TEF Gold Undergraduate course

BSc (Hons)

Nursing (Child Health)

Caring for children and young people with diverse needs is rewarding and challenging. Early placements across the South West will enhance your clinical and communication skills, preparing you to support families and shape the future of nursing.

Our typical offer

104 UCAS points

Immersive learning

At Â鶹´«Ã½, you will learn as you practise, using our innovative study spaces and simulations. We help you to build your skills and knowledge confidently, through practice portfolios, case work analysis, video role play, essays and seminar presentations.

Practical experience where it matters

You'll gain real experience working as part of a healthcare team caring for children, by undertaking placements in a diverse range of health, social and educational settings.

Shape future healthcare

You'll get the opportunity to study with students from other healthcare professions, giving you insight into how real teams come together to care for children. Play your part in shaping initiatives on sustainability, breastfeeding, and urban and community family projects.
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health)

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About

Nursing student working with academic with a dummy/model

Children’s nursing is a rewarding and ever-changing career. From supporting newborns to empowering adolescents in their healthcare journey, you will learn to care for children and young people through times of challenge and change. Our placements across the South West provide opportunities to build your clinical expertise, develop strong communication skills, and understand care in both hospital and community settings. Studying with us will prepare you to make a real difference to children, young people, and their families, and to contribute to the future of nursing.

Mrs Danielle Edge
Mrs Danielle Edge Admissions Tutor for and Lecturer in Child Health Nursing

This course is for you if...

you're passionate about caring for children and young people and want to support families during challenging times
Stethoscope over heart
you're keen to develop clinical and communication skills
Two healthcare professionals, one with stethoscope
you want early placement opportunities across the South West
Door opening to healthcare setting
you're a team player, ready to shape the future of nursing
Three hands together, depicting collaboration

Details

Year 1

Your first year introduces you to being an accountable professional, whilst developing the knowledge and skills required to become a confident, academic and independent learner. You will gain an understanding of human development, key body systems and their relationship to nursing care. A range of effective therapeutic interpersonal skills to promote engagement and helpful collaborative person-centred conversations will be nurtured within the theory and the two practice components during the year. You will be introduced to the importance of assessing, planning, providing and evaluating health and wellbeing in a broad range of contexts. You will learn and develop the values, knowledge and skills required for the successful achievement of the standards of proficiency required for the first NMC progression point. Modules will have field specific application.
Nursing students writing notes on a whiteboard as part of a class

Core modules

NRS410
Being an Accountable Professional 20 credits

This module will introduce students to the nursing profession, professional standards, the use of evidence and the role of social media in health care practice.

100% Coursework

NRS411
Communication and Therapeutic Relationships 20 credits

This module supports students to develop basic, person-centred communication skills enabling them to engage effectively with individuals and their families/carers utilising a range of collaborative interpersonal skills and adopting therapeutic and ethical frameworks that can be applied in health and social care.

100% Coursework

NRS414
Applied Human Biology Across the Lifespan 20 credits

This module will develop students' understanding of human development, key body systems and their relationship to nursing care.

100% Examinations

NRS416
Assessing and Planning Nursing Care 20 credits

This module introduces students to assessing health and wellbeing, it explores different models of understanding health, ill health and the interconnection between physical and mental health. It enables the student to work in partnership to plan and evaluate nursing care for a variety of health conditions and needs.

100% Coursework

HIPL400
Interprofessional Learning 1

NRS419
Providing and evaluating care

This module introduces the student to the values, knowledge and skills required for nursing practice in a range of settings.

Year 2

In your second year you will be introduced to research methodology and methods in order to develop their knowledge of the application of research-based evidence to professional practice. You will study the pathophysiological processes involved in commonly encountered health conditions to support nursing interventions. Your knowledge and understanding of co-ordinating care for complex health needs will be developed, as well as in relation to public health, policies and legislation. You will become a knowledgeable practitioner with an understanding of pharmacology and safe practice in the management of medicines. The theory and two practice components of the year will develop your values, knowledge and skills required for the successful achievement of the standards of proficiency required for the second NMC progression point. Modules will have field specific application.
Nursing students with a dummy in a clinical setting

Core modules

NRS501
Applied Pathophysiology 20 credits

Within this module, students will study the pathophysiological processes involved in commonly encountered health conditions.

100% Examinations

NRS502
Introduction to Evidence-Informed Decision Making 20 credits

The module introduces students to research methodology and methods in order to develop their knowledge of the application of research-based evidence to professional practice. The module is based upon the premise that knowledge and understanding of key research designs is an essential pre-requisite of evidence-informed decision making (EIDM).

100% Examinations

NRS503
Promoting Health and Preventing Ill Health 20 credits

This module aims to develop the student's knowledge and skills in relation to public health, policies and legislation. Students will explore the social, economic, political and ecological challenges that are faced in public health at an international, national and local level. The student will develop an understanding of their professional role in relation to public health.

100% Coursework

NRS504
Pharmacology and Medicines Optimisation 20 credits

This module will develop students' knowledge of medications, pharmacology and working to support medication adherence.

100% Coursework

NRS507
Developing Nursing Practice 40 credits

This module develops the students' values, knowledge and skills required for nursing practice in a range of settings.

50% Assessments

50% Examinations

HIPL500
Interprofessional Learning 2

Final year

Year three allows you to critically explore the concepts of management, leadership and working in teams. You will extend your knowledge around critical appraisal and the importance of research evidence to professional practice. With four specific field modules you will further develop your assessment skills to enable you to recognise and respond to the seriously ill child, by increasing your knowledge, understanding and application of relevant pathophysiology and other evidence to practice. You will develop the skills and knowledge required to undertake holistic assessment, plan and manage the support and care of individuals and families in a variety of community settings, and develop competence in nursing clients with complex needs. Your final module will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to perform as a capable and autonomous practitioner, fit for registration in your field of nursing practice.
Group of nursing students with a paediatric doctor in a clinical setting. Getty 911008580.

Core modules

CHN601
Care of the Highly Dependent Child 20 credits

This module will develop the knowledge and skills of students in the care of critically ill infants, children and young people and their families. Students will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in a range of settings.

100% Coursework

CHN602
Care of the Child and Family in the Community 20 credits

This module will enable students to develop the skills and knowledge required to undertake holistic assessment, plan and manage the support and care of individuals and families in a variety of community settings. The challenges of multidisciplinary and multiagency agency working in a community environment will be critically examined.

100% Coursework

CHN603
Developing Competence in Child Health Nursing Practice 40 credits

This module will further develop the student's competence in a range of clinical, professional and transferable skills considered essential for safe practice and ensure that the NMC competencies are achieved.

50% Practicals

50% Examinations

NRS602
Developing Knowledge and Skills for Evidence-Informed Decision Making 20 credits

The module is designed to extend students' knowledge around critical appraisal and the importance of research evidence to professional practice. This will be achieved through students identifying and evaluating a body of research-based evidence relevant to clinical practice.

100% Coursework

NRS604
Nursing Leadership, Management and Team Working 20 credits

This module critically explores the concepts of management, leadership and working in teams. It examines the role of the nurse to act as a change agent in response to professional practice challenges.

HIPL600
Interprofessional Learning 3

 
 
 

Alternative pathways

As the largest provider of nursing courses in the South West, we pride ourselves on enable access to training whatever stage in your life you decide to pursue a career in nursing. 
Our range of child health nursing courses have been designed with your career and the future needs of the NHS in mind.
  Discover our full range of nursing courses including adult health, mental health and midwifery.

Ranked 10th in the UK

We are ranked 10th for nursing and midwifery courses in the UK in the .
We are also ranked 1st in the South West for graduate prospects.
  • On successful completion of this course you are eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a ‘Registered Nurse – Child level 1.

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 programme specification standard route_6614

Experience

Hands-on learning

We are committed to shaping you into the best health professional you can be. We understand that future nurses must understand the 'why', 'when', and 'how' behind their actions to ensure patient safety and well-being. This requires blending theoretical knowledge with practical skills, which can be developed during placement practice and simulated practice.
Our Clinical Skills Simulation Ward provides a supportive environment for learning new skills without the pressure to get it right first time. You can practice at your own pace with guidance from lecturers, registered nurses, healthcare professionals, and peers. Interprofessional simulation sessions allow collaborative practice with other healthcare students, providing you with the opportunity to experience and learn from situations that may not occur very often, that you will want to become proficient in.
Explore our clinical facilities
Clinical skills wards: hospital simulation ward, Intercity Place
 
 
 
 
 
 

Work alongside other healthcare students

Teamwork is essential for success in health and social care and many other careers. Interprofessional learning is all about working and learning together with people from different areas of healthcare. It helps you build valuable skills for the future.
The Â鶹´«Ã½ Integrative Health and Social Care Education Centre supports interprofessional learning, giving students chances to work with others across different healthcare fields including radiography, dietetics, dental surgery, psychology, and child nursing. By learning together, students become confident and ready to step into their careers from day one.

It is great to know how to ensure all of our professions can work effectively together. This benefits the service user and staff.

Healthcare systems always require improvement, it’s easier to know how to improve your area if you know how other areas work too.

Health students taking part in PIHC interprofessional learning activity
PIHC interprofessional learning session - 3 students kneeling on the floor looking at an exercise
Nursing students in clinical setting
Nursing students in clinical setting

Real-world experience

Placement experiences take place throughout your degree with 50% of your course spent in clinical practice. Our strong nursing community has built solid relationships with placement providers across the South West and we're able to allocate placements across a range of specialities in the community as well as hospitals.
Alongside your allocated placements we offer the opportunity to take a three week optional placement of your choice (which still counts towards the required 2,300 required placement hours). You could choose to gain some experience in a specialist area such as emergency care or a forensic setting, you could even choose to travel overseas;  our students have taken placements in locations such as Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
 

Looking back at the course as a whole, it is one of the best I have seen! The large amount of placement time you receive is extremely advantageous, producing some of the best students I have worked with since working across the country in numerous hospitals

Elliot
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health) graduate

Following six months of intense theory, I was excited but anxious about my clinical placement. I’d built up big expectations that I was worried weren’t going to be fulfilled, but I’m so happy that my clinical and community placements were absolutely incredible. I was so supported by my mentors and I was given the opportunity to do so much more than could ever have imagined.

Phoebe
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health) graduate
Nursing students on a ward

My first degree left me without any real aspirations or direction. Nursing, however, helped me realise there was a career out there I was destined for. The vocational course allowed me to have a set career I could go into with all the necessary skills to be competent, and with the knowledge that this career could be very varied and adaptable.

Â鶹´«Ã½ could not have prepared me better for life as Registered Nurse. The lecturers know what it takes to become a nurse and they help you become the best newly qualified nurse you can be.
Hugo
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health) graduate

 
 
 

Learn from experienced healthcare professionals

We pride ourselves on our cutting-edge, research informed curriculum which ensures that you are equipped with the latest evidence, as well as the research skills to support patients’ recovery.
Our staff are registered nurses engaged in active research, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and clinical experience into the classroom, which you will apply in clinical practice.
Dr Matt Carey Associate Professor in Child Health Nursing - Acute Care


Associate Professor in Child Health Nursing - Acute Care

Mrs Danielle Edge Lecturer in Children's Nursing


Lecturer in Children's Nursing

Miss Nicola Fielding Lecturer in Child Health Nursing (Education)


Lecturer in Child Health Nursing (Education)

Show all
 
 
 

Join our nursing society 'NurSoc'

We understand that nursing is a demanding course that makes it difficult to find time to have a life outside of it, especially whilst on placement. NurSoc is there to build a community for student nurses and provide opportunities to socialise and unwind outside of the course. We have a calendar of social events that’s scheduled around commitments to the course, and wellbeing activities designed to give you the break you need.
Nursing students on placement
 
 
 

Life in Â鶹´«Ã½

Â鶹´«Ã½'s maritime history and coastal location have an undeniable influence on life in the city. The walk from our main campus to the seafront is only about one mile, providing loads of opportunity to relax and unwind during your studies. You don’t need to leave the city to get to the coast!
 

The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.

Jenna
Current student

Students sitting on the Barbican
Life in the city
Discover what Â鶹´«Ã½ and its unique geographical location have to offer
Accommodation halls internal
Explore your accommodation options
Discover our range of student accommodation options and find out how you can get a guaranteed place in halls
Our large student population, active Students' Union, and abundance of student-led clubs and societies blend to create a busy and vibrant student scene

Careers

The BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health)

I believe the high quality of teaching from lectures and mentors in placements have made me the nurse I am today. If you want a quality course that can make you the best nurse you can be, then this is the one for you.

BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health) graduate, Sheffield Children’s Hospital

Studying nursing at the Â鶹´«Ã½ will enable you to commence a rewarding career within the health sector. With an ongoing demand for nurses across the UK, employment prospects for nursing graduates remain very good.
As the healthcare sector moves towards more integrated, home and community-based services, the range of opportunities available for newly qualified nurses has never been greater. Our nursing graduates work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, GP practices, hospices, specialist units and in community teams supporting patients in their own homes. In addition to the NHS, there is a large private healthcare sector. Further opportunities exist in prisons, the armed forces and overseas.
  • ]

    96% of all nursing graduates in highly skilled work said their degree was a formal requirement or gave them an advantage

*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys covering the three years of 2019/20 – 2021/22. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.
 

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

 
 
 
Tuition fees for full-time UK students starting in 2026-2027 academic year
Full-time study
£9,535 per year
 
 

Tuition fee price changes
On Monday 20 October 2025, the UK Government announced its intention to increase tuition fees for home undergraduate students in line with inflation from 2026 onwards.
Along with other universities in the UK, the Â鶹´«Ã½ intends to apply this new fee. Whilst the exact details have not currently been announced, it is expected that the increase will be in the region of £400, increasing the annual tuition fee to £9,935 for 2026, which will then be subject to automatic inflationary increases thereafter. However, implementation of this increase will be subject to further Government guidance and legislation. 
The University will give further details to both prospective and current students as soon as the Government has issued further information. More information about fees and costs of studying .
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tuition fees for full-time international students starting in 2026-2027 academic year
Full-time study
£19,200 per year
 
 
 

Tuition fee price changes
Our fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and costs of studying .
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Free educational resources

To help, financially, with your transition into life as a student of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, the University provides the following:
  • we bear the cost for Occupational Health clearance and for Disclosure and Barring Service checks, which are a condition of any offer of a place on the programme. This potentially saves applicants in the region of £195–£245 (circa £45 for DBS checks, and £150–£200 for Occupational Health) although in some cases the costs can be much higher
  • we supply e-learning resources to all students on the programme
  • we supply three tunics and three pairs of trousers, for use in the clinical environment, worth circa £60
  • the ‘Medincle’ medical spellchecker software is provided free of charge
  • books from the Skills for Health Training Package are provided for each student.
 
 
 

Fund your studies

As an undergraduate at Â鶹´«Ã½, there are plenty of funding options available, including tuition fee loans, living cost loans, scholarships, bursaries and support funds.
 

You may be eligible for a £5000 NHS training grant

The NHS Learning Support Fund provides additional funding for eligible healthcare students. It is supplementary financial support to the mainstream student loans system and is intended to support students whilst they train and gain professional registration. The is for at least £5,000.
 

Supporting students with the cost of living

The cost of living in the UK has risen faster than household income, meaning that most people will have less to spend on essential goods and services. This is an ongoing situation that is likely to affect everyone in some way.
The University provides advice and guidance and has a range of services, facilities and offers to help students with rising everyday costs.
 
Careers Hub

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Entry requirements

Our typical offer
104 UCAS points

You may be eligible for a contextual offer

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

GCSE
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.

A levels
104 points to include a minimum of two A levels. Science, health, or social science profile is preferred but any subject considered. General Studies excluded.

BTEC RQF National Extended Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma
DMM-DDM – Science, Health, or Social Science profile is preferred but any subject considered.

Access to HE Diploma
Pass an Access to HE Diploma with 33 Level 3 credits at Merit and/or Distinction, including 15 in Science or Social Science. GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4 required only. Please make contact with our Admissions Team for further advice.

T level
Accepted pathway: Health. Typical offer will be confirmed once an application is received.

International Baccalaureate
26–30 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

Degrees
Previous degrees are considered at a 2:2 or above. Science, health, or social science profile is preferred but any subject considered.

Extended entry requirements

  • In addition to the above, evidence of academic study within the last five years is required. Ideally this should be one of the qualifications listed here, but the admissions team will assess on a case-by-case basis.
  • 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.
  • If English is not your first language and you do not have GCSE English grade C/4 or above you will have to achieve an IELTS (or equivalent qualification) at the grade of at least 7.0 (at least 6.5 in all elements sections). See our English language requirements .
  • Students must be 18 years old or over by 31 December in the first year of the programme.

Deferred entry
Unfortunately we cannot permit deferred entry. However, if you have a query please contact the admissions team who will be able to explain the application process in more detail at admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
 
 
 

Further information

Prospective nursing students are expected to attend an interview, and complete satisfactory screening in terms of your health, welfare and disclosure and barring processes, before the start of your course.

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 Â鶹´«Ã½â€™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.

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 .
 
 
 

Ready to apply?

All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS.com. Please refer to the course facts below when completing your application for this course.
 
UCAS course code
B731
Institution code
P60
Duration

3 years
(with placements)
Course type

Full-time
Study location
Â鶹´«Ã½

    • Other routes into this course

    The following courses are available as routes into this programme.

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

    Prepare for a nursing degree with our Integrated Foundation course. Explore modern human biology, healthcare, and nursing science. Benefit from experiential learning, early assessment with feedback, and gain insights into health services.

    FdSc Nursing Associate

    Nursing Associates bridge the gap between healthcare assistants and registered nurses, supporting healthcare teams. You'll build clinical skills to deliver safe, holistic care across nursing fields, helping patients and families during times of need.

     

    Entry requirements

    We welcome applicants with international qualifications and we accept a range of qualifications from across the globe.
     
    Our typical offer
    104 UCAS points
     
     

    BSearch entry requirements for your country

    5

    English language requirements

    To be accepted onto a degree course with us, you must have a suitable English language qualification. 
     

    Ready to apply?

    As an international student, you can apply for this course through UCAS or an agent in your country.
     
  • Find an agent
    • UCAS course code
    B731
    Institution code
    P60
    Duration

    3 years
    (with placements)
    Course type

    Full-time
    Study location
    Â鶹´«Ã½

    Other routes to this course

    The offers foundation, first-year and pre-masters programmes that lead to Â鶹´«Ã½ degrees. Courses are specially designed for EU and international students who are missing the grades for direct entry to the University, and include full duration visa sponsorship. You can start in January, May or September, benefitting from small class sizes, top-quality tuition and 24/7 student support.
    Find out more about the Â鶹´«Ã½ International College (UPIC) or contact our team at info@upic.plymouth.ac.uk
    Foundation courses
     
     
     

    Visit us at an undergraduate on-campus open day

    Open days are the best way to get a feel for studying an undergraduate degree at the Â鶹´«Ã½.
     
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    Man sitting outside with surrounded by friends
     
     
     
    The results of the National Student Survey (NSS) and the Graduate Outcomes survey (GO) are made available to prospective students and their advisors through the Discover Uni website.