Nursing Studies (International Top-up) BSc (Hons)

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Three nursing students take a selfie together at the University of Chester, celebrating their studies in the Nursing Studies (International Top-up) BSc programme.

This course provides academic and professional development for nurses who have a Diploma of Nursing from outside the UK and wish to enhance their career opportunities by attaining an honours degree qualification. The course has been specifically designed to build on your skills as a registered nurse in your home country and will help you to develop the skills and knowledge required of UK registrants.

Completion of this course will enable you to demonstrate that your nursing skills and experience are at the required level to undertake the Nursing and Midwifery Council Test of Competence for registration.

The course is delivered at our Birkenhead site ideally located close to Liverpool city centre with excellent public transport links. 

*We welcome applications from nurses registered overseas wishing to come to the UK to study as well as individuals living in the UK whilst registered as a nurse elsewhere wanting to prepare for their NMC registration.  

Medical staff and students walking down a corridor.

Clinical Skills and Simulation Facilities Tour

What You'll Study

This level 6 top-up year further develops your skills as a registered nurse in your home country and helps you to develop the skills and knowledge required of UK registrants.

Core Modules

This module will support you in your transition to professional registration by fostering leadership and teaching skills essential for delivering safe, effective, and forward-thinking care in 21st-century nursing

Indicative content 

The cross field content of this module is designed to enable students to meet the needs of service users and carers from all four fields of practice and as such the delivery will include examples and application to all service user groups. 

  1. Continuing professional development and accountability: the role of practice supervisor, practice assessor, academic assessor and practice clinical supervision, delegation, action planning for personal development and principles of lifelong learning.
  2. Supporting learning: preparation for a teaching role; learning and teaching strategies; peer supervision; skills of teaching and facilitation; Inter-professional Learning (IPL), coaching.  
  3. Developing leadership through an examination of effective leadership traits, intelligent kindness, compassionate leadership, role modelling and reflection. Consideration of delegation and team working.
  4. Nurturing the future generation of nurses through compassion, empathy, prevention of burnout, time management, self awareness.

This module aims to provide international nurses with a comprehensive understanding of the context and structure of the UK Healthcare system, including the NHS. To explore the roles and responsibilities of health and social care professionals within the UK. To examine the legal, ethical, and professional standards governing nursing practice in the UK. To enhance communication skills and cultural competence within the UK healthcare system.

The aim of this module is to develop the students' understanding of public health, health protection and health promotion. Provide opportunities for students to reflect on their previous practice and consider how they would apply theories of public health and health promotion as a NMC registrant in accordance with the Future Nurse Standards.

The aim of this module is to explore and critique theories, models and strategies which inform evidence-based Nursing practice in the UK.

The aim of this module is to enhance the clinical skills, knowledge, and professional competencies of international nurses. It focuses on bridging the gap between international nursing practices and the NMC standards in the UK. The module emphasises evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and integration of advanced clinical nursing skills in diverse healthcare settings. This module will also aid students in preparing for he NMC OSCE.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

How You'll Learn

This course offers a variety of teaching methods

There are a range of assessment methods on the course

This course is designed around in-person study

There may be some online learning activities

An aerial photograph of Exton Park with the text 'How we teach at the University of Chester'

How we teach at the University of Chester

This course utilises a diverse range of teaching and learning strategies including small group seminars, field trips and face-to-face taught sessions with interactive group work. Students will be required to engage in independent study and work with their peers throughout the programme.

You will also learn clinical skills and decision-making in our state-of-the-art simulation labs which replicate clinical hospital settings and community settings. This is designed to enable you to hone your clinical skills in a safe and supportive environment.  

Each module of study is assessed via a variety of methods including written essays, presentations and an Observed Clinical Skills Examination. These approaches are specifically designed to replicate the approach used in the NMC Test of Competence.  

Study skills support sessions are embedded throughout the programme to enable you to gradually build up your academic skills with clear guidance and expert support. 

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

Graduates will be well placed to undertake the NMC Test of Competence for registration in the UK. This will enable them to apply for Band 5 posts in the NHS or Social Care or to seek employment in a wider range of countries where this qualification is recognised. 

Progression Options

The University of Chester includes a range of CPD programmes to enable our Graduates to continue their education with us. This includes a MSc Advanced Clinical Practice and a suite of Specialist Community Nursing Programmes. 

Careers Service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, and extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

Nursing at the University of Chester video

Nursing at the University of Chester

Entry Requirements

Extra Requirements

Registration as a Nurse overseas

Diploma Nursing (equivalent to level 5 in UK)

Prior Work/ Voluntary Experience

Current experience working as a Nurse

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please select your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

English Language Requirements

IELTS

6.0 or equivalent with no element below 5.5 (NMC require 7 for reading, listening, and speaking and 7 for writing)

Prior Work/ Voluntary Experience

Current experience working as a Nurse

Fees and Funding

£14,950 per year for a full-time course* (2026/27)

The tuition fees for international students studying programmes in 2026/27 are £14,950 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £11,250 and £14,950 for Years 2-4 in 2026/27.

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