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Nursing (Pre-Registration) Child MSc

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    Overview

    This course provides the opportunity for those who have studied an undergraduate degree to undertake a two-year full-time Master's course and upon successful completion receive eligibility for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The course helps you to develop the skills required, in order to become a confident, competent, caring and compassionate child nurse in a rapidly changing health and social care environment. This includes developing the vital skills required to care for children, young people and their families whatever their circumstances, including those with acute illness, long-term conditions or those who need help to maintain their health.

    • The course will assist you to develop both practical and theoretical skills, in order to achieve your full potential as a child nurse and meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Standards. These include professional values, communication and interpersonal skills, nursing practice and decision making, and leadership, management and team working. The course also teaches you how to respond to the needs of all patients and service users from all fields of nursing including adult, learning disability and mental health. *This challenging and intensive course comprises 50% theory and 50% practice, where you will undertake placements in a range of settings. The course consists of two years, each comprising of a number of compulsory modules, where you will have the opportunity to study alongside students from the other fields of nursing.
    • You will be taught by Lecturers who are committed and passionate, as well as supervisors and assessors who are research active and have extensive and varied experience in child nursing.
    • Teaching takes place in innovative and contemporary teaching and learning environments, including a fully equipped simulated children’s ward, in which you will learn in a safe environment.
    • Student support will be given from personal tutors and year leaders, as well as academic learning support and experienced practice supervisors and assessors.

    If you are passionate about children and young people, and have the patience, good humour and people skills to care for children, young people and their families, then this course maybe ideal for you.

    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 Masters level.
    • If successful at interview, 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 a Pre-Entry Portfolio. 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 may still be applicable, for example you may have worked in a public-facing professional role in which you have demonstrated values relating to the professional standards that registered nurses must uphold (Nursing & Midwifery Council 2018).

    If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 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 hold any other qualifications which are not listed, please contact us before applying for this course.

    Offers will be subject to an interview, an Occupational Health assessment 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), 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.

    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.

    Please note: there are a limited number of places on the course and the demand is generally high, therefore we may not interview all applicants who meet the required entry criteria due to this competitive process.

    Start dates

    11 January 2027

    Duration

    2 years full-time

    Course Detail

    Becoming a professional - Child Nursing

    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 a child nurse. You will 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 children and young people with their health. You will also learn how to manage the transition to university and explore ethical and professional codes underpinning child and young people nursing.

    Introduction to Child Nursing

    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 people with a range of physical, mental and cognitive needs, with a specific focus on children and young people. You will integrate knowledge of anatomy and physiology with psychology, sociology and other relevant disciplines to explore factors impacting 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.

    Understanding knowledge and evidence for nursing

    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’ll 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 Child Nursing

    This module builds on knowledge and skills you developed in Introduction to Child Nursing. You will expand your range of assessment skills and apply them to more complex neonate, child and young person 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 Child Nursing practice

    This module builds on the Understanding Knowledge and Evidence for Nursing module, 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 child nursing in year 2. 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 1

    This module is the first practice module. You will be placed in clinical areas to undertake clinical practice and practice assessments. Providing further opportunity to develop the fundamental skills of nursing practice including personal hygiene, infection control, undertaking observations and holistic patient assessments and care. You will complete a practice learning experience, where you will put the theory you have learnt into practice.

    Developing as a professional

    This module builds on the Becoming a Professional module in year 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 also have the opportunity to develop your understanding and skills for effective team working, leadership and management to enable you to positively influence care delivery, decisions and management for people in your care.

    Nursing Practice 2

    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.

    Being a professional

    This module builds on professionally themed modules in year one and 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 beyond the organisation to a national and global level. You will also have the chance to develop skills in promoting quality care and service improvements across and beyond the organisation. The module prepares you to 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 Child Nursing

    This module builds on the knowledge and skills developed in year one. 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 neonates, children and young people 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.

    Using evidence and research to enhance Child Nursing practice

    This module builds on the evidence and research modules in year 1, enabling you to systematically undertake a literature review or a small-scale research project based on the research proposal developed in Developing Research Knowledge and Evidence for Child Nursing Practice. You will have the opportunity to develop a detailed literature review report or research study report. 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 child nursing field. You will also be involved in data collection and analysis.

    Nursing Practice 3

    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.

    You will be taught by a team of highly experienced children's nurses who really understand what it is like to be a children's nurse and are able to demonstrate the latest techniques and procedures whilst supporting you, as you put these skills and qualities into practice.

    A range of teaching and learning strategies are used to suit different learning styles. Our virtual learning environment and state-of-the-art simulation equipment aims to provide you with everything you need to be successful in theory and practice.

    Throughout the course there are various opportunities for you to engage with interprofessional learning and multidisciplinary working. You will have the opportunity to attend research conferences, which involve other health professional students. You will also be taught through seminars, group work, practical experience, simulation, role play, computer-based learning and lectures.

    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. Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course.

    This course has modules making up 180 credits over the 2 Years, with each credit being 10 hours of study (1800 hours in total). An average of approximately* 22% (1210 hours) of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors [face to face or online] in [lectures, seminars, tutorials, practicals and workshops]. The remainder of the time will be spent on independent study. Assessments takes place through a variety of [exams, coursework, etc].

    Subject to mode of study. *Based on current core and compulsory modules. Calculated using data from the academic year 2024/25, as of November 2024.

    Teaching

    The teaching year for most courses normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Teaching on other courses including professional courses, postgraduate taught, research, distance learning and apprenticeship may have other start dates including January and May. All start dates can be found on each course page and term dates are also available. Students on a full-time course may have to attend every day of the week. Students who choose to study a full-time course on a part-time basis will generally attend modules at the same time as our full-time students. Timetables are normally available one month before registration.

    Our courses are taught at our University campus and you can expect that your lectures and seminars will be held face to face, except in cases of emergency or if specifically stated otherwise in the module description.

    Feedback

    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.

    Progression

    You may progress to the next stage of your course or research degree, subject to meeting University assessment criteria and professional, statutory, or regulatory body guidelines.

    1. 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.

    2. 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).

    3. 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. Practice includes placements, reflection, simulation and spoke visits. During the course you will undertake a number of compulsory practice learning experiences in a range of healthcare environments all related to child nursing. These may include NHS Trusts, children’s hospices, schools and community settings.

    Throughout the practical experiences you will be supported, supervised and assessed by a qualified children's 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 night shifts.

    Please note that you will be required to travel to and during your placements. Your placement areas could be anywhere within the wider Calderdale, Kirklees, and Wakefield metropolitan districts of West Yorkshire and include both hospital and community-based placements. You need to think very carefully about how you’ll travel across this region for your placements with awareness that when in placement you will often be required to start a shift at 7.00am and may not finish until 8.00pm. Your placements will also incorporate night-shifts and weekend working. For more information visit our placements page.

    Lifelike simulated nursing wards
    Our virtual patients simulate health problems
    Simulation baby receiving oxygen via head box
    Sam simulates children in traction
    Equipment for care of premature babies
    Learning how to pass a nasogastric tube on a baby
    Learning about safe administration of medication

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    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.

    When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

    The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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