Undergraduate study

It's important to us that you know what you're signing up for. We'd expect that you've read our course pages carefully, and have done plenty of research about both life at Essex and the careers associated with our courses.

Working in health and social care can be highly rewarding, but like any sector, it also comes with its challenges. It's important that you have an awareness of these challenges, and are up to speed with current issues. We'd recommend you keep up with health and social care news, and subject appropriate journals and magazines , e.g Nursing Times, Community Care, etc. If you are at school or college, you may find they already have a subscription that you can access.

You'll notice that many of our courses are underpinned by the NHS Constitution, as well as our own Essex values. The NHS Constitution is an important document which establishes the principles and values of the NHS in England. 

This document very clearly explains that the patient is at the heart of everything the NHS does. We take this commitment seriously, and so are looking for people who have the potential to be future healthcare superstars.

If you are applying for a healthcare course, in your application, you will need to briefly explain how you currently demonstrate the NHS 6Cs. You don't need to write at length about each, but we do need to see that you have these values:

1. Care
2. Compassion
3. Competence
4. Communication
5. Courage
6. Commitment

Many of our courses are a blend of both theory and practice, so we also need to hear from you about both your academic and practical skills. Think carefully about how your experiences have prepared you for some of the challenges of the course, and how they can make you stand out from the crowd. For example, if you've worked in retail, you're likely to have developed your communication skills, so you may be able to talk about this.

For many people, the idea of being interviewed is quite daunting. There's no need to panic. We're on your side.

We aim to use the interview process to get to know you and to find out your plans for the future. Our interview panels are made up of current staff and students, service users, and local placement partners. Many of the panel will have been through a similar process at some point in their career, so they'll appreciate you'll probably be feeling nervous. Try to relax (as best as you can) and think of it more as a discussion with colleagues about why you'd like to join us.

As part of our interview process, many of our courses require you to undertake English and Maths tests so you can demonstrate that you have a basic level of literacy and numeracy. For courses with professional accreditation, the regulatory bodies will often set the standards for us.  You can find out if your course requires and English and Maths test by looking at our entry requirements on our webpages.

If you have a documented educational need, then you may be entitled to specific access arrangements for the literacy and numeracy tests. If you think that this applies to you, please contact our admissions team as soon as possible.

Literacy 

The literacy test will assess your reading and writing skills.  A variety of questions will cover the following areas:

 

Writing

• Spelling
• Grammar and syntax
• Presenting information in a logical sequence
• Vocabulary
• Punctuation
• Common prefixes
• Free writing 

Reading

• Proofreading
• Comprehension
• Fact or opinion?


Numeracy
The numeracy test will assess your ability to apply number, to use measurements and to handle data.  Calculators can be used.  You will be given a total of 45 minutes in which to complete both tests.  Question topics will include:

 

Number

• Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
• Fractions, decimals and percentages -  calculations, conversions and equivalencies

 

Measurement

• Time, weight, distance, volume, money and conversion of units

 

Handling data

• Extracting information from tables, diagrams, charts or graphs.

Feeling anxious about your numeracy or literacy skills?  Don't worry, once you are here, we have lots of support in place.  Hear more from Karen Hudson, out Literacy and Numeracy Tutor. 

To help you prepare for our literacy and numeracy tests,  we have a selection of resources for you to use:

University of Essex practice papers -  Nursing (Adult and Mental Health):

Please note we no longer include the free writing element to this test, and the pass mark is only for this paper.

• Questions
• Answers

Literacy and numeracy practice tests (useful for all disciplines):

• Learn my way English and Maths
• Edexcel Online Practise Tests 1
• Edexcel Online Practise Tests 2
• Edexcel Online Practise Tests 3

Literacy

• Literacy - Interactive Resources (you will need to scroll down to access the Level 1 and 2 resources)
• BBC Skillswise – Literacy for Adults

Numeracy

• Numeracy – Interactive Resources (you will need to scroll down to access the Level 1 and 2 resources)
• National Numeracy Challenge: Strength in Numbers
• BBC Skillswise – Numeracy for Adults

Mobile apps

There are a number of apps that can help you to develop your literacy and numeracy skills. The following are all free to use. In-app purchases are possible, but are neither required nor endorsed by the University of Essex, and the University cannot answer any queries relating to their use.

• Elevate
• Learndirect