Course description
Birmingham Newman University offers a foundation year to complement our undergraduate degrees. The Foundation Year is the first year of a four-year degree in Adult Nursing.
The foundation year provides an alternative route to studying Adult Nursing for those unable to meet the traditional entry requirements for this degree programme. Apply via UCAS for BSc Adult Nursing (with Foundation Year) and after successfully completing the foundation year you will progress onto the remaining three years of the degree, dependent on meeting the progression requirements.
What will I study during the Foundation Year?
The integrated foundation year focuses on helping you think critically and feel confident in your studies. It begins with an exploration of how you learn, and gives you the space to learn in your own way.
The goal of the Foundation Year is not just to get you ready for your next year of studies but to make sure you feel connected to your chosen subject and to the university community. You’ll explore interesting topics like identity, inequality, and think about what it means to be human in a digital world.
The combination of seminar discussions, active workshops, online activities and one-to-one support will enable you to develop the skills you’ll need to succeed in the rest of your degree.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
Standard 4-year entry requirements
All students apply through UCAS. Students will require 48 UCAS tariff points to access the programme.
Plus:
GCSE/IGCSE English language and maths grades 9-4/A*-C or equivalent (if you do not have the Maths requirement on entry, we will support you to gain this over the foundation year. This must be passed in order to progress onto the BSc Nursing course).
Candidates must have achieved these before commencing on the three year programme.
Candidates must also complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check which must be satisfactory prior to commencing the course .
The Admissions team will use the entrance criteria, as well as the personal statement, reference and work experience information, to shortlist candidates for interview. Successful applicants will be invited to an interview– Candidates will be assessed on their motivation and understanding of the role of a nurse and familiarity with the NHS Constitution and Values and the requirements of an NMC registered nurse.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) can be applied for providing this does not exceed 50% of the programme. The only exception to this is if you are an existing registered nurse and you wish to gain an alternative qualification in a different field of practice. In this instance more than 50% RPL/RPEL can be applied for. All RPL claims for NMC programmes are scrutinised on an individual basis and are also assessed by an external examiner as part of the School of Nursing and Allied RPL/RPEL process.
Health checks
In order to progress to the first year of the BSc Nursing course, you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. Candidates must prove they have been immunised against Rubella, Measles, Tuberculosis and Hepatitis B. We strongly recommend that all successful applicants (unless exempt on medical grounds) receive a full course of Covid-19 and Influenza vaccinations prior to commencing the course.
Candidates must receive a satisfactory occupational health clearance prior to commencing the BSc Nursing course.
Course delivery details
Our programme is developed in partnership with our skilled academic staff, clinical practice partners and experts by experience. The course at Newman University, puts people at the centre of care delivery. As a nursing student at Newman you will develop into a professional nurse who can assess and manage the health needs of people, at some of the most challenging times of their lives.
Our aim is to initially support your academic development in the first year so that you can blossom into a graduate nurse who is able to work flexibly across a range of healthcare settings and meet the health needs of the whole person. We will work with you on your development to help you become a skilled, knowledgeable, emotionally intelligent nurse, able to lead and co-ordinate compassionate, evidence-based, person- and family-centred care while working as an integral member of the interdisciplinary team.
As a student nurse with Newman University, you will gain theoretical and practice knowledge to develop a range of key skills. This will include: exploring the evidence that underpins person- and family-centred care; professional values; self-leadership; and the role of the registered nurse.
As you progress through the programme you will explore evidence-based complex care incorporating a wide range of research, skills, team leadership and principles of coordinating care. You will be supported to build on your previous learning and develop proficiency in adult nursing. The modules you study will develop you as a leader who uses research-informed critical thinking to co-ordinate care, supervise other health professionals and gain confidence in the safe management of medication.
You will have individual support throughout the programme through a named personal tutor. The tuition will enrich your learning experiences and will enable you to reflect meaningfully on your practice and the development of your individual field identity.
As part of the course you will be provided with practice placements to help you develop your nursing skills and knowledge in a variety of settings. Your placement learning experiences may be within community, hospital or home environment settings and at a location anywhere within the West Midlands and potentially into neighbouring counties. You should be aware that placements are valuable learning experiences and cannot be chosen. While on placement you will be supported, supervised and assessed by practice and academic staff to develop your knowledge and skills.
We are committed to providing excellent, innovative, learning, teaching and assessment experiences, through lectures, seminars, skills simulation, virtual learning as well as meaningful input from our practice partners and experts by experience. As part of the course we will enable you to develop the independent learning skills that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement.
Whilst on the course you will benefit from some of the best university facilities of their kind, including clinical skills suites and our state-of-the-art immersive suite. Our experienced and enthusiastic teaching team will provide full support to help you achieve your ambitions. Once you have completed the foundation year, with an academic average of 60%, you will be ready to seamlessly join the main element of the BSc Nursing.
This course is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), enabling you to apply for Registered Nurse status when you complete your degree.
This highly respected course represents your first step into a profession it is a privilege to join.
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Birmingham Newman University
Founded in 1968, Birmingham Newman University is a community-focused institution based in Bartley Green, Birmingham. It has built strong partnerships with many local businesses, charities and schools, making it an ideal choice for students wishing to gain practical experience during...