School of Nursing and Midwifery

BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health) with Integrated Foundation Year

UCAS tariff 32 - 48 Contextual offers
A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes personal circumstances that may affect grades into account.
UCAS course code B739
Institution code P60
Duration

4 years

(with placements)
Course type

Full-time
Study location Plymouth
Register for open day
Apply at UCAS.com

Our Integrated foundation course prepares you for the undergraduate degree in nursing. Through a focussed learning experience, you will examine the science and practice of modern human biology, biomedical/healthcare and nursing science. With a focus on experiential learning, intensive and early assessment with rapid feedback this course will support your learning and understanding of the broad spectrum of health services and how they interlink across the NHS.

Careers with this subject
Children’s or paediatric nurses care for new-borns through to adolescents with acute or long-term illnesses. They are experts in interpreting children’s feelings, thoughts and behaviour to identify when a child’s health takes a turn for the worse. They support families and children during periods of great change and stress, by utilising scientific research to inform treatment.
Children’s nurses work with a wide range of conditions to help to improve a child’s health and their development into adulthood, where possible. These can be grouped into five main categories:
  • Babies
    Children’s nurses work with new-borns that can be very poorly and need urgent medical assistance in a neonatal unit. Some babies may need short-term intervention or long-term care. You’ll also work with bereaved parents.
  • Children with eating disorders
    You’ll work with children up to the age of 18 that may be suffering from an eating disorder or weight management issues.
  • Minor ailments
    Children’s nurses treat children with a range of minor conditions such as cuts, broken bones, bruises and many more.
  • Serious conditions
    You work with children who may be suffering from cancer, congenital disorders, burns, infections, inherited diseases, organ failures, rare conditions and many more. You may see children that are in hospital for months at a time, or those that are admitted on a frequent basis. Children’s nurses work with children in intensive care, who have come out from surgery, and those requiring end of life care.
  • Developmental conditions
    You’ll work with children that may have mental or physical developmental conditions that may impact their transition into adulthood. You may also work with children with learning difficulties or special needs.
Child nursing is a broad discipline, you could work with children up to the age of 18 such as:
  • children who are frightened or anxious
  • children who are separated from their parents
  • children that cannot communicate
  • children in pain
  • children with mental health conditions
  • parents or carers who might be distressed
  • children who might be under child protection.
Within the nursing profession there are a multitude of job opportunities across a variety of sectors:
  • NHS hospitals
  • Specialist departments such as neonatal, A&E, children’s and cancer wards
  • Public health and policy making
  • Communities
  • Patient’s homes
  • Clinics
  • Private practice
  • GP surgeries
  • School health education
  • Events
  • Education and academia
  • Research
  • Leadership roles
  • Voluntary roles

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.
  • Taught by University lecturers on campus, you’ll be part of the University from day one.
  • 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.
  • Train and practice your professional healthcare skills in an inspiring purpose-built environment, InterCity Place .
  • Once graduated you are eligible to apply for registration with the NMC as a 'Registered Nurse – Child Health'.
  • 89% of students surveyed for Nursing (Child Health) said that the course has provided them with opportunities to apply what they have learnt in the 2022 National Student Survey (NSS).
  • Learn from experienced Doctors and Professors in their field.

Course details

  • Year 0

  • This programme offers an opportunity to gain a Bachelor of Nursing starting at year zero as an Integrated Foundation Year.
    Students undertaking the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health) with Integrated Foundation Year programme will normally progress to BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health) .

    Core modules

    BHCS001
    Infection, Immunity and Therapeutics 20 credits

    This module will provide an introduction to microbiology and the human immune system. Students will learn the fundamental biology relating to bacteria, helminths, viruses and fungi. And also develop an understanding of how our immune system has evolved to combat infection. The module will also explore methods to control microbial contamination and therapeutic strategies to prevent disease.

    50% Coursework

    50% Examinations

    BHCS002
    Current Developments in Human Biology and Biomedical Sciences 20 credits

    This module examines the role of science in addressing key contemporary issues in Human Biology and Biomedical Sciences. The module aims to take an integrative approach, aiming to develop in students both a critical appreciation of the ways in which issues in Human Biology can be approached and resolved, and to develop an understanding of the skills and attributes needed for effective study of such issues at undergraduate level.

    100% Practicals

    FMD001
    Molecules to Cells 20 credits

    This module introduces key concepts involved in cell regulation including genetic inheritance, metabolism and protein expression. The important role of enzymes in the control of biochemical pathways will be introduced, as will an introduction to cell signalling. Cellular organisation within different tissues will also be outlined, enabling students to recognise links between structure and function. Students should develop sufficient theoretical and practical understanding to enable progression to relevant honours degree programmes.

    50% Coursework

    50% Examinations

    FMD002
    Introduction to Human Physiology 20 credits

    This module will provide a foundation of knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology. Using example systems, it will emphasise relationships between structure and function and examine homeostatic regulation in these systems. Students should develop sufficient theoretical and practical understanding to enable progression to relevant honours degree programmes.

    50% Practicals

    50% Examinations

    FMD004
    Interdisciplinary Learning and Team Based Learning (Enquiry learning) 20 credits

    This module is designed to enable learners to develop key skills required for working in multidisciplinary teams. Students will be encouraged to work with their colleagues to manage tasks and tailor learning according to their own particular discipline

    100% Coursework

    SOHP001
    Learning Skills for Health and Social Care Professions 20 credits

    This module is designed to enable learners to adapt to the learning environment of higher education by developing an independent, reflective and managed approach to learning and professional development.

    100% Coursework

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.

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 Child Integrated FY Programme Specification 2024 25 7766

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff

32 - 48

Contextual offers: Typically, the contextual offer for this course is 8 points below the advertised tariff. A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes into account individual circumstances that are beyond your control, and that can potentially impact your learning and your exam results, or your confidence in applying to university.

Check your eligibility for a contextual offer

GCSEs
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. Please note we do not accept Functional Skills Level 2 in English, or Key Skills in Maths or English, or Adult Literacy/Numeracy.
Plus one of the following:
A levels
32-48 Tariff points to include a minimum of two A levels.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass an Access to HE Diploma – Science, Health, or Social Science profile is preferred but any subject considered..
BTEC RQF National Extended Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma
PPP – Science, Health, or Social Science profile is preferred but any subject considered.
International Baccalaureate
24 points overall. Science, Health, or Social Science profile is preferred but any subject considered. English, Mathematics, and Science accepted within as GCSE equivalent at higher level = 4, standard level = 5
T level
Pass overall. Health or Science pathway is preferred but any subject considered.
Other
Applications from students with non-standard qualifications, including those without science qualifications at level 3, are welcomed and are assessed on an individual basis. This course is also suitable for those returning to study who can offer work or other related experience in place of formal qualifications and who have the equivalent of basic mathematical, English and science skills (i.e. the equivalent of a grade C at GCSE level).
English language
Applicants where English is not their first language must also provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English and a minimum IELTS score of at least 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.5 in any section. English language requirements .
We welcome applicants with international qualifications.To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.
Extended entry requirements
  • 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.
  • We will require an academic reference and an employer reference as part of the application process.
  • Attend an interview.
  • You must pass disclosure and barring service and occupational health checks satisfactorily in order to be able to start this course.
All students must be 18 or over at the start of the programme.

Further information

Enhancing your application

Meeting the academic minimum does not guarantee you a place, you need to make sure that you are strong across all sections of your application form. Read more about enhancing your application

Interview days

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.

Screening

All offers are subject to satisfactory screening in terms of your health, welfare and disclosure and barring processes, before the start of your course.
Find out more about the screening

NHS constitution

University pre-registration programmes for health professionals are required to select their applicants using a ‘values based’ approach. As part of this process, your UCAS personal statement should include evidence of your personal commitment to NHS values laid out in the NHS constitution.

Fees, costs and funding
New student 2024-2025 2025-2026 *
Home £9,250 £9,535
International £18,100 £18,650
Part time (Home) £770 £795
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. More information about fees and funding.

* UK Government announcement on tuition fees

On Monday 4 November 2024, the UK Government announced a proposal to increase tuition fees for home undergraduate students from £9,250 to £9,535 per annum from September 2025 onwards. The University of Plymouth intends to apply this new fee from September 2025. However, implementation of this increase will be subject to parliamentary procedure. This change applies to new students starting their studies in September 2025. For current and returning students, the University is reviewing fees and will update you as soon as possible.

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 .

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. The deadline for the receipt of international applications is 30 May 2025 for entry in September 2025.
Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office .

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 School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Plymouth recognise that people may act out of character in times of trouble or distress. However, we will not tolerate inappropriate behaviour or language towards any of our staff during the admissions process. Hostile, aggressive, or otherwise inappropriate behaviour or language, whether expressed verbally or in writing, will be viewed seriously and may adversely affect the consideration of an application, appeal, or complaint. We reserve the right to reject an application from, or withdraw an offer to, an applicant who has behaved in an inappropriate manner.

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.”

Clinical Skills Resources

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.

Placements

Experience nursing practice in a variety of clinical settings, whilst learning collaboratively within dynamic healthcare teams.
Practical experience is an integral part of the nursing course. In placements you will learn with a wide range of practice partners gaining clinical experience in the full range of healthcare conditions that affect people everyday.
Students in a hospital setting for BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health) placements

Advancing your career

Through evidence-informed theoretical study and a variety of clinical practice opportunities, our alumni have gained the skills, knowledge and experiences needed to succeed in the nursing profession. We also provide a range of post-registration courses to further develop your aspirations in nursing.
"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" Danielle Edge, Lecturer in Children's Nursing at London Southbank University
Child Nursing skills session. Nursing and midwifery facilities. 2 male nurses

Lecturers