
Nursing - Adult - Pre-registration - MSc
Currently viewing course to start in 2022/23 Entry. Switch to 2023/24 Entry
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
- Location Online Learning
- Award MSc
- Start date March 2023
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Nursing and Midwifery
- Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences
Overview
Course is Full for 2022/23 Entry
Applications for this course are now closed. To start in March 2024, switch to 2023-24 entry.
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.
ONLINE COURSE INFORMATION SESSION
Join us online on Tuesday 11 October at 7pm to find out more about our MSc Nursing courses. If you’re interested in starting the course in March 2023, this will be your last opportunity to hear from the Admissions Tutor, Chris Jones, and ask any questions!
Register now and we will email you the link to join the webinar.
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:
Why Choose Us?
- Funding - Nursing students 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 provides 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, midwifery or the allied health professions? You may still be eligible for funding
Studying with us during the Covid-19 pandemic
The University has put in place measures in response to Covid-19 to allow us to safely deliver our courses. Should the impact of the pandemic continue in future years, any additional or alternative arrangements put in place by the University will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
Virtual Event
Join us for this online event with interactive sessions on a range of topics including your subject area of interest, postgraduate finance and more. Book your place and we’ll send you an access link and an event schedule with full details.
Next Event: Wednesday 25 January (4.00-7.00pm)
Entry Requirements
UK students
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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 PLUS |
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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 |
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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 |
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Additionally, all applicants will need to demonstrate relevant prior learning and suitable health care related experience as follows:
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. Deadline for applications is 12:00 mid-day on Monday 17 October 2022. Deadline for RPL submission is 12:00 mid-day Friday 27 January 2023. For Further information please contact our admission team - MscNursing@bcu.ac.uk. |
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Other qualifications | ||
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Fees & How to Apply
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 2023
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Blended Learning
- 2 years
- £9,250 in 2022/23
- Applications Closed
International students
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
If your application is successful the deadline for RPL submission is 12:00 mid-day on Friday 27 January 2023.
In order to complete the Recognition of Prior Learning, please complete the RPL application and mapping tool, and return to the email address given in the documents:
- Deadline for applications is 12:00 mid-day on 17 October 2022
- Interview slots will be available in October/November 2022
- You will be notified of the outcome of your application (i.e. whether or not you are being offered a place) by Friday 18 November 2022
- If your application is successful the deadline for RPL submission is 12:00 mid-day on Friday 27 January 2023
Book onto an RPL workshop here
Applications for this course are now closed. To start in March 2024, switch to 2023-24 entry.
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):
This module will provide an introductory background to the history of nursing in the United Kingdom and provide an in-depth knowledge of the legislation that governs healthcare provision and the roles and responsibilities of the registered nurse. The module will explore the key principles of professional nursing practice including effective communication and team working, enabling the student to reflect on the diverse needs of a modern-day healthcare service. The student will develop skills of emotional resilience and intelligence to support them throughout their nursing career. This module will also develop students’ literacy and academic skills, giving them the opportunity to develop their ability to work at academic level 7 and to contextualise their literacy into the clinical setting.
The aim of this module is to enable you to gain an understanding of health inequalities and the role of health prevention and promotion programmes. It will enable you to understand the management of long-term conditions, within the context of health inequalities, and how government and local initiatives aim to improve the quality of life of your service users. You will also explore how society is structured in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, social class, family and households, and its impact on health and wellbeing.
The purpose of this module is to introduce the student to the process of assessing patient need and planning their care. Students will learn about the concept of holistic care, and will gain greater insight into the physiological, psychological and sociological elements of human development across the lifespan. Additionally, students will begin to learn a variety of core nursing skills and communication strategies to enhance their nursing care.
This module aligns to platform 5 of the Nursing and Midwifery (NMC) 2018 professional standards. The module will focus on the development of self-awareness and self-exploration of the student as an individual to enable them not only lead and manage the care of patients, but understand how these skills and concepts are fundamental to all echelons of the health. Module content will give consideration to various theoretical components, to understand the practical application of leadership and management theory.
The module will focus on the role of the nurse within an inter-professional framework in relation to the improvement of safety and generation of high quality care. Module content will give consideration to current and prevalent governance issues within clinical practice and the methods used in order to measure the quality of care delivered. This will be done through conducting audit and critically analysing evidence base. Additionally, students will focus on the relationship between the employment of appropriate leadership strategies and the generation and implementation of quality measures.
The purpose of this module is to further develop students’ skills in assessing patient need and planning their care. The module will also introduce students to the principles of providing and evaluating care, including the optimisation of medicines usage. Students will continue to learn about the concept of holistic care, and will gain greater insight into the physiological, psychological and sociological elements of human development across the lifespan. Additionally, students will be introduced to more core nursing skills and communication strategies to enhance their nursing care.
This double module will take place over approximately sixteen months. It comprises on-line asynchronous taught material and self-directed research work, both with academic supervision. Students will learn that research is part of successful career pathways in nursing. It will be seen that research forms the basis of all evidence-based nursing, a questioning approach to practice, accountability and creating the possibility to initiate change. Chosen research topics will have a distinctive nursing character with importance placed on exploration of the interfaces between the four fields of nursing, partnership working with other professionals and a radical exploration of the core nursing value of person-centred care.
The purpose of this module is to build upon the previous learning to further advance the students’ knowledge and skills with the coordination of patient care. Students will learn about the concept of partnership working and coordination of care. Additionally, students will continue to explore communication strategies to enhance their nursing care and how they can be a role model for others.
Download course specification
Download nowCourse in depth
The course will be 50% academic theory (1800 hours) and 50% in practice (1800 hours), which together with the recognition of prior learning (RPL) of practice in a suitable health care environment and elements of year 1 of the BSc (Hons) Nursing course, will ensure adherence to the minimum of 4600 hours in total, as per NMC requirements (NMC, 2018).
RPL will evidence existing key skills, theoretical and practice knowledge including the use of evidence that underpins person and family-centred care, professional values, self-leadership and the role of the health professional.
The course is divided into three 8-month parts, each comprising integrated theoretical content, where learning will take place across the four fields of nursing. You will study 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.
During the first part of the course, 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, and explore the foundations and complexities of integrated care. This will incorporate research skills to underpin safe, effective high quality nursing care in a global context.
As the course progresses into part two, you will study a further three 20 credit modules. Each module will continue to be integrated, but you will intensify your focus on your chosen field, building upon previous learning, and develop proficiency in your field of practice. You will develop your ability to appraise nursing care and gain confidence in the safe management of medication. Additionally, you will begin to develop as a leader of care, supervising other health professionals while practising evidence based decision making and the co-ordination of care.
In part three, you will undertake a 40 credit research module which includes a choice of primary research, an integrated literature review or a professional project linked to practice.

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
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.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
Our School of Nursing and Midwifery is 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 StephanieChris Jones
Senior Lecturer Child Health
I qualified as an Adult Nurse at South Warwickshire school of Nursing in 1998. I qualified as a Child Health Nurse at the University of Luton in 1998. My background is in emergency care specialising in child emergency care. I have worked at various emergency departments such as Wycombe Hospital, Shrewsbury and Telford, Birmingham Children’s...
More about Chris