BSc (Hons) Nursing (Top-Up) Full-time

This course is designed for registered nurses looking to enhance their qualifications. Taught by a dedicated team of professionals with expertise in both clinical practice and teaching, the course emphasises evidence-based practices to promote high-quality healthcare. You'll benefit from a strong focus on integrating nursing theory with real-world clinical applications, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.

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Three Nursing top-up students working together at a laptop in a classroom lesson

Start date/study mode:

UCAS codeB700

Duration1 year

Fee (UK)£9,790

Fee (Int)£17,500

LocationOn campus

Course summary

This course tops up your registered nursing qualification. You’ll learn from an enthusiastic team of skilled professionals who are actively involved in healthcare research and consultancy work.

All learning is based on evidence-based practice that helps you develop high-quality healthcare. There's a strong emphasis on relating nursing theory to clinical practice.

The course is structured to enhance skills that allow you to meet a wide range of challenges. We work hard to give you all the support that you need to build your confidence and professionalism.

This course isn't approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and doesn't lead to registration with the NMC. It's an academic top-up for Level 1 NMC-registered nurses** or Internationally Educated Nurses, who have a licence to practise in their country of qualification as a qualified nurse. Please see the entry requirements to find out more.

Why Sunderland for Nursing and Midwifery

Course structure

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific modules. If you’re not sure what you need before picking a module, your course leader can help.

Undergraduate module credits should total 120 credits per academic year. If optional modules are available, choose an amount that totals 120 credits.

How you'll learn

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, independent learning, and group work.

Each module includes an assessment using methods that support professional development in clinical practice (where appropriate).

Entry requirements

On-campus entry requirements

You're required to be either:

A registered nurse with a licence to practise (for example, Level 1**, NMC registration) and provide evidence of your NMC statement of entry/PIN, or
An internationally educated nurse (with a country licence) and provide your transcript of training and academic qualifications.

In addition:

If you hold a Diploma in Higher Education or Diploma in Nursing qualification or equivalent (achieved within the last five years), you'll be entered directly into stage 3 of the course via the University’s admissions process
If you hold a Diploma in Higher Education qualification or equivalent (not within the last five years) but are currently registered with the NMC (as part of the revalidation process), you may be suitable to apply
If you hold a Diploma in Higher Education qualification or equivalent (not within the last five years) and aren't currently registered with the NMC (as part of the revalidation process), you'll need to provide evidence of relevant ongoing CPD/CWD to apply for the course following current University APL process.

**UK students must be a level 1 registered nurse with a recognised regulatory nursing organisation and hold a Higher Education Diploma Level Nursing qualification (NQF Level 5). In the UK, a Level 1 nurse is a nurse who has completed a three-year course of education leading to a nursing qualification/academic qualification (a degree or diploma) which excludes students who are working outside of this remit/status on the NMC register, for example, Nurse Associates.

You also need three passes at GCSE grade C or above. This must include maths and English language, or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you've studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade, you'll need to achieve a grade 4 or above.

If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Study Centre entry requirements

If you're studying at a study centre, please contact the centre directly for more information on their specific requirements and equivalent qualifications from outside the UK.

Fees and finance

UK£9,790

International£17,500

Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. If you're a Home fee-paying student, the fee for your first year of study for 2026/27 will be £9,790. You'll pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

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See all course tuition fees.

Study Centre fees

If you're studying at a study centre, please contact the centre directly for information on fees.

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