Yearbooks

Programme: BNurs

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
Code Faculty
10131002 Faculty of Health Sciences
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 4 years Total credits: 540 NQF level:  08
Contact:
Prof FM Mulaudzi
[email protected]
+27 (0)123541908

Programme information

  1. The Bachelor of Nursing Science [BNur] degree is a four-year, professional, career-oriented whole qualification that allows graduates to register with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as:
  • Professional Nurse; and
  • Midwife/Accoucheur
  1. Successful completion of the degree programme will present graduates with the opportunity to further their studies in Nursing Science at postgraduate level.
  2. Candidates who comply with the necessary admission requirements will follow the prescribed curriculum.
  1. The compulsory practical and clinical hours of training over a four-year period will be determined by the competency-based framework and related regulations and circulars of the South African Nursing Council.
  2. Due to the compulsory practical and clinical training component as well as professional development, the curriculum cannot be completed in less than four years.
  3. The training institutions in question will grant vacation and sick leave according to the applicable requirements of the South African Nursing Council (SANC).

Note: Also consult the General Regulations.

Conferment of the degree
The Bachelor of Nursing Science [BNurs] is conferred on students who have fulfilled all the programme requirements as well as the prescribed practical and clinical training successfully.

Admission requirements

  • The following persons will be considered for admission: a candidate who is in possession of a certificate that is deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required Grade 12 certificate with university endorsement; a candidate who is a graduate from another tertiary institution or has been granted the status of a graduate of such an institution; a candidate who is a graduate of another faculty at the University of Pretoria; and a candidate who is currently in university.
  • Admission to Health Sciences programmes is subject to a selection process.
  • Grade 11 final examination results, the National Benchmark Test (NBT) results as well as a Value-added Form will be used for the provisional selection of prospective students.
  • For selection purposes the sum of the results in six subjects, including English, Mathematics and Physical Science, is calculated.
  • Life Orientation is excluded in the calculation of the Admission Point Score (APS).
  • Candidates, please note that your conditional admission will be revoked if your APS drops by more than two points in your final school examination results.
  • PLEASE NOTE that compliance with the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to any programme in this Faculty.
  • Mathematics, Physical Science or Life Sciences are not compulsory, but they will be an advantage for selection purposes.
  • Selection queries may be directed to [email protected].  

Minimum requirements

Achievement level

English Home Language or English First Additional Language

 

APS

NSC/IEB

AS Level

 

4

 

D

 

28

* Cambridge A level candidates who obtained at least a D in the required subjects, will be considered for admission. International Baccalaureate (IB) HL candidates who obtained at least a 4 in the required subjects, will be considered for admission.

Other programme-specific information

  1. Students who have to repeat specific modules, must also acquire a certificate of satisfactory attendance and progress in Nursing Practice Education (both modules of the year in question) in the year of repetition, even if the modules in question have already been passed in the unsuccessful year.
  2. Examinations are compulsory in respect of all the modules presented by the Department of Nursing Science, as it is not possible to be promoted in any of these modules.

Examinations and pass requirements

Exemption from the examination in (ANP) Anatomical Pathology 210
Exemption from the examination may be granted if a student who obtained a module mark of at least 60%, exercises the option to accept it as the final mark.

Academic exclusion from further study

  1. In accordance with the stipulations of the General Regulations, a student must complete the degree programme for which he or she is registered within the prescribed minimum period of study plus two years.
  2. Subject to the stipulations mentioned in a. above, a student in the School of Health Sciences, who fails a year of study for the second time, will only be allowed one opportunity to repeat a year of study, and will have to submit a written application for readmission to the programme in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

Passing modules in Anatomy and Physiology

  1. A module mark is calculated from the continuous evaluation opportunities during the course of the presentation of the relevant module. These evaluations will include one or more of the following:
  1. Evaluations in connection with theoretical knowledge.
  2. Evaluations in connection with practical knowledge and skills.
  3. Compulsory attendance at and active participation in prescribed activities.
  4. A final comprehensive module test.
  1. Students may exercise the option that the module mark at the end of the semester be ratified as the final module mark for the relevant module (i.e. they are exempted from the module examination for this module), if they comply with the following requirements:
  1. The abovementioned module mark is more than 65%.
  2. Proven attendance of all applicable module-specific activities, namely:
  • All tests/continuous evaluations.
  • All practical work and skills development sessions.
  1. Attendance of the relevant module from Day 1.
  2. No convictions by the School’s Preliminary Disciplinary Committee (Student Transgressions) of any form of transgression.
  1. A module examination is granted to all registered students (even if the module mark is more than 65%).
  2. The final module mark is calculated from the examination mark and the module mark (continuous evaluation) in the ratio 50:50.
  3. A second module examination is granted to all students who have obtained a final module mark of 40% to 49%. Students who have obtained a module mark of less than 40%, fail the module and will have to repeat the year of study.
  4. The relevant second examination will take place in November/December of the current year or in January of the subsequent year. A minimum of 50% is required to pass in the second examination.
  5. Aegrotats or extraordinary examinations, for students who could not sit the module examination due to health or other acceptable reasons, will take place during the second examination period. Students must apply formally for these examinations, and will be admitted by the Chairperson of the School or his/her authorised person. Where applicable, the Chairperson of the School may first require the recommendation of the Faculty Health Committee before admission to an aegrotat.

All modalities of a final examination must be written jointly as an aegrotat or extraordinary examination, even if part of the relevant examination had already been written during the previous examination period.

The final module mark is calculated from the marks of all the sections/ modalities of the aegrotat or extraordinary examination and the continuous evaluation mark. The same criteria as set for a pass mark in a module are applicable here. Students who could not sit the module examination in the examination period due to acceptable reasons, and who are consequently writing the module examination in the second examination period, forfeit the opportunity to be admitted to a further second examination.

Exemption from the examination in (FAR) Pharmacology 381, 382
Exemption from the examination can be granted if a student who obtained a module mark of at least 60%, exercises the option to accept it as the final mark.

  • In accordance with the stipulations of the General Regulations, no minimum year or semester mark is needed for admission to the examination, and all registered students are admitted to the examination automatically.
  • The final mark for a specific module in Nursing Science, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Occupational Therapy and Human Nutrition (at least 50% is required to pass) is calculated from the examination mark as well as the mark compiled from the evaluation of a student during continuous, objective and controlled assessment opportunities during the course of the quarter/semester/year. At least one formal assessment per module is set as the minimum norm, and students will be exposed on a continuous and regular basis to self-directed assignments in order to promote reflective learning.
  • In the case of modules with practical components, students are required to also comply with the applicable attendance requirements with regard to acquiring practical skills before a pass mark can be obtained for the module.
  • There are two main examination opportunities per annum, the first and second examination. In respect of first-semester modules, the first examination opportunity is in May/June and the second examination opportunity in July. In respect of second-semester modules, the first examination opportunity is in October/ November and the second examination opportunity in November/December of the same year. Where students need to work additional clinical hours to be allowed to do a second examination, the relevant head of department will determine the second examination opportunity.
  • Only two examination opportunities per module are allowed. If a student fails a module at the second examination opportunity, the module must be repeated.
  • A second examination opportunity in a module is granted to students in the following cases:

- If a student obtains a final mark of less than 50% in the relevant module at the first examination opportunity and thus fails.

- If a student does not obtain the subminimum in the examination, as required for a specific module.

- If a student does not sit the examination in a module at the first examination opportunity due to illness or extraordinary circumstances.

  • Students intending to sit the second examination due to the reasons mentioned above, must register for the second examination opportunity 24 hours after the results have been made public.
  • If a student fails a module at the first examination opportunity, the examination mark obtained in the relevant module at the second examination opportunity will be calculated as the final mark. The marks obtained with continuous evaluation during the course of the quarter/semester/year will not be taken into calculation. If the student passes the module at the second examination opportunity, a maximum of 50% is awarded as a pass mark to the module in question.
  • If a student could not sit the examination in a module at the first examination opportunity due to illness or extraordinary circumstances, the continuous evaluation mark, together with the examination mark obtained in the module in question at the second examination opportunity, will be calculated as the final mark obtained in the module.
  • The School of Healthcare Sciences applies the General Regulations, according to which a student requiring a limited number of modules to complete his or her degree, may in terms of faculty regulations, be admitted to a special examination in the modules in question.

Promotion to next study year

  • A student must pass in all the prescribed core modules of a specific year of study to be promoted to a subsequent year of study. A student can only be promoted to a subsequent year of study if the student has not failed more than two fundamental modules of seven weeks each per semester or one module of 14 weeks per semester. A non-negotiable prerequisite for admission to the final year of study is pass marks in all the core and fundamental modules of the preceding years of study. Refer to the programmes for fundamental modules in each discipline.
  • A pass mark refers to a final mark of at least 50%.
  • Modules with practical and clinical training credits cannot be passed unless all the prescribed clinical hours and practical activities have been completed to the satisfaction of the relevant head of department.
  • The Chairperson of the examination moderating meeting may, after assessing the student’s total profile, grant special approval to be promoted to the next year of study.
  • The exception is the Department of Human Nutrition, where the regulations as applicable in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences regarding the modules presented by that Faculty, are relevant.
  • Modules can only be taken in advance or repeated if it can be accommodated in the existing examination timetable.
  • A student who must repeat a year of study may, with the approval of the Chairperson of the examination moderating meeting and the relevant head of department, be allowed to take fundamental modules of the subsequent year, if he/she complies with all the prerequisites for the relevant modules. No adjustment to existing timetables will be allowed.

The following fundamental modules are relevant:

  • Department of Nursing Science: SLK 110, 120; FSG 251,252
  • Department of Physiotherapy: SOH 254; FSG 251, 252, 261, 262; SLK 210, ANP 210; GMB 252, 253, 254; FAR 381, 382
  • Department of Occupational Therapy: ZUL 110; SEP 110; SLK 210, 220; FSG 251, 252, 261, 262; ANP 210; RPD 481, GNK 286
  • Department of Human Nutrition: BCM 251, 252, 261, 262; FAR 381, 382, VDS 322; VDB 321
  • Department of Radiography: FSG 251, 252, 262; GNK 286; ANP 210.

Practical/clinical/internship information

  1. The curriculum includes compulsory practical and clinical training modules, comprising a percentage of the total credits required for the successful completion of the programme.
  2. Students will be registered as student nurses at an approved teaching hospital (or hospitals) for the duration of their studies.
  3. Students will be required to visit clinics outside of the hospital as well as institutions where health services are provided.
  4. Clinical training will take place for the duration of studies at the facilities mentioned above.
  5. Students will be required to sign a contract of service with the approved teaching hospital (or hospitals) in question – information will be made available after successful application for admission.

Certain hospitals and healthcare facilities have been approved for the purposes of practical and clinical training in Fundamental Nursing Science, General Nursing Science, Psychiatric Nursing Science, Community Nursing Science and Midwifery.

Pass with distinction

The BNurs degree is conferred with distinction on a student who has obtained:

  1. A joint average of at least 75% in NPE 410 and NPE 420;
  2. A joint average of at least 75% in NUR 410 and NUR 420; and
  3. A joint average of at least 75% in IHL 412 and IHL 422.

Minimum credits: 124

Fundamental modules

  • Module content:

    Find, evaluate, process, manage and present information resources for academic purposes using appropriate technology.

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  • Module content:

    Apply effective search strategies in different technological environments. Demonstrate the ethical and fair use of information resources. Integrate 21st-century communications into the management of academic information.

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  • Module content:

    A systematic approach to Anatomy, including general terminology, embryology and osteology, with the use of wet specimens. Introductory histology includes cytology, the nucleus and cell division, epithelial tissue, general connective tissue, cartilage and bone.

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  • Module content:

    Anatomy of the appendicular skeleton
    A systematic approach to the Anatomy of the muscles, blood vessels, nerve supply, lymph drainage and joints of the upper and lower limbs, as well as surface anatomy, with the use of wet specimens. Introductory histology includes muscle tissue, nerve tissue, and blood and haemopoietic tissue.

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  • Module content:

    A systematic approach to the anatomy of the thorax and its contents, the abdomen and its contents and the pelvis and its contents (organs, vascular systems, nerve supply, lymph drainage, muscles and joints), as well as surface anatomy, with the use of wet specimens. Introductory histology includes the histology of the lungs, liver and kidneys.

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  • Module content:

    Anatomy of the head and neck, and neuroanatomy
    A systematic approach to the anatomy of the head and neck regions, the senses and the central and peripheral nervous system (cranial nerves, autonomic nervous system), as well as surface anatomy, with the use of wet specimens.

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  • Module content:

    Academic reading as well as academic writing and presentation skills, based on the approach followed in the healthcare sciences. *Presented to students in Health Sciences only.

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  • Module content:

    Study of specific language skills required in the Health Care Sciences, including interviewing and report-writing skills. *Presented to students in Health Sciences only.   (BCur, BDietetics, BOH, BOT, Brad, BPhysT)*

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  • Module content:

    Introduction to physiological principles; neurophysiology, and muscle physiology.

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  • Module content:

    Body fluids; haematology; cardiovascular physiology, lymphatic system, and body defence mechanisms.

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  • Module content:

    The acquisition of a basic medical orientated vocabulary compiled from Latin and Greek stem forms combined with prefixes and suffixes derived from those languages. The manner in which the meanings of medical terms can be determined by analysing the terms into their recognisable meaningful constituent parts, is taught and exercised. The functional use of medical terms in context as practical outcome of terminological application is continually attended to.

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  • Module content:

    *For absolute beginners only.
    *Only students from the School of Healthcare Sciences and Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology may take this module during semester 2. All other students must  take this module during semester 1. Also note that students from the School of Healthcare Sciences, who already possess the language skills taught in this module, may write an exemption examination.
    The acquisition of basic Sepedi communicative skills with emphasis on everyday expressions and suitable high frequency vocabulary, within specific social situations.

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  • Module content:

    *For absolute beginners only
    *Only students from the School of Healthcare Sciences and Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology may take this module during semester 2. All other students must take this module during semester 1. Students from the School of Healthcare Sciences, who already possess the language skills taught in this module, may write an exemption examination.
    The acquisition of basic isiZulu communicative skills with emphasis on everyday expressions and suitable high frequency vocabulary, within specific situations.

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Core modules

Minimum credits: 120

Fundamental modules

  • Module content:

    This module is a general orientation to Psychology. An introduction is given to various theoretical approaches in Psychology, and the development of Psychology as a science is discussed. Selected themes from everyday life are explored and integrated with psychological principles. This module focuses on major personality theories. An introduction is given to various paradigmatic approaches in Psychology.

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Core modules

Minimum credits: 132

Fundamental modules

  • Module content:

    Introduction, receptors, antagonism, kinetic principles, drugs that impact upon the autonomic and central nervous system, pharmacotherapy of hypertension, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmias, and epilepsy. Diuretics, glucocorticosteroids, local anaesthetics, anaesthetic drugs, analgesics, iron and vitamins, oncostatics and immuno suppressants.

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  • Module content:

    Hormones, drugs that act on the histaminergic, serotonergic, and dopaminergic receptors. Pharmacotherapy of diabetes mellitus, schizophrenia, depression, obesity, anxiety, insomnia, gastro-intestinal diseases. Anticoagulants, antimicrobial drugs.

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Core modules

Minimum credits: 144

Core modules


The information published here is subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information. The General Regulations (G Regulations) apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations as well as with the information contained in the General Rules section. Ignorance concerning these regulations and rules will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

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