Nursing (Pre-Registration) Adult (Blended Learning) MSc

Overview

This course has been designed for those who would like to become a nurse and are located within the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, Cheshire and Merseyside, North West, Cumbria or North Lincolnshire. If you are located outside these areas please visit Health Education England for information on your nearest course provider.

This course provides the opportunity for those who have studied an undergraduate degree to undertake a two-year full-time Master's. So, whether you would like to provide care for adults in the community or an acute setting, this innovative blended learning nursing Master’s is designed to provide a great foundation for your future career in adult nursing. It provides the opportunity for you to study in a flexible way, that fits around work and life. You will receive teaching and support from experienced lecturers, practice supervisors and assessors, this course could be a great place for you to take the first steps towards making a huge difference to people’s everyday lives.

This course is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and has strong partnerships with NHS Trusts, private and voluntary organisations.
Supported by a team who really understand what it is like to be an adult nurse, you will learn online through seminars, group work, simulation and practical skills experience.
You will have an opportunity to learn key clinical skills and engage in simulation-based learning within a safe environment utilising human patient simulators to enhance your confidence, competence and understanding of patient care.
You will undertake clinical placements throughout the course in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, in the community, as well as voluntary and private sectors.
You will have the opportunity to hear the experiences and viewpoints from service users and carers, who are part of the Public Partnership Group.

This course uses mainly digital technologies and also includes practical hands-on experience. Although the theoretical component is predominantly delivered online, you will attend the campus in Huddersfield for a maximum total of 20 days per year of the course. You will do this in each year of the course, providing the opportunity for you to practise skills in a safe and controlled environment, attend occupational health sessions and mandatory training. You will also undertake practice placements across the NHS and healthcare organisations in a setting close to home.

The course aims to help you become a confident, competent, caring and compassionate nurse. From day one, you will get the opportunity to learn in a supportive, forward-thinking and well-connected environment. You will explore all aspects of nursing, from the fundamentals of providing care to more advanced topics such as complex needs, and leadership and management. You will develop a range of specialist skills including communication, decision-making, team working and upholding professional values, as well as practical and theoretical skills in order to help and achieve your full potential as an adult nurse and meet the NMC Standards.

Students studying this course may be eligible to receive a non-repayable grant of at least £5,000 each year. Further information is available on the NHS Learning Support Fund Website.

Key Information

Entry requirements

You must have the following:

An Honours degree (2:2 or above) and work experience relevant to the programme to be followed. Applicants with an Honours degree and considerable relevant experience may also be considered if they can demonstrate their ability to study at Master’s Level.
Applicants are required to successfully demonstrate that they have completed 550 hours of theory through studying/reading and a minimum of 700 hours of practice before they start the course using Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) (Nursing and Midwifery Council [NMC] requirement). Students will have 700 hours of practice verified in the Pre-Entry Portfolio. A broad range of experience can be used for this including observations and reading. Your experience and learning may have occurred outside a typical ‘practice’ area but is still applicable, for example you may have worked in a public facing professional role in which you will have demonstrated values relating to nursing. If you are successful at interview support will be provided on how to complete this document face-to-face, by phone or online.

You must have access to a computer with a reliable internet connection and the ability to access and use online study guidance and support as this course is delivered through distance learning.

Offers will be subject to an interview and references. Please note all the information provided in support of your application may be checked and must be verifiable as a true record.

You also need satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, occupational health clearances and RPL (NMC) evidence prior to registration on the course. We arrange these as part of the application process. You will be required to sign a self-declaration at the start of each year and at the end of the course. All police contact during the course must be reported to the course leader as a matter of urgency and may lead to suspension or termination. We will request an Overseas Police Check if you have lived in a country outside of the UK for 6 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years before applying to us and whilst aged 18 or over.

Placement providers for this course may require you to have received a number of vaccinations, unless medically exempt, and provide evidence of these. As a student on a course with a clinical or healthcare placement, we strongly recommend that you complete any courses of vaccinations required under current guidelines for your future profession. Failure to do so may result in your inability to undertake a placement in certain clinical settings, therefore impacting upon your academic progression, and may result in academic failure of your course.

You must meet the NMC (2018c) entry requirements in respect of literacy and numeracy, good character and good health.

In addition to the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) required for entry to the course, you may also be eligible to gain recognition for your prior learning towards the academic credit on this course. Please note that the course you are applying for is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) which allows a maximum of 50% of credits for the award to be conferred through recognition of prior learning.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum of IELTS 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

If you have alternative qualifications you may wish to contact us for advice before applying. Please note places are limited and attainment of the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an interview or offer. You must include details of any previous study. Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered.

Start dates

12 January 2026

Duration

2 years full-time

Course Detail

Becoming a Professional - Adult Nursing (Blended Learning)

This module involves exploring your development as a professional, examining your personal and professional attitudes and beliefs, as well as relating these to your future professional role as an adult nurse. You will also gain an understanding about how you can develop as a learner and maintain your physical and mental health, so you are able to promote and support people with their health. You will also learn how to manage the transition to university and explore ethical and professional codes underpinning adult nursing.

Introduction to Adult Nursing (Blended Learning)

This module provides the opportunity for you to develop the fundamental knowledge and skills required to have a critical understanding of theory and practice. This will assist you in providing effective person-centred support to those with a range of physical, mental, and cognitive needs, with a specific focus on adults. You will integrate knowledge of anatomy and physiology with psychology, sociology and other relevant disciplines to explore the factors that impact on an individual’s health across the lifespan to end of life. You will also have the opportunity to develop skills comprising of systematic assessments to inform intervention, including medicines administration and pharmacology.

Nursing Practice 1 (Blended Learning)

This module provides the opportunity for you to develop the fundamental skills of nursing practice including personal hygiene, infection control, undertaking observations and basic life support. You will complete a practice learning experience, where you will put the theory you have learnt into practice.

Understanding Knowledge and Evidence for Nursing (Blended Learning)

This module introduces you to the nature of knowledge and how it supports evidenced-based practice. You will learn about how to search for and read evidence to identify its value and relevance to nursing practice. You will explore how to evaluate published research and will be introduced to the concept of ethics within healthcare research. You will also have the opportunity to develop and use a variety of transferable skills including literature searching, critical appraisal of evidence and application of evidence to your own and the nursing practice of others.

Developing Critical Knowledge and Skills in Adult Nursing (Blended Learning)

This module builds on the knowledge and skills you developed in stage one. You will expand your range of assessment skills and apply them to more complex care encounters. Using your knowledge, you will recognise deterioration and begin to identify appropriate interventions to meet the care needs for people with a range of complex physical, mental health and cognitive care needs. You will plan care needs and begin to formulate care plans to meet the needs of individuals and groups of people in your care.

Developing Research Knowledge and Evidence for Adult Nursing Practice (Blended Learning)

This module builds on the Understanding Knowledge and Evidence for Nursing module in stage one, by introducing you to designing research studies, including literature reviews and empirical studies. You will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills of research methods and design preparing you to undertake a study relevant to adult nursing in stage 3. You will learn about research ethics, data collection, analysis and research approaches including qualitative, qualitative and mixed method studies, literature reviews undertaken systematically, systematic reviews and audits.

Nursing Practice 2 (Blended Learning)

This module provides you with the opportunity to further develop your skills of nursing practice including cannulation and phlebotomy. You will complete a practice learning experience, where you will put the theory you have learnt into practice.

Developing as a Professional (Blended Learning)

This module builds on the ‘Becoming a Professional’ module in stage one and provides the opportunity for you to develop the professional and transferable knowledge and skills required to become a Registered Nurse. You will gain an understanding of professional, legal and ethical knowledge and frameworks, and their role in your clinical decision-making. You will develop an understanding and skills for effective team working, leadership and management enabling you to positively influence care delivery, decisions and management for people in your care.

Being a Professional (Blended Learning)

This module builds on professionally themed modules in stage one and two to consolidate your preparation to become a qualified nurse. You will have the opportunity to develop future nurse leader skills to prepare you to positively influence care and undertake the role of teacher to individuals and groups, as well as the role of practice supervisor for future nurses.

Enhancing Knowledge and Skills in Adult Nursing (Blended Learning)

This module builds on the knowledge and skills developed in stage one and two. You will have the opportunity to expand your range of assessment skills and apply them under minimum supervision whilst managing and coordinating the care of adults with a range of conditions varying in complexity and in a range of settings. The module also assists you to develop skills in advanced care management and complex discharge or transfer planning.

Nursing Practice 3 (Blended Learning)

This module provides the opportunity for you to gain fundamental skills of nursing practice including intravenous medicines administration. You will complete a practice learning experience, where you will put the theory you have learnt into practice.

Using Evidence and Research to Enhance Adult Nursing Practise (Blended Learning)

This module builds on the evidence and research modules in stages 1 and 2, enabling you to systematically undertake a literature review or a small scale research project based on the research proposal developed in stage 2. You will use one of a variety of approaches including qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods, audit or a review of literature undertaken in a systematic way within the adult nursing field. You will also be involved in data collection and analysis.

You will be taught by a team who really understand what it is like be an adult nurse and are able to demonstrate the latest techniques and procedures, whilst supporting you to put these skills and qualities into practice.

Learning and teaching on this course is delivered online through seminars, group work, simulation and practical skills experience. The modules have been designed to embed transferable skills and enable you to progressively increase your knowledge and confidence. You will have the opportunity to engage in immersive situated activities through simulation-based learning (SBL) supported by facilitation. During each stage you will undertake a maximum of four one-week blocks of simulation , which will be dedicated weeks for simulation-based learning. Your studies will also be supported by the University's virtual learning environment.

The assessment methods on the course are varied and involve a combination of coursework, practice/proficiency-based learning, reports, presentations, and examinations. The nature of assessment varies between modules mirroring the modes of communication expected of graduates in this field, such as the ability to present to a range of audiences and provide reports to enhance the quality of care.

Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

Laboratory sessions, classroom-based learning and the use of simulated patients enable you to practice your skills in a safe and controlled environment. You will undertake practice placement experiences, where you will learn and be assessed in a real practice setting, under the supervision of appropriately qualified practice supervisors, practice assessors and academic assessors. You will be assessed whilst on placement through a Practice Assessment Document (PAD).

Throughout the course you will also have access to a Personal Development Plan, where you can identify your strengths and weaknesses, construct a record of achievement documenting the acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies, as well as reflect and act upon your personal, professional, academic and long term career goals.

Further information

Once you have submitted your application form to UCAS you may be invited to attend an interview.

Whether you are starting the course in September or January, your breaks will be interspersed throughout the year depending on what stage you have reached in the two-year course. Timetables are normally available one month before registration. This is a full-time online course, so you may have to engage every day of the week.

Your course is made up of modules and each module is worth a number of credits. At each stage you study core modules to the value of 60 credits, adding up to 180 credits in total.

If you achieve 60 credits for the current stage you are at, you may progress to the next stage of your course, subject to any professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.

Triple proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.
We are first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 22 since 2008 (2023 data).
We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

Placements

Nothing can really replicate working in the real world, that’s why the course comprises of 50% practice, which is essential in your development. During the course you will undertake a number of practice learning experiences in a range of healthcare environments, these may include NHS Trusts, charities, hospices, schools and community settings.

Throughout the practical experience you will be supervised and assessed by a qualified nurse or other suitably qualified professional who will provide expert help and advice if required.

To allow you the broadest professional experience possible, practice experiences are generally offered across West Yorkshire and beyond, covering 24 hour care including evening, weekend and occasional night shifts. You will be required to travel to and during your placements. For more information visit our placements page.

You will be assessed in a variety of ways including written coursework, practice, professional simulated exams, case presentations, competency based assessments and examinations, through which you will demonstrate your in-depth knowledge and understanding.

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Daphne Steele Facilities Tour

Discover how we’re shaping the future of healthcare education. Join student Ruth as she takes you on a tour of the University’s state-of-the-art Daphne Steele Building, part of our Health Innovation Campus. Explore cutting-edge learning spaces, including immersive simulation rooms, clinical labs, and real-world training environments like the Simbulance, Acute Ward and Podiatry Clinic. Designed to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals, this facility offers hands-on experiences across a range of healthcare disciplines.

Facilities

Students practising skills on simulation mannequin

Equipment used reflects clinical practice

Simulation-based learning in multiple bays

Our manikins enable learning in a safe environment

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The maximum fees we will charge for UK based students on undergraduate courses in 2025/26 will be £9,535 per year for full-time students (subject to parliamentary approval). We review and revise fee levels in line with inflation (RPI-X) and regulatory permissions.

Tuition fees will cover the cost of your study at the University as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision and examinations. For more information about funding, fees and finance for UK students, including what your tuition fee covers, please see Fees and finance.

If you are an EU or international student coming to study at the University of Huddersfield, please visit the International Fees and Finance pages for full details of tuition fees and support available.

Please email the Student Finance Office or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.

Students studying this course may be eligible to receive a non-repayable grant of at least £5,000 each year. Further information is available on the NHS Learning Support Fund Website.

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - full-time

Please email the Student Finance Office or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.

NHS Funding

Students studying this course may be eligible to receive a non-repayable grant of at least £5,000 each year. Further information is available on the NHS Learning Support Fund Website.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

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