This statement presents a verified, evidence-based review of statements made by Carrie-Anne Ridsdale, also known publicly as Jayne Price, in which she claims qualifications in biochemistry at an unspecified institution, followed by a nursing qualification from Cardiff University. These statements have been made across livestreams, social media, and in community-facing contexts including charitable appeals.
The following review verifies those claims against the published academic standards of Cardiff University, the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), and the UK higher education framework.
Claim
“I did diploma in biochem and passed with distinctions… I did a diploma in biochem to get in… it took the A&P out of the studying.”
While Cardiff does offer a Biochemistry BSc (Hons), this degree does not exempt students from core modules within nursing education, such as Anatomy and Physiology. The NMC requires that all pre-registration nursing students complete approved biosciences content that is:
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Profession-specific,
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Integrated into practice,
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Assessed to national standards.
Even if Ms. Ridsdale holds a BSc in Biochemistry, this would not remove the requirement to study A&P during a nursing degree. It may assist academically, but does not confer exemption from any part of an NMC-approved curriculum.
Sources:
Claim
A degree in Biochemistry was used to gain entry to a nursing degree at Cardiff University.
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Verification
While a BSc in Biochemistry is an academically rigorous, relevant science degree, it is not a formal or exclusive gateway to entry into nursing.
Cardiff University accepts a range of science-based qualifications for entry into nursing, including:
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A-levels (with a science),
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BTEC Extended Diplomas (Health or Science),
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Access to HE Diploma in Nursing,
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Some prior science degrees, if combined with relevant GCSEs and subject to application screening.
However, biochemistry graduates would typically still need to:
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Complete a personal statement tailored to healthcare,
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Attend a nursing admissions interview,
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Pass DBS and Occupational Health screening.
There is no automatic or preferential entry route for Biochemistry graduates, and no exemption from required modules such as A&P, placement hours, or assessment.
Sources:
Claim
“You didn’t need to study the anatomy and physiology part of it at degree level, because you already knew it.”
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Verification
This is inconsistent with NMC education policy. All NMC-approved nursing degrees, including at Cardiff, include mandatory, assessed modules in: -
Anatomy and Physiology,
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Biosciences for healthcare,
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Clinical assessment and pharmacology.
No prior qualification—including a full Biochemistry degree—can replace or exempt these modules. All students, regardless of prior academic background, must complete them in full to meet registration requirements.
Source:
Claim
CACHE Level 3 Award, Certificate and Diploma in Child Care and Education qualifies one to access a nursing degree.
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Verification
The CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education (Early Years Educator) is a regulated qualification designed for early years education and classroom assistant roles.
However, it does not meet the academic entry requirements for NMC-accredited nursing programmes unless supplemented by:
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A science-based A-level, or
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An Access to HE Diploma (Nursing).
Universities including Cardiff do not accept the CACHE Level 3 Diploma on its own for nursing entry.
Sources:
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CACHE/NCFE Qualification Overview
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Cardiff University Entry Requirements
Claim
“I was accepted to every university I applied for with an unconditional offer.”
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Verification
Unconditional offers are rare in nursing admissions due to strict regulatory and safeguarding requirements. Normally, all offers are conditional on: -
Meeting academic thresholds,
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Interview performance,
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Satisfactory DBS check,
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Occupational Health screening.
There is no verifiable confirmation that Cardiff University or any other institution issued Ms. Ridsdale an unconditional offer for a nursing programme.
Sources:
Claim
“I was also offered [a] learning difficulties nurse position in the interview for the application process by the University of South Wales.”
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Verification
Universities do not offer employment roles during academic interviews. Becoming a Learning Disabilities Nurse requires: -
Completion of an NMC-accredited degree in that specialty,
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NMC registration,
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Application through NHS or social care recruitment processes.
Sources:
Claim
“I studied BA Hons Nursing at Cardiff University.” (as stated in public profile)
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Verification
Cardiff University has never offered a Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons) in Nursing. Its nursing qualifications are: -
BN (Hons) – Bachelor of Nursing with Honours
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BSc (Hons) – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The claim to have studied “BA Hons Nursing” at Cardiff is incorrect. No such programme has existed in the university’s catalogue of undergraduate or postgraduate nursing education.
Source:
Conclusion
The corrected interpretation of a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Nursing may have been mistakenly viewed as a BSc in Biochemistry; however, this does not affect the following verified outcomes:
| Claim | Verified Status |
|---|---|
| Biochemistry degree used for Cardiff nursing entry | Possible, but not automatic nor exempting |
| Biochemistry degree removed A&P requirement | ❌ No exemption permitted under NMC regulation |
| CACHE Level 3 Diploma provides nursing access | ❌ Not accepted alone; needs science supplement |
| Unconditional offers to all universities | ❌ No independent verification; rare in practice |
| Job offer during interview at USW | ❌ Not a valid or legal employment pathway |
| Studied “BA Hons Nursing” at Cardiff | ❌ Programme does not exist at Cardiff University |
