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 at grade B.
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.
Selection events
Our selection events for nursing include:
- presentation by nursing admissions tutor
- maths and English tests
- an interview
- opportunity to speak to our nursing student ambassadors.
For our February group we interview regularly until the end of the year, for our September group we interview throughout the year so the next selection event is never more than a few weeks away. Check the applicant portal, for forthcoming dates and details of how to book.
If you are invited to interview, we will need to see your certificates that allow you to meet our academic entry requirements for the course you have applied for. If you need copies of exam certificates, contact the appropriate examination board.
Schools do not usually keep copies of exam certificates. However they should have a record of your results and we will accept a certified letter from your school, listing the grades that you achieved.
Interviews follow a multiple mini interview format, focusing on values based recruitment.
When will I hear the result of the interview?
Normally, you should hear within two to four weeks of the interview date. However, during busy admissions phases and when public holidays fall in this period it may take a little longer.
The outcome of your interview will be notified directly to UCAS.
What can I expect in the maths and English test?
Nurses need to be able to calculate medicines, nutrition, fluids and to apply number skills to other areas. This is now a requirement of the Nursing and Midwifery Council for all prospective nursing students.
On the day you come for interview, you will be set assessments that test your maths and written English skills. The tests last for 30 minutes. Calculators are not permitted in the maths test.
We recommend the following website to brush up your skills: www.open.edu/openlearnworks.
See a sample numeracy assessment paper (pdf 54Kb).
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.
Application timeline
Students starting in 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 1 week induction timetable.
- Mid January – deadline for completing your occupational health and DBS forms
Remember, you must be enrolled for your course before the start date.
Students starting in September
June
- Receive email regarding occupational health and DBS – start completing these forms
- Receive email regarding accommodation
July
- Complete your occupational health and DBS forms
August
- From mid-August – enrolment – you will receive an email with instructions.
September
- Early September – receive your one-week induction timetable. Eastbourne adult students will be sent coach information
- Mid September – deadline for completing your occupational health and DBS forms
You must be enrolled for your course 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 and in June if you are starting in September.
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 and in June if you are starting in September.
- 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.