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BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies Top-Up
100% online
Take your career in nursing to the next level.
Apply by13 October 2026
To start27 October 2026
120 credits•12 months full-time•£5,850 total fees•pay per module
Key benefits
100% online BSc within 12 months
5 stars for teaching, facilities, employability, environmental impact, global engagement and diversity, equality and inclusion*
1st in the north-east for student satisfaction**
13th in the UK for social inclusion***
3rd in the UK for course quality****
70% of university research rated as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'*****
Flexible fees: pay module by module
*QS Stars 2026
**Complete University Guide 2026
***The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
****Uni Compare Rankings 2027
*****Research Excellence Framework 2021
Why Sunderland?
World-class teaching, built around your future.
Studentfocused
We put our students at the
heart of everything we do.
Professionsfacing
We partner with employers
and embrace real-world
business challenges, shaping
the workforce of tomorrow.
Societyshaping
We are a catalyst for
regeneration with our research
and innovation driving economic
and social impact.
Boost your career progression as a registered nurse
Specialist nursing skills have never been in higher demand in the UK and worldwide. This presents significant opportunities for nurses to upskill, gain new qualifications, and progress quickly in their careers.
Our BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies Top-Up has been specifically designed for registered nurses with a Diploma in Nursing at UK level 5 or equivalent. Top-up your existing academic qualification to a BSc (Hons) degree and progress into a more senior role in a higher pay band.
Your course will be delivered entirely online and asynchronously, allowing you to study around your shift patterns. Focusing on theoretical knowledge and research linked to the delivery of clinical practice, you will enhance your ability to deliver high-quality, evidence-based healthcare.
Internationally recognised
Learn from skilled professionals recognised for excellence
On this online BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies Top-Up, you'll be taught by skilled professionals with specialist areas within both clinical and teaching expertise.
We are an internationally leading university, rated 5 stars for teaching, facilities, employability, environmental impact, global engagement and diversity, equality and inclusion (QS Stars 2026) — the highest possible rating and a recognition of our practical focus on developing the skills that enable career progression for our students.
Programme outcomes
What you'll learn
This online BSc (Hons) Nursing Top-Up will give you the skills and knowledge needed to step into more senior roles within healthcare settings.
Enhance your existing knowledge base and gain a comprehensive understanding of theoretical concepts and models.
Learn to link your new knowledge to your own clinical practice.
Be equipped for leadership roles.
Develop the ability to deliver evidence-based care as an enquiring practitioner.
Become an innovator in your field of clinical practice.
Professional integrity
Leadership and decision-making skills
Management theories relevant to your care setting
Principles of teamwork in delivering and organising care
Legal and ethical principles in healthcare and nursing
Applying teaching and learning into a clinical setting
Ethical decision-making frameworks
Research principles and their application to nursing
Evidence-based practice
Global health issues, inequalities, and implications for nursing
Flexible learning
A flexible online BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies Top-Up designed for busy registered nurses
Our uniquely flexible online BSc course is designed to fit around your professional and personal life, allowing you to study at times that work best for you.
Continue working in your current role while applying your new knowledge and skills in practice.
Earn while you learn, avoiding the financial strain of taking a study break.
Engage in an interactive online learning environment and connect with nursing professionals worldwide.
Collaborate with tutors and peers through discussion forums and group learning activities.
Benefit from diverse perspectives and shared experiences from nurses across different backgrounds.
Receive proactive, personalised support from a dedicated Student Success Coordinator from enrolment through to graduation.
Internationally recognised
Learn from skilled professionals recognised for excellence
On this online BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies Top-Up, you'll be taught by skilled professionals with specialist areas within both clinical and teaching expertise.
We are an internationally leading university, rated 5 stars for teaching, facilities, employability, environmental impact, global engagement and diversity, equality and inclusion (QS Stars 2026) — the highest possible rating and a recognition of our practical focus on developing the skills that enable career progression for our students.
Specialist in online learning
A global university, experts in online learning
With over 40 years of international teaching experience, the University of Sunderland brings together a vibrant global community of learners. Our online programmes are shaped by this international perspective, giving you the opportunity to study, collaborate and grow in a diverse and connected environment.
Benefits of being part of our global network:
Study with a university that has campuses in Sunderland, London and Hong Kong, plus partnerships across Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.
Learn alongside students from around the world and gain insights from multiple cultural and professional perspectives.
Connect to a global community of distance learners and expand your international professional network.
Join a university recognised for social inclusion, ranked 13th in the UK (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026).
Experience cutting-edge online teaching supported by decades of expertise in global education.
“
I chose to study the BSc in Nursing because I wanted to build my knowledge, improve my skills and become a better nurse. The course materials are clear and easy to follow and I can study at times that fit around my personal life. The most valuable part has been being able to apply what I learn to my everyday nursing practice. I feel more confident in my knowledge and decision-making.
IfeomaBSc (Hons) Nursing Studies Top-Up student
Before you apply
Admission requirements
You will need to be a registered nurse (in any field) and hold a Higher Education Diploma Level Nursing qualification. We accept students who have studied a certified Nursing course leading to the award of Registered Nurse, and for international Registered Nurses who also hold a Licence to Practice. This course does not lead to NMC registration and is not suitable for Nursing Associates.
Language requirements
English Language Requirements
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
IELTS 6.0 + minimum 5.5 in each component
Pearson Test of English Academic no less than 59 in each component
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) Grade C or above
O-Level English Language or GCSE English Language Grade C or above (UK Exam Board) Malaysian SPM 1119 Grade 6 or above
Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) II: Merit or Distinction
Duolingo – minimum overall score of 90
Degree which has been fully taught and assessed in English
Alternative qualifications can be discussed with the Admissions team
Got questions?
Frequently asked questions
This programme is aimed at ambitious registered nurses who already hold a nursing degree or equivalent level 5 qualifications and want to enhance their academic credentials, clinical expertise, and career prospects.
Yes. The course has been designed with working registered nurses in mind, so you can continue in your current role and study flexibly around shift patterns and personal commitments.
No. Registered nurses based around the world can study this degree. The course is particularly suited to international nurses seeking progression or preparation for practice in the UK.
Total tuition fees for this programme are £5,700. You have the option to spread the cost and pay per module.
Fees Total
£5,850
Per 20-credit module
£975
Fees
Payment for this programme is flexible, and you can spread the cost by paying per module.
Modules
This module enables you to explore and develop a deeper appreciation of the impact of management and leadership in care delivery, exploring the impact of policy, business needs and resources within healthcare settings. The concepts and principles of teamwork and leadership are investigated, and you will develop an understanding of the influence and strategies adopted to ensure safe and effective practice and to enhance patient or service user outcomes.
This module explores learning theories and develops an understanding of teaching and learning with clearly defined links to practice settings. You will evaluate the approaches to teaching in formal and informal settings and will develop negotiation and feedback skills as part of your professional development. The module examines the nature, reliability and validity of assessment and examines supervision, mentorship and preceptorship as means of encouraging reflective practice.
This module develops your understanding of how to ensure healthcare practice is informed by the best available evidence. You will examine the general principles affecting nursing in professional practice linked to levels of accountability and responsibility, duty of care and candour. This will be informed through investigative research and critical debate, exploring ethical moral principles on a professional and potentially personal level.
The aim of this module is to ensure students have an understanding and insight into the issues surrounding and ensuring health care practice is informed by the best available evidence and research. This module introduces the methodological concepts required for the interpretation and critical analysis of quantitative, qualitative, and secondary research and analysis of the data. It also explores theoretical research paradigms that underpin both qualitative and quantitative research. It aims to give a practical knowledge of the research process, methodologies and methods, and contextualise theses into clinical nursing practice. Specific aspects covered will be:
The nature of research available to inform practice will be explored
The principles of research, research skills and how research can be applied to healthcare practice.
Qualitative and quantitative methodologies, data collection and data analysis and the structure of research question design.
Problems associated with research design.
The introduction to skills of critical appraisal.
Exploration of the nature of knowledge and how this underpins nursing and health care practice.
Debating the ethical issues that underpin research best practice including consent and risk management.
The nature of clinical judgment and research integration will be explored
Moving from research to practice – key steps in integration.
Design a research study
This module provides understanding and insight into the issues surrounding and ensuring health care practice is informed by the best available evidence. This includes:
Exploring the nature and quality of evidence available to inform practice
Sourcing appropriate evidence to inform practice and professional integrity.
Links between professional integrity, professionalism and the provision of quality care and evidence based practice.
Impact of professional integrity on the delivery of EBP and vice versa – including conflicts and challenges.
how best available evidence can be integrated into health care practice and health care policy.
The nature of clinical judgment and research integration will be explored
Integration of research into clinical practice and policy
This module provides understanding and insights about:
Explore global health issues, inequalities and outcomes and implications for nursing practice.
Identify challenges and drivers, appraising and discussing transnational health care policies and initiatives.
Investigate and discuss global determinants of health and wellbeing.
Discuss health improvement models.
Top 10 in UK for student support services
(Daily Mail University Guide 2027)
1st in the North East for teaching quality
(The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
70% of university research rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’
(Research Excellence Framework 2021)
8th in UK for social inclusion
(The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)