Nursing – Adult

Year 1

You will study the core themes of nursing, sciences, health, and practice learning. You will explore values-based professional, compassionate and family-centred care, health and wellbeing across the lifespan, and learn the essential skills to deliver safe nursing practice in a variety of settings in today’s multi-cultural environment.

Year 2

The core themes advance to a more complex level. Students in all fields will develop their ability to link and apply theory to practice, providing care to people who may be at any stage of life and who may have a range of mental, physical, cognitive or behavioural health challenges.

Year 3

Year 3 allows students to focus on integrating the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for working autonomously in their primary chosen field. The themes from years 1 and 2 will be explored at a more complex level. You will also cover management, leadership and research skills in the healthcare environment.

Year 4

In the final year students will undertake a dissertation with support from an appropriate supervisor. They will also study acute and unscheduled care in university and in practice, consolidating their skills from years 1 through to 3 and emphasising leadership, integrated health and social care, evidence and critical thinking.

Student stories

Hear from our students and graduates about their experiences studying this course:

Learning Methods

How long is a BSc (Hons) Nursing - Adult course?

The BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) degree is taught over four years either in university or on placement in health and social care settings. Years 1-3 have three terms with 45 weeks of the year, Year 4 has two terms with 30 weeks of the year.

In years 1-3 you will study 4 modules, one practice module and three theory modules, which are distributed equally in terms of time and divided up throughout the year. 

In year 4 you will study one practice module and two theory modules and submit a dissertation.  

All modules are cumulatively assessed and must be passed.

Activity Summary

• Lectures - 220 students per group, on campus or online, 6 hours per week
• Tutorial - 30 students per group, 6 hours per week
• Practical class or workshop - 30 students per group, 6 hours per week
• Directed / Private Study - 18 hours per week
• Placement / Work Based Learning - Students per group varies on placement, equivalent to 37.5 hours per week

Independent Study

Self-study, including learning in practice, is an important factor in your success. The modules of this course are delivered face-to-face and online. You will be expected to engage with online learning, access and complete all elements, and work independently through guided directed study. Strong organisation and self-direction skills are essential.

Clinical Simulation

A key part of the course is experiencing real-life clinical situations in a realistic and safe simulated environment. Using volunteer patients and a range of facilities across campus, you can practice your nursing care and deliver within various scenarios. 

Watch our video on simulated learning:

Staff Delivering on This Course

A large percentage of Lecturers who teach on this course are registered Nurses themselves. They have a wide-range of experience from varied healthcare settings and have educational and research experience. As 50% of the course is delivered in practice, the School has strong links with all practice partners and some of the University teaching will be undertaken by nursing and healthcare staff who work locally. We also have Technology Enhanced Advisors who support all our teaching and learning activities.

Many of our staff contribute nationally to enhance nursing and within the University are recognised by students within the STAR awards.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed each year:

Year 1

• 2 written assignments, including essays
• 1 practical skills assessment
• 1 computer aided exam

Year 2

• 1 written exam, typically for 2.5 hours
• 1 written assignment, including essays
• 1 oral assessment
• 1 practical skills assessment

Year 3

• 1 written exam, typically for 2.5 hours
• 1 written assignment, including essays
• 1 project output
• 1 practical skills assessment

Year 4

• 1 written assignment, including essays
• 1 dissertation
• 1 practical skills assessment

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

Placements

You will undertake practice learning experiences from year 1 and gain an awareness of the varied and advancing nature of nursing. These experiences take place in a range of healthcare settings, across a range of geographical locations in Grampian, Highland, Orkney and Shetland. Each placement is 37.5hrs a week.

You will have the opportunity to learn within dynamic collaborative working teams which may consist of Doctors, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Pharmacists, Radiographers, Social Workers, Social Care Workers, Carers, Charities and Volunteers.

• Year 1 has 3 placements
• Year 2 has 3 placements
• Year 3 has 2 placements
• Year 4 has 1 placement

Study Abroad

In years 2 and 3 there are opportunities to have an overseas experience such as an exchange visit to one of our overseas partners or attending an overseas conference. This is a perfect opportunity to experience healthcare provision and education in a different country and meet other students.

Job Prospects

Is Nursing a good career choice?

Few careers offer the range of opportunity that nursing can offer. It is a highly rewarding choice as well as being well regarded and in high demand.

As an Adult Nurse you can work in:

• Emergency and unplanned care services
• General or specialist services
• Outpatient, community and occupational health settings

In addition, you might work in people’s homes, health centres, residential care homes, workplaces or hospitals. For further nursing careers, visit NHS Careers.

This course provides an excellent foundation for future academic study and the development of more specialist nursing knowledge and skills for clinical, managerial and/or research roles.

What are the entry requirements for a BSc (Hons) Nursing – Adult degree?

Standard Entry Requirements

• SQA Higher: BBBC to include English (or a written subject requiring the use of English).  English, Maths or Applications of Maths and a science subject are required at National 5 grade C or above if not held at Higher.
• GCE A Level: BCC to include English (or a written subject requiring the use of English).  English, Maths and a science subject are required at GCSE grade C or above if not held at A Level.
• Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: H2H3H3H3 to include English (or a written subject requiring the use of English).  English, Maths and a science subject are required at grade O3 or above if not held at Higher.
• IB Diploma:  27 to include Higher Level English (or a written subject requiring the use of English).  English,  Maths and a science subject at required at Standard Level if not held at Higher

Minimum Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for widening access applicants are:

• SQA Higher: BBC/BCCC to include English or a written subject requiring the use of English. English, Maths and a Science subject are required at National 5 grade C if not held at Higher.

Alternative Qualifications

For entry to year 1 we welcome applications from those with equivalent qualifications to those stated. These include:

• HNC in a related subject e.g. Healthcare Practice, Social Services, Applied Science, Social Sciences accepted in combination with other qualifications
• HND in a related subject e.g. Healthcare Practice, Social Services, Applied Science, Social Sciences accepted on its own
• Advanced (SCQF Level 6) Healthcare (NESCOL) or NC Level 6 in Health and Social Care (other college providers) accepted in combination with other qualifications
• SVQs/NVQs (level 3 and above) Accepted in combination with other qualifications
• QQI/FETAC level 5 – at required grade and in relevant subject area Accepted in combination with other qualifications
• Equivalent overseas qualifications

We welcome applications from those with equivalent qualifications to those stated, including SVQs/NVQs, access programmes and overseas qualifications. 

International Students

International students who do not meet our direct entry requirements for this course can gain additional entry points through our International College at Robert Gordon University.

English Language Requirements

All applicants whose first language is not English are required to have an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of 7.0 with a score of 7.0 in all elements apart from writing where minimum score is 6.5. Appropriate equivalents will be considered.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.