Pre-Registration BSc Nursing and Midwifery
1. Introduction
1.1
Qualifications shall be awarded to students who meet the requirements as set out in the assessment regulations, particularly the credit requirements and the QAA’s subject benchmark statements, and who have reached the appropriate level as outlined in the Specific Regulations for Undergraduate Bachelor Degrees (Regulation 1.1).
1.2
Successful completion of the BSc (Hons) Nursing confers eligibility to apply to the NMC for registration on the first part of the nurses part of the register.
1.3
The degree of Bachelor of Midwifery (BMid) is recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for the purpose of registration to the midwives part of the register and to assume the responsibilities and accountability of practice as a midwife.
Successful completion of the BMid (Hons) Midwifery confers eligibility to apply to the NMC for registration on the midwives part of the register.
2. Entry Conditions
2.1
In addition to the entry conditions outlined in General Regulation 3, students shall be required to satisfy the minimum regulations stipulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
2.2
Students shall be required to complete satisfactorily an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) Check (previously Criminal Record Bureau investigation) and a satisfactory health check.
3. Academic Calendar
3.1
The academic year for the BSc in Nursing programme shall be approximately 42 weeks (full-time) and 45 weeks (part-time) in accordance with the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
3.2
The academic year for Bachelor of Midwifery programmes shall be approximately 45 weeks.
4. Programme Structure
4.1
Full-time students shall normally be required to pursue 120 credits or the accepted equivalent in one year.
Part-time students shall normally be required to pursue 90 credits or the accepted equivalent in one year.
4.2
With the exception of students admitted under Regulation 7 a student must have pursued the equivalent of at least 360 credits, 120 of which must be at Level 6 or above, in order to be considered for the award of an honours degree.
4.3
The BSc (Hons) Nursing programme shall consist of one of the following fields of nursing:
- Adult nursing;
- Mental health nursing;
- Children’s nursing;
- Learning disability nursing.
5. Programme Content
5.1
Programme content shall follow the most recent NMC Standards for pre-registration nursing and pre-registration midwifery education programmes and other guidelines issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and the University, as approved by the University.
5.2
The programmes shall consist of 50% theory and 50% practice.
6. Placements
6.1
Students shall be required to attend clinical placements in accordance with the requirements of the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science.
6.2
Students shall be required to undertake all assessments relating to the clinical placements and achieve the required proficiencies and skills as stipulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
7. Credit Transfer
7.1
The maximum number of credits which may be accepted to count towards an initial degree in Nursing or Midwifery shall be not more than 180 (i.e. students must normally pursue at least 180 credits in Swansea for a degree).
7.2
Where the maximum transferable credit has been accepted, the remaining credits to be pursued must be at Levels 5 and 6 or above for students pursuing an honours degree.
7.3
Requests for credit exemption shall be considered in accordance with the Policy and Procedures for the Recognition of Prior Learning at Swansea University.
8. Assessment Regulations
8.1
Students shall be continually assessed, using a variety of methods of assessments e.g. written assignments, examination and clinical practice assessments. The progress of a student may be assessed during and/or in the period immediately following completion of the teaching of the unit of study/module.
8.2
Students shall be required to complete the Undergraduate programme of study in accordance with the regulations for awarding credit as outlined in the Undergraduate Assessment Regulations. Students will be required to successfully complete all theoretical and clinical assessment components. Failed modules cannot be compensated.
8.3
The pass mark for all modules shall be 40% unless otherwise stipulated.
9. Time Limits
9.1
The maximum period of candidature for student pursuing honours degrees shall be as follows:
- Full-time mode: not less than three years and not more than five years from the start of the programme;
- Part-time mode: not less than four years and not more than six years from the start of the programme.
10. Extension of Time Limits
10.1
The programme time limits, as set out in the specific regulations, may be extended, but in exceptional cases only and in accordance with General Regulation 27.
11. Exit Qualifications
11.1
A student who is admitted to a modular bachelor degree programme but is subsequently unable, or is not permitted, to progress to completion may, depending upon the number of credits attained at the appropriate levels at the time of exit, qualify for one of the following awards:
| Exit Qualification | Minimum number of credits to have been pursued | Minimum number of credits to have been achieved |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Higher Education in Care Studies | 120 at Level 4 | 120 at Level 4. Normally 60 credits must have been pursued at Swansea. |
| Diploma of Higher Education in Care Studies | 120 at Level 4 and 120 at Level 5 | 120 at Level 4 and 120 at Level 5. Normally 120 credits must have been pursued at Swansea. |
11.2
Such exit qualifications shall be approved by the University Progression and Awards Board.
11.3
A student exiting a degree programme with an undergraduate Certificate or under the circumstances detailed in the preceding paragraph shall be eligible for the award of Distinction where they have attained an overall mark of 70% or above for the award in question.
11.4
A student exiting with a Certificate of Higher Education in Care Studies or a Diploma of Higher Education in Care Studies will not be eligible to seek registration with the NMC.
12. Eligibility for an Award
12.1
In order to be eligible for consideration for an undergraduate award of Swansea University, students shall attend and complete modules within the maximum period of registration, the credit weighting of which shall be as follows:
| Honours Degree Programme | Credit to be Pursued |
|---|---|
| 3-year Honours degrees (full-time) | 360 credit points with a minimum of 120 credit points at Level 4, a minimum of 120 credit points at Level 5 and a minimum of 120 credit points at Level 6. |
| 4-year Honours degrees (part-time) | 360 credit points with a minimum of 120 credit points at Level 4, a minimum of 120 credit points at Level 5 and a minimum of 120 credit points at Level 6. |
13. Admission to the Award
13.1
To be eligible for consideration for an award under these Regulations, a student shall:
- Have pursued an approved modular programme of study for the period prescribed by the University, except as provided by Regulation 7;
- Have attained such minimum levels of credit as specified by the University in a programme approved by the University;
- Have fulfilled any further condition(s) required by the University and by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
13.2
The names of Honours degree students who have fulfilled the assessment requirements of the programme and the University shall be published in the following Honours classes:
- First;
- Second Class Division One;
- Second Class Division Two;
- Third Class;
- Pass Degree.
14. Aegrotat and Posthumous Awards
14.1
Students pursuing professional programmes under these regulations shall not be eligible for aegrotat or posthumous awards.