Nursing (Adult) BSc

Course overview

Our adult nursing course offers a supportive, engaging path to becoming a confident registered nurse. You’ll learn from experts who are informed by active research, ensuring you’ll have the most up-to-date knowledge to help people.

This degree has a 50:50 split between academic study and clinical placements for practical, hands-on experience. This allows you to develop your strength as a nurse as you apply the knowledge and skills needed to care for adults in today’s complex and ever-changing healthcare environment.

Throughout the course we aim to prepare you for a career as a compassionate, resilient and future-focused individual, who can advocate for patients while giving an excellent level of care. You’ll have the skills to work with patients, families and carers, as well as members of the nursing team and other professionals.

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

Leeds has 100% employability for our nurses who wish to continue into employment.

Course highlights

• You will have access to excellent clinical skills facilities, which replicate working environments with simulated patients.

• We offer a wide variety of placements including those within the renowned Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Leeds Community Healthcare and Private, Independent and Voluntary Organisations.

• For some students able to meet specific criteria, there’s an opportunity to undertake an international placement experience in year 3. You could also add a study abroad year. Find out more in the study abroad section.

• Our curriculum is informed by the world-leading research and delivered by experts with an exciting and dynamic approach to education.

• You will be supported by tutors and support staff. We prioritise your wellbeing and we want to help you to thrive here at the University of Leeds.

• We work collaboratively with health care professionals, patients and their families.

• We’re ranked in the UK Top 10 for nursing (Complete University Guide, 2023).

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).

Course details

Adult nursing students at Leeds will receive all the essential skills for working in healthcare. These range from basic tasks (like measuring vital signs and managing medications) to more complex ones (such as working in a team, supervising others and handling medical emergencies).

You’ll gain a broader view of today’s complex healthcare environment, learning how to recognise and understand health inequalities, their effect on access to services and ways to mitigate these problems. You’ll also learn about the connection between physical and mental health, and the impacts that pre-existing conditions can have on us.

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 (Adult) BSc in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 2 compulsory modules

Year 3 compulsory modules

Year 1 compulsory modules

Nursing: Key Concepts of Health and Wellbeing (40 credits) – This module introduces you to a range of essential ideas like personal and patient safety, nursing across our lifespans, centring care on both families and individuals and using evidence. You’ll look at several different areas of health, ranging from skin conditions to mental wellbeing, and understand how they affect one another. A week of clinical practice will provide you with valuable first-hand nursing experience.

Adult Nursing: Applying the Key Concepts of Health and Wellbeing (40 credits) – Here, you will develop your knowledge of working with adults (and how to maximise their wellbeing) before embarking on an assessed placement. You’ll work within nursing’s professional, ethical and legal frameworks while developing your resilience and teamwork skills, learning how to manage medications and considering other factors like family systems and spiritual beliefs. You’ll also learn about how we make decisions and consider people’s experiences in the process.

Nursing: Working in Partnership to Promote Health and Wellbeing (40 credits) – This module will reinforce the importance of teamwork in nursing, and show you how to deal with issues like unconscious bias. You’ll be taught numeracy skills to make medicine calculations effectively, how to care for adults with mental health problems, and how to deal with grief, loss, death and dying. Towards the module’s end you’ll undertake guided independent work to prepare for next year’s studies.

Year 2 compulsory modules

Nursing: Providing Quality Care (40 credits) – In this module you’ll take on your second assessed practice placement, working with an awareness of nursing’s frameworks and your own limits. You’ll learn to co-ordinate with and delegate to other people, working more effectively as a team in the process. Evaluation is also a key consideration here; you’ll look at measures of quality, risks in care environments and even new technologies like artificial intelligence.

Adult Nursing: Health Promotion and Management of Long-term Conditions (40 credits) – This module explores the attitudes and values that impact people with long-term conditions like asthma, heart conditions and ulcers. You’ll look at the influence of culture and diversity on health, and learn about promoting health and wellbeing amongst hard-to-reach groups. You’ll also learn how we manage long-term conditions and co-morbidities, and consider health and wellbeing issues on local, national and global scales.

Nursing: Promoting Health and Wellbeing in Challenging Situations (40 credits) – Here, you’ll develop your understanding of helping people with more serious medical conditions and how to work best with various teams and agencies. You’ll learn how to recognise the needs of vulnerable people, protect patients from bullying and coercion and how to encourage patients to express themselves creatively. You will also complete your third assessed placement during this module.

Year 3 compulsory modules

Nursing: Dissertation (40 credits) – In this module, you’ll identify an area of nursing practice that raises questions for you and produce a research question inspired by it. With this to hand you’ll search for literature, appraise evidence, present an argument, make practice recommendations and suggest areas for further research.

Adult Nursing: Providing Complex Care (40 credits) – This module will help you understand what’s best for individuals with complex needs. You’ll learn how to assess individual patients, the ethics of new technologies, how to have difficult conversations and how to deal with uncertainty. You’ll also learn how to respond to different kinds of deterioration in adults and older people (with evidence shaping your choices) and how to deal with increasing levels of responsibility. Your fourth assessed placement will take place here.

Nursing Leadership and Role Transition (40 credits) – At this point you will look back at your personal strengths and weaknesses in the run up to starting a nursing role. You’ll be able to demonstrate leadership skills and that you can provide high quality care to patients. You’ll also think about how an organisation’s culture can affect the care that a patient receives, and how you can be affected by compassion fatigue, burnout and PTSD.

Learning and teaching

We use a variety of learning and teaching approaches including face-to-face learning and digital technology. There is a high level of participation required, with a combination of tutor-led input and support, including group work and discussion, as well as individual exercises and practice.

We work closely with healthcare organisations to ensure your studies are as useful as possible. You’ll develop specialised knowledge and skills, which will help you work effectively in the workplace and the community. Our clinical skills suite will also give you a look at real-world environments like a hospital ward, a community flat and an intensive care unit.

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

We use a range of assessment methods including individual and group assignments, written and oral exams and practical assessments. We’ll show you how to demonstrate your understanding of nursing concepts and techniques, and ensure your care is always person-centred.

We’ll help you to be both evaluative and creative, and carry out independent, in-depth enquiry where it’s needed. You’ll learn how to draw on various resources, and how to critique common assumptions in your profession as well.

Our end goal is to foster life-long learners, and equip you to manage any future challenges that you may face.

Entry requirements

A-level: BBB preferably including one of the following subjects: Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Physics, Psychology, or Sociology. General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.

GCSE: 5 GCSEs at Grade C or 4 including English (Language or Literature), Maths and a Science.

Other course specific tests:

• 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.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. 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.
• Occupational health assessment. Any offer of a place to study Nursing (Mental Health) 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.

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

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 a contextual 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 contextual admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer

A Level: BCC preferably including one of the following subjects: Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Physics, Psychology, or Sociology. General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.

BTEC / CTEC: DDM in Extended Diploma Health and Social Care or Applied Science

GCSEs: Five GCSEs at a Grade 4 / C, including English (English Language or English Literature), Mathematics and a Science subject.

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: £30,250 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
In November 2024 the UK Government announced that the tuition fee cap may rise to £9,535 from £9,250.

The tuition fee cap for some foundation years may also reduce to £5,760 from £9,250.

This would start from the academic year 2025/26. However, this is subject to final confirmation from the Government. Once available, we’ll publish the fees for the 2025/26 academic year and individual offer letters shall be updated via email and post.

The foundation year courses affected are:
·         Business Studies with Foundation Year BSc
·         Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year BA
·         Interdisciplinary Studies with Preparation for Higher Education BA
·         Social Science (foundation year) BA

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 and 2025/26 are available on individual course pages.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 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.
 

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 3 years. Students will have to pay for Occupational Health clearance and immunisations (cost will vary dependent on the 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.

Additional cost information

All students

You will be provided with 3 sets of uniforms. Additional uniforms, if required, can be purchased at a cost of £25 per uniform (subject to change).

Additional costs for all students

• Students may wish to purchase recommended text books and digital devices/laptops.

• Students will need to purchase black shoes for placement.

• Students will be required to pay for printing of assessment work and photocopying of articles if needed.

• Students will have to pay for travel costs to and from placement.

• If a study abroad module is chosen, there will be additional costs for travel, visas and accommodation whilst abroad.

Additional costs for home students

• Signing up to the DBS update service (currently £13 per year).

Additional costs for international students

• After accepting a place on the programme international students will have to pay for occupational health clearance and immunisations (cost will vary dependent on individual needs of student), as well as a police check in their country of origin.

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 on our living costs and budgeting page.

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.

The School of Healthcare does not normally participate in the UCAS Extra scheme for entry onto the Nursing (Adult) BSc degree course. 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.

Personal statement

Your personal statement is an important part of the shortlisting process, as it help us to assess your interest in adult nursing, and gives us an idea of the transferable skills which you will bring to our nursing programme. 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.

Interviews are scheduled from November to March.

You’ll be allocated to one of the events; if the date is not suitable you need to contact the student education support officer (details given within the invite) and request an alternative date.

During your interview you’ll have the opportunity to talk to and ask questions of members of academic staff and existing students during the event. Qualified nurses are also involved in our selection events (depending on their availability) and thus you may also talk to them and ask them questions if they are present.

Non-attendance at an event without explanation will result in your application being automatically rejected, so it is important to regularly check the e mail address you supplied on your UCAS form.

International admissions process

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

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 2025

This course is taught by

School of Healthcare

Contact us

School of Healthcare Admissions Team

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

Career opportunities

Find the path that's right for you

Once you’re qualified as a nurse, you could work in healthcare environments in the NHS or private sector, hospital, community settings or public health. You could also 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, pursue further academic study in nursing research or undertake a PhD.

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

Prepare for your career as you study

Learning and development opportunities can also present during the Adult Nursing programme as one of our 2023 nurse graduates discovered.

Kimberley Guy, who recently graduated from the School of Healthcare and now works in A&E at St James's Hospital, Leeds, gained a place on the Laidlaw Leadership and Research Programme during her studies which allowed her to offer mentorship to young people in disadvantaged schools across Leeds.

Recognised with a LUU Partnerships Award and shortlisted at the Student Nursing Times Awards alongside fellow nurse graduate Rachael Blackmore for her contribution to student experience, Kimberley credits the Laidlaw scholarship for opening up a range of opportunities to her as a student nurse.

Read more about Kimberley and Rachael's achievements.

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 about Careers support.

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.

Horizion 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

50% of the course is undertaken in practice and students undertake a range of clinical placements working with adults both in hospital and in the community. Your final practice placement enables you to consolidate your knowledge and clinical skills competence and to prepare you to transition to a Registered Nurse (Adult).