Prospective Students
BSc (Hons)/Graduate Diploma in Community Health Studies and Specialist Practice Qualification (Post Registration) (BSc)
UCAS Code:
1 year (Full-time) / 2 years (Part-time) / n/a (Distance / E-Learning)
Please note this course is designed for existing practitioners who wish to study a specialist area. Those students who are interested in a first degree in nursing should see our courses in Nursing (UCAS codes B740 BN/Ad B730 BN/Ch B760 BN/MH) or Midwifery (UCAS code B720 BMid).
On successful completion, this programme leads to the award of the BSc (Hons) in Community Health Studies and the NMC recordable Specialist Practitioner qualification in the following areas:
- Community Nursing in the Home (District Nursing)
- Community Nursing in the home (Community Mental Health Nursing)
- Community Nursing in the Home (Practice Nursing)
Those who enter the programme with a degree will be awarded a Graduate Diploma in the field of specialist practice studied.
A range of learning and teaching methods will be used throughout the programme of studies and the notion of adult learning will inform this process, with the student taking responsibility for directing their personal learning. Students will enter programmes with a wide range of skills and experiences previously learnt. The learning and teaching strategy will take cognisance of these, whilst assisting students to work towards becoming a specialist practitioner within a community setting. Consequently, the learning and teaching methods used will range from teacher-led lectures, to student-led seminars, presentations, discussion and debate, and self-directed learning. A variety of learning resources will be used to assist with learning and teaching, such as e-learning, and case scenarios.
The focus of learning and teaching is to link theory with practice. To ensure an equal distribution of both across the course the modules are split into 50% theory and 50% practice. The theory covered during the modules will prepare students for the clinical practice placement they will be undertaking during the programme.
For the practice element of the course students will work alongside a Community Practice Teacher (CPT).
All students will attend the two core generic modules and two core specialist modules that apply to the particular pathways, District Nursing, Community Mental Health Nursing and General Practice Nursing.
Length of Programme: Full-time route - 1 year full time. Linear Programme - 2 years part time. The academic year will be 43 weeks inclusive of two weeks annual leave.
Entry Requirements
• 120 points at level 1 in nursing/ midwifery or a subject area relevant to nursing verified by certification (e.g. Certificate in Professional Practice,);
• 120 points at level 2 in nursing/ midwifery or a subject area relevant to nursing verified by certification (e.g. Diploma in Professional Practice, Diploma in Nursing);
OR
• Relevant prior learning or experience that allows for the necessary 120 credits at level 1 and 120 credits at level 2 to be accredited via the University APEL procedure by portfolio and APEL panel verification as per college guidelines;
• Applicants whose first language is not English or Welsh are required to provide proof of their proficiency in the English Language and must have satisfied the English Language requirements for the University, no more than 3 years before the proposed date of entry. An IELTS score of 7 (in all parts) must be achieved to allow entry to the programme.
• All offers made are subject to a satisfactory Criminal Record Bureau Disclosure and health screening which will determine fitness for practice.
Additional entry criteria for entry to specific Specialist Practice pathways are as follows:
District Nursing
Registration on the NMC’s Nurses’ Part of the Register, sub-part 1 (Adult Nursing)
General Practice Nursing
Registration on the NMC’s Nurses’ Part of the Register, sub-part 1 (Adult Nursing)
Community Mental Health Nursing
Registration on the NMC’s Nurses’ Part of the Register, sub-part 1 (Mental Health Nursing)
Funding
Funding to undertake the course is available from the Welsh Assembly Government via the Human Resource Department. Funding is available to individuals who work within the NHS in Wales and the number of funded places available for each discipline is set each year by the Welsh Assembly Government using workforce planning figures.
Students are also able to self fund and can apply locally, nationally and from overseas.
Next intake:
School Contact
Name: Cardiff School of Nursing and Midwifery Studes Heath Park Campus
Telephone: 029 2068 7523
Fax:
Email: nurseinfo@cf.ac.uk
School Website:
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/sonms/degreeprogrammes/qualifiednurses/bsccommunityhealthstudies/index.html