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Nursing

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Although the UCAS equal consideration date has now passed, many of our courses are still accepting applications from UK students for 2024 entry through UCAS.

The deadline for international students is 30 June 2024.

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Bachelor of Nursing

A Bachelor of Nursing (BN) is a bachelor’s degree awarded for an undergraduate programme in nursing.

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Course overview

Studying Nursing at Liverpool will provide you with lifelong learning and working opportunities, as well as a strong focus on nursing leadership. You’ll gain valuable theoretical knowledge alongside extensive clinical experience in a variety of different settings.

Introduction

Throughout your studies you’ll be equipped with the knowledge, skills and attributes you will need to meet the challenges of being a nurse in the changing context of healthcare, and to succeed in the modern National Health Service.

Cohorts are small, helping to ensure that our students receive the support they require to help them to get the best out of the programme.

Each year students will undertake a period of study in practice at a variety of different hospital Trusts across Merseyside and Cheshire.

Our programme seeks to produce graduates who are eligible to apply for registration in the field of Adult Nursing with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

What you'll learn

  • How to care for individuals with diverse physical and mental health conditions
  • Taking a supportive role with families of individuals being cared for
  • Competency in professional and ethical practice
  • Care delivery and management
  • The importance of personal and professional development
  • Multi-profession teamwork
  • How to identify the public health needs of communities.

Teaching Excellence Framework 2023

We’re proud to announce we’ve been awarded a Gold rating for educational excellence.

Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Year one

You will learn about the art and practice of nursing in your first year. All students will undertake one four week placement as an introduction to nursing patients in an acute setting, followed by two further placements, one of seven weeks duration and the other ten weeks.

Year one includes clinical skills modules, a practice module (incorporating all of the placements across the year), and theory modules to introduce physiology and pathophysiology, behavioural sciences and professional issues in nursing, including law and ethics.

Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.

Our curriculum

The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:

  • Digital fluency
  • Confidence
  • Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

  • Research-connected teaching
  • Active learning
  • Authentic assessment

All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.

Course options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.

Global Opportunities

University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.

What's available on this course?

Year in China

Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.

  • Learn Chinese
  • Study in a bustling world heritage city
  • Improve employment prospects
  • Study Chinese culture
  • 30 minutes from Shanghai
  • Learn new skills

Read more about Year at XJTLU, China

Language study

Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:

  • A dedicated languages degree
  • A language as a joint or major/ minor degree
  • Language modules (selected degrees)
  • Language classes alongside your studies

Read more about studying a language

Your experience

The School of Health and Life Sciences provides you with every opportunity to hone your practical skills, with facilities including a virtual reality teaching suite, imaging suite, and a range of clinical practice rooms to facilitate simulated teaching. Our curriculum is developed and assessed by leading healthcare providers throughout the North West, who also provide exciting placement opportunities.

Virtual tour

Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

What students say...

I chose this course because it has an excellent reputation – it was a simple choice for me to make! I like the fact that as you go through each year, you’re building yourself to be a nurse, being trained by the best academics who are always there to help me achieve my goal.

, BN (Hons) Nursing

Careers and employability

As a Nursing graduate from the School of Health Sciences, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

You can look forward to a career in the National Health Service, Social Services or the private sector. You may also choose to pursue a career in teaching, research, or management.

Typical employers include:

  • the National Health Service (NHS)
  • private sector clinics and hospitals
  • voluntary organisations
  • local authorities (for work in nursing and residential homes)
  • schools, further and higher education institutions
  • prisons and the armed forces
  • private sector organisations, such as leisure cruise companies and private nursing homes.

99% of health sciences students find their main activity after graduation meaningful.

Graduates Outcomes, 2018-19.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year £9,250
Year in industry fee £1,850
Year abroad fee £1,385
International fees
Full-time place, per year £27,200
Year abroad fee £13,600
Fees are correct for the academic year 2024/25. Please note that the Year Abroad fee also applies to the Year in China.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies..

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This includes the cost of equipment, professional association fees, and travel to placements. Students may opt to undertake a placement overseas that would incur additional costs.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.

Additional study costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This includes the cost of equipment, professional association fees, and travel to placements. Students may opt to undertake a placement overseas that would incur additional costs.

Students should expect to cover the following costs.

Equipment

Fob watch (£10.00)
Black shoes for work (£70.00)

Professional association fees

Optional (but very strongly recommended) Royal College of Nursing or Unison Student membership (£30.00)

Travel to placements

Students will complete approximately 63 weeks of placement experience. All clinical placements are a daily commute, therefore additional accommodation costs are not required. Student concessions are also available from local travel companies.

Elective placements

Elective placements are compulsory, but they do not necessarily incur costs. Students may opt to undertake a placement overseas (in which case there will clearly be a variable cost for this), but the student may also undertake their elective placement in the UK, and depending upon where the placement is, in relation to where the student is living, costs will vary.

*Home students are able to apply for reimbursement of travel/accommodation costs in relation to placement from the NHS Business Services Authority.

Find out more about additional study costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to provide tuition fee discounts and help with living expenses while at university.

Check out our Liverpool Bursary, worth up to £2,000 per year for eligible UK students. Or for international students, our Undergraduate Global Advancement Scholarship offers a tuition fee discount of up to £5,000 for eligible international students starting an undergraduate degree from September 2024.

Discover our full range of undergraduate scholarships and bursaries

Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

NHS Values will be assessed in all areas of an application, including UCAS Personal Statement and at interview. For more details, please download our explanation of Value Based Recruitment.

Previous certificated /experiential learning is recognised and may be accepted as meeting some programme outcomes. This may include both theory and practice achievement. The Nursing and Midwifery Council states that recognition of prior learning that is capable of being mapped to the Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses and programme outcomes should be permitted for up to a maximum of fifty percent of the programme.

However, the University of Liverpool’s Policy on Recognition on Prior Learning states that the maximum amount of prior certificated/ experiential learning that will be recognised is normally one third of the programme. Therefore, in accordance with the University’s policy, the maximum amount of credit for which a claim of recognition of prior learning can be made should equate to no more than one third of the BN programme.

Opportunities are available for those who may be eligible for recognition of prior learning: the award of credits on the basis of demonstrated learning which has taken place in the past and was at the higher education level. Support will be offered throughout the application process and assessment for recognition. Any queries relating to potential eligibility for recognition of prior learning should be forwarded to the admissions tutor for the BN programme.

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Your qualification Requirements

About our typical entry requirements

A levels

BBB preferably one subject to be a Biological Science at A2. Higher grades may be required from re-sit students.

You may automatically qualify for reduced entry requirements through our contextual offers scheme.

If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be able to complete a foundation year which would allow you to progress to this course.

Available foundation years:

T levels

T levels considered in a relevant subject.

Applicants should contact us by completing the enquiry form on our website to discuss specific requirements in the core components and the occupational specialism.

GCSE 5 GCSE subjects graded A*-C. These must include English Language, Mathematics, and Science. Where numerical grading is introduced, English Language, Mathematics and Science will be required at grade 5. Science Dual Award is acceptable. Core and Applied Science GCSEs will not be considered. All GCSEs should be obtained at one sitting. For applicants from England: Where a science has been taken at A level (Chemistry, Biology or Physics), a pass in the Science practical of each subject will be required.
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma

BTEC Nationals are considered in addition to 5 GCSEs grades A* – C, which must include English Language, Maths and a Science. Where numerical grading has been introduced, English Language, Maths and a Science will be required at Grade 5 or above. Please note that Science dual award is acceptable but Core Science and Applied GCSEs will not be considered.

BTEC National Extended Certificate

We will accept one National Extended Certificate at a minimum of Distinction. This must be accompanied by two A2 Level subjects at grade B. One A2 subject should preferably include a Biological Science. In total, between the two qualifications, three separate subjects must be taken.

BTEC National Diploma

We will accept in Health and Social Care or Applied Science graded at DD. This must be accompanied by one A2 level subject at grade B. In total between the two qualifications, two separate subjects must be taken.

BTEC National Extended Diploma

We will accept in Health and Social Care or Applied Science at a minimum of DDD.

International Baccalaureate

Accepted in addition to 5 GCSE subjects, graded A* – C which must include English Language, Mathematics and Science. Applicants must achieve a minimum of 30 points to include 3 Higher Level subjects at a minimum of Grade 5. Biology must be offered at a minimum of Grade 6 or above.

European Baccalaureate 74% overall with a minimum mark of 8 in Biology and no subject mark below 6.
Irish Leaving Certificate 6 Higher Level subjects to be gained at a single sitting. 2 subjects at H2 grade, plus 4 subjects at H3; to include English Language, Mathematics and Biology. Higher grades may be required from resit students.QQI/FETAC L5 is not accepted.
Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher

Accepted in addition to five National 5s graded upper A-C which must include English Language, Mathematics and a Science. A minimum of 5 Bs from any combination of Advanced Higher and Higher subjects; preferably one subject to be a Biological Science.

Duplicate subjects are not accepted.

Higher grades may be required from re-sit students.

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate: accepted at grade A alongside two A2 Levels at grade B. One A2 should preferably be a Biological Science.
Cambridge Pre-U Diploma Will be considered.
AQA Baccalaureate Will be considered.
Graduate application

We welcome applications from graduates holding a minimum of a 2:2 classification. If your degree is not in a science-related subject, please contact the admissions tutor to discuss this further: mailto:shs@liverpool.ac.uk.

The degree qualification should be supported by a sound academic background, with a minimum of 5 GCSE subjects graded A* – C, which must include English Language, Mathematics and Science.

There are no shortened courses for graduates. Partially completed degrees will not be considered.

Access 45 credits at Level 3 in Science or Health-Science related subjects. 30 credits must be at Distinction grade, the remaining 15 credits graded at merit or above. Plus 5 GCSE subjects graded A-C which must include English Language, Mathematics and Science. Where numerical grading is introduced English Language, Mathematics and Science will be required at grade 5. (Equivalents are not considered).
Academic Reference

An academic reference must be included within the UCAS application. If the applicant is a graduate and has been working since graduating (within three years), an employer reference is acceptable.

Profession-specific knowledge and skills required

As well as a strong academic background, we also look for frontline caring experience in accordance with the values and behaviours of the NHS constitution.

Declaration of criminal background

You will understand that as a health sciences student, and when you qualify, you will be asked to treat children and other vulnerable people. We therefore need information about any criminal offences of which you may have been convicted, or with which you have been charged. The information you provide may later be checked with the police.

If selected for interview you will be provided with the appropriate form to complete.

Health screening

The University and the School of Health Sciences has an obligation to undertake health screening on all prospective healthcare students. Any offer of a place to study is conditional on completion of a health questionnaire and a satisfactory assessment of fitness to train from the University’s Occupational Health Service. This will include some obligatory immunisations and blood tests.

Disability information

If you have, or think you have dyslexia or a long term health condition or impairment that may have the potential to impact upon your studies and/or your Fitness to Practice duty, please complete the Disability form. We will contact you to discuss your support needs.

International qualifications

The IELTS requirement is an overall score of 7 with at least 6.5 in writing and no less than 7 in the reading, listening and speaking elements. This is a professional regulatory requirement.

Please note – whilst we do accept IELTS qualifications, we do not accept IELTS qualifications that have been sat and gained online. We only accept qualifications that have been sat and gained in person.

English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.

We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.

International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.

English language qualification Requirements
International Baccalaureate Grade 5 at Standard Level or grade 4 at Higher Level

Contextual offers: reduced grade requirements

Based on your personal circumstances, you may automatically qualify for up to a two-grade reduction in the entry requirements needed for this course. When you apply, we consider a range of factors – such as where you live – to assess if you’re eligible for a grade reduction. You don’t have to make an application for a grade reduction – we’ll do all the work.

Find out more about how we make reduced grade offers.

About our entry requirements

Our entry requirements may change from time to time both according to national application trends and the availability of places at Liverpool for particular courses. We review our requirements before the start of the new UCAS cycle each year and publish any changes on our website so that applicants are aware of our typical entry requirements before they submit their application.

Recent changes to government policy which determine the number of students individual institutions may admit under the student number control also have a bearing on our entry requirements and acceptance levels, as this policy may result in us having fewer places than in previous years.

We believe in treating applicants as individuals, and in making offers that are appropriate to their personal circumstances and background. For this reason, we consider a range of factors in addition to predicted grades, widening participation factors amongst other evidence provided. Therefore the offer any individual applicant receives may differ slightly from the typical offer quoted in the prospectus and on the website.

Alternative entry requirements

Changes to Nursing BN (Hons)

See what updates we've made to this course since it was published. We document changes to information such as course content, entry requirements and how you'll be taught.

7 June 2022: New course pages

New course pages launched.

18 April 2023: International qualifications update

English language requirements have been updated – IELTS.