Nursing Studies (Top-up) (Distance Learning) BSc(Hons)

Start date

22 September 2025

Duration

2 years part-time

Places available (subject to change)

About the course

In order to meet the rapidly changing needs and expectations of healthcare environments, this course provides the opportunity for qualified nurses to undertake a top-up degree through distance learning. It aims to prepare you for the next stage in your career and helps you to develop the academic skills required to enhance your practice, as well as implement changes. You will undertake exercises where you will engage with online materials and reflect on your understanding.

This course provides the opportunity for qualified Nurses to undertake a top-up degree through distance learning. It allows you to use your professional qualification and registration to APEL the first year of a degree programme.
As this course is distance learning you are not required to attend the University and can study at a time that meets your own personal and professional commitments.
You will be taught by staff who are actively involved in research and have close links to practice, many of whom have recent experience of doing the job you are training for, so you will have the opportunity to learn from their up-to-date knowledge and skills.
A community of student learners from around the UK and overseas provides opportunities for collaborative learning and experiences.
You will have the opportunity to relate your studies to your own clinical practice. This involves exploring and reflecting upon a range of ideas within healthcare practice, helping you to develop the knowledge required to provide complex care.

In 2010, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) amended its required minimum outcome for pre-registration nurse education to degree-level study. As a result, employers will increasingly require their nurses from Band five upwards to hold a degree qualification as a minimum. This course enables qualified practitioners to top-up their qualification to degree level and maximise their opportunities for career progression.

Course detail

Year 1

Developing an Understanding of Research Processes and Methods (Distance Learning)

This module provides you with the opportunity to evaluate and critically appraise published healthcare research, as well as develop an understanding of different designs, methods and approaches to research. Emphasis will be placed on utilising a structured systematic process of reviewing research that provides the necessary evidence to support and develop clinical practice. You'll evaluate and have the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of published research within the context of ethical, national and local healthcare provision.

Advancing Nursing Practice (Distance Learning)

This module provides the opportunity to advance your existing knowledge of patient care by exploring and analysing evidence based practice and current research. Through detailed reviews of scenario based exercises you’ll examine professional principles that impact on contemporary nursing practice. You’ll also develop an online learning log analysing strategies that enable enhanced performance within the care team. Integral to this process is the examination of your professional role and responsibilities in managing patient care.

Year 2

Leadership and Management in Health Professional Practice (Distance Learning)

This module provides the opportunity to develop your understanding of leadership and management in healthcare practice. You will have the chance to explore legislation, understand how to lead teams and solve problems to promote high quality care. The module provides the opportunity to enhance the skills you already possess and further develop you as a capable, autonomous, accountable, and reflective practitioner using examples and scenarios from practice.

Research-Based Project (Distance Learning)

You will examine an area of current practice under the supervision of a member of academic staff and submit a research based project which demonstrates an appreciation of the area of practice and research processes. The project design can have a variety of methodologies including literature review, audit, production of learning materials or a proposal for a future empirical study.

Teaching and assessment

Throughout the course you'll be required to undertake guided study using the University’s virtual learning environment.

Teaching on this course is delivered through lectures, group work, seminars, tutorials, online learning logs and distance learning. A variety of assessment methods will be utilised including negotiated learning contracts, reports, essays, research critiques and a project.

As this is a distance learning course, the majority of interactions between you and the University will be via the internet and email. This means that you'll need regular access to a computer with a broadband connection to the internet and an up to date web browser such as Firefox, Safari, Chrome or Internet Explorer.The University has a system called the Student Digital Driving Licence which will carry out a check of your computer to see if you have these.

The module leaders will provide support through regular communications, using a variety of methods including online tutorials, discussion boards, emails, telephone conversations. The University has a system for online video seminars and tutorials via Microsoft Teams.

The assessment methods used are varied and include a combination of coursework, including assignments and the development of learning logs where you can develop your understanding of research and professional responsibilities. Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course.

Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks, unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

Technology and system requirements

As a Distance Learning student, you must provide and have access to the following IT equipment and facilities to access your Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and to fully participate on your course.

Personal computer. Courses are designed for personal computers. Some content may not be fully accessible via mobile devices including but not limited to assessments and where there is a need install supplementary software on your personal computer.

Internet connection with sufficient bandwidth to allow video streaming (4Mps minimum).

Microphone and webcam.

Browser

Your course can be accessed using the latest versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, or Microsoft Edge. Full functionality cannot be guaranteed in older or less commonly used browsers. JavaScript must be enabled in your preferred browser.

Minimum Specifications

Your personal computer and webcam will require the following minimum specifications to access your course and study materials:

Hardware

Headphones, soundcard and speakers, microphone, and webcam. (If you are uncertain if your system meets the requirements, please check with the manufacturer or at the place of purchase).

Minimum Intel Core i5 (Minimum Dual Core 2 GHz) or AMD A10 or equivalent, 4GB of RAM (recommended 8 GB for better overall experience), with a screen resolution of at least 1280x800px.

Operating systems

Windows: Windows 10 or later. Mac: OS X 10.13 or later.

Linux: 64-bit Linux distribution of Ubuntu 16.04+LTS, Fedora 30+ Workstation, RHEL 8+ Workstation or CentOS 8+.

Android: OS 10, 11 or 12.

iOS: iOS13 or iOS14.

Internet connection

Our distance learning courses can be studied from any location, however we recommend a broadband/high speed connection of 10 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload speed. (If you are unsure if your internet connection speeds meet requirements, please speak with your internet service provider for clarification).

Other software requirements

Microsoft Teams, Adobe Creative Cloud and Office 365. Access to these applications will be provided to you as a University of Huddersfield student. Please note that some software, including Adobe Creative Cloud, will need to be downloaded and installed. You may be required to have full administrator rights to do this, which could be restricted if using an employer’s computer or shared device.

Please see the requirements for Microsoft Teams (Hardware requirements for Microsoft Teams - Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Learn)

Mobile App

The University’s VLE, Brightspace, has a mobile Pulse app that can help students stay connected and on track with their course in Brightspace.The Pulse app only works with some core features of Brightspace. The Pulse app may not work on all Brightspace features. Third-party tools may not work as well. Mobile devices are not suitable for all courses, or some coursework. Users may need to complete some tasks on other non-mobile devices meeting the system requirements.

Costs

The costs of IT equipment and internet access are not included in the tuition fees and are your sole responsibility. For more information visit What’s included in your tuition fee? - University of Huddersfield

Teaching excellence

The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. We were the only university in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023. In fact only 13 Universities, out of the 96 that were announced in September 2023, were Gold in all three ratings.
Further proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.
We are joint first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 23 since 2008 (2024 data).
We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

Entry requirements

You must possess a Nursing Studies Diploma of Higher Education or an equivalent qualification and current NMC registration.

Have access to a computer with a reliable internet connection and the ability to access and use online study guidance and support as this course is delivered through distance learning.

You must be employed in a nursing role suitable to be able to complete the course.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 7.0 overall with no element lower than 6.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

Postgraduate Study Fair

Come along to one of our Postgraduate Study Fairs to discover all your study options from short courses to PhDs.

Our award-winning academic staff will be on hand to chat about all our postgraduate study and research options, flexible teaching and how postgraduate study can help you to advance your career or prepare for a career change.

Why Choose Huddersfield?

Watch this clip to find out five great reasons to choose the University of Huddersfield for postgraduate study.

Facilities

University Campus

Inside the University's extensive library

The Student Central Building is a hive of activity

Relax with friends in the Campus Kitchen

Career support

This course will provide you with the opportunity to enhance your career progression and develop as a mentor.

Further study

Progression to a postgraduate course is dependent on successful completion of your undergraduate studies. There may also be minimum qualification requirements such as a first class or higher second (2.1) degree. Please check the course details to confirm this.

Career support
Further study

Career support

This course will provide you with the opportunity to enhance your career progression and develop as a mentor.

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - part-time

In 2025/26, the part-time tuition fee for UK students at the University of Huddersfield is £1,541 per 20 credit module (see Fees and finance for exceptions).

Tuition fees will cover the cost of your study at the University as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision and examinations. For more information about funding, fees and finance for UK students, including what your tuition fee covers, please see Fees and finance. Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).

If you are an EU or international student coming to study at the University of Huddersfield, please visit the International Fees and Finance pages for full details of tuition fees and support available.

Please email the Student Finance Office or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - part-time

In 2025/26, the part-time tuition fee for UK students at the University of Huddersfield is £1,541 per 20 credit module (see Fees and finance for exceptions).

Please email the Student Finance Office or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.

Important information

Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by our terms and conditions, Handbook of Regulations and associated policies. It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan.

Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons

Changes to a course you have applied for but are not yet enrolled on

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment. We may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will discuss with you other suitable courses we can transfer your application to. If you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

Changes to option modules:

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have an equivalent range of options to that advertised for the course. We will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes:

We will only make major changes to non-optional modules on a course if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change is a change that substantially changes the outcomes, or a significant part of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum. For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators or a commissioning or accrediting body. We may also make changes to improve the course in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback or to ensure you are being taught current best practice. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment, or pandemics.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but may happen sooner in an emergency. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed in accordance with the student protection plan.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.