The Healthcare Practice course is designed for health professionals holding Diploma level qualifications including nurses, midwives and allied healthcare professionals. You should be on a professional healthcare register. The course is shaped to recognise your practice experience and will support you on your journey to gain a degree.
The course will enable you, within the context of lifelong learning in contemporary healthcare practice, to acquire cognitive and interpersonal skills to support the delivery of safe, effective, person-centred care.
The course consists of 60 SQQF credits at level 9 and 10. It has two routes BSc Healthcare Practice and BSc Healthcare Practice (Nursing) for registered nurses. Two of the modules, Lifelong Learning for Effective Practice and Leadership and Change, are core to both routes and studied together encouraging interprofessional learning and collaborative practice.
BSc Healthcare Practice
- Lifelong Learning for Effective Practice
- Professional Contexts in Developing Practice
- Leadership and Change
BSc Healthcare Practice (Nursing)
- Lifelong Learning for Effective Practice
- Professional Contexts in Developing Nursing Practice
- Leadership and Change
The course addresses a range of essential concepts for registered health practitioners which are embedded across the modules. The principle of lifelong learning and professional development is introduced in the first module building on the requirement to maintain professional registration through the Nursing and Midwifery Council's (2019) revalidation process or the Health and Care Professions Council (2020). The concepts of evidence for practice, quality improvement and leadership form the basis of your learning experience.
The course provides you with the opportunity to reflect upon, analyse and explore specific aspects of your practice, drawing upon your own experience and the relevant evidence base. You will develop the skills of lifelong learning, with the ability to reflect and analyse practice using contemporary evidence. You will also explore initiatives within your area of practice, exercise leadership skills and the facilitation of learning within your profession.
Student stories
Hear from our students and graduates about their experiences studying this course:
Learning Methods
You will learn within our virtual environment, CampusMoodle, and apply theoretical learning to your area of practice. You are required to have a reliable broadband connection and be able to participate with online learning. In addition, effective word-processing, email and web search skills is recommended.
How long is a BSc Healthcare Practice course?
The BSc Healthcare Practice degree is taught over 30 weeks.
Activity Summary
- Lectures - 40 students per group, 1 hour per week
- Seminars - 40 students per group, 1 hour per week
- Webinars - 40 students per group, 1 hour per week
- Tutorials - 12 - 15 students per group, 10 hours per semester
- Independent Study - 25 hours per week
Independent Study
Self-study time is an important part of your success, including learning in practice settings. You will be considered adult learners who need strong organisation and self-direction skills.
Staff Delivering on This Course
The majority of the lecturers who teach on this course are qualified Healthcare Professionals, many with an NMC recordable teaching qualification, with a wide range of experience from varied healthcare settings. They also have educational and research experience.
Assessment
Typically students are assessed over the duration of the course:
- 2 written assignments, including essays
- 1 oral presentation
Feedback
We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.
Job Prospects
With the changing context of healthcare and the fact that current healthcare professionals at the point of registration enter the profession with a first degree, many health and social care organisations are encouraging their existing workforce to top up their educational level to first degree. RGU developed this course to address specific skill requirements and to drive employability, supporting you to thrive throughout your career.
Is studying healthcare practice a good career choice?
The course is suitable for experienced nurses, midwives and other allied health professionals. On completion of the course you will have a demonstrable degree qualification to validate your experience to date and put you on an equal academic playing field with less experienced but degree qualified colleagues.
In addition, paramedics require a degree to entre the profession as of 2021. The majority of qualified paramedics in practice do not yet have a degree and are likely to require to top up to degree level as the service develops.
RGUflex
Collect academic credit flexibly and claim an award from the University. RGUflex delivers on-demand flexible learning where you can upskill, reskill or pursue a passion. It can also be used by employers to allow them to build an education pathway for their employees to gain the skills and knowledge to meet business needs.
What are the entry requirements for a BSc Healthcare Practice degree?
Standard Entry Requirements
- Equivalent of a Diploma in a health-related subject and three hundred credits, registered with the NMC; HCPC or equivalent.
English Language Requirements
All applicants whose first language is not English are required to have an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of 6.5 with no component lower than 5.5, or equivalent.
We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:
Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.
Academic Year 2025-2026
Scottish Students
Part Time
| Online | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 1 year | Year 1 | £3130 |
Rest of UK Students
Part Time
| Online | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 1 year | Year 1 | £3130 |
International Students
Part Time
| Online | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 1 year | Year 1 | £3130 |
Academic Year 2024-2025
Scottish Students
Part Time
| Online | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 1 year | Year 1 | £3040 |
Rest of UK Students
Part Time
| Online | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 1 year | Year 1 | £3040 |
EU Students
Part Time
| Online | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 1 year | Year 1 | £3040 |
International Students
Part Time
| Online | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 1 year | Year 1 | £3040 |
Additional Costs
The following course-related costs are not included in the course fees:
- The cost of books that you may wish to purchase.
- Costs associated with your placement / study abroad
- Accommodation and living costs
- Printing
Student Funding
If you are a Scottish resident you can apply to SAAS for funding.
Nursing and Midwifery students who meet the criteria are entitled to a non-income-assessed bursary which is administered through the Student Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
Students from other parts of the UK should visit the appropriate website:
Scholarships and Financial Awards
You may also qualify for a scholarship or financial award:
Disclaimer
For new intakes course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in the offer letter. For further information see:
Any questions?
Get in touch with our Student Admissions Service and we'll do our best to help.