The University of Sheffield
The School of Nursing and Midwifery

Entry requirements

Academic

A first degree of at least 2:2 classification or above in a cognate academic discipline discipline. These would normally include:
• Social, Behavioural and Human sciences
• Health and social Care related degrees
GCSE English, Mathematics and Sciences at grades A* to C
Numeracy at level 2 in the NQF or equivalent are also accepted as an alternative to GCSE Mathematics
Literacy and Numeracy are essential under NMC requirement. You application andinterview are designed to consider these areas.
If you have any questions about this please contact the admissions tutor


Relevant Work Experience

All applicants must be able to provide evidence of 650 hours of health related experience.  A good Personal Statement will include information on your relevant work experience. Nursing Schools expect applicants to have a range of work experience for two reasons. Firstly, this demonstrates that you have a realistic insight to the profession – you are after all committing to a lifetime career when you apply to study Nursing. It is important that you have an understanding of the complex nature of the nurses role, as well as being aware of the highs and lows of the profession.

Work experience is also important in enabling you to develop (and to demonstrate that you have) the relevant skills and qualities that are essential to becoming a good nurse. A few examples are listed below.

• Communication skills
• A sense of service to the community
• A sense of responsibility
• Self-insight
• Energy
• Enthusiasm
• Perseverance
• Ability to overcome setbacks
• Ability to work independently
• Experience of working with diverse groups

Relevant work experience can include:
• Paid or voluntary work experience in a residential care home, hospice or similar.
• Working in a youth centre or working with young children.
• Participating in community volunteering schemes.
• Shadowing a GP or other medical practitioner to gain an insight to their role, responsibilities and the complexities of healthcare.
• Working with a diverse range of people (whether on a paid or voluntary basis).

Participatory work experience (not simply observing, but a 'hands on' role) is extremely valuable. Many applicants arrange to undertake paid or voluntary work as a Healthcare Assistant. Whatever work experience you have, it is important that you reflect effectively on this in your Personal Statement.

Your Personal Statement should communicate not only what meaningful activities you have undertaken, but also what you have learned from these experiences. e.g. how they have changed reinforced your views. Discussing a highlight or poor experience is welcomed. We are not looking for a rota of the duties your job or project involved! Your Personal Statement should highlight how this insight to healthcare will enable you to become a good medical practitioner in the future.
Because this is a shortened programme it is essential that you can demonstrate that you have worked in relevant areas for a sufficient period of time. If you are invited for interview a framework for identifying and reflecting on this experience will be sent to you.

GUIDANCE FOR THE ACCREDITATION of PRIOR LEARNING APL

When considering the APL process with regard to this programme there are regulations set by two bodies; the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the University of Sheffield.

The NMC (2010) identify APL as a process used in higher education to allow previous certified or experiential learning to be accepted as meeting some programme outcomes and requirements.

The nursing and Midwifery Council Standards (2010) require undergraduate programmes leading to registration to be delivered over 4600 hours with 50% of this theory and 50% practice. The NMC do permit APL to a maximum of 50% and this programme leading to registration is made up of 3300 hours. This leaves a shortfall of 1330 (1300 required) hours made up of 650 hours theory and 650 hours practice. The NMC require robust procedures to be in place to ensure that students accessing this programme have sufficient relevant prior experience and learning.

Students applying for this programme will therefore need to demonstrate that they have the relevant prior experience and learning prior to entry in order to meet the shortfall required

DEMONSTRATING THE SHORTFALL THROUGH APEL

The following process must be completed by the student after selection for interview.

Students will complete a form to identify the prior experience that may arise from personal experience, voluntary work or previous employment. The hours must equate to at least 650 and must be verifiable.

Students will complete a form to identify prior learning. The degree used for the basis of completion of this document must be relevant to health care and the student must have achieved a classification of 2.2 or above. A relevant degree will be considered to be sufficient to cover the 650 hours theory required.

These forms must be made available to the interviewers on or before the date of the interview and will form the basis for the understanding of the nature of nursing and the relevance of prior experience and learning. The student must word process these documents.

The interviewers to complete with respect to the decision to accept/reject the claim. This must be approved by the dean of the school or the director learning and teaching.

Health

Health screening forms will be sent at a later date to applicants who have firmly accepted an offer of a place. This will require that GP´s fill in a form documenting immunisation history.
An immunisation programme may be required if individuals are not up to date or need additional vaccinations prior to clinical placements.

The School of Nursing continually reviews the immunisation requirements and procedures for nursing students, taking into account national guidance, and you will be required to comply with any such amendments if you are offered a provisional place.
Students who have serious health problems must disclose this on their Occupational health form, as their course may need to be modified to accommodate Department of Health guidance on activities which they may or may not perform. All potential students with significant health problems will be individually assessed for suitability for the course.


It is imperative that all procedures outlined above are followed precisely to avoid prejudicing your entry to the course.

Criminal Records Bureau check

All applicants for entry to Nursing are required to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check . Admission to the course offered by the University of Sheffield, School of Nursing is subject to the Rehabilitiation of Offenders Act (1974) Section 4(2) (Exemption) Order 1975 and the Department of Health Circular HC (88)9 guidelines regarding child protection and police checks. Before being admitted on to this course, therefore, you will need to apply for an enhanced disclosure document from the Criminal Records Bureau.