School of Nursing and Midwifery

BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health)

Caring for children and young people with a wide range of needs is a challenging and fulfilling career. From newborns to adolescents and beyond, you’ll gain experience of supporting children and their families during periods of great change and stress. Early placement opportunities across the South West will develop your clinical and communication skills and your understanding of caring in hospital and community settings. You will graduate ready to start shaping the future of nursing.

Once graduated you are eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a 'Registered Nurse – Child Health'. You’ll balance classroom learning with gaining experience in hospitals and communities, with equal weighting given to theory and practice. Your learning journey will take you through a variety of professional work with allied health professions and other fields of nursing.

Other courses like Nursing...

Nursing students to receive £5,000 payment a year

The Government is issuing Nursing students on courses from 2020 a payment of at least £5,000 a year, which they will not have to pay back. A further £3,000 of funding a year is available for eligible students. 

Find out more about the bursary

Key features

Achieve a bachelors honours degree and register as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in Child Health enabling you to progress on to a rewarding career and work in a range of healthcare settings nationally or internationally.

  • Access a range of child specific placements across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset spanning the health, social and educational sector working across an inter-professional hub.
  • Engage with a curriculum focusing on the acute and community care of children, young people and families.
  • Get involved in national and international research around sustainability, breastfeeding and urban and community family projects.
  • Create a professional digital footprint allowing collaboration with the nursing and inter-professional communities. 
  • Be assessed by a range of innovative methods including essays, case work analysis, seminar presentation, practice portfolio and video role-play.
  • Once graduated you are eligible to apply for registration with the NMC as a 'Registered Nurse – Child Health'.
  • 92% of students surveyed for Nursing (Child Health) were satisfied overall with their course in the 2020 National Student Survey (NSS).
  • Learn from experienced Drs and Professors in their field.

Course details

  • Course overview

  • You will be introduced to being an accountable professional, whilst developing the knowledge and skills required to become a confident, academic and independent learner. You will gain an understanding of human development, key body systems and their relationship to nursing care. A range of effective therapeutic interpersonal skills to promote engagement and helpful collaborative person-centred conversations will be nurtured within the theory and the two practice components during the year. You will be introduced to the importance of assessing, planning, providing and evaluating health and wellbeing in a broad range of contexts. You will learn and develop the values, knowledge and skills required for the successful achievement of the standards of proficiency required for the first NMC progression point. Modules will have field specific application.

    You will be introduced to research methodology and methods in order to develop their knowledge of the application of research-based evidence to professional practice. You will study the pathophysiological processes involved in commonly encountered health conditions to support nursing interventions. Your knowledge and understanding of co-ordinating care for complex health needs will be developed, as well as in relation to public health, policies and legislation. You will become a knowledgeable practitioner with an understanding of pharmacology and safe practice in the management of medicines. The theory and two practice components of the year will Develop your values, knowledge and skills required for the successful achievement of the standards of proficiency required for the second NMC progression point. Modules will have field specific application.

    You will critically explore the concepts of management, leadership and working in teams. You will extend your knowledge around critical appraisal and the importance of research evidence to professional practice. With four specific field modules you will further develop your assessment skills to enable you to recognise and respond to the seriously ill child, by increasing your knowledge, understanding and application of relevant pathophysiology and other evidence to practice.  You will develop the skills and knowledge required to undertake holistic assessment, plan and manage the support and care of individuals and families in a variety of community settings, and develop competence in nursing clients with complex needs. The final module will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to perform as a capable and autonomous practitioner, fit for registration in your field of nursing practice.

    Core modules

    • NRS410 Being an Accountable Professional

      This module will introduce students to the nursing profession, professional standards, the use of evidence and the role of social media in health care practice.

    • NRS411 Communication and Therapeutic Relationships

      This module supports students to develop basic, person-centred communication skills enabling them to engage effectively with individuals and their families/carers utilising a range of collaborative interpersonal skills and adopting therapeutic and ethical frameworks that can be applied in health and social care.

    • NRS415 Providing and Evaluating Care

      This module introduces the student to the values, knowledge and skills required for nursing practice in a range of settings.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BSc Hons Nursing Programme Specification 6615

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff

104 - 120

GCSE’S
5 GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above to include Mathematics, English, and Science. Consideration may be given to Functional Skills Level 2 in mathematics.

Preference is given to applicants who have obtained these grades on application. If you do not have this GCSE profile please contact the Admissions Team directly on +44 1752 585858 or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk and they will be happy to advise you further.

PLUS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

UCAS tariff
Tariff points to include 64 points from two A levels. Preference is given to those with a science profile, particularly Biology. General Studies excluded.

Access
Pass a named Access to HE Diploma with 33 Level 3 credits at Merit and/or Distinction, including 15 in Science or Social Science. If you need further advice on this criteria please contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma
DDM Health or Science profile is preferred, but not essential.

BTEC National Diploma modules
If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

IB
28 overall to include 5 in one subject at Higher Level. Health or Science profile is preferred, but not essential. English, Maths, and Science accepted within as GCSE equivalent.

Equivalent qualifications may be considered, please contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk 

Extended entry requirements

  • In addition to the above, evidence of academic study within the last five years is required. Ideally this should be at level 3 study but the academic admissions team will assess on a case-by-case basis.
  • Please note we do not accept Key Skills Level 2 in place of GCSE English.
  • You must pass disclosure and barring service and occupational health checks satisfactorily in order to be able to start this course.
  • If English is not your first language and you do not have GCSE English grade C / 4 or above you will have to achieve an IELTS (or equivalent qualification) at the grade of at least 7.0 (at least 6.5 in each element).
  • Meeting the academic minimum is the first stage of an application being considered. Applicants must also submit a strong personal statement in order to be considered further.
  • English language requirements.
  • We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.
  • Admissions test.
  • Attend an interview.
  • Health checks.

Direct entry to year 2
If you have achieved certificated learning in addition to the entry criteria required for your programme of study, it may be possible to accredit this learning towards your chosen course. Full details on how to make an application are available on our open access MOODLE site (download details on how to access the site and submit your claim and supporting evidence). Your application will then be assessed and you will receive confirmation by email on the status of your claim.

Further information

Deferred entry

Unfortunately we cannot permit deferred entry. However, if you have a query please refer to an experienced admissions administrator who will be able to explain the UCAS application process in more detail admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.


All students who are aged 17 when starting the programme in September, must be 18 by Christmas of that same year.

Fees, costs and funding

The UK is no longer part of the European Union. EU applicants should refer to our Brexit information to understand the implications.

New Student 2020 2021
Home N/A N/A
International N/A N/A
Part time (Home) £770 £770
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. For more information about fees and funding please visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/money.

Additional costs

This course is delivered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery and more details of any additional costs associated with our courses are listed on the following page: additional costs for nursing and midwifery students.

International

If you are studying on a programme where placements are integral to your study there are costs associated with travel and accommodation. Please speak with the programme admissions tutor to find out more.

How to apply

All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code.

To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.

Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email international-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Deferred entry

Unfortunately we cannot permit deferred entry. However, if you have a query please refer to an experienced admissions administrator who will be able to explain the UCAS application process in more detail admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

The moment I realised... I wanted to be a children's nurse

Phoebe Wilson explains the moment she realised her dream to work with children in the clinical setting.

“I love working with children and I want to be a children’s nurse, so being told that you’re going to be good at it is fantastic feedback.”

Find out more about Phoebe's story

What our students say

  • ? Staff are approachable, easy to contact and supportive, helpful as well as being passionate and experienced.
  • @ My personal tutor has given excellent support when I have reached out. Help is also available from different areas of the uni for learning.
  • ? Staff make the subjects interesting an empower you to do your best, and all are passionate about nursing.
  • @ Good access to skills labs, that are well stocked and use lots of high quality equipment.
  • ? Support from tutors and staff has always been great. They really do work hard to help with any problems.
  • @ Personal tutor has been outstanding through supporting personal issues and getting me through the course.
  • ? The course intellectually challenged me and I was able to gain in-depth knowledge.
  • @ My lecturers have a real interest in my development. I could not have asked for a better place to study.

Keeping the school running in troubled times

Our students have reached out to thank the teaching staff for continuing to deliver high-quality courses throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Thank you to the nursing and midwifery teaching staff for quickly turning around digital teaching and running the school at this time. We know you are working hard to do what is best and we appreciate the effort that you are all making.

We want you to know that we are proud to be student nurses and midwives of the University of Plymouth.”
- Emma, School Representative and first year Nursing (Child Health) student

Placement experience and simulated practice will work hand-in-hand to enable you to become the best professional you can be. At Plymouth, you’ll have access to state-of-the-art clinical simulation wards and equipment to allow you to develop a range of skills that are specific to the profession you are entering, in addition to a variety of basic health related skills, including:

  • physical examinations
  • patient and family interviews
  • diagnostic skills
  • washing hands
  • manual handling
  • observing and monitoring
  • blood pressure reading
  • injections
  • medication administration

For students interested in studying nursing and midwifery, a tour of our state-of-the-art clinical skills labs will show you the facilities you will be using.

Let our graduates inspire you

Matthew Carey - BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health)

For me my education has never really reached a point of completion. Instead, it has opened doors to lifelong learning and, as a graduate, I find myself now en-route to PhD - something I never thought myself capable of undertaking.

Matthew has moved from clinical practice into the role of lecturer

Danielle Edge - BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health)

Danielle Edge graduated from BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health) in 2009 and, after catching the teaching bug, now works as a Lecturer in Children's Nursing at London Southbank University.

"Plymouth gave me the opportunities to build my confidence as a student children's nurse and then a registered nurse. The lecturers taught and supported us throughout our training to be critical thinkers. I think this allowed me to have the confidence to question and reflect on my practice as a qualified nurse."

Learn more about Danielle's story, including how studying at Plymouth enabled her to move into teaching

Elliott Tucker - BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health)

After graduating in 2011, Elliott Tucker has gained a wide range of experience in different roles, both in London and in the South West, leading to him finding his specialism in emergency care. Elliott is now working in a Band 7 role in the emergency department at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. 

"I believe the high quality of teaching from lectures and mentors in placements have made me the nurse I am today. If you want a quality course that can make you the best nurse you can be, then this is the one for you."

Discover more about Elliott's story, including the benefits of choosing Plymouth and the power of placements

Need to know

Entry interviews

Once your application has been received, we will consider your application to help us reach a decision. If successful at the initial screening stage, you will be invited to an interview. The majority of health courses interview applicants, as this is a requirement of many health regulatory bodies. This applies to all Universities and is vital to the progression of applications. 

Interviews enable: 

  • you to give the best account of your skills, experience and character.
  • us to decide whether you will thrive in the University of Plymouth’s culture.
  • us to explain more about the University, programme and how we work with our students.

Find out more about interview days: pre-work tasks, what to expect on the day of the interview and what happens after.

People

Study sessions for students by students: Peer Assisted Learning Scheme (PALS)

To complement your formal learning we offer regular sessions that provide the opportunity for you to learn with and from your peers. Share knowledge, discuss ideas, and ask questions in a relaxed and friendly environment

If you are a first or second year take the opportunity to study in a relaxed environment, along with other students on the same programme.

Find out more about how PALS can benefit your studies