Triangle

Course overview

This two-year accelerated 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.

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 in people's recovery at this challenging time of their life.

Through expert teaching and supportive supervision, you will learn to attend to adult 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 adult nurse or healthcare leader.

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

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.

Choose a course that fits your interests 

Graduate Entry Nursing (Adult)

You'll learn how to care for adults with a range of needs, in many different settings, to give you flexibility in your future profession.

Graduate Entry Nursing (Child)

You'll work with children of all ages (up to 19 years old), with a variety of conditions. Not only will you care for the child, but you will also provide a high level of support for families.

Graduate Entry Nursing (Learning Disability)

You'll learn how to care for people with a range of learning disabilities, in many different settings, including where they live, learn and have fun. This gives you the opportunity to make a real difference to people's lives, as you facilitate the desired lifestyle choices for the individuals that you work with.

Why choose this course?

Register as a nurse

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

4th in the UK

for Nursing

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022

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 two years.

Our modules provide a balance of nursing theory and practical application via placements and are delivered in 15-week blocks. Our educational philosophy is based on the philosophy that you as an adult learner have individual learning needs and aspirations, and we encourage independent, self-directed learning to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary. 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 and you’ll gain hands-on experience both at university and in practice. We will guide you through clinical skills in simulated classroom activities before stepping out on the wards. You’ll develop the skills outlined in the NMC annexes: communication skills and nursing skills for person-centred care.

Modules

Modules

Co-Production of Care 20 credits

Contemporary mental health requires nurses to become facilitators of care, rather than providers. Person-centred nursing is at the heart of co-production and acknowledges the patient as “an expert in their own care”. During the module, you'll critically examine evidence-based approaches to person-centred care. This will include helping you to understand the importance of pathophysiological, pharmacological and psychological processes across the lifespan in order to assist mental health nursing assessment, formulation, interventions and safeguard vulnerable people.

Nursing Science and Professional Knowledge 20 credits

What are the core values and principles underpinning mental health nursing? How do we become professional nurses? This module aims to introduce you to a wide variety of concepts from accountability and candour to legislative and ethical frameworks. From values based practice and duty of care to equality and diversity. We teach you the foundations of biosciences that inform safe and effective person-centred nursing care and work alongside you using a range of helpful teaching approaches including clinical skills training and Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) case studies prior to consolidating and integrating your learning through professional practice experience and clinical supervision.

Psychosocial Influences on Health 20 credits

What influences health? This module will critically review the psychological and social influences on health, providing you with an opportunity to discuss, review and analyse a range of interesting topics such as health inequalities, social constructions of health and illness, models of mental health and mental health law. This will include clinical skills training and Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) case studies prior to consolidating and integrating your learning through professional practice experience and clinical supervision.

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 28 November 2022.

Modules

Advanced Clinical Learning - Mental Health Field 20 credits

This module aims to provide you 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.

Complex Care Delivery 20 credits

Being able to deliver care to patients with complex needs is an essential part of being a mental health nurse. Together, our team of highly skilled and experienced academics and clinicians critically explore and discuss what makes care ‘complex?’ and how mental health nurses work within healthcare systems to provide high-quality, evidence-based care in the UK. In this module, we will explore and examine concepts such as diagnoses, co-morbidity, long-term conditions, socio-economic factors, poly-pharmacy, and health inequalities. Your role as a future registered mental health nurse will be to critically consider how holistic and biopsychosocial factors integrate within mental health systems and examine the importance of access, assessment, planning, delivery and decision-making when it comes to our patients.

Dissertation 60 credits

Your dissertation gives you an 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.

Leadership and Innovation for Nursing 20 credits

In this module, you'll 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.

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 28 November 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 theory aspect of this course will be delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and online digital resources. You’ll also undertake enquiry-based Learning (EBL) as well as Resilience Based Clinical Supervision.

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
  • Practical assessment

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

You will also complete 1,680 hours of clinical supervised practice throughout your degree programme.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2023 entry.

Undergraduate degreeYou are required to have an honours degree at 2:2 or above (2:1 is preferred). We do not accept nursing degrees.

An interview is a mandatory requirement in line with our professional and regulatory body requirements.

GCSE requirements

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.

Further notes for applicants

All offers are subject to being successful at the selection day, satisfactory health screening, and disclosure and barring service (DBS) clearance. More information about our selection process is on our advice for nursing applicants webpage.

Applying

The application deadline for this course is 31 March 2023.

When applying, we encourage you to think about the following four fields and which one relates best to your first degree and or your caring experience.

  1. Adult Nursing
  2. Mental Health Nursing
  3. Child Nursing
  4. Learning Disability Nursing

Your application

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

  • Your enthusiasm for nursing and particularly in your chosen field
  • Your previous academic background and achievements, how these may relate to nursing and your chosen field

Think about your work and caring experiences, how do they relate to any of the listed Nursing and Midwifery Council (MNC) 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 that this is a Masters (MSc) level of study, so your application should reflect this in its presentation and articulation.

The Graduate Entry Nursing (GEN) Process

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

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

AND

  • A 10 minute PowerPoint presentation (online or face to face) consisting of one of the following:
    • A summary of your first degree’s dissertation
    • A change you introduced into your workplace

You must successfully complete both sections.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

After the interview and the presentation, you'll be given six weeks to complete the RPL. This is 3000 words divided into 12 criteria on an agreed template.

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

Qualification MSc
Home / UK £9,250
International £27,200

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

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

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.

Bursaries do not apply to international students however, 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.

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 masters 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.

There are 6 to 8 placements over two years, each lasting from 4 to 10 weeks, completing a total of 1,80 hours of clinical practice. 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 practice assessors and practice supervisors and participate in student forums via clinical supervision.

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 that 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.

Related courses

Graduate Entry Nursing (Adult) MSc

If you already have an undergraduate degree, this two-year graduate entry course develops the skills and knowledge needed for a modern career in adult nursing.
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Graduate Entry Nursing (Child) MSc

This two-year graduate entry course develops the skills and knowledge needed for a modern career in child nursing and is aimed at those who already hold an undergraduate degree.
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Graduate Entry Nursing (Learning Disability) MSc RN (LD)

If you already have an undergraduate degree, this two year graduate entry masters course develops the skills and knowledge needed for a modern career in learning disability nursing.
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This content was last updated on Monday 28 November 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.