Adult Nursing
Award
MSc
Duration & study mode
2 years full-time
School
Health & Life Sciences
Location
Lanarkshire
Additional information
Course starting dates
-
Lanarkshire: September
Last updated: 17/07/2024
Overview
This exciting, two-year pre-registration course is underpinned by master’s level education, enabling you to become a highly educated adult nurse with longer term potential for management, leadership, consultancy, educational and research roles.
You’ll gain a critical and detailed knowledge of life and social science theory, utilising a hybrid approach to teaching and learning, which underpins safe and effective person centred practice. You’ll critically explore systematic approaches to the delivery of nursing care in response to health improvement and public health strategies.
You will focus on developing communication and interpersonal skills that will enhance your ability to provide values-based, person-centred, compassionate care, particularly to vulnerable individuals. You will also undertake a piece of substantive research on a topic of contemporary practice specific to adult nursing.
Applying to the MSc
You must apply through UCAS for this course - the UCAS code is BR40 see Apply section below for more details).
Course Highlights
- This programme is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Graduates are eligible to apply for professional registration as a Registered Nurse (Adult).
- You will study at our £110 million, ultra-modern campus in Lanarkshire, equipped with the latest innovative and collaborative technologies.
- Practice-based learning makes up 50% of the course with placements available with NHS Ayrshire and Arran, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (Clyde Area) and NHS Highland (Argyll and Bute).
- You will utilise our innovative clinical skills suites as well as developing your digital health literacy skills and nursing skills out in practice in areas such as acute adult based nursing, care of the elderly, community based nursing, accident and emergency and intensive care units.
DON'T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
I took redundancy from my last job as a service manager for a charity, where I had been employed for 12 years. The job was no longer challenging, but like many, I was caught in a wage trap. I had always had the idea of being a nurse in the back of my head but as time moved on I got used to the money and thought I was too old to return to study. However, when my organisation decided to restructure and were offering redundancies I took this as a sign that I should try another career. The Lanarkshire Campus is fantastic and an absolute pleasure to study in. The IT facilities are much better, as are all hospitality venues. The gym is modern and the staff are friendly and helpful.
Brian Thompson, MSc Adult Nursing student
More Information
Professional Approval and Accreditation
Our course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Upon graduating you will be eligible to apply for professional registration within your specific field.
Placement Opportunities
Practice learning experiences are available in one of five West of Scotland health boards:
- NHS Ayrshire and Arran
- NHS Dumfries and Galloway
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
- NHS Lanarkshire
- NHS Highland (Argyle & Bute)
You will experience the 24*7 continuum of care which represents contemporary healthcare delivery, enhancing your clinical skills and integrating theory with practice.
Top 10
in UK for Teaching Quality for Nursing (The Times / The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019)
90%
Overall student satisfaction amongst UWS postgraduate students (iGraduate Student Barometer 2017-18)
92%
Overall Satisfaction of UWS Pre-registration Adult Nursing students (National Student Survey 2018)
Entry Requirements
What qualifications do you need?
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Don’t worry if your qualifications are not listed here, we take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience
If you are applying with an EU or non-EU qualification, please check our Postgraduate & Post-experience Entry Requirements page which gives more information about country-specific entry requirements.
Academic Requirements
You must:
- possess an appropriate Ordinary bachelor's degree in biological, health, social science, nursing or related subject obtained within five years
- be able to provide an academic reference, as well as copies of your formal university transcript and award certificate
All applicants must satisfy the entry requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) including having the capability to meet the numeracy requirements of the programme and proficiency in English language and literacy (NMC Future Nurse Standards 2023).
IMPORTANT NOTE
An offer to study is also dependent on the outcome of the selection process and background checks:
- personal interview
- health screening
- membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme
English Language Requirements
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW
All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.
* applicants who are exempt from english language requirements include:
- native speakers of English
- Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise)
- non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification)
- students whose previous degree-level study has been taught and assessed in English in what UK Visas and Imigration (UKVI) define as a majority English speaking country
In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).
UWS & INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST SYSTEM (IELTS)
At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:
Undergraduate (bachelor's - BA, BAcc, BEng, BSc etc.) degrees and postgraduate (master's - MA, MBA, MSc etc.) taught degrees
- the CEFR equivalent requirement is normally an overall IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent), with a score of no lower than 5.5 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing)
Postgraduate research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA etc.)
- the CEFR equivalent requirement is an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent), with a score of no lower than 6.0 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing)
These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.
† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information).
IELTS SCORE EXCEPTIONS (RESEARCH DEGREES, BIOMEDICAL & PARAMEDIC SCIENCE DEGREES, NURSING & MIDWIFERY DEGREES WITH NMC REGISTRATION, SOCIAL WORK DEGREES, CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION, ETC.)
RESEARCH DEGREES
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
- overall score of 6.5
- no sub-test score of less than 6.0
HEALTH & MIDWIFERY AWARDS
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Adult Nursing, MSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, MSc Mental Health Nursing, BSc Midwifery and MSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
- overall score of 7.0
- score of at least 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking and
- score of at least 6.5 in writing
PARAMEDIC SCIENCE DEGREE
Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:
- overall score of 7.0
- no sub-test score of less than 6.5
BIOMEDICAL DEGREES
For our BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
- overall score of 7.0
- no sub-test less than 6.5
SOCIAL WORK DEGREES
Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
- overall score of 7.0
- no sub-test score of less than 7.0
CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
- overall score of 5.0
- no sub-test less than 4.5
OTHER IELTS EQUIVALENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTS
In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests
ENGLISH LANGUAGE HIGH SCHOOL QUALIFACTIONS ACCEPTED FOR NON-EU APPLICANTS
UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications
PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES AT UWS
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
- 10-week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.0 with no element below 4.5.
- 5-week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.5 with no element below 5.5.
- English Language for University Study - entry criteria UKVI IELTS with an overall score of 4.0, plus a score of 4.0 in all sub-tests (10-month course), or an overall score of 4.5, plus no score below 4.0 in all sub-tests (7-month course).
Course details
Our pre-registration MSc Adult Nursing course has three parts, each part containing a mixture of theory and practice core modules. There are three core 20-credit modules in Part 1, two core 30-credit modules in Part 2, with Part 3 consisting of a 60-credit theory/practice dissertation module.
A recognised innovative feature of our course is the approach of clinical simulation used for skills demonstration, practice, and development throughout the course, which allows you to practise skills in a realistic environment.
Part 1 - PgCert
The PgCert comprises the following core modules:
-
Integrated Human Development (20 credits)
-
Self Society and Nursing (20 credits)
-
Health and Society (20 credits)
In order to meet the NMC standards (NMC, 2018) students must successfully complete all practice elements of Part 1 before progressing to Part 2. This equates to students having met NMC Progression Point 1 Criteria together with 60 credits at SCQF Level 11. Any student not meeting these requirements will incur a period of programme interruption and will be supported to complete Part 1 in line with the University Assessment Regulations
Achievement of Part 1 NMC Progression Point Criteria also include:
Professional Requirements
The NMC has identified skills and professional behaviours that a student must demonstrate by the first progression point. These criteria must normally be achieved during the students Practice Learning Experiences.
These criteria cover:
- Safety, safeguarding and protection of people of all ages, their carers and their families
- Professional values, expected attitudes and the behaviours that must be shown towards people, their carers, their families, and others
Achievement of Part 1 NMC Progression Point Criteria also include:
- Completion of safeMedicate™ (100% Pass)
- Evidence of progression and achievement of the NMC Essential Skills Clusters
- Pass Practice Learning Experience clinical assessments in PLE 1 & 2
Academic Requirements
- 60 credits at SCQF Level 11
Any student not meeting these requirements will incur a period of programme interruption and will be supported to complete Part 1 in line with the University Assessment Regulations.
Students meeting the academic progression criteria will be entitled to a PgCert in Health Studies if exiting the programme prior to completion. The PgCert award is academic and carries no professional recognition from the NMC.
Part 2 - PgDip
Successful completion of the PgCert allows you to proceed to the PgDip, which consists of the additional following core modules:
-
Resilience in Health (30 credits)
-
Managing Holistic Care (30 credits)
In order to meet the NMC standards (NMC, 2010), students must successfully complete all theory and practice elements of Part 2 before progressing to Part 3. This equates to students having met the NMC Progression Point 2 Criteria together with 120 academic credits at SCQF Level 11. Any student not meeting these requirements will incur a period of programme interruption and will be supported to complete Part 2 in line with the University Assessment Regulations.
Professional Requirements
The NMC has identified skills and professional behaviours that a student must demonstrate by the second progression point. These criteria must normally be achieved during the students Practice Learning Experiences.
These criteria cover:
- Working more independently, with less direct supervision, in a safe and increasingly confident manner.
- Demonstrating potential to work autonomously, making the most of opportunities to extend knowledge, skills and practice.
Achievement of Part 2 NMC Progression Point Criteria also include:
- Ongoing evidence of progression and achievement of the NMC Essential Skills Clusters
Academic Requirements
- 120 credits at SCQF Level 11
In order to meet the NMC standards (NMC, 2018), students must successfully complete all theory and practice elements of Part 2 before progressing to Part 3. This equates to students having met Pass in Practice Learning Experiences PLE 3 & 4 with 120 academic credits at SCQF Level 11. Any student not meeting these requirements will incur a period of programme interruption and will be supported to complete Part 2 in line with the University Assessment Regulations.
Part 3 - MSc
Successful completion of the PgDip allows you to proceed to the master's module:
- Research and Practice (60 credits)
Award of MSc Adult Nursing
Students who have met the NMC Standards (NMC, 2018) and 180 credits at SCQF Level 11 will progress to Award of MSc Adult Nursing and be eligible to enter the NMC Register as an adult nurse.
Any student not meeting these requirements will incur a period of programme interruption and will be supported to complete Part 3 in line with the University Assessment Regulations.
Professional Requirements
Achievement of NMC Standards for Part 3 and includes:
- Completion of Part 3 NMC practice hours
- Evidence of achievement of the NMC Essential Skills Clusters
- Pass Practice Learning Experience clinical assessments in PLE 5 & 6
- Practice assessor/academic assessor has declared achievement of the required NMC Standards of Competence (NMC, 2018)
Academic Requirements
- 180 credits at SCQF Level 11
Award of Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) Adult Nursing
Students who have met the NMC Standards (NMC, 2010) and 120 credits at SCQF Level 11 will progress to the Award of Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) Adult Nursing and be eligible to enter the NMC Register as an adult nurse. Any student not meeting these requirements will incur a period of programme interruption and will be supported to complete Part 3 in line with the University Assessment Regulations.
Professional Requirements
Achievement of NMC Standards for Part 3 and includes:
- Completion of Part 3 NMC practice hours
- Evidence of achievement of the NMC Essential Skills Clusters
- Pass Practice Learning Experience clinical assessments in PLE 5 & 6
- Practice assessor/academic assessor has declared achievement of the required NMC Standards of Competence (NMC, 2018)
Academic Requirements
- 120 credits at SCQF Level 11
Award of MSc Health
Students who accrue 180 credits at SCQF Level 11 but do not achieve the NMC Standards for Part 3 will be entitled to the award of MSc Health. This MSc award is academic and carries no professional recognition from the NMC.
Award of Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) Health Studies
Students who accrue 120 credits at SCQF Level 11 and either do not achieve the NMC Standards for Part 3 or do not complete the programme will be entitled to a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Studies. The PgDip Health Studies is academic and carries no professional recognition from the NMC.
Teaching & Assessment
Our ongoing assessment strategy aims to support learning and has been designed to assess your knowledge of nursing at SCQF Level 11. The strategy also ensures that the professional requirements for competency to enter the NMC professional register are achieved.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
- Scheduled learning: 14%
- Independent study: 32%
- Placement: 54%
ASSESSMENT
- Exam: 11%
- Practical: 0%
- Coursework: 89% (includes clinical placements for Part 1/Part 2/Part 3)
Course Structure
UWS Programme Specifications and Module Descriptors
Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject.
Career Prospects
Our aim is to provide an enjoyable and intellectually stimulating course of study that will prepare you for a successful career as an adult nurse. UWS produces nurses of the future who are fit-for-practice and who will contribute to the leadership of a competent, dynamic workforce.
Further study can lead to specialist roles such as a Health Visitor, District Nurse or Advanced Nurse Practitioner.
We also offer further study in research through our PhD and Professional Doctorate programmes.
For more information on undertaking a career in Adult Nursing click here.
Paramedic, Nursing and Midwifery Student Bursary Scheme (PNMSB)
If you are ordinarily resident in Scotland, you may be eligible to receive £10,000 worth of funding in each of the two years of your MSc programme, for tuition and living costs. This funding is available through the Paramedic, Nursing and Midwifery student bursary scheme (PNMSB) which comes from the Scottish Government Health Directorate but is administered by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS).
You can find out more on the webpages below:
Tuition Fees 2023-24
Use the Link below to download details of our full-time, part-time tuition fees for Bachelor, Masters, Research, and English Language pre-sessional courses for session 2023-24.
Tuition FeesPostgraduate Tuition Fees
Tuition fees for this course 2024/25
Scottish
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
All other UK & Republic of Ireland
£9,250 per year of study
Channel Islands & Isle of Man
£9,250 per year of study
International (all other EU plus Non-EU)
£18,000 per year of study
How to apply
All applicants
All UK, EU and International (non-EU/non-EEA) applicants for this programme should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
The on-time application deadline for 2024/25 entry is 31 January 2024, 18:00 (UK time). For some courses it may still be possible to apply beyond this period, subject to suitable vacancies remaining. The final deadline for late applications via UCAS is 30 June 2024. Beyond this deadline, you may be able to apply via ‘UCAS Clearing’ if the course you are interested in has remaining places.
UCAS codes for Nursing & Midwifery Master's:
- MSc Adult Nursing (BR40)
- MSc Mental Health Nursing (BR60)
- MSc Midwifery (B722)
Please refer to our Undergraduate Application Guide for domestic & EU/EEA to find more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS.
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Get in touch
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Get in touch. We are here to help!
- ask@uws.ac.uk
- 0800 027 1000 (UK)
- +44 (0) 141 849 4101 (out-with UK)
Research at UWS
With cutting edge facilities, specialist knowledge and world-leading and internationally excellent expertise, we aim to develop research outputs that have a tangible, early and positive impact on society across the globe.
DiscoverWe will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.