The course is divided equally between study blocks in the University and practical experience in hospitals and the community. A variety of subjects are taught on the course including physiology, psychology, sociology and communication theory. These areas provide essential information on which the study of nursing is based. The course is a modular degree taught over three years with ten modules for study in each academic year. Each year a total of 45 weeks is devoted to theory and practice with half of the programme being devoted to theoretical aspects of nursing and half to practice.
Students choose to study one of the four branches on application to the course.
The first year of the course provides a 'Foundation for Practice' which is aimed at developing essential skills in the context of the branch speciality. Years 2 and 3 make up the Branch Programme. Students experience clinical placement in a variety of both community and hospital setting. Students will be allocated to a home base trust. However, in order to maximise the opportunity to gain experiences which may not be available in the home base, students will undertake experiences within other trusts.