BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult)
Award
BSc (Hons)
Start Date
To be confirmed
Duration
3 years
Mode
Full-time
Location
University of Bolton
UCAS Points
104
UCAS Code
B790
Offered in partnership with local NHS Foundation Trusts and other healthcare organisations, the University of Greater Manchester's BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) degree aims to give you the experience and skills to join this demanding yet deeply rewarding career. By choosing nursing you can help to make positive influences to health and wellbeing by utilising taught theoretical knowledge whilst demonstrating this in clinical practice during supported placements.
Course Overview
The University of Greater Manchester's BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) degree, offered in partnership with local NHS Foundation Trusts and other healthcare organisations, is designed to prepare you for a successful career caring for people over 18. Once qualified, there are significant opportunities for professional development and role progression over time within the healthcare sector.You'll spend 50% of your time in practice learning experience at our partner trust, and studying at the University will complement and enhance your learning in the workplace. We'll support you as you learn to care for adults with acute and long-term illnesses, in hospital and at home, and gain expertise in health promotion and disease prevention.
Together with our partner trusts, we'll work to prepare you to become a confident, professional nurse able to deliver and lead adult care within an ever-changing health and social care environment. On successfully completing the nursing qualification, you'll possess the knowledge, skills and behaviours you need to perform as an independent, highly competent, compassionate nurse who can be trusted to maintain professional standards and protect the public.
If you're an ambitious nursing associate or assistant practitioner, you may be able to join this course at Level 2 (HE5) and top-up your existing foundation degree to achieve the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) in two years or less. This is a popular route for healthcare practitioners that recognises and values prior learning and experience. The top-up option is a well-recognised pathway to career advancement.
You will be based in a single Trust for the duration of your course and will likely study at the closest Trust to your home address but this open to discussion at interview. We work with the following NHS Foundation Trusts.
- Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
- Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
- Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
- Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
International students’ entry requirements
Please note the following conditions of application and enrolment for international students:
- Limited places available for international students.
- Applicants must have fully completed all required qualifications, including Level 3 equivalency to a minimum of 104 UCAS points.
- Applicants must have achieved L2 Maths and English qualification(s) before applying. We may consider international qualifications which are deemed equivalent by ECCTIS.
- Applicants must have IELTS 6.0 overall score with no element below 5.5 or equivalent.
- Applicants will undertake an online interview led by the University and our NHS Trust Partners. Offers will be made based academic achievement and a successful interview.
- Placements will take place at various trust locations.
- Students will be expected to bring or purchase their own laptop.
- For January 2026 starters, students must be in the UK and ready to start the course by 19 January 2026.
- For September 2026 starters, students must be in the UK and ready to start the course by 14 September 2026.
- Fees for international applicants are £17,500 per year for three years (total £52,500).
- Further information will be provided closer to the time.
Highlights
- The University of Greater Manchester's BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Once you've successfully completed this degree, you'll be eligible to register as a qualified nurse.
- Your practice learning experience may be in a range of clinical environments within local NHS Foundation Trusts and other healthcare organisations.
- Our expert team deliver teaching across the University's sites, which includes the modern state-of-the-art facilities in Bolton One. We currently have a number of clinical skills suites and take a blended learning approach using a range of different teaching and learning methods, including lectures, seminars, problem/enquiry-based learning, e-learning, and peer learning and assessment. Clinical skills and simulated learning are also embedded throughout the programme.
Key Features
- We'll work to enable you to learn an extensive range of nursing skills and techniques so that you can care effectively for adult patients in a variety of healthcare environments. Our ambition is for you to become a nurse leader of the future.
- You'll gain first-hand work experience and have the opportunity to develop an invaluable network of professional contacts during your extensive time (50%) gaining practice learning experience at local NHS Foundation Trusts and other healthcare organisations.
- Professional expert academic tutors from a wide range of clinical and academic backgrounds deliver the theory elements of the course.
- Qualified healthcare practitioners contribute to many of the modules and are invited as guest speakers so that you have the opportunity to learn from their first-hand examples of current practice.
- We also work to help you appreciate the views of health and social care service users and carers by involving them throughout the course.
- By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Nearby Manchester is one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, and the Northwest of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline, and heritage.
Entry Requirements
- 104 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T-levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
- If you're an international applicant, please also see the list of conditions of application and enrolment in the Course Overview section above.
- The entry requirements detailed in this section apply to all applicants, whether home or international.
- Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3. Health and social care and biology-related subjects are preferred.
- You must also have five GCSEs at grade 4/C or above (or equivalent), including English, Mathematics and, preferably, a Science subject. Please contact us for a list of acceptable GCSE equivalents.
- Qualifications gained outside England and Wales will be assessed on an individual basis according to guidance by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
- If you have successfully completed an FdSc Nursing Associate programme approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council or FdA Health and Social Care (Assistant Practitioner) qualification, you may be eligible to apply for exemptions toward the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult). If you apply to join the degree at Level 2 (HE5), you may make a claim for recognition of prior learning (RPL) up to a maximum of 50% of the programme. Please note that you'll be required to produce a portfolio of evidence for this RPL claim, in line with the University’s policy and regulations for the recognition of prior learning.
- Please note that it's not possible to join this course at Level 3 (HE6). Applications to join the course at Level 2 (HE5) will be considered.
- You'll be asked to attend an interview if your application is successfully short-listed. The interview process will involve face-to-face or online interviews with academic staff, practice staff and possibly people with lived experience and carers (PLECs). You'll also be assessed on your values, behaviours, communication and problem-solving skills. We're seeking students who can demonstrate commitment to a nursing career, have excellent communication skills, and are caring, compassionate, and courageous.
- If successful at the interview stage, you'll be asked to undergo occupational health screening and an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
- You'll need to demonstrate that you are of good health and good character prior to enrolment and on an ongoing basis throughout your studies and career. You must also declare immediately any police charges, cautions, convictions, conditional discharges or determinations that your fitness to practice is impaired.
- This course involves working unsupervised with vulnerable adults and you must gain an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting your studies. Charges are payable to cover the cost of the DBS Enhanced Disclosure application and annual registration with the online Update Service.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
- You'll need to ascertain if you're eligible for a student loan via Student Finance England or will need to be able to self-fund.
- Please note that this course is subject to the University's Fitness to Practice declaration.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
On successfully completing the University of Greater Manchester's adult nursing degree, you'll possess the knowledge and skills you need to perform as an independent, highly competent, compassionate nurse and work within the field of adult nursing.
As a graduate of this degree, you'll possess key transferable skills, including the ability to work independently, adapt to changing circumstances, work in teams and groups, and listen and respond to customers and their needs. You'll become adept at planning and time management, rational decision-making, critical thinking, and physical assessment and develop excellent communication skills during your time in both university and practice settings.
Our BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) programme also offers a well-recognised career advancement pathway for qualified nursing associates and assistant practitioners. If you already hold an appropriate foundation degree, you may be able to top up your qualification and become an adult nurse in three years or less (the maximum possible exemption is 50% of the programme). This popular option recognises your prior learning and experience and allows you to take on full nursing responsibilities more quickly. It also opens the door to postgraduate study and provides a route to achieve your career ambitions.
What can I do with this qualification?
Alternative career options
Graduates can use this qualification as a stepping-stone into many other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Possible areas include:
- Public health and health promotion
- Management
- Armed forces
- Schools
- FE and HE teaching
- Clinical research
- Occupational health
- Overseas aid and development
- Prisons
- Universities
- Holiday companies
- Voluntary organisations
Professional Recognition
The University of Greater Manchester's BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). On successfully completing this degree, you'll be eligible to apply for professional registration with the NMC.
Fees & Funding
Healthcare students commencing a BSc Adult Nursing from 1 September 2020 onwards can apply for additional funding support from the NHS Learning Support Fund. Please visit the NHS Learning Support Fund website for details and how to apply.
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Greater Manchester’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@greatermanchester.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Greater Manchester’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@greatermanchester.ac.uk for more information.
Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
If you wish to apply to multiple institutions or courses for September, then apply through UCAS
You can apply for up to 5 courses through UCAS (at the same or different institutions) for a fee of £27. Alternatively, if you only wish to apply for a single course at a single institution then a reduced applicant's fee of £22.50 is applicable.
The online application form and guidance notes are available on the UCAS website.
You will need the following information to complete your UCAS application form:
Institution Code Name: BOLTN
Institution Code Number: B44
Tel: 0870 1122211
Web: www.ucas.com
International Applicants
The University welcomes applications from international students from all over the world. We try to make the application process as simple and as fast as possible for our international applicants.
This course is not currently accepting international online applications.
Please contact Admissions by telephone on 01204 903903 or email enquiries@greatermanchester.ac.uk
Admissions
University of Greater Manchester
Deane Road
Bolton, BL3 5AB
United Kingdom
Tel: 01204 903903
Email: enquiries@greatermanchester.ac.uk
Partner Organisation Applicants
Please contact Admissions by telephone on 01204 903903 or email enquiries@greatermanchester.ac.uk
Admissions
University of Greater Manchester
Deane Road
Bolton, BL3 5AB
United Kingdom
Tel: 01204 903903
Email: enquiries@greatermanchester.ac.uk
Teaching & Assessment
Modern healthcare professionals require a range of skills and values. Our practice partners and tutors will help you gain experience in a range of clinical scenarios designed to develop your skills in a safe and supportive environment.
Your studies will be split with 50% dedicated to theory and 50% committed to practice learning experience at local NHS Foundation Trusts and other healthcare organisations, which can offer learning experiences in a range of services across their sites (please note, considerable travelling may be required). As you progress through the course, we'll guide and encourage you to draw on your practice learning experience while studying theory and apply the theory you've learned to your practice so you can understand how the two complement each other.
The course explores the concepts of health and ill health in the adult population and the key sciences in nursing, including the biosciences, psychology and sociology. Topics such as assessment, care planning, law, ethics and the importance of communication with service users and healthcare colleagues are covered. You'll have the opportunity to learn about the importance of research and how its application in healthcare can transform the lives of patients and their carers, how to access and assess the latest research, and how to incorporate your findings into care plans and intervention strategies.
We'll support you in gaining key transferable skills, including the ability to work independently, adapt to changing circumstances, work in teams and groups, and listen and respond to customers and their needs. During your studies, we'll also encourage you to develop planning and time management, rational decision-making, critical thinking, physical assessment and communication skills. We aim for you to develop into a compassionate, kind and empathetic practitioner who respects and supports the patient's privacy, dignity and individuality, and makes safe and effective clinical decisions.
For theory-based modules, we use a blended learning approach that includes lectures, presentations, simulations delivered by tutors, seminar discussions, small group workshops, small group and one-to-one tutorials, virtual learning environments (VLE) and e-learning packages. You'll also need to undertake a significant amount of personal study, including general background reading, preparing for seminar activities, working on assignments and revising for examinations.
To help support your learning, the University also offers additional study skills sessions, such as essay writing, library skills and electronic searching, and numeracy.
We use a range of assessment methods, including essays, reports, presentations, portfolios, set exercises via multiple choice questions, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), traditional examinations and assessment of practice in the practice setting. The assessment of practice and theory are equally weighted in their contribution to the degree award as a whole.
We adopt a blended teaching and learning style, including online delivery and engagement where appropriate.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Principles of Nursing Practice
- Anatomy and Physiology and Medicines Management
- Managing Health Through All Stages of Life
- Mandatory Training and Preparation for HE4 Placement
- Wider Approaches to Global Health
- Enhancing Clinical Skills: Assessing, Planning and Providing Evidenced Based Care Procedures
- Medicines Management
- Coordinating Integrated Healthcare
- Mandatory Training and Preparation for HE5 Placement
- Embedding Person Centred Care and Evidence Based Approaches
- Advanced Clinical Skills and Procedures
- Leadership, Management and Quality in Healthcare
- Mandatory Training and Preparation for HE6 Placement
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 60% Practical exams 7% Written exams 33% |
| Level 2 | Coursework 62% Practical exams 25% Written exams 13% |
| Level 3 | Coursework 60% Practical exams 33% Written exams 7% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 20% Placement/study abroad 50% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 30% |
| Level 2 | Guided independent study 20% Placement/study abroad 50% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 30% |
| Level 3 | Guided independent study 20% Placement/study abroad 50% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 30% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
