Nursing (Child) BSc

Course overview

NHS funding is available for nursing students. Find out more here.

Start your nursing career at the University of Leeds.

At Leeds, we offer an innovative curriculum, delivered by experts who translate their research into active clinical practice.

Ranked in the Top 10 in the UK for Nursing and Midwifery, we'll provide you with the outstanding education you need to grow and develop as a nurse.

Course highlights

The course will enable you to become a future-focused nurse who has the competence and confidence to think critically and deliver high-quality, compassionate, and evidence-informed care. You’ll develop resilience and become a role model for other professionals and the children, young people, and families you’ll provide care to.

Developed in partnership with service users and carers, as well as our current students and practitioners, you’ll benefit from real world experiences. Alongside required attendance we have a flexible and accessible approach to learning which enables you to access learning materials in a variety of ways.

You’ll have access to all the innovative technologies available at Leeds such as simulation and engaging online learning packages while still gaining essential practice experience on campus, in practice settings and within Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust and private and voluntary sector organisations.

Our clinical skills suite recreates a variety of healthcare settings including a community flat, intensive care unit and hospital ward and is complete with patient manikins. Here you’ll be able to practice clinical skills such as measuring vital signs, medication management and enteral feeding methods.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council

Students who successfully complete this programme will be able to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

This programme meets the NMC (2018) Future Nurse: Standards of proficiency for registered nurses and ensures the guiding principles of pre-registration education for nurses of “fitness for purpose” and “fitness for practice” are satisfied. It consists of not less than 4,600 hours of study (2,300 hours in the practice setting and 2,300 hours theoretical study), which results in 360 credits across three levels:

Part 1: 120 credits at level 1 leading to progression point one of the programme.

Part 2: 120 credits at level 2 leading to progression point two of the programme.

Part 3: 120 credits at level 3 enabling registration with the NMC.

This is an integrated programme that incorporates four key strands into each of the modules; applied practice, professional practice, the five dimensions of health and well-being (physical, emotional and intellectual, social and spiritual); and evidence-based practice. This enables you to view the child or young person and their family holistically recognising a range of issues that impact their health and well-being. Each module builds on the preceding ones enabling you to expand your knowledge and understanding and consider ever increasing levels of complexity.

Course details

Our Child Nursing course is designed to prepare you to become a high calibre, sought after graduate. Led by research and the latest evidence and taught by supportive and inspirational staff, this course has been designed to give you a stimulating student experience.

It’ll provide you with innovative and inclusive teaching methods and a broad spectrum of learning opportunities, so that you’re able to acquire and apply the theoretical knowledge and practical skills which you’ll need to care for children, young people and their families in today’s complex and ever-changing healthcare environment.

You’ll learn to recognise and understand inequalities in health and the effect that this has on access to services as well as ways to reduce these. This will include vulnerable and marginalised populations and explore the relationship between mental health and physical health and the impact of pre-existing conditions, a child’s and young person’s development and their behaviour.

Your studies will be equally split 50:50 between university and a range of clinical placements and healthcare settings. Our Child Nursing course is an integrated programme that incorporates four key strands into each of the modules; applied practice, professional practice, the biopsychosocial-spiritual model; and evidence-based practice. This enables you to view children, young people and their families holistically recognising a range of issues that impact their health and wellbeing. Each module builds on the preceding ones enabling you to expand your knowledge and understanding and consider ever increasing levels of complexity.

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to provide complex care and promote optimal health and wellbeing for children, young people and their families, work effectively within a team, supervise others and be a leader of care.

Year 1: Fundamental care and caring

In year 1 you’ll be introduced to the fundamental concepts required to be a healthcare professional and key concepts related to children’s nursing. You’ll also consider who you are, your role as a nurse and ways in which you can enhance your own resilience. Throughout the year you’ll develop your skills in working with children, young people, and their families as well as members of the nursing team, the multi-disciplinary team, and wider agencies.

By the end of year 1 you’ll be able to demonstrate, apply and reflect on the fundamental knowledge, skills and attitudes required for holistic care and caring.

Year 2: Supporting and promoting optimal health and well-being across the lifespan

In year 2 there is a focus on working with individuals with long-term health conditions and children and young people with co-morbidities. You’ll consider how health promotion and health education can be used to empower individuals and their families to maximise their level of health and wellbeing. Care delivery throughout the lifespan will be considered including supporting children, young people and their families who are living with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and end of life care. You’ll also begin to develop your peer coaching skills.

By the end of year 2 you’ll be able to apply your knowledge and skills to patients with increasingly complex conditions to enable optimal health and wellbeing.

Year 3: Leading and co-ordinator of care and caring

In year 3 you’ll apply your knowledge and understanding to children and young people who have complex and critical care needs. During this year you’ll be taught a range of advanced skills and have the opportunity to practice them. You’ll further develop your leadership and team working skills and you’ll be supported in your transition to the role of registered nurse. You’ll complete a 10,000-word dissertation that will enable you to critically focus on an area of patient care where there is scope for development. During the first placement in year 3 there you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a non-assessed placement abroad.

Clinical placements are integral to the programme and are included within each year. These will enable you to gain expertise in different clinical environments including medicine, surgery, community and high dependency/critical care. Your placements will be within a variety of organisations including Leeds Children’s Hospital and Leeds Community Healthcare Trust.

By the end of year 3 you’ll be able to evaluate and determine priorities for care delivery.

Clinical placements

Clinical placements are integral to the programme and contribute towards 50% of the programme. Each year of the programme you will gain experience, knowledge, and skills in different clinical environments such as medicine, surgery, community care and high dependency/critical care. Your placements will be within a variety of organisations including Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust and other local health and social care settings. Your final practice placement will be a long placement to enable you to consolidate your knowledge, clinical skills competence and prepare you to transition to becoming a Registered Nurse (Child).

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Nursing (Child) BSc in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 2 compulsory modules

Year 3 compulsory modules

Learning and teaching

Our courses are designed to use a range of learning and teaching methods including face-to-face activities and online digital technologies. Methods of teaching and learning are highly participative, with a combination of tutor-led input and support, learning through group work and discussion, and individual exercises and practice.

We work closely with healthcare organisations to ensure that this course provides education which fully meets the changing health needs of the population. Our experienced and knowledgeable lecturers we will support you to develop specialised knowledge and skills which will enable you to play key roles in the workplace and communities. Our academics collaborate with practitioners to influence practice and engage in research meaning you’ll have access to cutting-edge practice before it’s in the wider domain, giving you a distinctive advantage in your professional life.

Our clinical skills suite recreates a variety of healthcare settings including a community flat, intensive care unit and hospital ward and is complete with patient manikins. Here you’ll be able to practice clinical skills such as measuring vital signs, medications management and enteral feeding methods.

We utilise blended learning giving you the opportunity to engage in a variety of stimulating approaches to teaching and learning. For example, we use, simulated practice, small group tutorials, flipped classroom approaches, where you are introduced to content at home and practice working through it at school, the use of social media and virtual reality technology, and other technologies that allow you to participate – discussion boards, voting, chat functions.

Our nursing lecturers support learning using a variety of innovative techniques and students take a proactive approach in this, to become reflective, questioning, confident and competent registered nurses.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

In clinical practice you’ll be assessed by registered professionals who are responsible for your learning and development whilst on placement. Within the University, assessment takes many forms including individual and group assignments, written and oral exams, and practical assessments.

You will be supported to demonstrate knowledge and application of nursing concepts and techniques, and to develop abilities, skills, and competencies to provide person-centred care. We will help you to develop the skills to produce work that is both evaluative and creative and show you can conduct independent, in-depth enquiry within the discipline. You will be able to draw on a wide variety of evidence-based material such as academic journals, textbooks, policy, and national health-related guidelines and be able to evaluate and critique received opinion.

Some of our assessments are developed in partnership with service users and carers for example, using their real-world experiences to develop case studies. Assessments will enable you to meet the standards set out by the NMC and prepare you to be life-long learners managing future challenges.

Entry requirements

A-level: BBB Including one of the following subjects: Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Physics, Psychology, Sociology

Not general studies or critical thinking.

GCSE: 5 GCSEs at a Grade 4 / C, including English, Mathematics and two Sciences (either single sciences (Biology, Chemistry or Physics) or dual award)

Other course specific tests:

Other Course Specific Information

In your application, you will need to show evidence of study in the last five years.

You are also required to provide an academic reference, which includes a statement which attests to your character and good standing, and suitability to enter the profession for which you have applied.

You can find out more about our application process on our Applicant Journey page.

Disclosure and barring screening

All successful applicants will also need to pass disclosure and barring screening.

The University has a policy statement on students with criminal records. For the vast majority of students who are resident in the UK the record will be checked via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The DBS check can only include background checks on your time in the UK. A criminal record check from other countries in addition to the UK DBS check may be required. Abroad this may be referred to as a "Certificate of Good Conduct" (CoGC), but the name varies.

Any offer of a place to study Nursing (Child) BSc is conditional upon a satisfactory confidential occupational health assessment, which will include a health questionnaire, and if necessary further telephone consultation and/or an appointment with an occupational health clinician. Screening for serious communicable disease, (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and a review of immunisation status and needs, which includes COVID-19, will also be arranged before beginning your studies.

Alternative qualification

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer

A level: BCC with a Grade 5 (B) in a Science.

GCSE: All subjects at Grade 4 (C) including English, Maths and Science.

Access to Leeds: Pass.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 7.0 in any component.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Fees

UK: £9,250 (per year)

International: £27,500 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will remain capped at £9,250 for 2023/24 and 2024/25. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 are available on individual course pages.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 will be available on individual course pages from September 2023.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Additional costs

All applicants need to ensure cognisance of the financial implications before applying to the School of Healthcare and that there may be a requirement to provide a financial guarantee of funding for three years. The status of a student as being a home or overseas student is based upon residential status and not nationality. Where a prospective student is an overseas citizen living within the UK they should contact the Admissions Team at the School of Healthcare, admissions@healthcare.leeds.ac.uk regardless of their residential status, to verify their fees status.

The course length is three years. Students will have to pay for Occupational Health clearance and immunisations (cost will vary dependent on individual needs of student and course requirements as well as any additional Occupational Health appointments and treatment needed during the programme. Other additional costs associated with the programme, which require consideration include visas and travel to and from placement. Applicants for all Undergraduate programmes at the School of Healthcare require a Criminal Record check, which will be undertaken as part of the visa application.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

NHS Learning Support Fund

The Learning Support Fund includes a non-repayable grant of £5,000 per year plus additional financial support for students with parental responsibility (for a child under the age of 15 years or under 17 years if they are registered with special educational needs). There is also support for practice placements travel expenses and students who find themselves in unforeseen financial hardship. Find out more and check your eligibility here.

Applying

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

For a guide on how to apply for a place and what to expect, please read our Applicant journey page.

You must tell us in your UCAS application if you want to defer entry and if you have any prior criminal convictions.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Selection

We shortlist applicants against agreed criteria, using the information you submit on your UCAS form only. You must meet the academic entry requirement for the programme. Your academic background and personal statement help us to assess your interest in the academic subject and are an important part of the process. The reference you provide on the UCAS form must also support your application, this should be an academic reference, which also includes a statement which attests to (your) character and good standing.

Interviews

If your UCAS application meets our shortlisting criteria, you will be invited to undertake a virtual interview. This may take place via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Blackboard Collaborate.

Recruitment events will take place between December and April.

You will be allocated to one of the events; if the date is not suitable you need to contact the student education support officer and request an alternative date (admissions@healthcare.leeds.ac.uk). Non-attendance at an event without explanation will result in your application being automatically rejected.

International admissions process

All applicants for nursing programmes must meet entry requirements, are required to be interviewed. Interviews may be conducted via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Blackboard Collaborate and will be arranged with the applicant for a specific date and time. F

Following applicant shortlisting by the School of Healthcare Admissions Team, applicants will be invited to undertake an interview subject to relevant entry criteria attainment as identified below.

Information pertaining to the International English Language Testing System qualification “IELTS” is available above.

Admissions policy

School of Healthcare Undergraduate School Policy 2023

This course is taught by

School of Healthcare

Contact us

School of Healthcare Admissions Team

Email: admissions@healthcare.leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

Once qualified as a nurse, you could work in healthcare environments in the NHS or private sector, hospital, community settings or public health. Or you could choose to work abroad. From a clinical nurse you could progress to become a ward or department manager, a clinical nurse specialist or eventually a consultant nurse. You could move into nursing management or education, or could pursue further academic study in nursing research or undertake a PhD.

For advice on nursing as a career choice read NHS careers.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

For some students able to meet specific criteria, there’s an opportunity to undertake an international placement experience in year 3.

Horizon study abroad year: think outside the box

There’s also the option to undertake a year out of the programme (year 3) and study in another country as part of the Horizon programme. The Horizon study abroad year is a unique University of Leeds programme that allows you to develop key employability skills, such as linguistic and intercultural competencies at selected partner institutions in Morocco, Israel, South Korea, Japan and China. The year abroad does not count towards any of the NMC requirements for registration. The fourth year of your programme would be equivalent to the third year of the three-year programme.

These optional, self-funded, experiences could help you to build on your awareness of cultural competence and consider the global issues in healthcare.

Visit Horizon year abroad to find out more.

Clinical placements

Clinical placements 50% of the programme is undertaken in practice and students undertake a range of clinical placements working with children, young people, and their families in hospital and in the community. Your final practice placement will enable you to consolidate your knowledge and clinical skills competence and to prepare you to transition to becoming a Registered Nurse (Child).

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