Health Schools Admissions Applying for Nursing & Midwifery Jennifer Geary Admissions Manager Health Schools Admissions

Midwifery (for registered Adult Nurses) King’s Programmes BSc Adult Nursing Mental Health Nursing Children’s Nursing Midwifery PgDip Adult Nursing Mental Health Nursing Children’s Nursing Midwifery (for registered Adult Nurses)

BSc Entry Requirements A Levels with grades BBB GCSEs - 5 A-C grades including English, Maths and Science or equivalents BTEC L3 Extended Diploma in a relevant subject with DDM Access to HE with 30 Distinctions, 12 Merits, 3 Passes More information in our prospectus

Preparing the personal statement This is a really important part of the application It is a chance to stand out from other applicants Spend time developing an excellent supporting personal statement Reflect your interest and knowledge about your chosen study area (nursing adult, child or mental health; midwifery) Highlight any relevant experience Demonstrate strong writing skills

What are we looking for? Spelling, grammar, punctuation Understanding of the specific branch of nursing/midwifery applied for Experience, and skills/knowledge gained from it Motivation, why the applicant wants to be a nurse/midwife and activities undertaken in support of this goal Overall presentation, no missing information Think about what nurses/midwives do and what skills and knowledge they may need. 5

Healthcare experience Healthcare experience is an advantage but... Applicants must tell us about experience, don’t assume we know What have they have learned from this work and how this would be useful for the course Has working in a healthcare setting provided insight into the course?

Like this! I currently work as a Nursing Assistant in a busy ----- unit at--------. This involves supporting qualified nurses in delivering high quality patient care. My role includes ------. At work I have seen how the nurses ------

Do’s and don’ts Checking the presentation and spelling on the form (spelling ‘nursing’ incorrectly does not look good!) Thinking about what nurses and midwives do and what skills and knowledge they may need. Then think about what they have done or what attributes they have and try to address as many as possible Include all relevant information, we can only assess applications on what is included Complete every part of the application form, provide references and predicted grades if required Try to avoid using up the limited word count on things we already know “ I am writing this statement as I wish to apply for midwifery” Don’t plagiarise! 8

What does this look like? “ Nursing has always appealed to me as it combines qualities of caring and sensitivity along with the need for in depth knowledge of the workings of the body and the mind. I believe I have the personal qualities needed to become a nurse and my choice of both biology and psychology at A level have in part prepared me to study these aspects at a higher level.”

Selection Initial selection is based on... Meeting the academic requirements Good reference Good personal statement If the applicant meets our requirements they will be invited to a selection day

Numeracy Test Basic calculations, percentages, ratios, averages, fractions Practice tests are available Most applicants who are unsuccessful at the Selection day will have failed the numeracy test

Literacy Test Free writing task, plus some questions Written communication skills rather than knowledge of nursing/midwifery Handwritten

Group Discussion 6 – 8 people complete a relevant task with discussion as a group Speaking, listening, teamwork, group contribution

Points to Note Days take place between December and April We can accommodate special requirements (e.g. extra time) if applicants let us know in advance Limited ability to reschedule, particularly towards the end of recruitment

UCAS Applications should be made via UCAS Get applications in by 15th January 2015 for the best chance of being invited to a Selection Day www.ucas.ac.uk

For more information for Nursing & Midwifery Admissions Email: UG-healthadmissions@kcl.ac.uk Phone: (0) 20 7848 1450/ 1656/ 2388 16