THE PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION 1. Programme title and designation Nursing Studies Single honours Joint Major/minor 2. Final award Award Title Credit ECTS Any special criteria value equivalent BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies 360 180 Students enter as Advanced students with a Dip HE or equivalent 3. Nested award N/A Award Title Credit value ECTS equivalent Na/ n/a n/a n/a n/a 4. Exit award Award Title Credit value Graduate Certificate Any special criteria ECTS Any special criteria equivalent Health Studies 60 N/A An exit award is available for students registered on the BSc programme who are unable to meet the requirements for the BSc and have passed a minimum of 60 credits but no more than 135 credits. Exit awards have no score and no classification. 5. Level in the qualifications framework H 6. Attendance Full-time Part-time Distance learning Mode of attendance N/A N/A Minimum length of programme Maximum length of programme 12 months 36 months 7. Awarding institution/body King s College London 8. Teaching institution King s College London 9. Proposing department Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery 10. Programme organiser and contact Details Dr Julia Philippou julia.philippou@kcl.ac.uk 11. UCAS code (if appropriate) - 12. Relevant QAA subject benchmark/ QAA subject benchmark: Health studies professional and statutory body guidelines 1
QAA / DoH subject benchmark: Health Care Programmes / Nursing 13. Date of production of specification Updated for Credit Framework November 2006 14. Date of programme review 2017/18 16. Educational aims of the programme The aim of this programme is to offer qualified nurses a comprehensive research based nursing education at degree level. It will encourage critical analysis of professional practice and develop skills of integrating knowledge with the development of clinical and research practice. The programme has been developed to reflect changes in nursing and healthcare. It will provide students with a scientific basis to their studies while strengthening opportunities to explore how healthcare practice is influenced by factors such as organisation developments, clinical governance and expansion of an evidence base for practice. Each student will complete a dissertation under supervision 17. Educational objectives of the programme/programme outcomes The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding and skills in the following areas: The programme provides a knowledge and understanding of the following: 1. Principles of research design and methodology in nursing 2. Quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection 3. Research ethics 4. The nature of evidence and the link between critical appraisal of evidence and practice development 5. Systematic literature searching skills 6. Key debates in nursing and their relationship to healthcare work 7. Analysing and synthesising findings from different data sources Intellectual skills: 1. Reason and evaluate critically 2. Identify and solve problems 3. Creative thinking 2 Knowledge and understanding Acquisition 1, 2, 3 and 4 is through a combination of lectures and seminars. Acquisition 5 is through lectures, group work and practical exercises as well as individual tutorials/supervision. Acquisition 6 is through lectures and group discussions. Acquisition 7 is primarily through individual tutorial/supervision of dissertations. Throughout the student is encouraged to undertake independent reading both to supplement and consolidate their learning through the taught components of the programme. Testing of knowledge base and understanding is through a combination of assessed coursework in the form of essays (1-6) and a dissertation (7). Acquisition 5 is also monitored through practicals. Depending on the optional choices made by students, written and practical examinations may also be used to assess students performance. Skills and other attributes
4. Synthesis of theoretical concepts with practice Intellectual skills are developed through the teaching and learning programme outlined above but are further developed through self-directed reading of refereed journals and other recommended texts and studentled sessions of key issues. Intellectual skills are assessed through the assessment strategies outlined above but also in student-led presentations and discussions. Practical skills: 1. Formulate relevant questions 2. Locate and select appropriate resource materials 3. Synthesise and present information from a variety of sources 4. Interpret data and evaluate the value of data to practice 5. Reflect on the applicability of learnt concepts to clinical and research practice Practical skills are developed through all aspects of the programme outlined above. However, the retrieval, synthesis and presentation of information and reflection on learnt concepts are particularly developed through seminars, practical hands-on exercises and dissertation preparation. Skill 3 is particularly developed through lectures and seminars and dissertation. Skills 1-5 are assessed primarily through essays, practicals and the dissertation. Generic/transferable skills: 1. Use of a range of IT skills 2. Communicate ideas effectively both orally and verbally 3. Manage time and resources 4. Self-directed and independent learning Transferable skills are developed through the teaching and learning programme outlined above but are further developed as follows: skill 1 through computer assisted practicals, coursework activities and individual learning; skill 2 through seminars, student-led discussions and presentations, individual tutorials as well as coursework activities; skill 3 and 4 through the dissertation 3 These skills are assessed through the range of coursework activities outlined above: exam, essays, computer-based practicals and dissertation 18. Statement of how the programme has been informed by the relevant subject benchmark statement(s)/professional, regulatory and statutory body guidelines
The programme has been reviewed and modified in the light of three key sources of information: University teaching and learning policies The NHS Modernisation Agenda NMC (2008) The Code-Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwifes QAA descriptors for the H level programmes QAA subject standards Health Studies and Nursing 19. Programme structure and award requirements (a) numbers of compulsory and optional modules to be taken in each year of the programme The programme comprises 120 credits. All students enter as Advanced students, with 120 credits at Level 4 achieved by virtue of their professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (or the equivalent professional body for overseas students) and 120 credits at Level 5 through achievement of a DipHE in nursing or relevant subject (or the equivalent). The BSc requires a further 120 credits to be passed at levels 5 and 6 to achieve the BSc (Hons) award. 75 credits of the BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies programme are core modules. There can be no substitution of modules should a fail grade be achieved. 45 credits of the BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies programme are obtained through the selection of an optional module. This can be selected from any module approved for Undergraduate Post Registration provision by the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, providing requirements for enrolment on the module are met (e.g. working in appropriate clinical area) (b) range of credit levels permitted within the programme 5,6 (c) maximum number of credits permitted at the lowest level 15 credits at Level 5. (d) minimum number of credits required at the highest level 105 credits at Level 6 (e) progression and award requirements (if different from the standard) Students who undertake the BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies programme but are then unsuccessful in achieving this award can apply to exit with the award of Graduate Certificate. (f) maximum number of credits permitted with a condoned fail (core modules excluded) None (g) are students permitted to take a substitute module, as per regulation A3? No (h) other relevant information to explain the programme structure All modules choices must be decided in conjunction with the Programme Leader to ensure the Programme requirements are fulfilled. Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) cannot be used in direct substitution for a failed module Compensation is not permitted. 4
Programme structure See Programme Handbook for modules to be taken. 20. Marking criteria All assignments are marked using the College Marking criteria 5