Course Comparison

Course
PgDip Community Nursing Specialist (District Nursing) MSc Advanced Professional Practice (Clinical Practitioner)
Award
Postgraduate Diploma - PgDip Master of Science - MSc
Duration
2 years 3 years
Assessment breakdown
- -
Course type
Full-time Part-time
Placement
(with placements) -
Location
Plymouth Plymouth
Provider
School of Nursing and Midwifery School of Nursing and Midwifery
Entry requirements
To commence this programme, the applicant must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and must meet the University’s entry requirements for study at postgraduate level. Professional body registration must be maintained throughout the duration of the programme.
  • Applicants must be registered nurse (Level 1) and have a minimum of one year's post registration experience.
  • Applicants must be in salaried employment, normally working a minimum of 30 hours in a community nursing role demanding advanced specialist practice skills and knowledge and have the full agreement from their employer.
  • Applicants will normally have a relevant first degree, BSc (Hons) at 2:1 or above.
  • Applicants will be assessed individually for their ability to study at master's level and an interview will be necessary.
  • Applicants without a first degree, BSc (Hons) at 2:2 or above may be eligible to apply, if combined with appropriate practice related experience relevant to the programme and following submission of a written critical evaluation of specialist study or practice marked against the Level 6 criteria.
  • Applicants where English is not their first language must also provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English in accordance with the NMC criteria of an overall score of 7.0, with at least 6.5 in the writing section and at least 7 in the reading, listening, and speaking sections.
  • Applicants must hold at least a Level 2 qualification in English and Maths. Candidates that do not hold these qualifications will be required to complete them prior to starting the programme.
  • Due to the blended learning delivery model of the programme, it is an expectation that students will have access to wi-fi and relevant electronic devices that allow them to engage fully with all aspects of programme delivery, teaching, learning and assessment.
  • Applicants are required to identify a Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor who meet the criteria (NMC, 2022 and 2023) and have undertaken preparation for the role. In addition, a Designated Prescribing Practitioner or Practice Assessor who holds the V300 qualification and meets the criteria.
  • Self-funding or self-employed applicants are required to identify a host placement (when applicable) for the duration of the programme (refer to Appendix 3 for self-funding applicants).
  • Short-listed applicants will attend an interview with representatives from practice partners and the programme academic team.
You will normally have a first degree (BSc (Hons) at 2:2 or above or European first cycle equivalent plus a professional qualification in health or social care) plus a minimum of three years post-registration experience. You will be assessed individually for your ability to study at this level and therefore an interview may be necessary.
If you do not have a first degree at 2:2 or above (or the European first equivalent) but have appropriate practice-related experience relevant to the programme you may still be eligible to apply. In these cases, you would also be required to submit a short piece of writing as part of the admissions process.
The clinical supervisor/mentor must be a Nurse or AHP or Advanced Practitioner with an MSc in Advanced Practice and a prescribing qualification, or must be a Doctor (Registrar/Middle Grade or above).
Applicants whose first language is not English must also provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English in accordance with the University’s Admissions Code of Practice – IELTS of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each category.
AP(E)L:
Claims for credit for prior learning, whether certificated or experiential are accepted and will be assessed following University regulations and faculty procedures.
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS):
This programme is equivalent to 90 ECTS credits (second cycle) with 30 ECTS credits at postgraduate certificate, 60 credits at postgraduate diploma and 90 credits at masters degree. Each 20 credit module has the equivalent of 10 ECTS credits and assumes a notional student effort of between 200–300 hours. We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary .