne is another summer highlight.

Every autumn our students and staff participate in and support the Beachy Head Marathon, one of the UK's largest off-road marathons with challenging climbs and descents along the Seven Sisters.

The beach and the South Downs provide sports opportunities including horse riding, mountain biking, paragliding, sailing, canoeing, body boarding, kayaking, windsurfing and kite surfing.

The Towner Art Gallery has world-class exhibitions of modern and contemporary art and entry is free. Eastbourne also has four theatres, two cinemas and hosts a varied programme of arts and music events throughout the year.

It's only 90 minutes by train from Eastbourne to central London and less than 40 minutes to Brighton. There are also daily direct trains to Ashford International and Gatwick Airport.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Enjoying sport above Eastbourne

Campus where this course is taught

Eastbourne campus

Our campus is within 15 minutes' walk of the beach, South Downs National Park and the Eastbourne's busy town centre. There are excellent sport and exercise facilities, social sites and on-site halls of residence.

Sport and exercise, events, hospitality, journalism, nursing and midwifery, physical education, physiotherapy, podiatry and tourism students are all based here.

Specialist learning facilities include accredited exercise physiology laboratories, a newsroom, clinical simulation suites, culinary arts studio, and the Leaf Hospital podiatric clinic and occupational health studios. Campus learning facilities include the Queenwood library, computer rooms, a media centre and a learning and technology suite.

Sports facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, sports hall and gym, artificial outdoor pitch, dance studio and climbing wall.

Eastbourne Student Centre provides services including careers, volunteering, counselling and wellbeing, student advice, disability and dyslexia support and chaplaincy.

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Queenwood Library at Eastbourne

Accommodation

Eastbourne

All offer holders for Eastbourne-based courses are guaranteed an offer of university-managed accommodation.

Welkin halls
Located in the Meads area of Eastbourne, right next to the Students' Union and Student Services, Welkin halls are a short walk or bike ride to other areas of the campus.

  • Ensuite halls with a choice of room and flat sizes.
  • Breakfast and an evening meal are provided from Monday to Friday during term-time, this is included in your rent. You have access to shared, fully equipped kitchen facilities.
  • Rent also includes all utilities, 24/7 staff cover, contents insurance, cleaning of communal areas and off-peak access to university fitness facilities including a 25m pool.

Unihomes
A unihome is a student house which the university manages on behalf of a private landlord. This option can work particularly well when you’re balancing learning with placements and other life commitments.

  • Rent includes all utilities, broadband, contents insurance, cleaning of communal areas.
  • Generally shared bathroom with a variety of locations, room and house sizes. Some unihomes offer off-road parking.

Find out more about unihomes and university halls accommodation.

Private renting
Eastbourne offers good choice when it comes to student accommodation.

There’s a good supply of affordable, high quality private rented accommodation and plenty of support and advice from us if you choose this option. Your first stop should be our studenthomes database. This lists accommodation offered by landlords who have signed up to our code of standards.

Every summer we provide online events and resources, as well as other advice services, for students looking for a place to live and people to share with.

Student accommodation in Eastbourne

Student accommodation in Eastbourne

Welkin bedroom

Student bedroom in Welkin halls

Modern kitchen in Welkin Halls

Modern kitchen in Welkin Halls

Maps

house Accommodation
campus University building

Eastbourne campus map

Meet our students  

Gavin Woodgate 

"I can’t quite believe how quickly the three years has passed. It really does seem like only yesterday I was celebrating the offer of a place on the adult nursing course. However, when I stop and think about how far I have come in those three years, I am proud of the healthcare professional I have become – and continue to develop into.

"The University of Brighton has provided the essential support needed to learn clinical skills, whilst also supporting and guiding me in practice. It’s fair to say I did not regard myself as the most academically minded student but the excellent help and guidance I have received has helped me obtain grades I am proud of. With qualifying just a few short months away, I am excited, if a little nervous, but I know I will always take the University of Brighton with me whatever happens, it's where my nursing career began!"

Gaving_Woodgate_1

Maddii Rapson

"I chose to start this course in February, the content and delivery of modules are the exactly the same as if I had started in September. I really enjoyed being part of the February cohort. Being part of a smaller cohort has really helped enhance my learning throughout the three years, because of the small class sizes we have all gotten to know the teaching staff pretty well, this has meant I personally engaged with the lectures and practical learning more, getting more out of the experience as I felt comfortable approaching them with anything I was unsure of. 

"Eastbourne is the perfect place to study if you are looking for a smaller university feel whilst still being part of a good Uni with an excellent reputation. The atmosphere on the campus itself is very relaxed, you have the opportunity to meet and socialize with other health students and despite being smaller than Falmer and other University of Brighton sites the resources are excellent." 

Maddii Rapson

Stay in touch

Book your open day place

Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644


Keep up to date at the School of Health Sciences blog. 

 

Statistics

These charts give an indication of how much time you will spend on different activities at each level of the course, and an indication of the balance of assessment by coursework, and written and practical exams. For courses with option modules, actual proportions will depend on the modules you choose.

Find out more about how the academic year and degree courses are organised, and about learning and assessment activities you might get to grips with at Brighton. More specific information about this course is detailed in the programme specification (linked above). You can find out also about the range of support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Overall workload

Assessments

Unistats and key information sets

Unistats enable you to compare information when choosing a UK university course. All UK universities publish Unistats data on their website.

Programme specification

The programme specification is the approved description of each course. They are updated following course changes, and give a detailed breakdown of the content and structure of the course.

Programme specification

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