BSc (Hons)

Nursing (Adult)

Our adult nursing course gives you entry to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register as an adult nurse, ready to deliver holistic and person-centred care across a range of settings and fields of healthcare. Take ownership of your learning and shape your nursing career.

How to apply Apply through UCAS Book an Open Day Chat to Us

Key Course Details

  • UCAS Code

    B701

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Home students

    £9,535*

  • International students

    £16,200*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

Become a registered adult nurse, training in state-of-the-art clinical facilities and experiencing a range of real healthcare settings.

DESIGNED FOR

If you’re passionate about helping people and excited to work in healthcare, this course is perfect for you. It will challenge you to use your initiative and critical thinking, preparing you for a variety of rewarding and impactful careers in adult nursing.

Accredited By

  • Nursing and Midwifery Council

Career Routes

  • Community and primary care nursing  
  • Emergency Department nursing  
  • Critical care nursing  
  • Medical/surgical nursing  
  • Palliative care nursing 
  • Specialist practitioner  

Skills Taught

  • Critical thinking skills 
  • Acute and continuing care needs 
  • Communication skills 
  • Professionalism, legal and ethical considerations within adult nursing 
  • Applied physiology and pharmacology 
  • Health promotion 

We make a difference in practice, not just on paper. Our courses are designed by people who offer jobs - and taught by people who have real work experience.


Course Highlights

Approved course

Graduate as a fully registered professional with our NMC-approved course.

Outstanding prospects

You'll have strong job opportunities and the potential for rapid career progression after graduation.

Supportive staff

We’re always here to support you, whether you’re on placement or studying on campus.

Funding available

You can apply for your fees to be covered by bursaries, with extra grants and loans available - we’ll help you secure funding.

Module Overview

You’ll learn theory, then put it into practice with alternating blocks of classes and placements, with each year lasting at least 42 weeks. You’ll graduate with the skills and confidence to start your career as a specialist caring for adults.

Year One
AU1D008 Essentials of Nursing Practice
AU1S005 Promoting Health and Well Being*
AU1D009 Assessing Needs & creating therapeutic opportunities
AU1S006 Developing Confidence in Practice Module 

Year Two
AU2D033 Enhancing assessment and evidence-based interventions
AU2D034 Professional, legal and ethical issues in nursing
AU2S014 Informed decision making in the practice environment
AU2S015 Evidence based practice: evaluating care within the context of practice

*This module can be studied 100% through the medium of Welsh

Year Three
AU3D029 Advancing knowledge, skills & therapeutic interventions
AU3D030 Leading and managing quality care across settings
AU3S061 The nurse as an educator
AU3S062 Becoming a proficient practitioner (Practice Module) 

Theory modules consist of a mix of core and field-specific learning. Core subjects apply to all fields of nursing whilst field-specific sessions allow you to put theory to practice, helping adults in a variety of care settings.

AU1D008 The Essentials of Nursing Practice
Your introduction to nursing essentials, including key concepts in physical, psychological, social, and spiritual health. Developing essential skills. 

AU1S005 Promoting Health and Wellbeing*
Learn to identify, define, and measure health needs across a lifespan. Apply health promotion, protection, and well-being theory to practice.

*This module can be studied 100% through the medium of Welsh

AU1D009 Assessing Needs and Creating Therapeutic Opportunities
Understand the processes and techniques of person-centred assessment. Develop your clinical skills in delivering fundamental assessments

AU1S006 Developing Confidence in Practice
Develop your proficiency and confidence in placements by exploring necessary documentation, reflective practice, safe administration of medicines, and nursing skills. 

Build on your skills and knowledge with theory and specialist-supervised placements as you develop as a student nurse. What you learn in lectures will be discussed in specialist workshops and tutorials with other adult nurses to add context to the theory.

AU2D033 Enhancing Assessment & Evidence-Based Interventions  
Build your abilities in assessment, diagnosis and therapeutic interventions. Learn about collaborating across specialisms and person-centred care. 

AU2D034 Professional, Legal & Ethical Issues in Nursing
Explore professional, legal, and ethical concepts and principles relating to healthcare. Become politically aware and build influencing skills. 

AU2S014 Informed Decision Making in the Practice Environment  
Develop assertiveness, teamwork skills and professional courage. Understand ethical approaches and decision-making principles like mental capacity.  

AU2S015 Evidence Based Practice: Evaluating Care within the Context of Practice  
Deepen understanding of evidence, quality and continuous improvement. Explore research methodologies and evaluation approaches.  

Your final year will help you develop into a proficient nurse ready to work independently and as part of a wider healthcare team. The same blend of theory, practice, and personal support will help you qualify feeling ready for your new career.

AU3D029 Advancing Knowledge, Skills & Therapeutic Interventions  
Advance your skills in caring for people with complex conditions. Explore pathophysiology and complex care management communication. 

AU3D030 Leading and Managing Quality Care Across Settings  
Develop leadership skills. Consider policy change impacts on care delivery. Study resource management, shared decision-making and accountability. 

AU3S061 The Nurse as an Educator  
Expand your teaching and feedback skills. Practice presentation skills and develop accessible approaches to teaching and learning.  

AU3S062 Becoming a Proficient Practitioner  
Become ready for registration by understanding the principles of lifelong learning. Consolidate communication, supervising and nursing skills. 

Course Highlights

How you’ll learn

You’ll spend 50% of the course on placement, applying your skills and knowledge alongside your Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor.

Your engagement and performance in practice are integral to your success. You’ll develop the necessary skills and knowledge on campus in a variety of ways. These include guided lectures and seminars where you’ll explore case studies and scenarios, and self-directed study.

You’ll also prepare for work-based practice with lots of practical workshops in our Clinical Simulation Centre and Hydra simulation suite, where staff will develop your practical competencies. 

Teaching staff

Staff who teach the adult nursing degree have a wide variety of clinical expertise in both hospital-based and community-based care. This ensures the highest standard of teaching across all aspects, including medicine, surgery, pain control, cardiac care, trauma care, critical care and infection control as well as practice nursing, community nursing, caring for older persons, palliative care and cancer care.

You’ll enjoy exceptional student support on the adult nursing course. Our open-door policy means there is always someone on hand to help you, whether you have a problem or simply want some guidance about your next steps. 

Placements and work experience

Over the three years, you’ll undertake a variety of placements, from visiting people at home, in clinics, and in hospitals being supported by a practice supervisor and practice assessor.

Each year, the level of independence, responsibility, and accountability will progress, and in your final placement, whilst still under indirect supervision, you’ll be making decisions, delegating and delivering interventions.

You’ll work a variety of shifts including weekdays, nights and weekends, and may need to be on-call. You’ll have opportunities for placements in allied settings such as pharmacies, ambulance crews or prisons.  

Facilities

Our outstanding facilities give you the best possible preparation to succeed in your placements.

The Clinical Simulation Centre includes two four-bedded bays to simulate a hospital setting, an intensive care unit and an emergency department with a fully equipped ambulance simulator.

There’s also a two-bedroom flat to simulate providing healthcare in a home environment. You’ll use the same equipment found in healthcare settings, and work on patient simulators that mimic the body’s reactions to illness, care and treatment.

Our Hydra Simulation Suite helps you to document your decision-making process and develop professional attitudes and values. 

Accredited by
An academic is supervising a nursing student listening to the heart of a dummy patient.
  • Top 20 in the UK for General Nursing (Guardian League Table 2023)

94% of students are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating from USW.

  • Top 20 in the UK for General Nursing (Guardian League Table 2023)


Careers and Employability

Graduate careers

Completing this course grants your entry to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register, which is essential for working as a nurse. After qualification, you can specialise in areas like cancer care, women’s health, emergency care, critical care, practice nursing, health visiting, or school nursing. Rapid career advancement and increased responsibilities are possible, with many graduates reaching top NHS roles. This degree also opens doors to global opportunities, as registered UK nurses are highly valued worldwide. 

Careers support

Before you even apply, we’re here to help make your nursing ambitions a reality. Our team works with colleges, provides mock interviews to prepare you for your application, and supports you in securing funding. From day one, our teaching staff will guide you, and you’ll have a dedicated Placement Facilitator to ensure your work placements run smoothly, giving you the best possible hands-on experience. In your final year, we’ll help you transition into employment, identify your areas of interest, and support you through the NHS Wales Streamlining process to secure a suitable role.  

Industry partners

As an NMC-approved course, we stay in regular contact to ensure our program meets the highest and latest standards. We also collaborate with our partner health boards, to arrange valuable placements so you’ll receive all the training and support you need. Additionally, our strong alumni network allows us to invite clinical specialists who were once USW students to give guest lectures, enriching your learning experience.  

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Typical qualification requirements:

  • A Level: BBB to exclude General Studies
  • Welsh BACC: Grade B and BB at A Level to exclude General Studies
  • BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Distinction Merit
  • Access to HE: Must complete 60 credits overall with at least 45 at level 3 and 15 at Level 2. Of the 45 credits at level 3, you will need a minimum of 24 Distinctions, 18 Merits and 3 passes.

Application advice:

We strongly advise applicants to take advantage of the advice available online, from demonstrating you have the relevant qualifications or experience, tips on writing your personal statement to advice on preparing for interview, we have a wealth of support and guidance available to applicants to ensure you are able to demonstrate that you have what it takes and make your application the best it can be. Please read our application advice.

Additional requirements include:

  • All applicants are required to attend an interview. For further support on preparing for interview and what to expect at interview, please read our application advice.
  • One satisfactory reference from someone who is able to comment on your attitude and approach to learning in a professional or academic sense.An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check on the Child & Adult Workforce and Child & Adult Barring List and subscription to the DBS Update Service is required. (Overseas equivalent required for non-uk applicants).
  • A satisfactory medical will be required once an offer has been made. We will contact you closer to your start date with details of how to obtain these.
  • The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances.
  • Equivalent qualifications considered are Essential Skills Level Two in Communication and Application of Number, or Functional Skills Level Two in English and Mathematics. (Must have been achieved since 2016)

Closed for International applicants 

Unfortunately, this course is not currently open to international applicants, please visit our course pages where you can find an alternative course choice. 

English language requirements

International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component or equivalent.

Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.

If you have previously studied through the medium of English IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.

If you do not meet the English entry criteria please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.

Contextual offers

We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.

USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.

 

We're here to help

Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.

 

Fees and Funding

UK Full-time Fee

£9,535

per year*
UK Full-time Fee

£9,535

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£16,200

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£16,200

per year*

Further Information

Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.

Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy.  We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.

 

Fees and Funding Scholarships and Bursaries Cost of Living Support

Additional Costs

Additional Costs

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.

*Obligatory 

An enhanced DBS is required. The update service is recommended.

Cost: £64.74 annually for enhanced DBS and £16 for the update service.

University Quality Assurance

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.

WE RUN CERTAIN SIMULATIONS, AND THAT DEFINITELY DOES GIVE YOU THE SKILLS TO BE ABLE TO SIMULATE THAT IN A NORMAL SITUATION IN THE WARDS.

Ruth

Nursing Student

THERE ARE NO SILLY QUESTIONS AND NO SILLY EXPERIENCES. YOU'RE ABLE TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER WITH PEOPLE ON THE COURSE.

Ruth

Nursing Student

BEING ABLE TO SEE PEOPLE IMPROVE, BEING ABLE TO BE WITH THEM WHEN THEY'RE AT THEIR MOST VULNERABLE - BEING THAT PERSON THAT CAN HOLD THEIR HAND IS PRETTY AMAZING

George Cade

Nursing Student

Life at USW

Halls are a big part of your student experience and there’s accommodation at all three of our locations. If you don’t want to live near the campus, there are great transport links to keep you connected.

How to apply

All applications for full-time undergraduate courses or foundation degrees should be made via UCAS. Take the next step: Apply through UCAS. You can apply to us directly for all part-time undergraduate courses, if you’re seeking advanced entry or you’re an international student. To apply directly, please choose the application form below for your preferred start date and mode of study (full-time or part-time.)

Advanced entry

If you already have a relevant qualification or experience related to the course you're applying for, you may be eligible to start at a later stage of the course. For example, students from partner colleges can ‘top up’ their qualifications to a degree by joining us in Year Two or Year Three of a course. This process is known as ‘advanced entry’, you can apply directly to the University for 'advanced entry' using the application forms provided above.

International admissions

International applicants can apply to us directly. If the University has an in-country team in your region, your application will be assigned to them for assistance.