Intro

Successful completion of our Specialist Community Practitioner MSc will give you access to second-level registration on the NMC register as either a qualified general practice nurse or district nurse.

The course provides registered nurses with the opportunity to gain both a professional qualification and an academic award at degree level.

On graduation, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to become a capable and confident general practice nurse, district nurse, or home nurse, able to lead community-based nursing teams in the complex and dynamic integrated context of community and primary healthcare practice.

We are known for our flexible approaches to practice-based learning, with course durations and intensities that can be adapted to your individual needs and outside commitments.

Recognising that patients come first in everything the NHS does, and the values of the NHS constitution – respect, dignity, compassion and working together for service users – are embedded in our curriculum.

Our high-quality teaching and research are renowned, and have an applied focus. We have established strong links with community specialist practice educators to ensure the provision of support and guidance both within the university and in community practice.

We have a dedicated team of academic staff who are actively engaged in internationalising the nursing and midwifery curriculum.

Find out about postgraduate events

Key facts

Location Brighton: Falmer

Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2 to 6 years

This course meets NMC standards and course graduates are eligible for second-level registration.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

Degree and experience

Academic requirements listed are for the school's postgraduate education programme and the requirements of the NMC. In order to enter the chosen pathway, candidates must be a registered nurse (level 1) with relevant professional registration, capable of safe and effective practice at the level of proficiency for level 7 study.

And

normally hold a health-related degree at 2:1 or above or equivalent or be able to demonstrate the ability to study at level 6.
have successfully completed recent study within the last five years
normally have a minimum of three years’ post-registration experience, preferably in a community setting
demonstrate the potential to benefit from masters-level study
have appropriate clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau, organised by the sponsoring organisation.
have employer support to undertake the programme.
must be employed and sponsored by a Practice Learning Partner of the University of Brighton (such as the applicant’s employing/sponsoring NHS organisation) for the duration of the programme in an appropriate role for the specialist pathway in the programme (general practice nursing or district nursing).
have protected learning time to undertake the programme with student status in practice.
have appropriate practice support throughout the programme.

Applicants who do not have a first degree

In exceptional cases candidates will be considered for entry onto the MSc programme without a first degree if they can demonstrate innovations in practice, publications and have expertise in the field.

Candidates without a first degree will be required to undertake and pass an M-level module in order to enter the MSc. A maximum of 40 credits of the final award may be brought into the course provided you meet the learning outcomes and these were undertaken in the previous five years.

Students who already hold a recognised qualification in any one of the specialist options at degree level may apply for admission to another specialist option provided they satisfy the necessary entry criteria. Such students will need to complete 120 masters-level credits in order to gain the postgraduate diploma, and to demonstrate achievement of the specialist practice learning outcomes for the chosen pathway.

To apply for this course, please contact the course administrator ProfessionalCourseAdmissions@brighton.ac.uk.

How to apply

This course starts in September. Applications are accepted from February each year, which is also when the relevant application form is made available by the school.

Applicants who are self-employed, self-funded or working in non-NHS organisations should apply to the Practice Learning Partner (PLP) through the appropriate annual NHS Jobs advert to assure PLP sponsorship on this programme.

The Practice Learning Partner will shortlist the applications and, if successfully shortlisted, your details will be forwarded to the university where you will be asked to complete an online application form and invited to interview.

Please note that it will not be possible to make an application to the university unless you have applied and been shortlisted. Any applications that do not meet this criteria cannot be considered.

In addition, references to support good health and character are required at admission stage, along with a satisfactory DBS check which is undertaken by the applicant's current employer. Students are required to make an annual declaration regarding health and good character, and this would also be required before application to the Register.

For more information, contact the programme administrator on: ProfessionalCourseAdmissions@brighton.ac.uk.

Interview procedures
Normally interviews are carried out with a representative from the University of Brighton and representatives from the Practice Learning Partner (including a Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor representative). At interview consideration will be given to the following:

knowledge of the role
communication skills
appropriate attitude
potential for development as a Specialist Community Practitioner.

Course content

Course structure

The programme fully embraces ‘practical wisdom’ and an enquiry and research-led approach to learning are embedded throughout.

Practice-based learning is embedded throughout the programme and accounts for approximately 50% of the course. The focus of practice-based learning is on competence to a specialist level of proficiency. The number of practice days required per week will be detailed on the course calendar.

Our aim is to embed student-centred learning and teaching approaches that develop sustainability and encourage reflection and critical thinking across the whole programme, promoting life-long learning.

The course is delivered in a variety of ways, and is flexible enough to meet the needs of part-time students. Delivery is typically via e-learning, lectures, seminars, work-based practice learning, facilitated workshops and simulation in our Clinical Skills and Simulation Suite and Flexible Learning Environment.

You will be allocated practice placements by your employing trust, and assigned a practice supervisor and practice assessor to support your learning in practice. You may also undertake a period of alternative practice during which you can spend a week in another practice environment, to diversify your skills and experience base.

To prioritise your learning needs and protect your student status you will only undertake patient care in relation to the Specialist Community Practitioner role under the supervision of the qualified practice supervisor or practice assessor.

A variety of learning and teaching strategies are used including problem-based and work-based learning. You need to be highly motivated and be prepared to actively engage with all aspects of your learning.

Public health roles are diverse, and flexibility in the course gives you the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills to suit your personal and professional ambitions.

With the guidance of an academic tutor, you will set out a professional development plan (PDP) which will be captured in the three Practice Assessment Documents (PADs) and which will be reviewed throughout the course.

The PADs help to integrate your personal areas of advancement with the existing requirements of the knowledge and skills framework and are designed to ensure that upon completion you have had the relevant experience of all aspects of Specialist Community Practice necessary to fulfil the required learning outcomes. They also serve as evidence of your expanded skill set in order to boost your future employability.

You'll be partly co-taught with students studying on the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing MSc/PGDip, Advanced Clinical Practice MSc, Health MSc and stand-alone continuing professional education modules. This will diversify your knowledge through the sharing of experiences and enable you to understand a range of different ways to practice within a given framework.

The PADs also ensure that your needs are assessed on an ongoing basis and adjustments made accordingly, particularly useful if an extended part-time route is taken.

Health sciences postgraduate education
This course is part of our postgraduate education programme. The programme allows you to sign up for one module at a time and build your qualification as you go. It also gives you access to interdisciplinary modules across a broad selection of health and social science subjects.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through Student View.

Areas of study

The course consists of a range of mandatory core modules that have been arranged to allow you to develop and build on your knowledge, skills and professionalism as you progress through the course.

If you have previous academic credits which can be considered in line with the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy then an option module that maps to the NMC Standards of Proficiency for Community Nursing Specialist Practice Qualifications (2022) from the continuing professional development portfolio of modules can be taken. You and the sponsoring NHS organisation will need to request this.

You will benefit from sharing skills and knowledge with a range of speciality nurses, and be able to nurture an intra-professional collaboration. Programmes have been designed to include modules in which learning is shared with students from other disciplines and, where possible, other professions.

On completion of the course, you will have studied and practised:

assessing risk in complex situations
developing effective relationships based on trust and openness
working flexibly with other services in a range of settings
dealing with conflicting priorities and ambiguous situations
knowing when to use, different and sometimes contradictory theories and perspectives.

Syllabus

Core modules

Integrated Care
Leading Service Improvement
Leading Specialist Practice
Advanced Physical Assessment for Adults, Pathophysiology and Clinical Decision-Making
Independent Prescribing (V300)
Dissertation

Option modules*

Option modules are only available for students with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) - see the Areas of study tab for full information.

A Critical Approach to Community Public Health
Advanced Respiratory Care (Adult)
Child Advanced Physical Assessment, Pathophysiology and Clinical Decision-Making
Health Professional as an Educator

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

NMC Standards and final award

The statutory regulator is the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) who approve the course and register nurses and midwives to practice.

The course meets the NMC Standards Framework for Nursing and Midwifery Education (NMC 2018) and is mapped to the NMC Standards for Student Supervision and Assessment (NMC 2018), the NMC Standards of Proficiency for Community Nursing Specialist Practice Qualifications (NMC 2022) and the NMC Standards for Post Registration Programmes (NMC 2022).

The independent prescribing programme which is integral to the PGDip/MSc award further meets, and is mapped to, the NMC Standards for Prescribing Programmes (NMC 2018) and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Competency Framework for all Prescribers (RPS 2021). 

To gain the professional and recordable Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) qualification with the NMC, students must achieve 120 level 7 credits in the required modules to ensure proficiency in specialist community nursing (NMC 2022). One of the following will then be awarded:

Specialist Practitioner: District Nursing with integrated Independent and Supplementary Prescribing (V300) PGDip

Specialist Practitioner: General Practice Nursing with integrated Independent and Supplementary Prescribing (V300) PGDip

Students can then go on to complete the Specialist Community Practitioner MSc by successfully completing the 60-credit dissertation within the maximum period of registration which is six years. One of the following will then be awarded:

Specialist Community Practitioner (District Nursing) MSc
Specialist Community Practitioner (General Practice Nursing) MSc

On successful completion of an MSc, the PGDip will be rescinded, however the professional recordable NMC qualification remains.

Facilities

Clinical Skills and Simulation Suite

Clinical skills and simulation rooms provide an invaluable tool for assessment and monitoring students' progress throughout the course.

You will benefit from practising nursing skills in an environment that simulates nurses’ real-life professional experiences. Learning by simulation with state-of-the-art mannequins enables you to practice in a safe environment under supervision, so you can apply your knowledge and skills in professional practice with confidence.

Our skilled technicians will be on hand to support you.

Careers

Most graduates go on to work, or continue working, within the NHS in a variety of community nursing and primary care settings.

The skills and knowledge that you will have achieved by graduation can also be applied to a wide range of community nursing or public health roles in various settings.

The context of public health practice both within and outside of the NHS is constantly changing and the opportunities for career development and innovative approaches to service provision exist.

Fees and costs

Course fees

NHS funding is available and may vary depending on individual circumstances.

How to apply

Applications are accepted in February of each year, which is also when the relevant application form is made available by the School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences.

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

Fee information for this course for 2025 entry will be updated here no later than December 2024.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2024–25.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international postgraduate students
Student finance and budgeting while studying
About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

What's included

Here you’ll find details of specific resources and services that are included in the tuition fee for our allied health professions students. To help you to budget for your studies, there is also information on any additional costs that you may have to pay or can choose to pay in addition to your tuition fee.

Find out how tuition fees enable us to support all of our students with important services, facilities and resources across the university and check out our finance pages for info about fees, funding and scholarships along with advice on international and island fee-paying status.

You can chat with our enquiries team if you have a question or need more information.

What's included in your tuition fee

An initial set of specialist uniforms.
DBS checks and occupational health checks.
Where health course includes a placement: UK students – travel costs which are over and above your daily journey to university and dual accommodation costs may be reimbursed by the NHS learning support fund.
Course books, magazines and journals are available in the university libraries. You do not need to have your own copies. See the subject area in the library for an up-to-date list of key subject journals and databases.
You will have access to computers and necessary software on campus – and can borrow a laptop from us if yours is broken or you don’t have a computer at home. Specialist equipment is provided to cover essential learning.

Additional course costs

Where health course includes a placement: Overseas students are not covered by the NHS learning support fund. This means that any additional travel or accommodation costs for this course will be your responsibility. Travel to placement may be up to 90 mins each way/travel on public transport at peak time cost, and you may incur additional accommodation and living costs if staying away from your usual home base for the length of your placement.
You’ll need to budget for printing and stationery for personal study, and books if you decide to buy your own.
In most cases coursework submissions are electronic but you may wish to print notes which would involve an extra cost.
Many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices, but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Falmer campus

Set in the South Downs, our Falmer campus is around four miles from Brighton city centre. Students based here study a range of subjects including education studies, teaching, sport and exercise, nursing and midwifery, allied health professions and medicine. Brighton and Hove Albion's Amex stadium and beautiful Stanmer Park are right next door.

Falmer campus has two halls of residence on site, as well as a library, restaurant, cafes and the students' union shop and bar.

The campus has extensive sport and leisure facilities including a fitness suite, swimming pool, outdoor grass football and rugby pitches, sports hall, tennis and badminton courts, and dance and spin studios.

Specialist learning facilities at Falmer include the curriculum centre used by teaching and education students, which houses over 30,000 teaching resources, clinical skills and simulation suites used by health students, and labs and a strength and conditioning suite used by sport students. We’ve recently redeveloped the Falmer campus - learn more about the many facilities our students have access to.

Cycle lanes link Falmer with our other campuses and the city centre. There are regular bus services to the city centre and other campuses. Falmer train station is right next to campus and a nine-minute journey to central Brighton.

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Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students. So if you applied for halls by the deadline you are guaranteed a room in our halls of residence.

Brighton: Falmer

Halls of residence
We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:
- Paddock Field and Great Wilkins halls offer a range of rooms on our Falmer campus, minutes from your classes, and on the edge of the South Downs.
- Varley Park is a popular dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices. It is around two miles from Falmer campus and four miles from the city centre, and is easy to get to by bus.

Want to live independently? We can help – find out more about private renting.

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

student outside the sport and health complex at Falmer

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Students dining at Westlain

Local area

About Brighton

The University of Brighton is at the heart of our city's reputation as a welcoming, forward-thinking place which leads the way when it comes to the arts, music, sustainability and creative technology. Brighton is home to a thriving creative community and a digital sector worth £1bn a year to the local economy, as much as tourism.

Many of the work-based learning opportunities offered on our courses such as placements and guest lectures are provided by businesses and organisations based in the city.

You can also get involved with city festivals and events such as the Brighton Festival, the Fringe, Brighton Digital Festival, Brighton Science Festival, the London to Brighton bike ride, and the Great Escape festival of new music to name but a few. Other annual highlights include Pride, the Brighton Marathon, and Burning the Clocks which marks the winter solstice.

You'll find living in Brighton enriches your learning experience and by the end of your course you will still be finding new things to explore and inspire you.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and there are daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Maps

Falmer campus

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more about how we support your wellbeing.

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition.

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Stay in touch

Find out about postgraduate events

Find out more

ProfessionalCourseAdmissions@brighton.ac.uk

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Specialist Community Practitioner MSc PGDip