About this course
Improve your knowledge and skills to become an expert practitioner on our MSc Nursing Studies degree. During this part-time master’s top-up award you'll gain the skills to appraise and challenge current practice. You’ll develop and lead evidence-based provision services that meets the needs of a modern health and social care service.
You can only take this course if you have passed your PG Diploma in Nursing at the University of 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载.If you completed your PG Diploma with us, this master’s course gives you a chance to top up to a master's degree by studying one of the following:
- MSc Nursing Studies - you can study this if you’ve completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (pre-registration) adult, child or mental health pathways.
- MSc Specialist Community Public Health Nursing Studies - you can study this if you’ve completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Practice: Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN)
The course is entirely dissertation-based so you’ll get to focus on a single piece of work.
You’ll graduate with improved career options and will get the chance to move into leadership roles or continue your studies at PhD level.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
Course lead
Your course lead is Dr Lyn Wilson, a lecturer in a range of topics related to promoting health including:
- health behaviour change
- motivational interviewing
- social capital
- health promotion theory
- practice and self-management
Lyn has worked in secondary education and in the NHS as a senior health promotion specialist. She’s also a registered Public Health Practitioner. Find out more on Dr Wilson’s staff profile page.
If you have a question about the course you can contact Lyn directly: lynw@soton.ac.uk
Learn more about this subject area
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载.
Entry requirements
You’ll need to:
- have passed your PG Diploma at the University of 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载
- register for this master’s within 3 years of completing your PG Diploma in Nursing, or within 4 year of completing your Public Health Practice: Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN)
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 7.0
- reading
- 7.0
- writing
- 7.0
- speaking
- 7.0
- listening
- 7.0
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Pre-masters
If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
This course is made up of a single dissertation module and will run for up to 18 months, starting in October. It will involve planning and writing an independent, original project which is relevant to your current or future area of practice.
You can choose one of the following dissertation formats.
- A literature review – you'll search for and critically review a wide range of evidence relevant to your topic or clinical issue. You’ll need to explain the implications for current or future practice.
- A service improvement project (including audit) - you’ll plan and undertake a service service improvement project in your area of practice.
- Empirical project – you'll carry out a piece of original research on a small scale. You'll need to get ethical approval and make time to collect and analyse data.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026
Year 1 modules
You must study the following module :
Learning and assessment
Learning
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- self-directed learning
- introductory day
- group supervision
- individual supervision
Assessment
We’ll assess you on your research proposal and your dissertation.
Academic Support
You will be supported by the programme lead, the dissertation module lead and an academic supervisor.
Careers and employability
Employability skills
This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.
The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:
- Research
- Critical thinking
- Self-management
- Communication
The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.
天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 skills overview
Career pathways
Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:
Health and social work,
Administration and Management,
Information and Communication,
Public Administration,
Education.
- Adult nurse
- Children's nurse
- Mental health nurse
- Health visitor
- High intensity therapist
- Midwife
- Paramedic
- Physician associate
- Occupational health nurse
- Counsellor
- Further education teacher
- Genetic counsellor
- Health service manager
- University lecturer
- Medicinal chemist
- Police officer
- Social worker
- Medical sales executive
- Staff nurse
- Midwife
- Practice nurse
- Advanced nurse practitioner
- Clinical nurse specialist
- Lecturer
- Occupational therapist
- Research nurse
- Consultant nurse
- Senior teaching fellow

Work experience opportunities
Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载.
Careers services and support
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV and interview skills and workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
- UK students pay ?4,625. This is the total cost for the 'programme' and there is no charge for year 2.
- This course is not available to international students.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.
Explore:
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Funding your postgraduate studies
A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.
Funding for international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
- Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
- Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. .
- Search for the course you want to apply for.
- Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
- Pay the ?50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
- Submit your application.
For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.
Application deadlines
There are different application deadlines for this course. Applications are expected to close:
- International students: Tuesday 29 July 2025, midday UK time
- UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a ?50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to include your:
- University of 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 ID number
- employer or Trust details
- evidence of healthcare registration
- Disclosure and Barring Service checks details
What happens after you apply
Once you've made a successful application, you'll be invited to an induction day. As a previous student with us you don't need to attend an interview.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
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