Triangle

Course overview

Join our award-winning School of Health Sciences with over 30 years of experience in nursing education, equipping you with the skills and knowledge to launch your nursing career with confidence.

This two-year course is for those who already have an undergraduate degree and some prior healthcare or related experience, and are committed to providing excellence in care. Our students are from a diverse range of backgrounds and this enriches your learning experience on the course.

You'll learn how to care for patients' with a range of mental health needs, in many different settings, to give you flexibility in your future profession. Mental health nurses have the opportunity to make a difference to people's recovery at this challenging time of their life. 

Through expert teaching and supportive supervision, you will learn to attend to patients' individual needs and care for their personal wellbeing. We nurture your creativity, critical judgement and ability to lead as you develop your clinical skills. You'll be prepared for whatever challenges you might face as a practising nurse or healthcare leader.

From 15 March 2022, the UK government revoked the requirement for students engaged in patient-facing health or social care settings to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. This means that while we still encourage all eligible students to become fully vaccinated, there will be no impediment to you starting your course, regardless of your Covid vaccination status.

Why choose this course?

Register as a nurse

Successful completion of the course leads to registration with the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC)

5th in the UK

for Nursing

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020

Award-winning students

in the Student Nursing Times Awards. We're shortlisted for seven awards in 2020!

Practical teaching

You'll learn in an active healthcare environment based in a Medical School within one of the UK's largest major hospitals

Course content

Our Graduate Entry Nursing MSc is 180 credits and you'll study full-time over 2 years.

Our modules provide a balance of nursing theory and practical application via placements and are delivered in 15 week blocks. The majority of placements take place across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Modules are guided by the Nursing and Midwifery Council's (NMC) policies and procedures.

Clinical skill development is an essential component of any nursing course. This will occur both in University and practice. Some clinical skills, for example hand washing, are assessed alongside other components of the course.

Typical clinical skills that will be covered include:

  • patient observations
  • giving injections
  • first aid
  • administering of medication
  • wound dressing

Modules

Modules

Nursing Science and Professional Knowledge

This module aims to introduce students to the concept of nursing, including values based practice, accountable practice, duty of care, legislative and ethical frameworks, and equality and diversity. Additionally the module will enable students to explore important aspects of biosciences that inform safe and effective person centred nursing care. Students will be encouraged to link theory and practice through the use of clinical skills, Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) case studies and integration with their professional practice experience.

Co-production of care

This module aims to introduce the students to the concept of co-produced care, which requires nurses to become facilitators of care. Patient/client centred nursing is at the heart of co-production and acknowledges the patient as an expert in their own care. Students will gain an understanding of evidence based approaches to patient/client centred care and how these can assist in the decision making process to encompass nurse assessment, interventions and safeguarding vulnerable people.

Important to coproduction is underpinning knowledge and skills and this module will provide further opportunities for students to develop knowledge of pathophysiological processes to explore the management of disease processes across the lifespan as well as demonstrating an understanding of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

Psychosocial Influences on Health

What influences health? This module will critically review the psychology and social influences on health. The learning within this module will be integrated into clinical learning to promote holistic health assessment.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Monday 25 April 2022.

Modules

Advanced clinical learning - mental health field

This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to critically explore the skills, values and evidence base essential for supporting individuals towards their recovery when they are experiencing mental health problems.

Leadership and Innovation for Nursing

This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop the capacity to organise, evaluate, support and supervise care. The transition from learners to autonomous and innovative registered nurses will be supported. This module will stimulate the development of clinical leadership and change management skills required to implement innovations leading to safe practice and excellent service delivery.

Dissertation (GEN)

This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to explore the concepts of the research process and determine how research findings can be utilised to improve practice. This is with the view to completing, under supervision, an empirical or literature based research dissertation.

Complex Care Delivery

This module aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills to manage patients/clients requiring complex care as a result of multiple health problems and complex conditions. This module will integrate professional, biological science and pharmacological knowledge with the mental, physical, cognitive, behavioural, social and spiritual health needs in order to deliver effective, evidence based complex care.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Monday 25 April 2022.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

  • Case-based learning
  • Clinical skills sessions
  • Lectures
  • Placements
  • Practical classes
  • Seminars
  • Small group learning
  • Self-study
  • Tutorials

The programme incorporates shared learning with other disciplines and professions, developing your clinical leadership skills and preparing you for practice.

How you will be assessed

  • Case studies
  • Clinical exams
  • Objective structured clinical exams
  • Coursework
  • Written exam
  • Literature review
  • Presentation

Your work will be assessed during or at the end of each module through a variety of means.

To complete a module and gain its credits you will need to make sure you attend your timetabled sessions and get over the 50% pass mark.

Contact time and study hours

You can expect an average of 25-30 hours of contact time per week, in the form of a variety of teaching methods. This is supported by independent self-guided study.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2022 entry.

Undergraduate degreeYou are required to have an honours degree (2:2 or above). We do not accept nursing degrees.
Additional information

GCSE requirement

You are required to have GCSE level 4 (C) or above in English and maths. Evidence of these must be included in your application.

Relevant healthcare experience

The UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements for undertaking this accelerated course are met by 'Recognition of Prior Learning' (RPL) congruent with graduate-entry level of experience of healthcare or other relevant employment. Demonstration of the skills, knowledge and attitudes expected at this level must be evidenced before a place may be offered.

Achievement of the pre-requisites for entry to the two years accelerated programme will be assessed through face-to-face interview, oral presentation, and successful completion of a portfolio of evidence (of prior learning) at the point of graduate entry.

Interview

Please note that an an interview is a mandatory requirement in line with our professional and regulatory body requirements.

Note for applicants

All offers are subject to a successful interview, satisfactory health screening, and disclosure and barring service (DBS) clearance.

More information about our selection process is on our advice for nursing applicants webpage.

Work experience

Previous experience in a healthcare setting is required.

Applying

If you are interested in the GEN, think about the following four fields and which one relates best to your first degree and or your caring experience.

  • Adult Nursing
  • Mental Health Nursing
  • Child Nursing
  • Learning Disability Nursing

Your application:

When you apply and are writing your personal statement think about the following:

  • Your enthusiasm for nursing and particularly your chosen field
  • Your previous academic background and achievements, how these may relate to nursing and your chosen field
  • Think about your work/ caring experiences, how to they relate to any of the listed Nursing and Midwifery (NMC) proficiencies and your chosen field of nursing
    • 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.
    • Coordinating care.

Remember this is master’s level of study, so your application should reflect this in its presentation and articulation.

The GEN Process:

After you submit your application, you will need to complete the following:

An Interview (face to face or online) which consists of eight questions centred on a field-specific scenario (normally 30 minutes duration).

AND

A 10-minute PowerPoint presentation (online or face to face) consisting of:

A summary of your first degree’s dissertation

Or

Some change you introduced into your workplace.

Each candidate must successfully complete both sections.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

After the interview and the presentation each candidate will be given six weeks to complete the RPL. This is 3000 words divided into 12 criteria on an agreed template.

Useful links:

Our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about applying.

How to apply
Medical School – Queen's Medical Centre

Where you will learn

Medical School – Queen's Medical Centre

Our Medical School is based in Queen’s Medical Centre, one of the UK’s largest hospitals.

There are dedicated clinical skills facilities including a dissection suite and teaching laboratories for medicine and healthcare students.

The hospital is located opposite University Park Campus and connected by a footbridge for easy access. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.

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Where you will learn

Clinical Skills Centre

We have a dedicated Clinical Skills Centre in our Medical School (Queen's Medical Centre).

You will benefit from clinical learning within this simulated environment, enabling you to develop confidence in your practical skills.

We have a number of rooms that simulate different environments to enrich your learning experience. This includes mock-hospital settings, consultancy rooms and a community/home setting.

Fees

UK fees are set in line with the national UKRI maximum fee limit. We expect fees for 2022 entry to be confirmed in August 2021.

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, such as travel, accommodation and printing. You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies.

Travel to your placements is self-funded and costs will vary depending on location. However, you may be eligible for some costs to be reimbursed.

You will need to pay £40 for an enhanced DBS check, and may wish to subscribe to the DBS update service for £13 per year. If you don't have a pair of suitable shoes to wear in clinical placement, you will need to purchase some. You will also need to buy a clinical skills polo shirt for £10.

Please note that these figures are approximate and subject to change.

Funding

Bursaries of £5,000 will be available for students starting a nursing course from September 2020, with some students eligible for up to an additional £3,000 per year. Full details.

There are many ways to fund your postgraduate course, from scholarships to government loans.

We also offer a range of international masters scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Postgraduate funding

Careers

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Graduate destinations

All our BSc and graduate entry nursing courses are approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). After successfully completing any of these courses, you will be eligible to register with the NMC as a registered nurse.

You will have the experience needed to work within the NHS, private healthcare or within the voluntary and independent sector. You may also choose to pursue a career in teaching, research or management.

Career progression

A newly qualified nurse working within the NHS can expect to start at salary Band 5, earning a minimum of £24,214. 

As you gain experience as a nurse and develop your professional skills, you may progress on to a senior clinical post at NHS Band 7 or higher. The top salary on Band 7 is £43,772.

Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

This course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

You will complete 1,680 hours of clinical supervised practice throughout your programme, each placement lasting from 4-10 weeks. This includes an elective placement and a final, management placement.

You will experience a range of settings including medical, surgical, acute care and community nursing. Placements will be in NHS trusts and local private or independent healthcare providers, mainly across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

During placements, you will be supported by experienced clinical mentors (practice supervisors) and participate in student forums.

Elective placement

There is an 'elective placement' in the second year which you will arrange yourself, with some support from the school. This is an opportunity to get a deeper understanding of nursing, in an area that you're most interested in personally.

Previous students have spent their elective placement in another country, the prison service or neonatal units. A small number of students have also been successful in finding a placement with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the Department of Health and Social Care

Please note, the elective placement is self-funded.

Two masters graduates proudly holding their certificates
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Graduate Entry Nursing - Claire's experience

Claire talks about her experience of studying MSc Graduate Entry Nursing at the University of Nottingham.

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This content was last updated on Monday 25 April 2022. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur given the interval between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.