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Nursing course application and interview top tips
Applying to study adult, child or mental health nursing at the University of Brighton? Read our top tips below!
We have also produced some top tips for those looking to study midwifery.
Your application
The personal statement should state why you are applying for your chosen nursing course. It should also include your insight, and any work or voluntary experience which demonstrates transferable skills for the course.
Our nursing courses are around 50% theory and 50% in practice learning so you should also discuss your ability to study and cope with the demands of the full-time course.
You must provide a supportive reference either from your most recent employer or your current college or school where you are studying your Level 3 qualifications.
Every application received is reviewed by a University of Brighton admissions tutor. They will also look at your qualifications and predicted grades to make sure they meet our entry requirement as part of the sort-listing process.
The interview process
If you are selected for interview you will be able to choose a date convenient for you from a choice of up to three. Our interviews take place online using with Microsoft Teams.
Your interview will be with a senior lecturer who is registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for the course you have applied for. It will last 20 to 30 minutes and you will be asked a range of questions – it is an ideal opportunity to meet with a member of the team who is likely to be teaching you when you join the course.
Key aspects of our interviews include:
- learning more about your transferable skills and your understanding of the possible subjects you may study on the course.
- values-based recruitment which will explore your personal values, ethical dilemma situations, compassion, and study skill ability.
- assessing your ability to communicate clearly, including your spoken English.
- giving a three minute presentation on a topic that will be sent to your prior to your interview.
There will also be plenty of time available for you to ask questions related to the course curriculum.
After the interview, your insight and responses to the set questions will be carefully considered and if successful you will be made an offer to study with the University of Brighton for the course you have applied for. This will be provided through the UCAS application portal.
Learn more about studying to be a nurse on the University of Brighton website and take a look at our frequently asked questions:
What are the hours for studying nursing at the University of Brighton?
You will complete 2,300 hours of practice-related activities over the course of your degree which includes approximately 20 weeks each year in practice placements across Surrey, Sussex and Kent (travel can be up to 90 minutes).
In each degree year, you’ll engage with theory and practice learning. The course alternates between academic terms and blocks of practice. Theory sessions in academic terms take place at the university. You will attend Monday to Friday with independent study days. Practice placements are in blocks and are 37.5 hours per week. Your attendance in clinical practice settings can be Monday to Sunday, including nights and weekends, with shifts between 7am and 10pm.
The course is taught in blocks, initially you will attend essential nursing practice in clinical skill suites, anatomy and physiology and lectures related to nursing. This will then be followed by time in clinical practice settings, adult and children’s nurses may gain experience in NHS hospital settings, general surgical or medical wards, acute care, intensive therapy units, community settings, GP practices, schools, and private settings such as hospices. Mental health nurses will work in day centres, mental health secure units and community settings, frequently in client’s own homes. The course content is overseen by the Nursing Midwifery Council and so you will gain experience in a variety of settings.
What are the term dates and holidays?
Our courses begin in September and will run for 36 months.
Each year you will have seven weeks annual leave, two weeks covering Christmas/New Year, two weeks in the spring which corresponds with Easter and three weeks at some point in the summer depending on the curriculum and placement.
We do not have half term holidays.
Do I have to submit work while I am in clinical practice?
The course plan has been designed so you submit assignments during the theory aspect of the course and then focus upon clinical practice when in your placements.
Where is the course taught?
From September 2024 all nursing courses will be based at the Brighton, Falmer campus.
Where will my practice placement be?
Practice placements can be anywhere across Sussex, Surrey and Kent. You will be asked to declare if you have access to a car or if you rely upon public transport. The planned journey time from home to placement can be up to 90 minutes each way.
Our placement administration staff will do their best to provide a variety of practice settings to ensure you experience a number of different nursing experiences throughout your course.
Will I be able to work alongside my studies?
You will be required to demonstrate you have met the course hours when you qualify and register with the Nursing Midwifery Council, therefore your course attendance should be your priority. Many of our nursing students manage to work up to 12 hours per week alongside study and still maintain a healthy work, life, relaxation balance.
There will be opportunities to apply to work as a student ambassador for the University of Brighton which provides ad-hoc opportunities to represent your course or the university during open days, online promotion events and answering telephone enquiries as required.
What learning support is available if I study to become a nurse?
All students are encouraged to declare if they have a learning support need when applying. All students will be able to be screened for learning support needs such as dyslexia, dyscalculic, or dyspraxia. Individual recommendations for extra time in examinations, extensions for submitted work, ICT software adaptations can be applied for.
All students will be allocated a personal tutor, academic assessor to support you in practice, practice liaison staff who link directly to practice, practice supervisors and assessors in placement. We also have student support and guidance tutors and wellbeing services for all students to access.
What other checks will be required to study as a nurse?
Occupational Health will provide individual appointments for all nursing students to attend for required vaccines, health screening, physical and mental health wellness checks.
All nursing students must hold a current disclosure barring service (DBS) clearance to work alongside vulnerable children and adults. This is reviewed annually and is a legal requirement to study and register as a nurse.
Explore your options for becoming a student nurse on the University of Brighton website.