Professional Practice
BSc (Hons)
The BSc (Hons) Professional Practice is an innovative and flexible award which has been specifically developed to meet the needs of registered healthcare workers who wish to update their professional practice whilst working towards a recognised degree level qualification. It provides access to a wide range of generic modules that are relevant across all areas of healthcare, along with specialist modules that allow the student to develop their discipline specific expertise. The award has been designed to provide students with the opportunity to share professional knowledge and insight in a multiprofessional forum, reflecting on the place of their clinical expertise and practice in relation to other disciplines contributing to health and social care. It is specifically designed to ensure that qualified staff can top-up to degree level from their original diploma; this is particularly important as the BSc Nursing programmes for Adult, Child, Learning Disability and Mental health commence in the School of Health from September 2012, bringing to an end the Diploma programmes which commenced in 1990.
One innovation has been the sharing of the pre-registration nursing dissertation with this programme, as well as students from the BSc International programmes; workshops are held for all dissertation students to ensure that there is an opportunity for shared learning and practice.
- BSc Professional Practice Generic programme
- BSc Professional Practice (Midwifery)
- BSc Professional Practice (Emergency Care)
- BSc Professional Practice (Community Nursing)
Course level
Undergraduate
Modes of study
Part time
Attendance
Attendance of this course is on a part-time basis. This model of study offers students a highly flexible programme of professional development, allowing a combination of work and study.
In addition to attendance at The University of Northampton, students are supported in their learning through a range of internet resources and on-line learning technologies.
Location
Park Campus
Entry requirements
Applicants should normally hold all of the following:
- Attainment of 240 credits of which 100 must be at level 5 (Diploma). Applicants who have not attained 100 level 5 credits as a result of certificated learning may undertake the Learning Through Experience (APL/APEL module) 60 credits )module number APEL1002) and make a claim for up to another additional 60 credits
- Due to the work-based nature of the award students should currently be employed in a suitable workplace environment to support learning and assessment on the programme
- Registration with the NMC or evidence of an appropriate professional qualification
- Applicants whose first language is not English will be asked to provide evidence of an IELTS certificate (or equivalent) with a score of at least 6.5 in each area is required
- Modules will also be available on a stand-alone basis (excluding the practice-focused research project). Continuation on the programme will only be permitted if candidates meet the programme entry criteria
Length of study
Each module will take 13 weeks on average to complete, each programme between two to two and a half years
Start date
Modules commence in September, February and June of each academic year
School
Course content
This award is offered as part of the Post-registration Healthcare framework within the School of Health at The University of Northampton. Each award is divided into discrete units of study called modules and each module is credit rated. Students must accumulate 120 credits in order to achieve this award.
Successful completion of the BSc (Hons) Professional Practice will require the completion of the following modules:
- Health and Social Research Methods (20 credits) (Compulsory)
- Practice Focused Research Project (40 credits) (Compulsory)
Three designated modules depending on the professional pathway selected (3 x 20 credits).
Examples of designated modules are currently available in the following areas of study:
- Leading Clinical Teams
- Facilitating Learning in Professional Practice (Mentors programme)
- Specialist Community Practice
- Assessment of and Management of Illness and Injury
- Midwifery High Risk Critical Care
Typical modules
Prospective students can use the 'search' facility on the home page of the University - www.northampton.ac.uk and typing in 'award map' to access the relevant four areas outlined within this programme; additionally career clinics are being held throughout Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes NHS and Independent Sector sites over the coming year (2011- 2012) to update staff and their managers on the range of developments taking place in both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the School of Health.
Reading list
Students will be provided with a wide range of texts, journals and websites to access for each module and programme. Some core textbooks may be recommended and these are normally available from the library or the campus bookshop.
For further information, please contact the following course leaders for the range of programmes offered in the BSc Professional Practice:
- BSc Professional Practice Generic programme - Mark Vincent mark.vincent@northampton.ac.uk
- BSc Professional Practice (Midwifery) - Dr. Sarah Church sarah.church@northampton.ac.uk
- BSc Professional Practice (Emergency Care) - Alison Marchbank alison.marchbank@northampton.ac.uk
- BSc Professional Practice (Community Nursing) - Marylyn Richardson marylyn.richardson@northampton.ac.uk
For general enquires please contact: admissions@northampton.ac.uk.
Specialist programmes for international students wishing to study at level 6 are provided outside of this programme.
Assessment
A range of assessment is used including presentations, essays, reflective studies, portfolios, vivas, case studies and OSCEs and examinations.
Facilities available
IT and information services based on the campus as well as off-site access to NILE. Additionally, the campus is increasing its wi-fi access as most students now tend to have their own laptops, notebooks and ipads.
Career opportunities
As nursing becomes an all-graduate programme from the autumn of 2012, practitioners can top-up their existing qualifications. A number of staff choose to take a stand alone module such as the Facilitating Learning in Professional Practice (FLIPP) based in Northampton or Milton Keynes. Undertaking this leads to the confidence to be able to study at level 6 (Degree) and subsequently many staff undertake a range of further modules leading to the award of the BSc.
Work placement opportunities
One of the criteria for entry and funding onto the programme is that students will be working within current NHS organisations and in contemporary practice.
Course progressions
For undergraduate application information please see our how to apply page.
Fees quoted are for home and EU students commencing their course in the academic year 2012/13. Tuition fees are payable for each year of the course. The fees are subject to annual increases in subsequent academic years.
Part-time fees
Year 1: £540 per 20 credit module
The fees quoted above are for students that are not funded by the NHS.
This course is not designated for student support from Student Finance England
Funding for some of these modules may be available from NHS East Midlands subject to meeting the required criteria through the Learning Beyond Registration contract which is accessible until March 2013. Please follow the link for eligibility criteria.
Scholarships and bursaries
The following scholarships may be applicable:
Download our course factsheet [PDF]
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