Course Comparison

Course
PgDip Community Nursing Specialist (General Practice Nursing) MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Mental Health
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.
  • Applicant must be registered with a relevant professional body, for example the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and have 3 – 5 years’ experience as a registrant in mental health practice. Professional body registration must be maintained throughout the duration of the programme.
  • Applicants must be in salaried employment, in a role demanding advanced practice skills and knowledge and have the full agreement from their employer.
  • Applicants must have a named, allocated co-ordinating workplace supervisor and the employer must have committed to the provision of ongoing workplace supervision that meets the Health Education England guidance for advanced clinical practice.
  • Applicants must have access to clinical areas that will facilitate the successful completion of the programme and module learning outcomes.
  • Applicants will normally have a relevant first degree, BSc (Hons) at 2:2 or above; or a European first cycle equivalent. 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 essay marked against level 6 criteria.
  • Applicants will be assessed individually for their ability to study at Master’s level and an interview will normally be necessary.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English through an IELTS average of 6.5, overall minimum of 5.5 in each part.
  • Claims for credit for prior learning will be assessed following University regulations.