Pre-Registration
BSc Nursing Programmes
Interview Day
Guidance Notes for Applicants
April 2016 and
September 2016 Entry
Checklist for applicants
Before the interview:
Read the interview guidance information
Understand the selection criteria of the course and familiarise yourself with the
written task examples
Log on to UCAS Track to confirm your attendance
Bring to the interview:
Photographic Identification
Original certificates of qualifications (with one photocopy of each certificate)
Parking Permit – See Appendix B
Pens
Calculator
Contents
1.
Your Interview :
How to get here
What to bring with you
Structure of the day
Purpose of the interview
Selection criteria
Pre-interview preparation
Applicants with disabilities or specific learning difficulties
2.
Admissions information
Notification of the interview outcome
If you are successful
If you are unsuccessful
Finance and Bursary Information
3.
Pre-Registration Nursing Programme
4.
Appendices:
A
Further Information on Interview Tests
B
Parking Permit
1. Your Interview
Congratulations on being invited to attend an interview!
We are very pleased that you have decided to apply to Edge Hill University for a place on
one of our Pre-Registration Nursing programmes. This document contains an outline of the
interview process you will experience, as well as providing general information about the
programme. We hope that this will enable you to prepare thoroughly and to present yourself
well at interview.
We hope that you enjoy your visit to the campus, have a successful outcome and decide that
you would like to come to Edge Hill University. Good luck!
1.1 How to get here
The following link provides travel information and directions to the Ormskirk Campus: http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/location/ormskirk
You should make your way directly to the main foyer area of the Faculty of Health building
where a member of the Admissions Team will be on hand to greet you. Tea and coffee will
be provided during the day, but should you wish to purchase lunch or snacks you can visit
one of our many catering outlets, the closest of which is located on the lower ground floor of
the Faculty of Health building.
Please aim to arrive on time. If for any reason you are going to be late arriving, please contact
us on 01695 650950.
Parking at the Ormskirk campus
Parking at the Ormskirk campus is likely to be extremely limited. We would strongly advise
candidates to travel by public transport wherever possible. There is an Edge Hill bus which
runs from the bus station in Ormskirk to the Edge Hill campus every 15 minutes.
If you do travel by car, we have included a parking permit with your interview invitation.
Please display this on your dashboard as you enter the campus main entrance, so that it is
clearly visible to our parking attendants. They will then direct you to the nearest available
space, if any are available. We must emphasise that possession of the parking permit does
not guarantee you a space and we are not in a position to guarantee that parking spaces will
be available on any given day. If the campus is full, you can find several car parks in
Ormskirk Town Centre.
For candidates attending morning interviews, you can expect to find traffic queues on St
Helens Road from around 8.00-8.15am. If you are due to attend a morning interview and
are attempting to park on campus, we would advise you to arrive no later than this time. If
you do arrive early, there are several catering outlets on campus for you to purchase
refreshments.
1.2 What to bring with you
PROOF OF QUALIFICATIONS*
Please bring with you original certificates for
qualifications already attained and listed on your UCAS
application.
E.g. GCSEs, A Levels, BTEC, Access or other
Further/Higher Education Certificates.
You are also required to bring with you a complete
set of photocopies of these certificates which will be
taken from you and retained for our records.
Please note that it will not be possible for us to
photocopy these for you on the day.
PROOF OF IDENTITY
Please bring with you photographic ID (i.e. current valid
passport or photo-card driving licence).
Your ID will be checked by the Chair of the interview
panel prior to the start of the interview process.
If you do not bring suitable ID on the day, you may
not be interviewed and will have to attend on an
alternative date
ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING
EVIDENCE
If you have any additional supporting evidence (i.e.
additional references, evidence of work experience,
etc), that you would like to show your interviewers,
please bring this with you on the day.
PARKING PERMIT
If you are intending to park on campus, please display
the parking permit found at the back of this booklet
(Appendix B) on your dashboard when you arrive.
Please note, these permits do not guarantee a space on
campus.
A CALCULATOR
Please bring a calculator to assist you with the
Numeracy test. Please note calculators on mobile
phones will not be permitted.
PENS
Please bring a couple of pens with you.
*If you have changed your name since your certificates were issued, please advise us of this
when you check in and hand in your photocopies. You may be required to provide proof of this,
eg your marriage or deed poll certificate. In this case, please also bring with you a photocopy
of the relevant proof of name change.
If you do not bring photocopies of your certificates on the day and the decision of the panel is
to offer you a place, we will withhold the decision until we receive verification of qualifications
already attained and listed on your UCAS application. In this instance, it is important that you
initiate a search as soon as possible either by contacting your previous school/college or the
relevant examination boards. Please be aware that search fees are in place and searches take
a number of weeks to complete.
1.3 Structure of the day
All interviews follow a similar format, but you need to be aware that the process can differ
according to the number of applicants attending, the venue, and the time of year. Please
check your invitation carefully for the interview time and location.
Please be aware that the interview process can take up most of the morning or afternoon
depending on which session you are invited to.
Below is the general programme for the day:

Arrival and check in

Collection of qualifications and any other information you have been asked to bring with
you (please refer to section 2 of these guidance notes)

General welcome and introduction

Completion of numeracy task and written task

Individual interviews
You are likely to be interviewed by a member of academic staff and a member of clinical staff
from practice and / or a service user. Your interview will take around 20 minutes and you
will be asked a number of questions relating to yourself and your chosen career pathway.
There is no formal closure of the interview session's activities. Once you have completed
the full interview process (including the numeracy test, written task and your interview) you are
free to leave.
1.4 Purpose of the Interview
The programme you have applied for is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council
(NMC). The NMC sets out clear standards of proficiency for those wishing to complete a
programme leading to application to join the NMC Register of professionals.
For further information on the NMC, go to www.nmc-uk.org
You will be interviewed to see whether you:

possess the personal, intellectual and presentational qualities suitable to become a
nurse

hold values that are aligned to the NHS constitution

have the ability to accomplish the academic and professional requirements of the
programme

display an understanding of the demands of studying at university

meet the standards required for entry to the programme applied for

display a commitment to developing subject knowledge, skills and understanding in
order to be able to care for patients

display a commitment to becoming a competent, safe, professional nurse

communicate clearly in written and spoken Standard English (to be tested through
interview and written task)

demonstrate the required numeracy skills (to be tested at interview)
1.5 Selection Criteria
You can expect that the interview will assess all of the following areas:
i.
Intellectual ability and personal and presentational qualities
You will be given the opportunity to demonstrate that you have an enthusiasm for Nursing,
hold true to the core NHS Values and would be likely to adopt a positive approach to work.
Particular qualities we will be looking for include:
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ii.
confidence
clear speech
positive demeanour
the capacity to be an effective member of a team
good communication skills
enthusiasm
ability to get on with people
a caring attitude
a genuine liking for and understanding of caring for sick patients
an ability to analyse questions and issues
an ability to give clear, thoughtful answers to questions
Professional awareness and a commitment to a future career in Nursing
Previous experience of health care is not essential but you should have a good
understanding of the knowledge, concept and skills of the subject area and the capacity to
articulate your understanding. If you have planned to gain experience after the interview you
should let your interviewers know.
iii
Academic Awareness
Success on this course depends on you being able to commit to academic and professional
demands and for this reason you should be able to demonstrate clearly an understanding of
the academic rigours of this course and how you will ensure assessment deadlines are met.
Interviewers will expect candidates to have a basic understanding of the theoretical
experience that will be gained during this programme and how that might enable your
practice experience.
Do remember that an interview is a two way process and that you should treat the interview
as an opportunity to ask questions yourself. It is important that you make the right choice of
programme. Your undergraduate programme will be intensive and challenging, but ultimately
enjoyable and rewarding.
iv
English
The ability to communicate clearly in spoken Standard English and the ability to write and
understand written English. This will be tested on the day through the interview and written
task. For further details and a sample paper please see Appendix A.
As you have applied for a commissioned programme of study which adheres closely to the
six core NHS values you are strongly advised to read around the core values of Respect
and Dignity, Compassion, Commitment to quality of care, Improving Lives, working
Together, Everyone Counts.
The values enshrined within the NHS Constitution were developed by patients, public and
staff to inspire passion in the NHS and guide it into the 21st century. The NHS values
provide common ground for cooperation to achieve shared aspirations and can be found in
Section 2 here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/480482/NHS_Constitutio
n_WEB.pdf
v
Numeracy
The ability to accurately understand and calculate basic numeracy calculations which form
the basis for further study in areas such as clinical maths and drug calculations. These skills
will be tested during the interview process. A resource that will support you in terms of
revision for the Numeracy paper on the day can be found at www.snap.nhs.uk you are
strongly advised to access this resource which is free. For further details please see
Appendix A.
1.6 Pre-interview Preparation
Before the interview
It is essential that you have:
a) researched and read about the role of the nurse
b) thought about and can explain why you wish to enter a career in Nursing
c) professional awareness and commitment to a future career in Nursing
d) Studied the examples of the numeracy test and examples of the type of English questions
you will be tested on at the interview.
e) considered the amount of studying that will be involved in the programme
f) have read this document and made a note of the items you need to bring with you to the
interview (see also section 2) and any questions that you want to ask
You may find the following websites useful in helping you to prepare:
Basic English skills
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize
Basic Numeracy skills
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize
Student Numeracy Assessment Project (SNAP) www.snap.nhs.uk
NHS Careers website
NHS Core Values:
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/170656/NHS
_Constitution.pdf
Please remember to log in to UCAS Track to accept the interview
invitation, if you haven’t already done so.
1.7 Applicants with Disabilities or Specific Learning
Difficulties
Applicants with disabilities or learning difficulties should note that the decision to offer a
place on a course is made only on the selection criteria outlined on this page. However,
you should note the following:

If you normally have additional time for examinations or tests, or large font type, or
any other specific arrangements, please inform the Admissions Office by completing
the online form. Please provide a copy of your LA ‘statement’ or a letter from your
school, college or employer to confirm that additional time for tests is a requirement.
If you require a BSL interpreter, it is important that you tell us about this and that you
allow at least 5 working days for us to locate one for you. Unfortunately, there is a
very limited supply of suitably qualified BSL interpreters and, therefore, the demand
for these is high.

If you would like any confidential advice or information on Edge Hill University’s
student support services for students with disabilities or learning difficulties, please
do not hesitate to contact our Inclusion Team:
Tel: 01695 584190 or 01695 584746
Email: inclusiveservices@edgehill.ac.uk
2. Admissions Information
The Admissions Team is here to guide you through the application process. If you have any
queries about your application or the interview guidance information, please do not hesitate
to contact us on the following numbers:
01695 650950
01695 650953
01695 650957
If you require any specific information on issues such as student finance, accommodation,
student support etc, specialist guidance is available from Student Services in the Student
Information Centre at the Ormskirk campus, or you can contact them by telephone on 01695
584554.
2.1 Notification of the interview outcome
Following your interview, we will let you know the result as soon as reasonably possible. As
competition for places is extremely fierce, and in fairness to all candidates, we may delay
making final decisions until we have completed all the interviews, which means you may not
receive a decision following the interview for several months. However, we will endeavour to
keep you informed of the situation should this be the case.
Decisions are made based on your interview and the selection criteria set out within this
guidance information.
2.1.1 If you are successful
Following the interview, you will receive written confirmation of the decision reached by the
interview panel. If your interview is successful and you are made an offer, the letter will
advise you to log in to UCAS Track to check the specific conditions of your offer. If you have
any queries regarding your offer conditions, you must contact the Admissions Officer
immediately and certainly within 14 days of the date on the offer letter.
In order to ensure your smooth entry to Edge Hill and your professional training programme,
it is important that you adhere to the national criteria for entry to the profession by following
guidance notes issued by the NMC/UCAS/Edge Hill Prospectus and that you are:
a)
Able to comply with the requirements of the offer sent to you and any other
requests as soon as they are asked for and certainly not later than a given
date.
Able to meet the national requirements for full clearance to work with people
in respect of the Police Act and the health standards to enter the profession
b)
Able to comply with any changes in the national requirements for those
starting Nursing programmes in 2014
c)
Responsible for the completion and prompt return of all forms sent to you.
2.1.2 If you are unsuccessful
Try not to be too disappointed. Our Nursing programmes are greatly oversubscribed and
every year we are forced to turn down very good applicants because of the strict number of
places we are able to offer. An unsuccessful decision does not necessarily mean we think
you are not suitable for the profession and we would always encourage you to reapply in a
later cycle. We will notify UCAS and, at the same time, write to you providing individual
feedback detailing the reasons for the decision, to help you prepare for any future
applications you may decide to make.
2.2 Finance and Bursary Information
Tuition fees for this programme are paid for by the Department of Health via Health Education
North West (HENW).
Students are entitled to apply for a means tested bursary through the HENW,
www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk and a means tested student loan through Student Finance
www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
More information is available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/study/fees
3. Pre-Registration Nursing programmes
A summary of important information about the Pre-Registration Nursing course:
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Your programme consists of approximately 50% theory and 50% practice. The practice
element will be in hospital and community settings
Normally theory will be delivered on the Ormskirk Campus. However, theory may also
be delivered on the Aintree Site.
Nursing is a 24 hour activity and you will be required to attend practice placements on a
shift pattern, including at night and weekends.
Below as illustrated are examples of the possible shift patterns you are likely to encounter.
EARLY
07.15 – 14.45
LATES
13.45 – 21.15
NIGHT DUTY
20.45 – 07.45
Edge Hill University will provide you with high quality placements that will enable you to
become professional practitioners who are well equipped to meet the challenges of health
care in the 21st century. The programme is designed to provide each student with all the
experiences required.
Many placements are geographically dispersed and this may necessitate some travelling.
In the main placements will be in the Merseyside and West Lancashire area any placements
outside of this area cannot be guaranteed.
Where possible you will be placed as close to your term time address, but this is NOT
guaranteed.
To help you make the most of your time in the practice areas a hub and spoke approach is
adopted to ensure a rich and diverse exposure to client groups.
Areas where you will gain this experience may include:
o Acute NHS Trusts
o Community
o Independent/Private hospitals
o Nursing Homes
o Nursery’s
o G.P surgeries
o Walk in centres
Information about the placement circuit can be found on the Practice Learning Support
System www.plss.org.uk A journey planner is available on this site to help you with your
travel arrangements.
Your programme is planned to cover a period of 156 weeks. This currently includes a leave
entitlement of 35 days per year. Leave must be taken at the stipulated time to avoid
disruption to your educational programme; i.e. you cannot choose your own holiday
period. You will be expected to undertake 37.5 hours per week in theory and practice. A
three year training plan will be given to you on commencement of the course, indicating
blocks of theory, practice and holidays. Please note that this could be subject to change due
to a number of circumstances.
All successful candidates will be required to complete a placement profile form. This will
be provided by the Placement Learning Support Team within the Faculty of Health, and will
allow the team to have a record of key information about all trainees when they are making
placement arrangements.
Further information on our courses can be found on our website:
https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/undergraduate/subjects/health
APPENDIX A – Further Information on Interview Tests
At the beginning of the interview candidates will be required to sit a written English
comprehension test and a maths test.
English Test
The written comprehension test will last for 30 minutes, in which time the candidate will be
asked to read a paper and answer a number of questions in relation to that paper. The final
part of the written task will ask you to demonstrate your understanding of one of the core
NHS Values – please refer back to section 1.5.
The written comprehension ensures that if required to write patient notes you manage to
write succinctly, legibly and confidently ensuring the information is accurate and enhances
patient safety.
Please see a sample paper below.
Please note this is an interview task and does not substitute the entry requirements
for GCSE Grade C or above (or equivalent) in English Language.
Hysterical, deluded and thoroughly English (Article)
England has exited the football World Cup and once again failed to live up to expectations.
But why do the English fool themselves, again and again, into believing they can win, and
might they actually enjoy it?
According to Wikipedia, hysteria is "a state of mind of unmanageable fear or emotional
excesses. The fear is often caused by multiple events in one's past that involved some sort
of severe conflict." Sound familiar?
After a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Germany, England has once again entered an unofficial
period of national mourning. It's something the country goes through after every World Cup
or European Championship exit - from euphoric anticipation to shock and despair in the
space of 90 minutes.
So have the English become hysterical in their dealings with the national side?
Harry Eyres, writer of the Financial Times's Slow Lane column, believes the passion has
taken on a desperate, obsessive quality: "Too much seems to hang on it. We appear needy
as a nation. There's an extraordinarily neurotic fear and excessive expectation about
watching England. I don't think we're in touch with reality."
The world is entranced by the beautiful game every four years. But not everyone seems to
invest as much importance in their national side.
On holiday in Spain during the 2002 World Cup, Eyres remembers pulling into a bar in
Andalucia to catch the end of the Spanish team's quarter final with South Korea.
The talented Spanish side went on to lose but there was no vitriol, Eyres recalls: "It was
amazing how lightly they took it. This was a working class, blue collar bar. Can you imagine
a pub full of builders in England when the team get knocked out - it would be a tragedy. My
impression is that in Spain it just doesn't matter so much."
Writer Simon Kuper sees a similar imbalance of expectation when England is compared with
France, where he lives. If the English did badly in this competition, the French - finalists in
the last World Cup - did even worse, getting knocked out in the first round.
But in France, says Kuper, author of Why England Lose, no-one thought the home side
would actually win.
What enraged the French public was not poor displays on the pitch but the mutinous
behaviour of the team's arrogant stars.
"Unlike the English the French are able to switch off the team when they're angry with it.
People are disgusted. But they don't go into the anguish of looking at the country as a whole.
They just say the team are horrible people."
Not only do the English never learn. They appear to thrive on the masochism of outlandish
hope followed by tragic defeat, he argues.
"I think people enjoy the ritual. Every four years it happens and takes you back to previous
tournaments. It's a communal moment, people sharing the pain with each other at the bus
stop. It's that thing about big World Cup games that end in tragedy - usually on penalties,
ideally to Germany."
But that ritual comes at a price, says Kuper, who sees a crucial difference between the
attitude of the English side and that of his native Holland.
Anger-land
"When a Dutch player scores he's happy but when an England player does it's all clenched
jaw, relief and anger. It's very stressful for the England players. It's like with children at
school, when they know the expectations are too high and they can't meet them."
But if England is deceiving itself about its ability, who or what is guilty of inflating
expectations unrealistically high?
Britain's tabloid press frequently seem to overplay the side's ability. But that's no surprise,
says Roy Greenslade, a professor of journalism and a former editor of the Daily Mirror.
Playing on the hopes of fans, and reinforcing their disappointment, is all part of the never
ending circulation battle.
"The biggest football fans are tabloid readers. And the popular papers both respond to and
ramp up the public mood. And it is our national sport. You don't get this level of interest for
cricket."
But there is something unique about Britain's newspaper industry, he says: "We are different
in having a competitive national press. So the papers can galvanise a population across the
whole country. They can't do that in France or Germany where much of the press is regional."
Back in 1966 when England won the World Cup and Greenslade was a young reporter for
the now defunct Barking Advertiser there were only two national tabloids. Today the
newspaper scene is almost unrecognisable by comparison.
Diagnosing defeat
"Make no mistake the papers set the agenda. And today we have feeding frenzies. Savage
as it sounds the Madeleine McCann story sold papers and previously there was Princess
Diana. The World Cup is another first class example of a feeding frenzy that electrifies the
newspapers."
What this frenzy is really about is fear of national decline, says the writer and broadcaster
Toby Young: "In a sense it's people's anxiety about Britain's waning influence on the
international stage. It expresses itself in their anxiety about how England will fare in the World
Cup." And that's why beating Germany has become so important.
"The chant 'two world wars and one world cup!' rings increasingly hollow each time we're
beaten by a German team. It's the ability of the German team to punch above its weight in
football terms. And that seems to us to reflect their ability to punch above their weight
economically."
There is a political angle to all this with theorists on opposite sides of the ideological debate
diagnosing defeat in different ways. "If you're on the left it's the players who are overpaid and
selfish exhibiting the spirit of materialism introduced by Thatcher," he says. "If you're on the
right it's because of a lack of confidence and self belief."
The loss to Germany has prompted much soul searching. So would the English be better off
hiding their flags next time around?
Young thinks not - believing that win or (mostly likely) lose, it's all for the good.
"In this age, here's something that for once genuinely brings us together as a country. And
the anxiety about national decline would be there whether it's expressed in this way or not.
You can describe it as hysterical if you like but I'd say it's cathartic."
The healthy side
Psychologist Dr Sandy Wolfson agrees. She has studied the behaviour and emotional lives
of football fans and argues the World Cup is good for the mind.
"The vast majority of fans get many psychological benefits. There's always going to be
moments of depression and despondency when you lose. The key thing is its ability to get
social interaction between people from all walks of life. You'll get a highly paid lawyer in the
pub talking to a street cleaner. And football's a good way of getting people to think
intellectually. You can also scream and shout in a socially acceptable way."
But aren't we all living in denial? "The optimism is healthy. And it's cyclical, you get the
renewal of hope after defeat. I'm not denying your team lets you down and you're going to
have a hard time. There will be a lot of people angry, upset and negative. But research shows
that within a week you're thinking about the next event."
Surely there is one simple lesson we can learn from this predictable debacle. Whoever gets
the poisoned chalice of being England manager in four years' time, could for once learn to
manage expectations. When the inevitable question from the press pack arrives - "So can
we win the World Cup this time?" the coach would reply: "Probably not. Let's see if we can
get to the second round first shall we?"
Hysterical, deluded and thoroughly English (Questions)
Look at the words in the text that are bold. They are listed on the left below. Now
match them with a word on the right that can replace them in the text.
For example euphoric can be replaced by ecstatic.
euphoric
hang
ecstatic
inimitable
entranced
exaggerating
vitriol
stimulate
enraged
mirror
anguish
incensed
outlandish
depend
crucial
wrath
inflating
absorbed
unique
brutal
defunct
diminishing
galvanise
bizarre
savage
torment
waning
vital
reflect
obsolete
Hysterical, deluded and thoroughly English (Questions)
3. Now answer the following multiple choice questions.
Who played Italy in the final in 2006?
a) France
b) Spain
c) Germany
d) South Korea
What reason does Roy Greenslade give for the fact that the French and German
press do not stir up such feelings as the English press?
a)
b)
c)
d)
They have fewer newspapers
The public are not interested in football
The press is more regional
Their press is less competitive
What do you understand by the phrase “The Germans punch above their weight?”
a)
b)
c)
d)
The Germans played well
The Germans played badly
The Germans played better than expected
The German team members were very heavy
Why does Toby Young believe that beating the Germans has become so important?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Because we always lose to them in important competitions
Because we are the better team
Because people believe Britain is losing its influence on the world stage
To stop the press hounding the team if they lose
Which of the following reasons does Dr Wolfson not give to support her belief that
the World Cup is good for the mind?
a)
b)
c)
d)
People from different backgrounds will socialise
It will enable people to think intellectually
The team will not let you down
You can let off steam in an acceptable manner
4. What are your views?
Does football matter? Does the World Cup unite people and nations?
Is it all a waste of time and money?
Write several paragraphs giving details of your views?
Numeracy Test
The numeracy paper consists of 12 questions to be completed within 10 minutes –
calculators may be used.
On your interview day you will have a maths test consisting of twelve questions. The
questions will relate to addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, percentages, fractions,
weight and height. Below are some examples of what may appear on the test paper. In
addition to the types of questions given you are strongly recommended to revise all of the
areas mentioned above.
1. 1/4 + 1/6 =
2. A jumper normally costs £30.00. It is reduced by 15% in the sale, how much will it
cost?
3. Convert 4/6 to a percentage.
4. 49.76 x 52.81 =
5. Subtract 32.77 from 127
6. Put the following measurements into ascending order
5 m, 14,517 mm, 2 cm, 40 cm, 602 mm
Please note this is an interview task and does not substitute the entry requirements
for GCSE Grade C or above (or equivalent) in Mathematics.
The tests are an opportunity for you to demonstrate that you are capable of
processing information at a basic level.
APPENDIX B – Parking Permit
PARKING PERMIT
APPLICANT
INTERVIEW