Course overview
The programme is designed to enable Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registered nurses to adopt a strategic approach to the provision of advancing community nursing specialist practice, whilst, where appropriate, effectively collaborating with other disciplines and agencies, to promote the health and well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities.
The programme fulfils the education and professional Standards of Proficiency for Community Nursing Specialist Practice Qualification developed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2022). The programme leads to eligibility to apply for a recordable qualification with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and professional recognition as a specialist community nurse as either a community children’s nurse, district nurse or general practice nurse.
Students undertake Nurse Independent / Supplementary Prescribing (V300) qualification leading to a recordable qualification with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a specialist community nurse, community children’s nurse with integrated independent nurse prescriber, specialist community nurse, district nurse with integrated independent Nurse Prescriber specialist community nurse, general practice nurse with or without integrated independent nurse prescriber. Independent nurse prescribing is integrated into the programme and cannot be awarded as a separate final award.
The programme is designed to enable students to achieve the capabilities of advanced practice map to the pillars of advanced practice. The programme is also mapped to the QNI Field Specific Standards for Specialist Community Nursing Qualifications which have been mapped to the four Pillars of Advanced Practice.
The three different pathways for this programme differ as follows:
Community Children’s Nurses deliver specialised care to children and young people with complex, often long-term illnesses and disabilities in the community. Alongside direct care, they support parents and families, including teaching specific care techniques to help maintain the child's health at home when safe. Collaboration with and communication within the multi-disciplinary and multi-agency team are also key responsibilities.
District Nurses are essential members of the primary healthcare team. They lead and manage teams that visit patients in their homes or residential care facilities, delivering increasingly complex care and supporting family members. In addition to providing direct patient care. District Nurses teach and support patients in self-care and educate family members on how to care for their relatives. They play a critical role in minimizing hospital admissions and readmissions, ensuring patients can return home as quickly as possible. Collaboration with the multi-disciplinary and multi-agency team is expected.
A General Practice Nurse works in GP surgeries as part of the primary healthcare team, which can include doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, paramedics, and dieticians. In larger practices, you may be one of several practice nurses sharing duties and responsibilities. In smaller practices, you might work independently, taking on multiple roles. The scope of your role will depend on the employer's needs. Effective collaboration and communication with the multidisciplinary and multi-agency team will be essential.
Why should I choose this course:
This programme will equip you with the skills and knowledge to excel in your chosen field, whether you’re aiming to be a Community Children’s Nurse, District Nurse or General Practice Nurse.
During the PgDip Specialist Community Nursing programme, you will:
- Evaluate the current organisational and professional agendas that influence care delivery in primary healthcare and community settings.
- Study leadership and management skills so that when you graduate you will be able to provide effective leadership within a mixed skill team and multi-agency work setting as well as to work proactively in a commissioning environment.
- Combine learning at the University with hands-on experience in a practice environment, with an equal allocation of practice and theory hours.
- Evaluate the current organisational and professional agendas that influence care delivery in primary healthcare and community settings.
Course Structure/Course Notes
To attain a PgDip award, you need to complete 120 credits. To top-up to an MSc you will need to complete a further 60 credits (180 credits) apply for the apply for the MSc Top-Up here. There is an interim award available of a Postgraduate Certificate which can be awarded after completing 60 credits. There is no professional qualification associated with this award.
Teaching Methods
On the PgDip Specialist Community Nursing programme, you will experience a diverse range of teaching styles designed to enhance your educational journey. This programme prioritises the development of your capacity for self-directed study and interpersonal skills, ensuring you are well-prepared for the demands of the field.
We place a strong emphasis on structured research, well-prepared written and verbal presentations, and computer literacy. Alongside traditional lectures, seminars, tutorials, and simulation of practice which allows learners to actively engage with realistic scenarios relevant to their field, enabling them to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts. You will engage in case studies, clinical assessments, individual and group projects, and other student-centred activities.
Assessment details:
The programme's assessment methods are varied and dynamic, including essays, presentations, reports, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE) and posters. This multifaceted approach ensures a comprehensive evaluation of your skills and knowledge, setting you up for success in your professional career.
Learning Outcomes:
The Programme learning outcomes for individual graduates are described in associated field specifications. The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills and other attributes in the following areas. The programme outcomes are referenced to the QAA benchmark statements for Level 7 and the Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies (2014) and relate to the typical student. Additionally, the SEEC Credit Level Descriptors for Further and Higher Education (2021) have been used as a guiding framework for curriculum design.
The Programme outcomes are also referenced to the NMC Standards for Post Registration Programmes (2022) and Standards of Proficiency for Community Nursing Specialist Practice (2022).
What our students say:
I have found the teaching staff to be very supportive, understanding and highly knowledgeable.
Although the course is very demanding, the teaching staff are very supportive.
It has helped me with my critical thinking and to improve my skills.
My ability to communicate information effectively to diverse audiences has developed during my course.
This programme has the following discipline specific/optional modules
7HSK2059: V300 Nurse and Midwife Independent Prescribing
7HSK2147: Managing and Co-ordinating Person Centred Care in the Community
7HSK2148: Team Leadership and Management in Primary and Community Settings
7HSK2149: Clinical Assessment and Examinations in Advancing Practice
7HSK2150: Promoting Health and Prevention of Ill Health in the Community
7HSK2151: Practice Development in Specialist Community Nursing
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Funding
The price quoted above is for a 120 credit programme in the 2026/27 academic year and applies to students who are assessed as Home fee payers ONLY. Fees will differ for students assessed as Overseas fee payers. Fee assessment decisions follow UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) guidance, which is based on UK law and government regulations. Further information on who will pay Home or Overseas tuition fees can be found here: https://ask.herts.ac.uk/will-i-pay-home-or-international-tuition-fees
Once confirmed, a student’s fee status will normally remain the same for the duration of their course. However, information regarding fee reassessment is available here: https://ask.herts.ac.uk/will-i-pay-home-or-international-tuition-fees#FeeReassessment
Eligible students may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Student Loan. Please note that to access this funding, you must enrol on the full MSc programme; funding is not available for individual modules or interim awards (for example, a Postgraduate Diploma). Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/masters-loan
Further details, including tuition fee amounts, fee policy and payment deadlines, can be found here:
https://www.herts.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/fee-information/fees-and-finance-policy-documents
If you require further information or have any questions regarding fees, please contact: cpdhealth@herts.ac.uk
Why choose HERTS?
Excellent sector connections: we have extensive links with eight NHS Trusts and Local Authorities in Hertfordshire.
Links with over 98 NHS Trusts and Local Authorities in East Anglia and London regions.
Flexibility: we provide flexible study options to ensure you can fit CPD study around your busy professional and personal lives.
Location: the main University of Hertfordshire campus is 25 minutes from London with easy access by both road and rail services.
Course details
Course leader
Dr Dawn Royall Email: d.royall@herts.ac.uk
Administrator
Allison Riley
Telephone
01707 824800
Course delivery
Blended
Downloads
Prerequisites
The normal entry requirements for the programme are:-
- A UK degree, or other qualification at an equivalent level, in a health-related subject
- Current and active Nursing and Midwifery Council registration as a nurse (level 1) on the appropriate part of the register for Community Children’s Nurses as a children’s nurse; for District Nurses as an adult nurse and for General Practice Nurses normally as an adult nurse, although other routes will be assessed on application.
- Normally have a minimum of six months full time experience (or equivalent in part-time employment as a practising nurse) before being eligible to apply.
- Applicants must demonstrate safe and effective practice at the level of proficiency appropriate to the NMC-approved SPQ programme before being considered eligible to apply for entry. This is normally through check on work references, health to work assessments, DBS (enhanced disclosure) and successful interview.
- Access to an appropriate SPQ practice placement with a designated practice supervisor and practice assessor whilst enrolled on the programme. The specialist community practice placement is provided through the sponsoring employer and confirmed with the programme lead. Normally students are sponsored by their employer to undertake the programme, however, it is possible for self-funded/ non-NHS/ self-employed students to enrol on the programme providing they are able to locate and negotiate an appropriate placement with a designated practice supervisor and practice assessor whilst enrolled on the programme, with an appropriate service provider e.g., NHS Community Trust or equivalent.
- Non-NHS, self-employed or self-funding applications must hold an SPQ honorary contract with their allocated sponsoring organisation commencing at the start of their programme, in addition to the University online application and supporting admissions form. Students are jointly interviewed with the supporting organisation and University.
- For commissioned students, successful interview with the sponsoring employer, conducted in collaboration with the University
- Evidence of a satisfactory DBS (enhanced disclosure) within the last three years
- All applicants to the SCN programme must declare any criminal convictions at the point of application. As this is a professional registrant course approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), full disclosure is a mandatory requirement of both the University and the NMC. This obligation includes convictions that may be considered spent in other contexts, as professional regulatory standards differ from general employment guidance. Failure to provide accurate and complete information may impact your application and could affect your future eligibility for professional registration. All disclosures will be treated sensitively and managed in accordance with confidentiality and safeguarding policies.
- Confirmation of competence to undertake the programme from the employer or supporting organisation for non-NHS, self-employed or self-funding
- For entry to the Nurse and Midwife Independent Prescribing module applicants must also complete a Supporting Admission Form (SAF): • Written confirmation of support to undertake the prescribing programme from their employer.
- The support available must include time to attend scheduled study days at the University.
- Access to appropriate learning opportunities in practice and protected time to engage in practice development activities with an identified practice supervisor and practice assessor.
- Must also have a minimum of one year’s experience (or equivalent in part-time employment as a practising nurse.
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