Course overview
MSc (Top-up) Specialist Community Nursing
Entry requirements to undertake the programme
To undertake the Top-up, applicants must have completed the PgDip Specialist Community Nursing and have recorded their qualification with the NMC.
Once students exit the programme with one of the following awards:
PgDip Specialist Community Nursing with integrated prescribing (Community Children’s Nursing)
PgDip Specialist Community Nursing with integrated prescribing (District Nursing)
PgDip Specialist Community Nursing with integrated prescribing (General Practice Nursing)
or PgDip Specialist Community Nursing (General Practice Nursing)
and have recorded their qualification with the NMC they can return to complete the remaining 60 credits for their MSc.
The Top up is made up of three modules:
- Research Methods (15 credits)
- Preparation for Research (15 credits)
- Research project (30 credits)
Students are allocated a research supervisor to support them during the preparation for research and the research project modules.
Indicative Course Structure
Please note that Research Methods in Health and Social Care 7HSK2211 must be passed before starting study on Preparation for Research Project in Health and Social Care 7HSK2210. And Preparation for Research Project in Health and Care must be passed before starting study on Research Project in Health and Social Care 7HSK2209.
If you choose to start 7HSK2211 in Semester B you must apply to study 7HSK2210 in the next academic year.
Why should I choose this course?
This course allows students to top up their Post-graduate Diploma to obtain a Masters in Specialist Community Nursing.
Assessment details
- Research Methods – Online written test
- Preparation for Research – Research proposal submission
- Research Project – complete the research project
Learning Outcomes
- Locate, critically evaluate and synthesise evidence and information from a wide range of sources to utilise within specialist community nursing practice
- Locate, critically evaluate and synthesise solutions to problems within the specialist community nurse role through established techniques of research and enquiry
- Evaluate a range of evidence to justify decisions made to enhance care in complex situations in relation to an identifiable aspect of professional practice
- Demonstrate advanced reasoning in interpreting findings of new knowledge and understanding and translate this to their work as a specialist community nurse
- Initiate, plan, undertake and evaluate a research project related to individual practice with appropriate and achievable aims and objectives
- Apply theories and methods of analysis to a range of research data
- Be able to transfer new or alternative evidence generated by other academic bodies of knowledge or disciplines to own discipline and practice
- Critically review the current evidence base on an identified area of community nursing enquiry
- Systematically identify the gaps in current knowledge and evidence to propose solutions in addressing evidence uncertainties in specialist community nursing practice
This programme has the following discipline specific/optional modules
7HSK2209: Research Project in Health and Social Care
7HSK2210: Preparation for Research Project in Health and Social Care
Accredited by
Funding
£3,780.00
The price quoted above is for a 60 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
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
Online
Downloads
Prerequisites
Successful applicants are subject to disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks and occupational health assessments.
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