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Nursing Studies MSc / Nursing Studies (Top-up) MSc

Learn about the course below
Code
PGB70Y
Start
September 2023
January 2024
Duration
2-3 (max 5) years part-time
Attendance
Part-time
Fees
£60 per credit (UK) *
Course leader
Alison Harris

Why study MSc Nursing Studies at Middlesex University?

This master's degree is an innovative programme suitable for any degree-level practising nurse who wishes to follow a flexible modular pathway towards a masters degree.

Course highlights

  • Individualised study pathway based on pre-accreditation. Tailored to current and future development needs
  • It is possible to accredit or recognise prior learning RPL
  • Work-based learning modules for core modules making the masters highly applicable to the organisation you work in
  • Enables you to demonstrate mastery in nursing-related skills and knowledge in order to contribute to enhanced professional nursing practice and service development
  • Facilitates your acquisition of critical understanding and use of advanced research skills
  • As a student of this course you'll receive a free electronic textbook for every module.

Find out more

Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.

For registered nurses we offer two alternative routes to achieving a master's award:

  • MSc Nursing Studies
  • MSc Nursing Studies (Top-up)

What will you study on the MSc Nursing Studies?

The MSc Nursing Studies is a part-time programme. It consists of 180 credits including two core modules (90 credits) and 90 credits of optional modules to complete the programme.

The MSc Nursing Studies is studied part-time; a list of modules available to you is available on the University CPD website.

The two core modules of the MSc Nursing Studies are:

  • WBH 4630 Advanced Practitioner Inquiry (30 credits)
  • WBH 4760 Work Based Learning Project (60 credits)

Optional modules may include:

  • NSA 4900 Independent and Supplementary Non-Medical Prescribing
  • NSA 4902 Community Practitioner Nurse or Midwife Prescribing
  • NSA 4502 Physical Assessment and Diagnostics
  • NSA 4501 Critical Care Nursing
  • NSA 4637/4638 Contraception and Sexual Health
  • NSA 4100 Leadership for Public and Community Services
  • NSA 4200 Quality Enhancement
  • NSA 4504 Minor Illness Module

A programme planning meeting with the programme leader will be arranged prior to choosing your modules. This meeting will allow you to focus on the specific modules you wish to study and to discuss any Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

What will you study on the MSc Nursing Studies (Top-up)?

If you are a registered nurse and already have a Postgraduate Diploma in a health related subject, you could apply for the MSc Nursing Studies (Top-up) course.

This route allows you to accredit a PGDip and consists of a single combined research methods / dissertation module, NSA 4050 Developing Research Capability (60 credits).

Core Modules

  • Core modules

    • Advanced Work Based Project (60 credits)

      This module is a culmination of your Masters study and provides the opportunity to synthesise professional and academic learning. It will support you to undertake a substantial work based project that is designed to develop your own professional practice and address a practice, organisational or service issue that you have already identified in your workplace or professional field. Building on your understanding of advanced practitioner inquiry methodologies, you will be encouraged to consider improvement and leadership strategies to support the successful management of your project with the potential to deliver real outcomes that can transform practice.

    • Advanced Practitioner Inquiry (30 credits)

      This module is designed to develop your understanding of a range of advanced inquiry and research methodologies appropriate for practitioners, in order to design a real work based project or practice development activity that has clear objectives related to your own professional development or the development of practice in your setting. you will be expected to focus on specific service, organisational or practice related issues and take initiative and leadership. It will explore approaches to advanced practitioner inquiry and innovative research methods appropriate for your area of practice. It will enable critical reflection upon your position as a ‘practitioner or insider researcher’ and the ethical implications that could arise during the project.

  • Or choose the following:

    • Developing Research Capability (60 credits)

      This aims of this module are:

      1. To engage you in scholarly enquiry to develop a critical understanding of social science research.
      2. For you to develop research capability through formulating and implementing a proposal for research related to your field of practice.

More information about this course

See the course specification for more information about typical course content outside of the coronavirus outbreak:

Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.

We are regularly reviewing and updating our programmes to ensure you have the best learning experience. We are taking what we have learnt during the pandemic and enhancing our teaching methods with new and innovative ways of learning.

We aim to model a wide range of teaching strategies and approaches on the course which you can adapt to your own setting.

You will be actively involved in a range of learning, teaching and assessment approaches as part of postgraduate degree. Teaching methods will include online lectures, online seminars, online workshops and online tutorials. Such active approaches aim to put you at the centre of your learning so you are involved and engaged in all aspects of your assessment and learning. Your programme will be facilitated using a variety of media and online tools such as UniHub, podcasts and wikis. You will have flexible access to a diverse range of online resources, quizzes and learning materials as well as collaborative tools with which you can engage and learn with your peers.

One of the central tenants of post-graduate learning is to be able to take an active role in your own learning. For every day timetables study day it is expected that you undertake a further 4 hours of study.

Assessment

Assessments will vary depending on modules chosen.

Teaching and Learning 2021/22

Your timetable will be built around on campus sessions using our professional facilities, with online sessions for some activities where we know being virtual will add value. We will use technology to enhance your learning and give you access to online resources for use in your own time.

You will receive final arrangements for your teaching and a full course timetable before you start. Delivery may differ in light of block teaching requirements, with theory sections covered online and practical sessions delivered in specialist spaces on campus.

This course is designed for teachers (training and ECTs) who are employed in a school setting and want to study for a postgraduate qualification. The assignments and workload are designed to complement professional practice and fit alongside employment responsibilities. However, you will need to commit to some additional hours for extended reading, research and independent study.

Definitions of terms

  • Live in-person on campus learning – This will focus on active and experiential sessions that are both:
    • Led by your tutors including seminars and workshops. We’ll schedule all of this for you.
    • Student-led by you and other students, like small group work and presentations.
  • Live online learning – This will include lectures, tutorials and supervision sessions led by your tutor. It also includes student-led group work that takes place in online sessions.
  • Tutor set learning activities – This covers activities which will be set for you by your tutor, but which you will undertake in your own time. Examples of this include watching online materials or reading specific texts. You may be doing this by yourself or with your peers depending on the task. Outside of these hours, you’ll also be expected to do further independent study where you’ll be expected to learn, prepare and reflect in your own time.

Support

You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic and practice based skills you need to do well on your course.

Our support services will be available on campus and online.

You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.

  1. UK
  2. How to apply
  1. UK
  2. Additional costs

How can the MSc Nursing Studies support your career?

Following completion of the MSc, you will be perfectly placed for a wide variety of enhanced career opportunities.

You might also wish to explore your options in research or academia, or even complete further study at doctoral level.


We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

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