The course comprises 2 parts: A 1-year Common Foundation Programme (CFP) and a branch programme of 2 years; the CFP offers a generic foundation to nursing; clinical placements are in the chosen branch area, but students also gain valuable insights into those areas which they are not pursuing; in the second and third years of study, clinical placements for the branch programme are directed to those areas that are appropriate for the student’s chosen speciality; 1/2 the modules studied take place in the University; these cover subjects such as nursing, biological sciences, ethical issues, management and psycho-social factors and influencing care delivery in diverse settings; the other modules take place in the practice areas and assist application of theory to practice; successful completion of each module achieves 30 academic credits.