Stunned student nurses who were meant to have completed their degrees at a Kent university have been told they are not fully qualified.

Approximately 200 final-year students at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) taking the adult nursing, child nursing and adult and mental health nursing course, will need to do further placement hours due to an “error in calculations”.

University bosses say they are now planning to hold discussions with students today as a “matter of urgency”.

Some students have expressed fears the blunder – which may see some stay on for a further eight weeks - could hamper future job prospects and throw their plans for accommodation over the coming months into chaos.

A spokesperson for CCCU said: “Due to an error in our calculation of students’ clinical practice hours since the Covid pandemic, we have uncovered a shortfall in their completed placement hours.

“This has been reported to the Nursing and Midwifery Council Guidance (NMC).

“We have apologised to our students for this oversight and are meeting with them as a matter of urgency to discuss the practical consequences.

“The majority of our students will be able to make up the shortfall in hours during the continuation of their studies. However, final year students will be required to undertake additional placement hours prior to the completion of their studies.”

This has left those on the course upset and stressed over their future job prospects, as many have already secured jobs.

Sophie, who is a student on the course and wished only to use her first name, says: “All of my classmates and I, have secured jobs and were looking forward to starting our careers after three very longwinded and tiresome years training.

“This however has now all changed, and our jobs are now potentially on the line, as it’s looking like we will not receive registration until December/January.

“This means that over 100 new nurses are unable to join the extremely understaffed workforce for a considerable amount of time, further adding pressure to the NHS.”

She added: “Understandably everyone including myself is extremely distraught and disappointed with the news provided, and feel we have not got all the answers as deserved.”

A fellow student continued: “I am currently still trying to secure a nursing job but how am I meant to explain this during interviews when they ask how long until pin registration, when I don't even know now?

“I've completed all my assessments, all my competencies are signed off, completed all clinical hours in the way Canterbury Christchurch University told us to for them to make a life changing error.

“This error does not just affect me, it affects future employers, affects registered nurse levels, and patients who we want to care for.”

Another added: “There are individuals in our class with mortgages and rent to be paid with children and have had to work harder than those who do not and this new situation that has occurred will affect them and their lifestyles even further.”

However, the university has assured students they will do their best to support them and maintain their job offers.

A Canterbury Christ Church University spokesperson added: “The number of hours that need to be made up varies across courses and circumstances, but we expect it to be no more than eight weeks for any of the final year students.

“Our intention is that students will complete any shortfall in hours with their future employer to mitigate the impact and ensure they are able to begin employment as soon as possible.

“The financial impact on students will be addressed and they will not be worse off financially as a result of any short delay. We are also working with our NHS partners to secure job offers

“We are offering well-being support wherever required.”

It comes after Canterbury Christ Church’s midwifery course was axed earlier this year following safety and quality concerns.