
- UCAS course code
- B740
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course description

"The course taught me to be prepared, be flexible, keep my goals at the front of my mind and constantly update my skills to remain a desirable commodity in the field of nursing.
"The course also taught me to question and how to speak out, which I have also found necessary."
Melanie Venables / District Nurse, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
Our BNurs/MNurs Adult Nursing course will help you become a skilled and highly sought-after graduate nurse specialising in caring for adult patients in a range of settings.
You will split your time equally between learning theory on campus and applying your knowledge to practice alongside other health professionals on your placements , which include those at specialist trusts and the opportunity to work in alternative settings in the UK and overseas.
You will receive support from both our staff and your fellow students throughout your time at Manchester, as well as from experienced mentors while on placement.
As a graduate, you'll have the choice of practicing as a nurse, going into a specialist or a leadership role, or undertaking further study, research opportunities or teaching.
The BNurs award is for the three-year undergraduate course. Depending on your performance in Years 1 and 2, you will have the opportunity to apply to extend your studies by a year to undertake an integrated master's in nursing. This will also involve an additional year of tuition fees.
By choosing to complete the integrated master's, you are preparing for career progression within nursing by developing your leadership and research skills.
The integrated master's will deliver units at postgraduate level, developing your skills in critical engagement with issues at the forefront of your chosen field of nursing. You will learn how to critically examine, reflect and develop new insights, contributing to nursing research, education and clinical practice agenda through your research study.
This Adult Nursing (BNurs) is for students without an undergraduate degree. If you already have a degree, see: MSc Adult Nursing
Special features
Superb reputation
Manchester has been ranked 3rd in the world and 2nd in the UK for nursing study in the 2019 QS World University Rankings.
Varied and high-quality placements
You will experience a range of practice placements in both community and hospital settings, with support from experienced mentors. Placements include those at trusts offering specialist services. You may also choose to gain experience elsewhere in the UK or even overseas.
Student-focused course
You will learn how to apply theory to practice through our course's 50:50 split of on-campus learning and practical experience, ensuring you receive the tutor support you need while also consolidating your knowledge of nursing theory.
Family-friendly learning
Addressing the philosophy of Athena SWAN, we look to minimise early starts and late finishes and ensure - where possible - that public holidays are included in your annual leave entitlement.
Additional course information
You will spend 50% of your learning time in a clinical placement learning what it is like to work within the modern NHS, developing clinical knowledge, skills and confidence as a key member of the professional healthcare team.
We have excellent working relationships with local NHS Trusts in Greater Manchester and the north-west, and you will undertake a range of practice placements in both community and hospital settings.
See the nursing placements page for more information.
Teaching and learning
Our course is designed to include both theory and practice, linking the most current research-based knowledge with practice in a student-centred approach.
You will engage in problem-based learning, skills laboratories and computer-based learning, as well as the more traditional lecture and seminar-based formats. Lectures take place in a large group with small group teaching for seminars.
The practice element of our course is given equal status to the theoretical work and practical placements are undertaken in a range of placement settings in Greater Manchester and the wider north-west.
Find out more about nursing teaching and learning at Manchester .
Dedicated student support
We offer dedicated student support to all of our students, helping you to handle the demands of both academic work and placements.
See the student support page for more information.
Coursework and assessment
Learning is divided into a number of units in each year. The content and assessments for each unit are planned and delivered by a small team of lecturers with the relevant expertise related to those topic areas.
Unit assessments vary and include written and multiple-choice exams, essays, case studies, poster presentations, online work and a skills lab-based exam.
Most units of learning also include the assessment of relevant skills in practice, which are carried out by the nursing mentors during the clinical placements.
To complete the course, you are required to pass all theory and practice assessments.
Course content for year 1
The first year explores the core aspects of nursing knowledge through lectures, field-specific seminars, workshops, simulation, conferences and fieldwork. You will begin to develop a portfolio of learning and reflect on your knowledge, skills and practice experiences.
Practical skills will be developed through on-campus experiences and two practice placements in Greater Manchester.
Students in clinical practice also have the opportunity to undertake spoke placements. These are short and discrete opportunities for practical experience to aid learning about other fields of nursing practice.
While on placement, you will be supervised and assessed in accordance with the NMC (2019) standards framework for nursing and midwifery education.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Public Health, Society and Nursing | NURS10021 | 10 | Mandatory |
Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing Practice | NURS10030 | 20 | Mandatory |
Evidence Based Nursing Practice | NURS10042 | 10 | Mandatory |
Collaborative Care Planning | NURS10052 | 10 | Mandatory |
Essential Skills for Nursing Practice 1 | NURS10061 | 20 | Mandatory |
Clinical Placement 2 (Year 1) | NURS10072 | 20 | Mandatory |
Clinical Placement 3 (Year 1) | NURS10082 | 20 | Mandatory |
Values Based Nursing | NURS10091 | 10 | Mandatory |
Course content for year 2
The second year focuses on developing nursing knowledge and the continued application of biosciences to field-specific nursing practice.
You may also choose to personalise your learning by selecting two discovery units from a menu of choices (limits apply). Please see the list below for optional units.
You may also pick from the University College for Integrated Learning (limits apply).
You will continue developing your portfolio of learning this year, reflecting on how you can improve your skills.
There will be three practice placements in Year 2, which involve caring for individuals from your field of practice in a variety of settings.
You will also have the opportunity to state a preference for one placement type within the Greater Manchester practice circuit that is related to education, research, or leadership and management. Where possible, this placement type will be facilitated.
Alternatively, you can undertake a placement outside Greater Manchester, either in the UK or overseas.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Applied Biosciences for Nursing Practice (Bioscience 2) | NURS23100 | 20 | Mandatory |
Developing Nursing Knowledge & Skills | NURS23101 | 20 | Mandatory |
Year 2 Clinical Placement 2 | NURS23132 | 20 | Mandatory |
Year 2 Clinical Placement 1 | NURS23141 | 20 | Mandatory |
Year 2 Clinical Placement 3 | NURS23142 | 20 | Mandatory |
Mental Health and Mental Ill Health in Children and Young People | NURS23102 | 10 | Optional |
Negotiated Study | NURS23110 | 10 | Optional |
Dementia: Empowering and Creative Practice | NURS23111 | 10 | Optional |
Principles of Adult Critical and Intensive Care Nursing | NURS23112 | 10 | Optional |
Delivering Harm Free Care in Infection prevention & Tissue Viability | NURS23121 | 10 | Optional |
Displaying 10 of 12 course units for year 2 | |||
Display all course units for year 2 |
Course content for year 3
Year 3 is about consolidating your knowledge and building confidence for practice. While studying on campus and undertaking three practice placements you will continue to reflect on your learning and practice through your portfolio.
In Year 3 all units are mandatory, with the exception of Advancing Care - The Social and Political Context of Health and Social Care. This unit is completed by students progressing to the MNurs in place of clinical placement 3.
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Nurse as a Leader, Manager and Coordinator of Care | NURS31300 | 20 | Mandatory |
Nurse as an Inquirer of Clinical Evidence | NURS31301 | 20 | Mandatory |
The Nurse as a Supervisor and Educator | NURS31302 | 20 | Mandatory |
Year 3 Clinical Placement 1 | NURS31311 | 20 | Mandatory |
Year 3 Clinical Placement 2 | NURS31312 | 20 | Mandatory |
Year 3 Clinical Placement 3 | NURS31322 | 20 | Optional |
Advancing Care - The Social and Political Context of Health and Social Care | NURS31342 | 20 | Optional |
Course content for year 4
This is a 120-credit course that will involve studying a mixture of units at postgraduate level (following a bridging undergraduate theory unit in Year 3 that will prepare you for higher level study).
All units are mandatory for successful completion of the MNurs.
The taught components of the course allow you to develop your knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings of nursing, clinical practice, education, and improve your leadership skills.
Course units for year 4
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Research in Professional Practice (Major Project) | NURS41000 | 45 | Optional |
Leadership and Professional Practice | NURS41001 | 15 | Optional |
Shaping Nurses Recognition and Response to Serious Illness | NURS41002 | 15 | Optional |
Year 4 Clinical Practice and Portfolio | NURS41010 | 30 | Optional |
Nurse Education in Practice | NURS41012 | 15 | Optional |
What our students say
See posts from our nursing students on the Biology, Medicine and Health Student Blog to find out what it's like to study at Manchester.
You can also read posts from our nursing students about what it's like to go on a placement on the Placement Enhancement blog .
Facilities
We have extensive facilities in place to support you throughout your studies, including skills laboratories and workshops, as well as online resources and the vast wealth of information in the University's library.
See more information about our nursing learning facilities , or find out more about the University's facilities for all undergraduates.
Disability support
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk
Students are encouraged to contact the disability support office either before accepting an offer from the University of Manchester or as soon as possible thereafter in order to avoid delays in getting help and assistance.