Program Outcome
This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
The level and depth of your learning gradually increase as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; e-learning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.
Curriculum
Course details
This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
Throughout the compulsory modules you'll have the opportunity to advance your core learning across all four fields of practice – Adult, Children and Young People, Learning Disabilities and Mental Health – and explore learning from your field of practice.
- For Stage 1 you'll study two 60-credit modules; one practice-focused and one that builds your theoretical knowledge of nursing.
- At Stage 2 you’ll study a second practice-based nursing module alongside a second theory module.
- Finally, at Stage 3, you’ll study the third module developing your nursing theory, and a final practice-based module where you will choose your specialist field of Learning Disabilities.
Prepare for OU study with an Access module
We offer two starting points depending on how confident you are or how long it’s been since you last studied. Choose to dive straight in at Stage 1, or if you’d prefer some extra preparation, you can get started with an optional Access module.
Admissions
Entry requirements
BSc (Honours) Nursing (Adult/Children and Young People/Learning Disabilities/Mental Health)
You'll need to be working in a relevant healthcare environment and have the support of your employer to study this degree.
- BSc (Honours) Nursing (Adult) in partnership with Middlesex University
- BSc (Honours) Nursing (Adult) in partnership with the University of the West of England
If you are resident in England and not currently working in a healthcare role, you can study the Adult specialism of this degree in partnership with Middlesex University or the University of the West of England. For this route, some evidence of providing care to others is desirable, though it's not essential. This informal care experience can include working in a voluntary capacity, for example, as an unpaid carer, which can demonstrate your understanding and appreciation of healthcare settings and the role of a nurse within them.
Education and personal attributes
You should also meet the education and personal attributes of the nursing programme:
- literacy (functional skills level 2 or equivalent e.g. GCSE Grade C or above in English)
- numeracy (functional skills level 2 or equivalent e.g. GCSE Grade C or above in Maths)
- good character, evidenced through self-declaration, an enhanced criminal record disclosure, and two references – one of which must be from your current employer (where applicable)
- good health, evidenced through self-declaration of health status, occupational health screening, review of previous sickness and absence record, and two references – one of which must be from your current employer (where applicable)
- successful completion of interview and assessment of your personal values matched to the requirements for sensitive nursing practices as defined by: for applicants in England: The NHS Constitution; for applicants in Northern Ireland: Transforming Your Care; for applicants in Scotland: Everyone Matters; for applicants in Wales: The NHS Core Principles.