UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of
the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be
expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning
opportunities that are provided.
1. Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
2. Teaching Institution
University of Central Lancashire: Preston Main
campus
3. University Department/Centre
School of Community Health and Midwifery
4. External Accreditation
None
5. Title of Final Award
BSc Hons Neonatal Practice
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Part-time
7. UCAS Code
N/A
8. Relevant Subject
Benchmarking Group(s)
none
9. Other external influences
DH (2004): NSF for Children and Young People
DH (2004): NHS Knowledge and Skills
Framework
DH (2012): Compassion in practice
RCN (2012): Competence, education and
careers in neonatal nursing
BAPM (2012): ‘Matching knowledge and skills
for Qualified in Speciality (QIS) neonatal
nurses: a core syllabus for clinical competency’
4th June 2013
10. Date of production /revision
of this form
11. Aims of the Programme
The BSc Hons Neonatal Practice degree will enable nurses and midwives to explore,
develop and enhance their practice skills and theoretical knowledge through
processes of enquiry and critical thinking.
The award aims to enhance student employability and provide students with an
opportunity to become ‘Qualified in speciality’ (QIS) if they have not already done so;
share professional practice knowledge and insight.
Principles of family centred and developmental care perspectives inform the ethos of
this course and themes of infant and family, culturally sensitivity and technology in
care inform module options.
12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
At the end of the program the student will be able to:
A1. Critically evaluate the knowledge base that underpins neonatal practice.
A2. Utilise current evidence and research to move practice forward in positive and
effective ways.
A3. Critically examine the impact of contextual forces upon neonatal units and
individuals including ethical, professional, environmental and social issues.
A4. Critically consider the advancement and effects of changing technology upon
neonatal care.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Each module will identify appropriate learning and teaching strategies. A range of
approaches will be used, including: lectures, seminars discussion forums,
workshops, VLE, self directed and directed study, group work, reflection on practice.
Assessment methods
Each module will identify appropriate assessment strategies; these will be mapped to
module learning outcomes to ensure successful achievement of learning. These will
include: evidenced based assignments, case studies, seminar presentations, written
examinations, reports and practice based clinical competencies.
B. Subject-specific skills
At the end of the program the student will be able to:
B1. Demonstrate enhancement of their clinical expertise with neonatal care
B2. Support and enhance infant and family experience of neonatal care though the
application of family centred and developmental care interventions and
strategies.
B3. Critique the underpinning values and cultural assumptions that facilitate the infant
and family as the focus of care.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Each module will identify appropriate learning and teaching strategies. A range of
approaches will be used, including: lectures, seminars discussion forums,
workshops, VLE, self directed and directed study, group work, reflection on practice.
Assessment methods
Each module will identify appropriate assessment strategies; these will be mapped to
module learning outcomes to ensure successful achievement of learning. These will
include: evidenced based assignments, case studies, seminar presentations, written
examinations, reports and practice based clinical competencies.
C. Thinking Skills
At the end of the program the student will be able to:
C1. Critically analyse issues relating to professional practice in neonatal care.
C2. Appraise how current evidence and research underpins developments in
neonatal care.
C3. Use critical reflection in the application of specialist knowledge and the utilisation
of research.
C4. Demonstrate a problem solving approach to decision making using a range of
diverse and complex information sources.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Each module will identify appropriate learning and teaching strategies. A range of
approaches will be used, including: lectures, seminars discussion forums,
workshops, VLE, self directed and directed study, group work, reflection on practice.
Assessment methods
Each module will identify appropriate assessment strategies; these will be mapped to
module learning outcomes to ensure successful achievement of learning. These will
include: evidenced based assignments, case studies, seminar presentations, written
examinations, reports and practice based clinical competencies.
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
At the end of the program the student will be able to:
D1. Enhance skills of self analysis and reflection on practice.
D2. Adopt a family centred approach in their practice.
D3. Participate effectively as an individual or team member.
D4. Develop practice based ICT skills through accessing and using information and
patient focused technology.
D5. Solve practice problems or develop service improvements systematically;
identifying and analysing their essential elements and finding solutions using a
project led approach.
D6. Recognise and appreciate the links between personal and professional lives,
nurturing self-awareness and the need for lifelong learning when working in a
multifaceted dynamic field of health care.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Each module will identify appropriate learning and teaching strategies. A range of
approaches will be used, including: lectures, seminars discussion forums,
workshops, VLE, self directed and directed study, group work, reflection on practice.
Assessment methods
Each module will identify appropriate assessment strategies; these will be mapped to
module learning outcomes to ensure successful achievement of learning. These will
include: evidenced based assignments, case studies, seminar presentations, written
examinations, reports and practice based clinical competencies.
13. Programme Structures*
Level Module
Module Title
Code
Level
6
Credit
rating
Core
MW3024
Practice Development
40
MW3107
Neonatal Developmental Care
20
High Dependency and Intensive Care of
the Neonate
40
MW3023
Intensive Care of the Neonate
20
MW3008
Leadership and Organisational
Development
20
NU3096
Multi-professional Support of Learning
and Assessing in Practice (Mentorship)
20
MW3105
Neonatal Vascular Access
10
MW3109
Maternal Infant Nutrition: Bio-cultural
Perspectives
20
MW3011
Maternal Substance Misuse
20
MW3110
Neonatal Community Care
20
MW3981
Student Initiated Credit
10
MW3982
Student Initiated Credit
20
NU3034
Safeguarding and Protection of Children
20
NU3800
Safeguarding Children
10
MW3111
Current Perspectives in High
Dependency Neonatal Care
20
MW3112
Contemporary Management in Intensive
Care of the Neonate
20
Options
MW3022
14. Awards
and Credits*
Bachelor of
Science
Honours
Neonatal
Practice
Degree
Requires 120
credits at Level
6
15. Personal Development Planning
This is not new but is something you should already be engaged in through your
employment. Personal Development Planning (PDP) is a process designed to assist
you to get the most from your time as a student at the university. It is intended to
provide you with a structured and supported process through which you can reflect on
your learning, performance and/or achievements and plan for your personal,
educational and career development. By becoming actively involved in PDP you can
improve your capacity to understand what and how you are learning, and how to
review, plan and take responsibility for your own learning and future development.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic
qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to
study. These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade.
Amendments to entry requirements may have been made after these documents were
published and you should consult the University’s website for the most up to date
information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
The following criteria will apply, students must be:

Nurses (adult or child) or midwives with current professional registration on
the
NMC register and with no restrictions on their practice.
 Currently in practice on a neonatal unit.

 Have evidence of diploma level qualification or equivalent, (120 credits
academic level 5).

 Have the support of their manager to support and facilitate relevant practice
experiences.

 Have evidence of attainment of low dependency/foundational skills in neonatal
nursing (this might include completion of other modules, recognised employer
structured induction programme or other programme like neonatal induction NW
for example)
Please note there is no accreditation of prior learning (APL) or prior experiential
learning (APEL) that can be applied to this course. Except in the case where students
already have undertaken (and hold a pass) in previously offered UCLan equivalent
modules that are listed as options.
17. Key sources of information about the programme
 Course Enquiries School of Health
 NHS Contracts Unit
 Web pages
 Fact sheet
 Course Leader Kevin Hugill
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Programme Learning Outcomes
Level
Module
Code
Module Title
MW3024
Practice Development
MW3107
MW3022
Level 6
MW3023
MW3008
NU3096
MW3105
MW3109
MW3011
MW3110
Neonatal Developmental
Care
High Dependency and
Intensive Care of the Neonate
Intensive Care of the Neonate
Leadership and
Organisational Development
Multi-professional support of
learning and assessing in
practice (Mentorship)
Neonatal Vascular Access
Maternal Infant Nutrition: Biocultural Perspectives
Maternal Substance Misuse
Neonatal Community Care
Core (C)
or Option
(O)
Knowledge and
understanding
A1
A2
A3
C
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C
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O
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O
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O
A4
Subject-specific
Skills
B1
B2
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Thinking Skills
B3 C1 C2 C3 C4 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6
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Other skills relevant to
employability and personal
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Programme Learning Outcomes
Module
Code
Module Title
Core (C)
or Option
(O)
Knowledge and
understanding
A1
A2
A3
A4
Subject-specific
Skills
B1
B2
Thinking Skills
Other skills relevant to
employability and personal
development
B3 C1 C2 C3 C4 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D65
MW3981 Student Initiated Credit
O
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MW3982 Student Initiated Credit
O
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NU3034 Safeguarding and Protection
of Children
O
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O
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Level 6 NU3800 Safeguarding Children
MW3111 Current Perspectives in High
Dependency Neonatal Care
MW3112 Contemporary Management
in Intensive Care of the
Neonate
O
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