- Our nursing programmes are approved to the Nursing and Midwifery Council's (NMC) new Future nurse: Standards of Proficiency for registered nurses
- The MSc route leads to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council at the end of the two-year course, as long as you meet the NMC’s requirements
- You will adopt a person-centred approach to care, develop critical evaluation skills and develop the caring professionalism required to thrive in your career as a nurse
- The course will equip you with vital nursing skills and our use of clinical supervision throughout the course will enable you to develop resilience and reflective practice
This course is underpinned by the desire to deliver kind, compassionate nursing care. It is a two-year, full-time degree and supports those with a prior degree (2:2 or above) to become a registered nurse at an accelerated pace. You will also need prior work experience in a service user context, allowing you to demonstrate the skills that underpin professional nursing registration. Your prior experiences will contribute to the learning opportunities within the course and together these will provide eligibility to register as a nurse with the NMC, as long as you meet the NMC’s requirements.
We are proud to support the workforce needs of the local region – our course is delivered in the context of the local health care environment and we aim to support our students to practice as qualified nurses locally. By studying this course you can be confident that you will meet the Future Nurse standards and proficiencies specified by the NMC (2018).
This is an intensive course and you will need commitment, motivation and a desire to succeed. The programme holds high expectations that you are engaged and ready to be an independent learner and that you are able to meet the theory and practice hours required by the NMC that reflect a full-time programme of study.
This course is also available as MSc Nursing (Mental Health) with NMC registration.
The course is delivered over two academic years; however, it is separated into three equal parts called stages.
You will complete a range of modules to develop the fundamental knowledge and skills for safe, effective nursing practice where the interests of people using or needing nursing services, are put first. These modules provide the foundation for you to develop a caring professionalism where you can be trusted in the care you provide.
A person-centred approach to care is fostered through in-depth evaluation of care across the life span for a range of service users with acute and long-term conditions. Independent inquiry and critical evaluation skills will be fostered to underpin an evidence-based approach.
In addition to this, you will be asked to be flexible and responsive to the changing needs of individuals and society by engaging in service improvement and enterprise in health care. Students can complete the MSc qualification in two years.
You are eligible to register with the NMC following successful completion of the six 20 credit compulsory modules, as long as you meet the NMC’s requirements.
You will study modules such as:
Stage one
- The Developing Nurse
- Nursing in Practice (Adult)
Stage two
- Promoting Health and Presenting Ill Health
- Application of Evidence within Nursing Practice
Stage three
- Complexities in Adult Nursing
- Leading Innovation and Improvement for the Transition to Registration Adult
- Independent Scholarship
If you complete your two year full-time course and gain the full 180 credits you will be awarded the MSc Nursing (Adult).
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
So that you are fully prepared for your career in nursing, we ensure that your skills and knowledge match current working practices in health and social care. The practical abilities you develop on placement* will be underpinned and extended by the knowledge you gain through lectures, tutorials, workshops and activities in the University’s own high-quality training facilities.
*Placement hours are subject to change.
A range of learning and teaching strategies will be used including lectures, workshops, self-directed work, tutorials and online materials. Robust online resources will also be available to support your learning as you progress through the course.
A key characteristic of this course is the use of simulation in each stage to prepare you for practice. Simulation will use case scenarios to increase confidence and competence in both clinical and interpersonal skills in a safe environment.
There will be a range of Inter-Professional Learning (IPL) activities within the academic setting. During these activities, you will engage in learning with both undergraduate and postgraduate health and social care students.
You will be required to construct and maintain a professional portfolio that illustrates an understanding for continuing professional development and lifelong learning. This portfolio will help to demonstrate safe and effective practice encouraging you to reflect on how you demonstrate the standards set out within the Code (NMC 2015). As an NMC registrant, you will be required to renew your registration every three years. The portfolio you develop on this course will therefore provide you with the tools you need to support your re-validation in the future.
Within practice learning environments this course adopts a hub and spoke model. A hub refers to a practice learning experience that lasts for the duration of the programme stage you are in. A spoke refers to a secondary learning experience when you will step out of your hub area and return to the hub upon its completion. Spoke experiences 'add value' to existing learning opportunities in the hub to enable you to achieve the required standards and learning outcomes. This model helps to ensure that practice learning and assessments are not fragmented.
Practice experiences range from three to 12 continuous weeks. In addition, you will have the opportunity of an elective experience in the final stage of the course. While in these practice environments you will engage in 24 hour and seven-day care. All student nurses are supernumerary during practice learning. Supernumerary means that you will not be contracted by any person or body to provide nursing care as part of your course. However, you are expected to engage fully in the care provided by the health care team, as directed by your mentor.
Who you'll meet
Steve Kedge is a senior lecturer and registered adult nurse. Steve qualified in 1992 has worked in a number of hospitals. He specialised in acute medical nursing with a special interest in respiratory care. Steve moved to the University of Derby in 2016 assuming responsibility for the MSc Nursing (Adult) programme. Previously, Steve was a Senior Lecturer at Birmingham City University for 15 years. Steve teaches across a range of subjects in pre-registration nursing programmes. However, he has areas of special interest in general medical nursing, respiratory care, professional values and evidence-based health care.
How you are assessed
The opportunity to gain assessment feedback support will encourage dialogue, enabling students to make the most of their feedback, provide action plans and utilise academic, student and practice support staff as required. The choice of assessment task is aligned to the unit outcomes, appropriate learner outcomes with the intention of building a range of academic skills and role development.
The assessment strategy is designed to provide a diverse range of assessment approaches, with feedback and feedforward mechanisms designed to help students make the most from assessment and continue to develop.
You will need:
Education
- Essential: Grade C (or Grade 4) maths and English (or equivalent)
- Essential: Honours degree 2:2 or above
- Desirable: Grade C science
- Experience of education or study within the last five years is preferred
Work Experience
- Essential: 450hrs of work experience* (equivalent to 12 full-time 37.5 hour weeks) in a service user context** obtained in the last five years
- Desirable: Paid employment
*you must be working within a contractual relationship this can be educational, employment or voluntary
**you must demonstrate you were working in a setting where you have personally supported the health and/or wellbeing needs of service users
In addition:
- You will be expected to complete two electronic portfolios to evidence how your past experiences are relevant to a career in nursing; one practice portfolio to evidence your 450 hours of work experience, and one theory portfolio to evidence how your prior educational experience is relevant to nursing
- Admission is subject to occupational health screening and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
- If English is not your first language you must have achieved an IELTS score of at least level 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skill area)
Please note: Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, please contact the programme team to discuss if you have any queries about your education/work experience.
Interview information
2023/24 (August 2023 - July 2024)
| Type | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|
| UK | £9,250 per year | N/A |
| International | £14,900 per year | N/A |
Please note fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase after one year of study.
* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable
Additional fee information
Please note at postgraduate level, you'll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the respective awards. If you have any questions please contact us.
| Award |
Credits |
| Postgraduate Certificate |
60 Credits |
| Postgraduate Diploma |
120 Credits |
| MSc |
180 Credits |
By studying on this programme, you are eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £9,250. The loan will support your studies and enable you to start a rewarding career in healthcare.
All new and continuing nursing and allied health students on pre-registration courses will also receive a grant of at least £5,000 per year that is not means-tested and will not have to be repaid. This is provided through the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) and is not managed by the University. Please check with the LSF for residency requirements and eligibility criteria.
If you're eligible, you can get:
- A training grant of £5,000 per academic year
- Parental support of £2,000 if you have at least one dependent child under 15 years or under 17 years if registered with special educational needs
- Money back for excess travel and temporary accommodation costs while you're on your placement
- £1,000 if studying a shortage specialism
Among others, the shortage specialisms have been confirmed to include:
- Mental health nursing
- Learning disability nursing
- Diagnostic radiography
In addition to this non-repayable grant, you are also able to access a maintenance loan of up to £9,488 per year to support your studies, giving you access to over £17,000 per year of funding. Training grant payments will be paid in three instalments over the academic year. This is to provide you with a consistent flow of funding throughout the academic year as far as possible.
All NHS LSF applications must be submitted within six months of the start of the academic year and you will need confirmation of your Student Finance in order to complete your application. You need to set up an NHS Learning Support Fund online account to apply.
Additional costs and optional extras
Funding your studies
Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.
Find out about funding your studiesFind out about funding your studies
Alumni discount for Derby graduates
We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.
Find out about the Alumni discountFind out about the Alumni discount
We are not currently accepting applications for this course, please check back for further updates.
Important information for applicants
To be considered for an offer to study, the following must be 'evidenced' as part of your initial application submission:
- GSCE English language and maths at grade C/4 or above or the equivalent
- International applicants can demonstrate their English language from any of the accepted qualifications. Any testing with evidence of attainment needs to be completed prior to the submission of an initial application. If applicants are using a WAEC qualification as certified evidence this must be at a minimum of C4 for English and C6 for Maths
Find out more about our English language requirements
After application submission and providing all entry requirements and initial evidence is satisfactory, suitable candidates will then be required to submit an online portfolio of evidence as part of the professional Recognition of Prior Learning requirements of this Nursing and Midwifery Council (UK) approved programme. You will not receive access to this online portfolio until authorised by the programme team. The portfolio element of your application must be submitted and passed in order for you to be shortlisted for interview.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a satisfactory virtual interview in order to gain a place on the programme. Non-attendance will result in your application being withdrawn.
On successful completion of this degree you will be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and go into practice as a nurse.
We offer full support to help you achieve your career goals, including guidance on applications, CVs and interview techniques. Health care organisations large and small attend our annual employer fairs as part of their recruitment drives. Some of our students are fortunate enough to have several job offers by the time they complete their course.
Our students have an outstanding employability track record. Graduates from this programme will go on to work within hospitals and in community based teams. They may also go into community care homes, forensic services or the voluntary sector. There may also be opportunities for you to work overseas.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Contact us Contact us Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
Included in your fees
- Uniforms
- Markers, name badges and ID holders
- DBS Check
- Occupational Health check
- Mandatory vaccinations training
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
- Travel expenses
- Suitable shoes that comply with uniform policy approx £40
Optional costs not included in your fees
- Travel to elective placement in year three if the student chooses to go out of usual placement locations
- Textbooks to supplement anything available through the library - various prices depending on the content
- Printing costs of course materials if a hard copy is desired approximately 5p per sheet
- Students may opt to engage in international trips and activities that are not fully funded, though bursaries may be available
- Optional outings and trips will also require self-funding
- Professional NMC membership required to practice
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
Minimum numbers
Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.
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