Pre-registration nursing degree programme

BSc (Hons) Pre-Registration Nursing (Adult)

We’re delighted to partner with The Open University to offer an alternative route for those wishing to gain registration as an adult nurse.

This innovative pre-registration nursing degree programme is a blended programme where all teaching and assessment is delivered online, with students undertaking practice placements in Torbay and South Devon. The course is a full time programme, and students will be expected to be able to commit to full time study and practice placements for the duration of the programme.

Who can apply?

  • You must be resident within the of the Trust.
  • You must be 18 years of age, or older.
  • You must meet the minimum entry criteria for the programme, currently GCSE Maths and English (grade C / 4) or equivalent Functional Skills English and Maths (Level 2) (correct at April 2025)
  • You must be able to demonstrate good character and health, as described on the NMC website, and complete a satisfactory disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.
  • You don’t need to be working in a healthcare role, but you should have some experience of working or volunteering in public-facing roles, or experience of caring for friends / family.

For any enquiries, including when applications will open, please contact our Pre-registration nursing team.

How you’ll learn

The course will take approximately three years to complete.

  • You’ll be enrolled as an Open University (OU) student, and for practice learning and clinical placement experiences you will be linked with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT).
  • Theory modules are delivered via online learning by the OU. You’ll have a dedicated tutor for each module, who is a registered nurse.
  • Clinical skills training will be delivered by TSDFT.
  • You’ll work alongside clinical staff in a variety of clinical settings for your practical placements.
  • Placements are delivered in three blocks per year, each lasting seven weeks, with students attending placement for 37.5 hours per week.

To find out more about the OU’s online learning see their BSc (Honours) Nursing (Adult) page. To find out more about the practical training and clinical placements, please view our website or contact our Pre-registration nursing team.

Registered Nurse Accelerated Programme

Advance your career in nursing with our degree programme in partnership with The Open University.

If you have completed healthcare-related modules or qualifications at Higher Education level within the last 10 years (e.g. Nursing Associate, Assistant Practitioner, Diploma of Higher Education, Higher Apprenticeship or a degree programme), you may be able to count that study towards the OU’s Pre-Registration Nursing Programme and accelerate your journey.

Come along to our open days to find out more!

Appointment process

Places are awarded following successful completion of an interview and assessment of personal values, matched to the requirements for sensitive nursing practices as defined by The NHS Constitution, and successful completion of the enrolment process as defined by The Open University.

What you’ll study

Each stage of the BSc (Hons) Pre-Registration Nursing (Adult) totals 120 credits.

Stage 1

  • Introducing health and social care
  • Introduction to healthcare practice.

Stage 2

  • Understanding nursing: knowledge and theory
  • Developing nursing practice.

Stage 3

  • Assimilating nursing: knowledge and theory
  • Becoming an autonomous practitioner: adult

You can find out more about these courses on the OU website’s BSc (Honours) Nursing (Adult) page.

How to apply

When applications are live, you can apply to the programme by downloading and completing the Pre-Registration Nursing Programme (PRNP) application form. Please ensure your application is completed in full to be considered at shortlisting. Incomplete applications will not be shortlisted.

Your completed application form will need to be sent by email to OUNursingSouth@open.ac.uk

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a joint interview with The Open University and TSDFT. Following interview, candidates may receive a conditional offer of enrolment, which progresses them to the next stage of the application process, or an application decline with the opportunity to receive feedback and advice for future applications.

Please note, applications submitted outside of the advertised application window will not be considered, and will need to be resubmitted for consideration during advertised periods.

Fees and funding

Students successfully enrolled onto this programme are eligible to apply for student finance via the Student Loans Company to cover the upfront cost of their module fees.

Fees are paid on a module-by-module basis – you won’t have to pay for the whole of your qualification up front. At current prices, the total cost of your qualification would be £27,750*.

A wide range of flexible payment and funding options are available. You may also be eligible to receive an NHS Training Grant of £5,000 per academic year. See the NHS careers website for more information.

*The fees and funding information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2025. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section C of the University’s Fee Rules.