Building your academic profile to degree level, with a particular emphasis on the application of knowledge for safe and effective nursing practice.
The BSc (Hons) Nursing Science (Nursing Practice in the UK) programme is tailored to overseas nurses with relevant prior learning who want to top-up to a degree award and undertake preparation for the NMC Test of Competence Part 2 (OSCE).
This programme will be offered subject to viable demand.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
The course is typically studied over two semesters (September to May) as a top-up to degree. Programme and module content are subject to ongoing review. For the latest information please contact us: d.odonnell@ulster.ac.uk.
The modules currently include:
- Nursing Science in a Global Health Context (NUS620)
- Professional Knowledge for Nursing in the United KIngdom (NUS610)
- Preparation for Nursing OSCE Assessment (NUS611)
- Research project (NUS619)
The BSc Hons Nursing Science (Nursing Practice in the UK), is a full-time programme delivered over one academic year typically from September to May.
Engagement will be monitored in keeping with UKVI monitoring requirements and programme regulations. Failure to attend and engage in classes on a weekly basis from the start of the programme may have implications for your student visa.
The course provides the opportunity for a range of diverse and immersive learning experiences including lectures, simulated clinical skills practice, tutorials, groupwork, guided reading and self-directed learning. Students will be supported to develop their knowledge and skills throughout the programme.
Students will engage in formative and summative assessment as a means of demonstrating their learning with feedback to enhance their learning and development.
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses typically 15 or 30 credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study.
In Masters degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
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We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
In this section
The BSc (Hons) Nursing Science (Nursing Practice in the Uk) typically offers a 'top-up to degree' award. It is suitable for overseas licensed nurses who have sufficient and relevant prior learning to allow direct entry to study at level 6. It is therefore not suitable for direct entry by those who have studied up to A-Level.
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
All international applicants must meet the UKVI student visa requirements.
In addition, all applicants must satisfy the University’s general entry requirements as set out in the prospectus and demonstrate their ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of relevant prior learning. Under the University’s ‘Qualifications and Credit Framework’, the achievement of an Honours degree requires the successful completion of 360 credits of study at levels 4, 5 and 6. In relation to this programme, students will typically enter the programme at level 6 having gained exemption for level 4 and 5 modules through the University’s ‘Accreditation of Prior Learning’ policy when prior learning will be accepted in consideration of exemption. Where exemption is obtained for levels 4 and 5 modules, the programme is normally completed over one academic year in full-time mode.
In order to achieve exemption from level 4 and 5 of the programme, an applicant shall have achieved the equivalent of a UK Higher National Diploma or Foundation Degree in Nursing.
Applicants to the BSc (Hons) Nursing Science (Nursing Practice in the UK) must be licensed as a nurse in their home country.
This programme typically offers a 'top-up to degree' award. It is suitable for overseas nurses who have sufficient and relevant prior learning to receive exemption for Level 4 and Level 5 credits and to allow direct entry to study at level 6. Such applicants will typically have attained the equivalent of a UK Higher National Diploma/ Foundation degree in Nursing.
In this section
BSc Hons Nursing Science (Nursing Practice in the UK)
Upon successful completion of this programme, you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) Nursing Science. This programme does not include a professional award and therefore does not automatically lead to registration as a nurse in the UK. However, by studying the Nursing Practice in the UK pathway you will be supported to prepare for the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Test of Competence Part 2 (OSCE). If you are interested in registering as a nurse in the UK, you must check your eligibility with the NMC.
After you complete the BSc (Hons) Nursing Science (Nursing Practice in the UK) programme and, if you meet the NMC eligibility criteria and the NMC English language requirements, you may then choose to apply for registration as a nurse in the UK. You will need to progress through the NMC application assessment process which is between you and the NMC. As part of this process, you will be required to undertake the Test of Competence Part 1 (CBT) and Part 2 (OSCE). Part 2 OSCE must be undertaken at an NMC Competence Test Centre in the UK. If your application to register as a nurse with the NMC is successful, and, subject to UKVI regulations, you will be able to apply for a post as a registered nurse in the UK. You may also wish to consider postgraduate study opportunities.
This programme provides practice in nursing procedures in a simulated clinical environment. The programme does not include practice in a clinical setting.
Further information about scholarships are available at: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/fees-and-finance
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.
At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.
We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships: Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Our work in this area is already being recognised globally. Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.
Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.
