Study information

Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year

BSc (Hons) Health Studies

1. Programme Details

Programme nameBSc (Hons) Health Studies Programme codeUFS3EMSEMS06
Study mode(s) Academic year2023/4
Campus(es)St Luke's (Exeter)
 NQF Level of the Final Award6 (Honours)

2. Description of the Programme

BSc (Hons) Health Studies is not available for direct application. This three year programme is only for students who have been enrolled on the MSci (Hons) Nursing programme and who choose to step off at level 6 without

registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). In this instance, it is possible to transfer onto this alternative 3-year BSc (Hons) Health Studies programme.  This programme follows the same structure as the first two years of the MSci Nursing with divergence in Year/Stage 3 for students who are not moving to completion of the MSci Nursing programme with NMC registration (single or dual registration).

 

The programme at Exeter offers students an exciting, flexible and unique approach whilst studying in a world-leading, research-intensive global university. This degree enables students to become skilled professional graduates able to engage critically with health challenges of people in the 21st century.

 

Stage One and Two MSci (Hons) Nursing Programme:

 

Stage one: students focus on core concepts and values and are introduced to nursing science and its complementary biological, psychological, behavioural and social sciences. This innovative and integrated approach enables students to appreciate the complexity involved in nursing people. You will be introduced to person-centred communication, assessment and examination including the recognition of common mental health problems, ethics, professionalism and working with others. You will develop critical thinking skills through identifying questions, locating research and finding answers. You will become increasingly responsible for your learning and professional practice. This academic year will highlight nursing/caring as a complex intervention.

 

Stage two: you develop your knowledge and understanding of disease processes and treatment associated with commonly occurring conditions including relevant psychology, psychiatry, pharmacology, immunology, microbiology and pathophysiology. Your understanding of public health and health promotion will deepen with the intention that as a graduate you will have the knowledge, skills and experience to integrate public health perspectives in your everyday practice. During year two, the programme offers you the flexibility and opportunity to undertake a nursing elective (maximum of 3 weeks) where you can experience healthcare in a different part of the UK or in another country deemed safe and appropriate for exchange programmes by the Home Office. This gives students an opportunity to explore different cultural health beliefs and compare the economic and organisational aspects of healthcare with the UK system.

 

Stage 3 – MSci Nursing programme - Pathway A in the MSci (Hons) Nursing programme (Adult & Mental Health)  

 

Students wishing to achieve dual registration undertake an equal proportion of adult and mental health focused modules. The adult focus in stage is on the effectiveness of complex care processes, professional interventions, and the organisation and delivery of care as you develop your practice leadership, teaching skills, and interdisciplinary working. This stage will also see you develop your clinical decision making and critical thinking skills,and focus on the promotion of reflective practice. You will build on your existing mental health skills by undertaking clinical immersions in general, specialist and community mental health facilities to accompany your specialist mental health theoretical learning. The mental health focus will be on learning evidence-based therapeutic skills within a recovery framework and to equip you as a leader in mental health. The BSc (Hons) Health studies is for students who are not eligible for nursing registration with the NMC.  

 

 Stage 3 – MSci Nursing programme - Pathway B in the MSci (Hons) Nursing programme (Adult)

 

Students focus on the effectiveness of complex care processes, professional interventions, organisation and delivery of care. You will develop your practice leadership, teaching, leadership and interdisciplinary working skills in caring for individuals with complex care needs. In this stage you will also have the opportunity to concentrate your studies in an area such as education or leadership. The BSc (Hons) Health studies is for students who are not eligible for nursing registration with the NMC or who do not wish to proceed to MSci Nursing and registration.

 

If you decide to step off, or are unable to progress due to practice assessment non-achievement – you will be required to enroll on this programme and take an additional 60 credits to replace the 60 credit Clinical Immersion module in Stage 3 of the MSci (Hons) Nursing programme. Students will complete :  NUR3101 – Researching Health and Social Care (30 credits) compulsory module; and 30 credits of optional or elective  modules (modules outside the programme) at Level 6 determined following consultation with the Programme Director and subject to timetabling constraints.

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3. Educational Aims of the Programme

The overall aim of the BSc (Hons) Health Studies is to prepare students who are unable to, -or who choose not to,- to- or who choose not - to register with the NMC, as graduates using equipped to contribute to high quality care through research. a research rich experience. The replacement BSci modules endorses the principle of transformative learning, supportingsupport you to develop theoretical knowledge its practical application to deliverbecome proactive in delivering the highest quality health and care research care in a rapidly changing, complex healthcare, and integrated health and social care environment.  

 

The broad educational aims of the programme are to demonstrate the ability to:

 

1              Demonstrate the ability to formulate evidence-based research questions (E)

2              Demonstrate skills in research design (E)

3              Conduct a literature review which identifies a deficit in knowledge relating to a specific research area in health and social care (E)

4              Demonstrate the ability to apply principles of research ethics to chosen research design (E, E&P)

5              Demonstrate an ability to critically appraise and synthesise evidence (E)

6              Demonstrate an ability to  design and plan a research project (E)

In addition, through the selection of an additional 60 credits of optional modules , you will be able to develop module and discipline specific and transferable/employment skills that support career progression as an unregistered health and social care professional.  

4. Programme Structure

5. Programme Modules

The BSci (Hons) Health Sciences programme enables students registered on the MSci (Hons) Nursing Programme to step off a level 3 without nurse registration. 

The programme structure is the same as the MSci Nursing programme in Stages/Years 1 and 2 and differs from the MSci (Hons) Nursing Programme in Stage 3 through the replacement of the 60 credit clinical immersion module (NUR3000/NUR3500) with NUR3101 (Researching Health and Social Care) and an additional 30 credits of optional/elective modules subject to discussion with the Programme Director and any timetabling constraints. 

Stage 1

Compulsory Modules

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the College website:

 

College to provide link

 

Students may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.

 

You will take up to 30 credits of optional or elective modules (outside the programme) in Stage 3, subject to discussion with the Programme Director and any timetabling constraints.

 

Stage 1: 120 credits of compulsory modules.

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
NUR1000 Clinical Immersion 1 60Yes
NUR1100 Core Values and Complexity in Nursing Knowledge and Interventions 60Yes

Stage 2

Compulsory Modules

Stage 2: 120 credits of compulsory modules.

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
NUR2000 Clinical Immersion 2 60Yes
NUR2100 Exploring Evidence and Uncertainty in Nursing 60Yes

Stage 3

Compulsory Modules

Stage 3: 60 credits of compulsory modules and 60 credits of optional/elective modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
NUR3101 Researching Health and Social Care 30No
NUR3600 Managing Complexity 30No

Optional Modules

60 credits of optional/elective modules

 

Note: You can choose up to 30 credits of elective modules (outside the programme), subject to discussion with the Programme Director and any timetabling constraints.

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
NUR3200 Introducing Mental Health Nursing in the 21st Century 30No
NUR3300 Understanding the Principles of Supervision and Coaching 15No
NUR3400 Leading Change in Health Services 15No
NUR3500 Understanding the Essentials of Education 15No

6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the structure and function of the human body across the life span to support people to improve and maintain their mental and physical health and wellbeing.
2. Support and integrate evidence based, compassionate and safe fundamental care to ensure the achievement of the highest standards of care to people of all ages across a range of health and social care settings
3. Consistently display attitudes and professional behaviours that promote caring, compassionate, inclusive and effective evidence based practice in partnership with people, families and carers.
4. Demonstrate theoretical, conceptual and practical knowledge in leadership and management to coordinate complex care and delegate and supervise and evaluate the care provided by others.
5. Locate, use and produce research evidence for nursing practice to include the rigorous use of improvement methodologies as a driver for safety and excellent care.

  • Lectures
  • Small group work to discuss professional  issues 
  • Debates
  • E-Learning
  • Tutorials
  • Simulated clinical practice.
  • Case studies
  • Clinical immersions
  • Drug Calculations
  1. Literature Review (including identification of evidence gap)
  2. Research proposal (including rationale, research questions, methodology, research ethics and governance considerations, and dissemination and impact strategy).
  3. NUR3101 Researching Health and Social Care module
  4. Further assessment approaches included in the Programme are dependent on student selection of an additional 30 credit module to complement NUR3101 in Stage 3.

Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

6. Demonstrate professional understanding of the roles and responsibilities of statutory and employing bodies in the provision and quality assurance of healthcare, accountable practice and duty of care.
7. Integrate the principle of ‘nothing about us without us’ in all interactions with patients, carers and members of the public to promote health and prevent illness throughout the lifespan
8. Assess and analyse the mental, physical, cognitive, behavioural, social and spiritual health needs of people in such a way that the mental health of patients is always considered on a par with their physical health in order to identify an evidence based plan of fundamental and complex care and support.
9. Engage with healthcare professionals and other agencies, working across organisational boundaries, to support the delivery of complex care pathways and packages of care and meet individual and organisational needs.

  • Lectures
  • Small group work to discuss professional     issues
  • Debates
  • E-Learning
  • Tutorials
  • Simulated clinical practice.
  • Case studies
  • Clinical immersions
  • Drug Calculations

6. Reflective accounts/Objective Structured Clinical Examination/Clinical proficiencies/Drug calculations ILO 6
7. Formative presentations/case-based discussion/simulated scenarios/Objective Structured Clinical Examination/Clinical Proficiencies ILO 7
8. Objective Structured Clinical Examination/Clinical proficiencies ILO 8
9. Formative presentations/case-based discussion/simulated scenarios/Objective Structured Clinical Examination/Clinical Proficiencies ILO 9
10. Practice Assessment Document ILO 7,8,9

Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

10. Continue to learn independently, develop professionally, supervise and teach peers and colleagues responding to and providing support and constructive feedback.
11. Demonstrate academic literacy skills, digital and technological literacy, and numeracy skills for safe professional practice including proficiency and accuracy when calculating dosages of prescribed medicines.
12. Contribute to the continuous monitoring and quality improvement of evidence based care and treatment in order to enhance people’s experience of care and health outcomes including proficiency and accuracy when calculating dosages of prescribed medicines.
13. Understand the mechanisms that can be used to influence policy and prompt change in health care organisations; locally, nationally and globally, demonstrating the development of political awareness and skills.

  • Lectures
  • Small group work to discuss professional issues 
  • Debates
  • E-Learning
  • Tutorials
  • Simulated clinical practice.
  • Case studies
  • Clinical immersions
  • Drug Calculations

10.       Clinical proficiencies/reflective accounts/ essay ILO 10

11.       All assessments undertaken ILO 11

12.       Clinical proficiencies/case studies /reflective accounts/essay/Drug calculations ILO 12

13.       Formative presentations/case-based discussion/simulated scenarios/Clinical Proficiencies/Elective learning contract ILO 13

14.       Practice Assessment Document ILO 10-13

7. Programme Regulations

Classification

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning

10. Admissions Criteria

All applications are considered individually on merit. The University is committed to an equal opportunities policy with respect to gender, age, race, sexual orientation and/or disability when dealing with applications. It is also committed to widening access to higher education to students from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience.  

 

Candidates must satisfy the general admissions requirements of the University of Exeter.  

 

College entry: 

 

Programme Entry is the same as for the MSci Nursing Programme

 

A levels: Three A levels at AAB or ABB. Excludes general studies. Must also have GCSE Maths and English at grades A-C or 9-4 or its equivalent.

 

BTEC National Diploma: Overall DDD including science or social science content. You must also have the GCSE’s listed above.  

 

International Baccalaureate Diploma: Minimum score of 32-34 with three subjects having a score of 6 or more at higher level. These must include a science or social science. English and maths at minimum of standard level. 

 

Age on entry: the structure of the programme and the limitations placed on students younger than 17½ years when in practice learning environments would result in these students being unable to achieve the programme practice outcomes. Therefore the age on entry is restricted to 17½ years. Students who are under 18 years of age on entry to practice learning environments will have additional risk assessments carried out prior to commencing this stage of the programme. 

 

English Language Requirements: Students need to be fluent in the English language in order to both understandâ?¯and complete the programme and to communicate effectively with patients and members of the multidisciplinary team. All students applying to study nursing programmes, whether British or international, must be able to show that they can communicate effectively in English. Programmes are given entirely in English, and all students must be able to understand written and spoken English, and take part in tutorials and group discussions. 

 

If the student’s first language is not English they must show fluency and competence in English by passing an approved test before starting the programme. For nursing programmes the test currently recognised is the British Council ‘International English Language Testing Service’ (IELTS) test. 

 

Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service: all students are expected to behave in a manner that justifies the trust that patients and the public place in the nursing profession. All applicants must tick the box on the application form if they have a criminal record, an enhanced disclosure will contain the following details: 

 

  • All current and ‘spent’ convictions, includes cautions, reprimands and final warnings;  
  • Additional information which may be contained on local police records; 
  • Any bans from working with children or vulnerable adults recorded on Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) and Department of Health (DH) lists.  

 

A conviction does not automatically exclude someone from nursing but convictions must be considered on an individual basis. No conviction is spent when applying to nursing. Some convictions will exclude a student from taking up their offer of a place on the programme or continuing on the programme. This will be considered on an individual basis in line with professional body requirements and in liaison with practice partners where applicable. The University reserves the right to decline an applicant where their record is deemed inappropriate for admittance onto the nursing programme. 

 

All students will undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check before commencing the programme, and may be required to undergo additional checks at the request of specific practice learning providers, for example an elective placement. Students are required to declare any criminal convictions, cautions or fixed penalty offences as they occur and complete an annual declaration that they remain free of conviction, cautions or fixed penalty offences throughout the programme. 

 

Occupational Health Assessment: in accordance with Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements for declaration of good health and good character, all students will undergo an Occupational Health assessment. ‘Good health’ means that the applicant is capable of safe and effective practice either with or without reasonable adjustments. It does not mean the absence of a health condition or disability. Good health must be maintained through Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the programme (in order to reach Stage 3 of the programme).  Referral to occupational health will be made if there are any concerns about a student’s health during the programme.  Good health is not a requirement of Stage 3 of the programme as students may wish to opt for the BSc (Hons) Programme on the basis of non-achievement of ‘good health’ conditions, or following occupational health assessment following referral. 

Notes for applicants: all applicants will be interviewed; entry qualifications should be regulated and overseas qualifications are accepted at our discretion after discussion withâ?¯our International Office. Distance learning programme may be accepted if a recognised regulated qualification is awarded.â?¯For all programmes, selection is made on the basis of meeting entry requirements, academic potential and evidence of commitment to nursing. All offers are subject to being successful at theâ?¯selection day, satisfactory health screening, and disclosure and barring service (DBS) clearance.â?¯A mini multiple interview approach will be used.  

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

12. Indicators of Quality and Standards

The programme is not subject to accreditation and/ or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).

13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards

14. Awarding Institution

University of Exeter

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

16. Partner College / Institution

Partner College(s)

Not applicable to this programme

Partner Institution

Not applicable to this programme.

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

0

18. Final Award

BSc (Hons) Health Studies

19. UCAS Code

Not applicable to this programme.

20. NQF Level of Final Award

6 (Honours)

21. Credit

CATS credits ECTS credits

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

23. Dates

Origin Date

15/03/2021

 Date of last revision

18/08/2022