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Nursing - Adult - Pre-registration - MSc

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Our accelerated MSc in adult nursing will give you the opportunity to qualify as a registered nurse in two years. The course is aimed at people who already hold an undergraduate degree in a health or science related subject, and also have some prior experience in a care setting....

  • Level Postgraduate Taught
  • Study mode Blended Learning

This course is:

Overview

Please note that places on this programme are limited. Due to the popular nature of the programme, we strongly advise you to apply early. Applications received by midnight (GMT) on Friday 11 October 2024 will get first priority. Applications received beyond this point will only be considered if places remain available.

If you are invited to interview and are successful, you will be given a timeframe of approximately a month to complete your RPL documentation (individual circumstances can be discussed as necessary).

[00:00:06] Speaker 1 This is the Masters in Nursing course. It's an accelerated two year program. It's blended learning, which means it's largely online. It means it's flexible, but it also means you would have to do some learning on campus and in placement as well.

[00:00:26] Speaker 2 I wanted a change. I wanted to have more impact on people. I wanted to support people more. I was looking for a course that would give me that professional leverage to, you know, to work directly with people and to support people.

[00:00:48] Speaker 3 It's the flexibility to me - how I am able to work around work, commitments at home, and at the same time, I'm able to find time for myself to go on to the recorded sessions over and over in my own pace.

[00:01:07] Speaker 1 This course is for those of you that are already professionals, but you fancy a career change. So it may be that you fancy that career change. However you want to do the full three year degree, you want to do something that's a bit different, that sets you apart, that's got those leadership skills that are highly valued, but you would need to do it in the two years rather than the traditional three.

[00:01:28] Speaker 4 Amazing. On the placements, I had a moment where I took a blood sample for the first time ever in my life. It offers me the opportunity to put into practice all the theories that we have learnt in the university.

[00:01:45] Speaker 2 You have what it takes already. You have the skills, you have the knowledge, only you need to upgrade it.

[00:01:52] Speaker 3 Don't be discouraged. You can make it if you are determined. If you want it, you will be able to do it.

Our accelerated MSc in adult nursing will give you the opportunity to qualify as a registered nurse in two years. The course is aimed at people who already hold an undergraduate degree in a health or science related subject, and also have some prior experience in a care setting.

This innovative new blended learning course is supported by Health Education England to enhance the digitisation of the NHS. The majority of the theory element of the course will be delivered online using a variety of virtual and blended learning strategies. Practice placement experiences will take place in the clinical environment with our local NHS partners, supported by practice-orientated simulation activities.

Although this course is full time, the flexible course delivery enables you to balance your studies with other personal commitments. The course will also help you develop the digital skills needed to meet the demands of a changing society.

This course is not open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

The course is aligned to the 7 platforms of the Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards for pre-registration nursing education, which cover the following areas:

  • Being an accountable professional
  • Promoting health and preventing ill-health
  • Assessing needs and planning care
  • Providing and evaluating care
  • Leading and managing nursing care and working in teams
  • Improving safety and quality of care
  • Co-ordinating care

Accredited By

This course is accredited by:

  • Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
  • Health Education England

Why Choose Us?

  • Funding - Nursing students who are eligible for a student loan will receive at least £5,000 a year in additional funding for maintenance and associated study costs. Download the funding FAQs.
  • Flexible course delivery – our virtual and blended learning offering allows you to fit your studies around your family and work commitments.
  • Supported by Health Education England – we are one of just seven institutions chosen to deliver this innovative new course.
  • Birmingham is one of the UK’s most diverse cities outside of London, which will provide you with a wide variety of experience that will be valuable to take forward into your future career.
  • Student finance - have you already had a student loan to study an undergraduate degree but would like to do a second degree in nursing? You may still be eligible for funding.

OPEN DAY

Join us for a virtual Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail. Booking isn't open yet for this event, register your interest and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.

Next Event: 5 February 2025

Register your interest

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

Essential

An honours degree at 2:1 or better in relevant health, science or social science subject area. However, a degree at 2:2 may be considered, depending on experience. Please contact us to discuss your situation

Applicants are required to undertake a face-to-face engagement, normally in the format of an interview. Interviews are currently taking place via Microsoft Teams. Find out more about online interviews.

Successful candidates will be required to obtain a satisfactory occupational health check, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and registration with the Independent Safeguarding Authority prior to enrolling on this course.

You should be aware that qualifications, personal statement, interview and references all form part of the selection criteria for this course

PLUS

Level 2 Maths and English Language at grade C/4 or above 

Level 2 equivalent qualifications (e.g. Functional Skills) are accepted

Must have been achieved at point of enrolment

Preference is given to applicants who have obtained these grades on application 

Please list these on your application

Additionally, all applicants will need to demonstrate relevant prior learning and suitable health care related experience as follows:

  • 500 Hours of theory that maps to specific Future Nurse proficiencies that are not taught on the MSc Nursing but are required for Nursing Registration.
  • 500 hours of health care related experience undertaken in suitable health care environment.

A Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) toolkit has been devised to assist applicants to clearly demonstrate these required elements. We also have a number of workshops that are available for applicants to attend to gain support with their RPL Application. 

For Further information please contact our admission team - MscNursing@bcu.ac.uk.

Other qualifications

Please note: While we offer blended learning for the academic component of the course, we are only able to offer placement learning experiences in the Midlands area and are unable to supply placements outside these areas. Please email MScNursing@bcu.ac.uk if you have any questions regarding this.

Extra information for EU/international students

IELTS

  • Applicants who have not received their secondary school education in English will require an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no subtest below 6. An equivalent test to IELTS is acceptable and will be considered on an individual basis.
  • If English is studied at GCSE Level but as a second language, IELTS must be completed to qualify for UK L2 requirement

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MSc

Starting: Mar 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Blended Learning
  • 2 years
  • £9,250 in 2025/26

International students

Sorry, this course is not available to International students.

Access to computer equipment

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms.

Printing

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

Field trips

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees.

Access to Microsoft Office 365

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

Key software

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research.

Key subscriptions

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

DBS check

If you are required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for this course, the cost for your first DBS check is included in your fees.

Uniform

You will be provided with tunic tops and trousers. Dresses are also available on request.

Occupational health assessment

You will need to complete an occupational health assessment. The cost for this is included in your course fee.

Placement expenses (mandatory)

Placements are a compulsory element of this course. You'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst living or working away from home.

Excess printing (optional)

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet.

Personal stationery and study materials (optional)

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials.

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.

Your postgraduate personal statement is going to shine a light on your personal experience, academic success, personal skills and any other factors that will support your application for further study.

Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:

YOUR PASSION AND MOTIVATIONS

Studying a postgraduate course usually means you want to specialise in something. So what’s driving you?

WHY THIS COURSE?

Show that you’ve researched the course offering. What is it about this particular course that appeals to you? Is it the lecturers? The modules? Etc.

WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD POSTGRADUATE CANDIDATE?

Tutors want to know that you can handle postgraduate study, so show them how your undergraduate experiences or work life has equipped you for a more advanced level of study. Key areas to address are research and group work but this can vary depending on your chosen course.

RELEVANT ACADEMIC OR WORK EXPERIENCE

Add anything relevant that relates back to your chosen course and shows how your skills will contribute towards your learning. What extra-curricular activities have you taken part in? What awards have you won? What employment or voluntary experience do you have that has helped you develop transferable skills? How do these specifically relate to the course you are applying for?

You should also mention your future plans and how a postgraduate qualification fits in. Try to look beyond your postgraduate study – do you plan to jump straight into a specific career or follow your studies with a research degree? Lastly, use plain, professional English and, where possible, utilise the language of your chosen industry.

Get more information on writing supporting statements.

Course in Depth

Level 7

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):

Download course specification

Download now

Course in depth

How you will learn

The NMC requires a programme of education leading to a registered nurse qualification contain a minimum of 2300 theory and 2300 practice hours. The MSc Nursing programme meets this requirement in the following way:

Record of Prior Learning practice hours:

This is submitted after interview and before starting the to the course and provides evidence of:

  • Practice hours - 500 hours of health care related experience undertaken in suitable health care environment
  • Academic hours - 500 hours of theory that maps to specific Future Nurse proficiencies that are not taught on the MSc Nursing but are required for Nursing Registration

Course hours:

This is split into:

  • 50% clinical practice learning (1800 hours)
  • 50% academic theory (1800 hours)

The course is divided into three eight-month parts, each comprising integrated theoretical content, where learning will take place across the four fields of nursing.  You will study eight modules totalling 60 credits in each part, including an integrated theory and practice module which will prepare and support you to be ready for supervision and assessment in your chosen field of practice.

Course structure
Part one

In part one, you will study three 20 credit modules designed to:

  • Develop confidence and competence in working with and caring for people across the lifespan with a range of health needs.
  • Explore the foundations and complexities of integrated care.
  • Incorporate research skills to underpin safe, effective high quality nursing care in a global context.

Part one theory hours: 600

Part one practice hours: 600 

Part two

In part two, you will study a further three 20 credit modules where you will:

  • Intensify your focus on your chosen field, build upon previous learning, and develop proficiency in your field of practice.
  • Develop your ability to appraise nursing care
  • Gain confidence in the safe management of medication.
  • Develop as a leader of care, supervising other health professionals while practising evidence-based decision making and the co-ordination of care. 

Part two theory hours: 600

Part two practice hours: 600 

Part three

In part three you study two modules:

  • Research module (40 credits), which includes a choice of primary research, an integrated literature review or a professional project linked to practice.
  • Professional practice module (20 credits) where you will learn about the concept of partnership working, coordination of care, and communication strategies to enhance nursing care and how they can be a role model for others.

Part three theory hours: 600

Part three practice hours: 600 

Course delivery

Most of the theoretical component of the course content will be delivered asynchronously online to enable you to engage flexibly with the curriculum. There will some sessions where you will be required to attend City South campus to cover statutory and mandatory training and some clinical skills education.

Assessment

Most assessments will be coursework, however, you will be required to take exams and in-person assessments (e.g. Practice assessment)

Due to NMC requirements, all elements of all assessments must be passed to gain full award and to be eligible to apply for NMC registration. There will a numeracy assessment related to nursing proficiencies and calculations of medicines which must be passed with a score of 100%.

Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
The Nursing and Midwifery Council

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) works with partner organisations to set and maintain high standards of nursing and midwifery education across the UK.

This course has been approved and monitored by the NMC to make sure that the education and training on offer meets their standards.

To work as a nurse or midwife, you must pass an NMC approved course at a higher education institution (HEI) in pre-registration nursing and midwifery, leading to registration with the NMC.

Health Education England
Health Education England

The Blended Learning programme has been developed with Health Education England to address national shortages in clinical expertise and explores the opportunities of providing predominantly online, remote-access study to those people who may have the aptitude and values to join the healthcare profession, but currently are unable to learn in traditional ways.

Employability

Practice Placements

Practice placements will be field specific, during which you will experience exposure across the four fields of nursing. Practice placement experiences may be within community, hospital or home environment settings and at a location anywhere within the West Midlands region. While on placement, you will be supported, supervised and assessed by suitably prepared staff to develop your knowledge and skills.  

The course will use a flexible placement model. Placements will typically be planned in extended periods of 10 weeks or more. You will need to achieve 200 hours of placement time in each period, and can negotiate whether this time is accrued in a full time block or part time across the whole period.

Please note: whilst we offer blended learning for the academic component of the course, we are only able to offer placement learning experiences in the West/East Midlands area and are unable to supply placements outside these areas. Please email MScNursing@bcu.ac.uk if you have any questions regarding this.

Facilities & Staff

 

Our Facilities

Our Nursing and Midwifery courses are based at our City South campus in leafy Edgbaston.

We’ve spent £41million expanding our facilities at City South. These facilities offer hands-on practical experience, replicating the spaces you will come across in professional practice.

In a sector where new techniques are constantly being discovered, we work hard to ensure that you learn using the most up-to-date equipment available. Alongside physical spaces such as a mock operating theatre and wards, we also make use of online and virtual technology, such as our virtual ward and virtual case creator.

See more of our skills facilities at City South

Centre for Skills and Simulation

The Centre for Skills and Simulation offers a range of different spaces which replicate situations that you will encounter in practice. These include hospital wards, an operating theatre and a home environment room.

Our mock wards enable you to get a feel of what a ward is really like before you head out for your first placement. The hospital wards can be adapted from low care to high dependency care environment with the necessary monitoring equipment.

The home environment room is the perfect space for teaching communications skills and allows us to simulate a community setting for our students. It is particularly useful for mental health nurses, learning disability nurses and midwives.

Simulation Manikins

We have several Simulation men (SIM men) and simulation babies (SIM babies) which are anatomically correct manikins used for teaching specific techniques such as advanced adult and paediatric life support skills, acute and high dependency clinical skills, first aid and communication skills. The manikins contain software which replicates real symptoms, and can manipulate indicators such as blood pressure, pulse and heart rate for extra realism. SIM man can even ‘talk’ to the students as they are treating him, to add another dimension to learning.

Computer Facilities

The Seacole building has two open-access IT Suites which offer PCs, printers, photocopiers and scanners. There is also an IT Helpdesk for quick and easy help with your computing or internet issues.

Our PCs utilise the latest Intel i5 core technology, all with:

  • Fast (unrestricted) internet connectivity
  • Ability to save files to USB, DVD & CD
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Research and statistical software
  • Storage space which can be accessed from any PC across the University and from home

Our PCs are also designed to support students who may have difficulties with reading and writing, featuring specialised software with zooming/magnification and screen reading capabilities, which may also be customised for individual student needs.

In addition to desktop PCs, we also offer a laptop loan facility, allowing students to borrow a laptop for up to six hours while on campus.

Our staff

Stephanie Reynolds

Senior Teaching Fellow

Stephanie Reynolds is a Registered General Nurse in Adult Nursing. Nursing and Midwifery Council registration also includes that of District Nurse, Nurse Prescriber and Nurse Teacher. She has experience in post qualifying professional development and pre-registration placement support, and is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

More about Stephanie