About this course

This programme enables nurses and nursing associates to undertake a range of clinical and professional modules that reflect their current Continuing Professional Development needs. The MSc Contemporary Nursing will develop the students’ knowledge and skills in leadership, teaching, and/or management and promote the use of evidence and technology to improve nursing care in innovative ways.

If you have qualified as a nurse or nursing associate and wish to enhance your skills and knowledge in your specific area of practice or study modules in management, leadership, coaching or education this is the course for you.

Course structure

It is possible to take this pathway as a Post Graduate Diploma or Post Graduate Certificate award.

MSc Contemporary Nursing should normally take 2-5 years to complete. PgDip Contemporary Nursing or PgCert Contemporary Nursing should normally take 1-3 years to complete.

To attain a Master’s award you need to complete 180 credits. There are also interim awards available: 

• Postgraduate Certificate Leadership in Health and Social Care (PgCert) (60 credits) 
• Postgraduate Certificate Contemporary Nursing (PgCert) (60 credits) 
• Postgraduate Diploma Contemporary Nursing (PgDip) (120 credits) 

To obtain your award you will accumulate your credits from the compulsory and optional modules available on the programme. Additionally, up to 45 relevant credits may be studied from amongst other UH delivered modules or short course provision or used as Accredited Prior Credited Learning (APCL) from another university. Students will select optional modules in conjunction with their employers and the Programme Leader that reflect their personal and professional career aspirations and their area of practice. Students can study up to a maximum of 45 credits as standalone modules. 

Teaching Methods

Modules are facilitated by a variety of experienced lecturers from the University as well as external lecturers.

Modules are assessed by a variety of methods for example essays, presentations, reports, posters, and practical examinations.

You are expected to attend all the dates given to complete a module. Please speak to the Module Leader for any queries.

Entry requirements

Applicants will normally need a degree in a health-related discipline. Applicants with evidence of professional development or academic proficiency equivalent to level 6 (degree level) study will be considered but will first need to meet with the admissions tutor, Aileen Wilson, to discuss their application.This may mean your application will take additional time to process.

Applicants with no previous level 6 study, or equivalent, will be required to complete a level 6 bridging module.                                                                       

If you have non-UK academic qualifications you will need to supply evidence of comparability. The organisation ECCTIS will supply this for a reasonable fee https://www.enic.org.uk/Qualifications/SOC/Default.aspx.

You should also have current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and be employed as a health care professional in setting which is appropriate for the modules you plan to complete. 

This programme has the following core/optional modules

7HSK2078: Integrating Research with Contemporary Practice

7HSK0293: Leadership Education and Developing Others

7HSK0315: Musculoskeletal Trauma: Image Recognition for Healthcare Professionals

7HSK0168: Advanced Decision Making

7HSK2079: Managing Minor Injuries (Can only be studied after completing 7HSK2087 or equivalent)

7HSK2081: Physiology Based Assessment

7HSK2084: Minor Illness-Diagnostics and Interventions (Can only be studied after completing 7HSK2087 or equivalent)

7HSK2085: Coaching Skills for Leading

7HSK0193: Work Based Learning for Contemporary Nursing

7HSK0197: Leading Innovation in Practice

7HSK2086: Leg Ulcer Management Theory and Practice: A Competency Based Course

7HSK0330: Paediatric Urgent and Emergency Care

7HSK0267: Enabling Learning in Contemporary Healthcare

7HSK2087: Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Indicators

7HSK0306: Leading Service Change

7HSK2049: Preparation for Research Project

7HSK2048: Research Project

7HSK0366: Return to Practice

6HSK1091: Return to Practice

7HSK2080: Managing the Acutely Ill Adult

6HSK2041: Academic Skills for Postgraduate Study

6HSK2042: Academic Skills and Writing for Postgraduate Study