MSc Nursing (Adult)

Why choose Herts?

NMC Accreditation: You will be eligible to enter the Nursing and Midwifery Council Professional Register to legally practice as an Adult Nurse

Teaching Excellence: You will be taught by expert nursing academics, all recently awarded Teaching Innovation of the Year at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2020. Our Allied Health: Nursing, Dentistry and Pharmacy is ranked in the top 25% of UK universities for research impact (Research Excellence Framework, 2022)

Frontline Experience: Gain clinical experience working alongside experienced senior nursing staff through placements in Hertfordshire and London.

This course is up for review
To ensure this course continues to be cutting-edge and enables you to be ready for the modern workplace, it is due to be reviewed by March 2025.

Our website will typically be updated within a month of the review confirming any enhancements, including:
- module titles (and whether they are core or optional)
- expected contact hours
- assessment methods
- staff teaching on the course

A 2:1 honours degree in any subject or a 2:2 honours degree in a health-related subject with relevant work experience in health care.
GCSE mathematics and English at grade C or above (or equivalent).

All offers will be subject to the applicants demonstration of the NHS constitution’s “Values and Behaviours”, satisfactory interviews, numeracy and literacy test, health screening and the Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) checks. You can view the full NHS Constitution for England on the Government website.

Applying to the programme

It really is important that you can articulate why you want to be an Adult Nurse when you apply. You can find out more about adult nursing by reading professional journals such as Nursing Times or Nursing Standard. These can be purchased through High Street shops or on-line. Such journals are a foundation, and students need to progress on to more field-specific journals very quickly. Examples of these include the British Journal of Nursing, British Journal of Palliative Care Nursing, British Journal of Wound Care. You can also visit appropriate websites such as those listed below:

NHS careers
Department of Health
National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
Websites specific to the topics being discussed in class such as Diabetes UK
Kings Fund
Nursing and Midwifery Council
Royal College of Nursing (especially their online library).

It is always useful to gain some experience in a health setting whether in a voluntary or paid capacity as this will help you to determine whether adult nursing is for you however this is not obligatory.

English language requirements

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency.

IELTS

International qualifications will be considered for equivalency using NARIC. International candidates will be required to complete IELTS with scores of at least 6.5 in the listening and reading sections and at least 6.5 in the writing and speaking sections and the overall average score must be 6.5 or above.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

If you do not have the required level of English for entry, our academic English courses can help you to achieve this level.


Institution code	H36
School of study	School of Health and Social Work
Course length	Full Time, 2 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Employability
Careers

There is high demand for graduate nurses and many of our graduates take up positions within the Hertfordshire and London NHS Trusts. Our nursing graduates are highly valued, and most tend to gain initial experience as a staff nurse, usually within community or in-patient organisations operating within the NHS, voluntary and independent sectors of health. Further career paths include:
- Senior nurse or ward sister – leadership positions managing the care given by a team of nurses
- Specialist nurse - adult nurses can develop specific clinical skills and knowledge that will allow them to become specialist nurses such as District Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Consultant
- Management roles such as Modern Matron all the way through to very senior board level roles such as Director of Nursing in an NHS Primary Care or Acute Trust. These roles involve managing multi-million pound budgets and directly leading/ managing a large number of staff as well as strategically influencing how the NHS responds to new developments
- Research and education - Some nurses opt to pursue educationally focussed careers within the NHS or in further and higher education institutions such as the University of Hertfordshire. They still retain their professional registration and unique identity as an Adult Nurse but are involved in advancing nursing knowledge and influence through research and education.
Wherever your career takes you, as an Adult Nurse you will never stop learning and will undertake a variety of training and education throughout your career. This might be formal education such as specialist clinical courses or PhD studies or essential skills training associated with professional practice.

Alumni success stories

See what some of our previous graduates have gone on to achieve and how their time at the university helped shaped their careers.

Alice Adetutu Banjo

Work placement

You will experience a wide variety of clinical settings including for example:
- Acute Care settings such as general and specialist surgical wards, medical wards, accident and emergency departments
- Community-based settings such as working with district nurses in service users own homes or in facilities such as GP practices, nursing homes or community hospitals
- You may be placed in settings such as nursing homes, hospices and other private or voluntary organisations that care for a variety of medical conditions and illnesses and health care needs.
Practice placements are organised for students by the University's Practice Placements Team within neighbouring NHS Trusts in Hertfordshire and London and in other settings including the private and voluntary sectors. Whilst on placement, you will be supported by a mentor (a qualified nurse who has undertaken post qualifying learning in practice based education), a link lecturer (an academic from within the School who supports mentors in placement areas) and a wealth of supportive services available on campus through the Student Union and Student Services.

Usually, when an NHS Trust is allocated to the student at the start of the programme, the student remains at that NHS Trust for the duration of their programme.

Alumni Stories

Alice Adetutu Banjo

Meet Alice, a registered nurse with ambitions to drive improvement and reform in the health service.

Current job role	Registered Nurse at the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
Year of graduation	2021
Course of study	MSc Nursing (Adult)

The path to nursing

Alice has always been passionate about helping people with their physical and mental health needs. After volunteering for several wellbeing projects and charities, she decided to enrol on an undergraduate course in psychology where she worked alongside nurses whilst on placement. Alice saw how rewarding, and challenging, nursing could be and quickly fell in love with the profession. She then decided to pursue it full-time and began postgraduate study at Herts.

‘Because I had completed a health-related undergraduate degree I was accepted on to the MSc Nursing (Adult) course. Herts had been recommended to me before, so I decided to come to an open day and see what it was like. Everyone was so approachable and more than happy to talk about the course. The facilities were outstanding – Herts has everything you need to develop as a nurse – and the fact it is close to London was also a big bonus for me.’

Unprecedented challenges

Shortly after Alice began her course, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Despite the significant challenges she faced, Alice says she is grateful for the experience and that the ‘togetherness’ of the Herts community helped pull her through it.

‘There is a strong sense of community at the University, driven in large part by the teaching staff. They helped students build strong peer networks, where we could rely on one another for information and support, and to boost our morale.’

Becoming a game changer

Alice graduated in 2021, with ambitions to drive improvements in the health service. She is now planning to move into research.

‘Studying at Herts has ignited a thirst in me to drive healthcare reform and innovation. A lot of our coursework required a creative mind and independent thinking - things that were strongly encouraged by our tutors.’

‘What advice do I have for future and current students? Always take the initiative and make sure you use all the support available to achieve your goals.’

Professional Accreditations

Upon successful completion of the programme, students will be eligible to enter the Nursing and Midwifery Council Professional Register as an Adult Nurse and will be legally entitled to practise anywhere in the UK.

About the course

The MSc Nursing (Adult) course will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to qualify as a registered nurse in adult nursing practice. The demand for nurses with a postgraduate qualification is increasing, with nurses at the heart of our health care provision and society. This course will enable you to pursue a career with purpose, making a daily difference to patients, their families and the health care system.

Through this course, you will learn from expert nursing academics as well as from clinical practitioners, gaining frontline experience through our placement opportunities across Hertfordshire and London and developing the skills and experience needed to manage a variety of health conditions from prevention through acute case to end of life care. Your scientific knowledge and compassionate understanding will be enhanced with the psychology and sociology of health and ill-health, and you will develop the critical thinking skills and professional judgement needed to provide outstanding patient care.

This master’s degree allows you to develop as a future leader in nursing, with opportunities for self-development through a range of initiatives such as research placements and student ambassadorships. The University of Hertfordshire offers a large range of Continuing Professional Development courses once you are qualified, working with many local NHS Trusts to keep developing your knowledge and providing the opportunity to specialise.

Why choose this course?

Award-winning teaching: The University is 2nd in the East of England for Nursing (2023 Complete University Guide) and our Allied Health Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy ranked in the top 25% of UK universities for research impact (Research Excellence Framework, 2021) and 2nd for health and social care in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, Advance HE, 2023)
Professional qualification: this two-year full-time programme is especially designed for people wishing to become registered nurses who already hold a first degree. Graduates will be eligible to enter the Nursing and Midwifery Council Professional Register as an Adult Nurse and will be legally entitled to practise
Placement programme – our strong partnership agreements ensure that 50% of learning takes place in a clinical setting. Placement opportunities are available in Hertfordshire and London NHS Trusts.
Research opportunities – students can join research programmes, developing critical research and leadership skills and benefiting from our top 25% ranking of UK universities for research impact
Employability - 100% of our students surveyed are in full time graduate level employment or further study, with many offered employment where they have carried out their placement (Graduate Outcomes 2019 / 2020)
Multi-dimensional learning – as well as academic and practice settings, you will benefit from real-life learning scenarios in our on-campus simulation units
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) - The University of Hertfordshire offers a large range of CPD courses once you are qualified, working with many local NHS Trusts to keep developing your knowledge and providing the opportunity to specialise if that is something you would like to pursue
Reputation: 92% overall satisfaction for medicine and dentistry in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, 2024).

What will I study?

Students will typically study elements of nursing that are essential for personal and professional development:

Nursing care
Nursing knowledge
Evidence-based practice
Ethics of care
Leadership and management
Practical nursing care
Research-informed care delivery
Decision-making in nursing
Change management in healthcare.

You will experience a wide variety of teaching methods throughout the programme including:

Interactive and ‘key-note’ lectures at University
Seminars and workshops incorporating for example case/ care plan presentations, role play, scenario based learning and discussion groups covering a wide variety of topics
Laboratory based practical work / experiments, with the use of simulation in our simulation labs - simulation education is recognised by the NMC as being a leading mechanism to educate student nurses in clinical skills labs. Simulation allows the student to practise skills and communication in a safe environment and to ask questions regarding any situation in a safe and supportive environment.
Learning technologies for example video, podcasts, digital storyboards and other e-packages designed to enhance learning and teaching. These packages are supported by an extremely well stocked learning resource centre and via a virtual learning environment called StudyNet which enables you to access resources on line 24 hours and day, seven days a week
Individual and group based tutorials will also feature in your learning experience
Supervised practice - working with qualified nurses to develop clinical skills
Training and education activities within the placement setting
Skills development activities to ensure patients' needs are met
The use of Canvas platform for the uploading of lecture and reading materials.

As potential students of Adult Nursing undertaking an MSc programme, please note that this programme will be different to any previous degree you have undertaken. In your previous degree, your programme was most likely based on theoretical delivery over an academic year of 36 weeks. The MSc Adult Nursing programme incorporates both theory and practice, of which both elements carry equal importance and responsibility. The delivery of both elements will take place over an academic year of 45 weeks. Full engagement with the programme is required from the outset. A clear focus on what is expected of you as a student nurse, and forward planning are all essential elements to ensure your success on the MSc Adult Nursing programme.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Nursing Practice: Knowledge and Care	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module is designed to introduce the student to the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology of the major bodily systems. For instance: Cardiac Respiratory Renal Gastrointestinal Neurological Endocrine Common pathophysiological disturbances of these systems will be explored along with assessment strategies used in managing these disturbances.

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Enhancing Health & Social Care through Inter-professional Education	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module is designed to give students further opportunities of working in multi-professional groups in order to improve understanding across professional boundaries and encourage collaborative learning and working that will benefit patient/service users. The justification for inclusion of inter-professional working within health care will be addressed. The module requires students to bring specialist in depth knowledge of their profession and professional codes of conduct to a group setting so that health and social care pathways are critically reviewed in the context of professional practice.
Nursing Art and Science	30 Credits	Compulsory
Using a range of approaches, including simulated practice learning for the achievement of Part 2 ePAD proficiencies, this module is designed to introduce the student to the societal, economic, and political determinants of health and health behaviours. Attention will be paid to the role of health policy and research underpinning public health interventions. The tenets of safe drug administration will also be explored.
Clinical Decision Making	15 Credits	Compulsory
This 15-credit level 7 module attempts to link theoretical knowledge into students' professional practice and to encourage increasing independence in clinical decision making. The module aims to explore issues vital for comprehensive effective holistic person-centred care at all stages of adult life. There will be a strong emphasis on the professional challenges nurses face that students will encounter in practice. Methods of delivery include lectures and seminars (problem-based/inquiry-based learning) and group-work. Sessions will be based on patient scenarios, including contribution from service users.
Leading and Managing Nursing Care for Adult Nursing	30 Credits	Compulsory
The aim of this 30-credit, level 7 module, is to facilitate the transformation of a 2nd year student nurse into a registered nurse, capable of making significant contributions to the co-ordination and management of complex nursing and integrated care needs of individuals.
Co-ordinating Care in Adult Nursing	30 Credits	Compulsory
The taught content will bolster practice placements and inform practice assessments. This is an interactive and practical-based module that has a strong emphasis on simulated practice learning, which aims to explore students' knowledge and understanding of current best, evidence-based practice whilst using knowledge and skills development to practice safely, challenge, question, refine and enhance their nursing skills in a safe environment. The module content is divided onto care concepts and takes as its focus the standards of proficiency as stated by the NMC (2018).
Imagination and Innovation in Evidence Based Nursing Practice	30 Credits	Compulsory
Students will be supported to create an evidence-based proposal to effect positive change in service delivery. The module will ask students to develop and employ their knowledge of evidence-based practice, their skills of research and inquiry, and project management in adopting a rigorous approach to the project design and organisation.
Final Numeracy Exam	0 Credits	Compulsory
This 0-credit level 7 cross field module will use online based teaching to enable the student to develop knowledge of the formulae used for calculating medication dosages for both enteral and parenteral medicine administration and to demonstrate their skills of arithmetic fundamental to safe nursing care and practice.
Integrated Nursing Care of the Adult Patient	30 Credits	Compulsory
Using a range of small groups, seminars and workshops, this module is designed to aid the student in developing their knowledge and understanding of the complex continuing care of the adult patient. Using case-based scenarios the student will develop care strategies based on the presenting pathophysiology, signs, and symptoms in a variety of care settings underpinned by the sourcing and critical discussion of relevant research and other evidence.
Fundamentals of Nursing Practice	30 Credits	Compulsory
The module enhances the students' abilities to respond to many care needs using appropriate assessment tools and simulated practice learning (SPL). Current evidence and research underpinning risk assessment strategies for promoting patient safety will be used to explore both the value of risk assessment tools and their underline evidence base.

Key staff

Senior Lecturer Thomas Beary

Find out more about Senior Lecturer Thomas Beary

Further course information

Course fact sheets
MSc Nursing	Download
MSc Nursing	Download

Programme specifications
MSc Nursing	Download
MSc Nursing	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes

Student experience

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

Find out about how we support our students

You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.

Funding and fees
Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Fees 2025
UK Students
Full time
- £9535 for the 2025/2026 academic year
EU Students
Full time
- £18800 for the 2025/2026 academic year
International Students
Full time
- £18800 for the 2025/2026 academic year
NHS Funding for UK/EU Students

The funding of health education is currently undergoing a transition period from student bursaries to student loans. We are currently reviewing our guidance on the funding arrangements for pre-registration postgraduate courses commencing in the 2018/19 academic year following a recent announcement from the UK government.

Information regarding this announcement can be found on the Department of Health and Social Care website.

Students studying on nursing, midwifery or allied health professional courses funded by Health Education England, who start from September 2017 will have access to the same student loans support package and support for living costs as other students. The new arrangements also apply to students planning to take these courses as a second qualification.

The NHS will no longer grant bursaries. There will be, however, additional funding by the NHS Business Services Authority for some nursing, midwifery and allied health professional students because of the compulsory clinical placement required by these courses. This funding will cover students with child dependants and severe hardship. It will also cover travel and accommodation expenses incurred over and above the daily travel costs to university and for those who need dual accommodation.

For more information about the changes visit the gov.uk website and the Funding Clinic.

*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University's Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed "When tuition fees change"), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet
How to apply

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2025
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
09/09/2025 30/09/2026 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)
2026
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
09/09/2026 30/09/2027 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)

Get info and updates

Apply now

MSc Nursing (Adult)

NHS Learning Support Fund

Why choose Herts?

Applying to the programme

English language requirements

IELTS

Careers

Alumni success stories

Work placement

Alumni Stories

Meet Alice, a registered nurse with ambitions to drive improvement and reform in the health service.

The path to nursing

Unprecedented challenges

Becoming a game changer

Professional Accreditations

About the course

Why choose this course?

What will I study?

Key staff

Further course information

Student experience

Other financial support

Fees 2025

UK Students

Full time

EU Students

Full time

International Students

Full time

NHS Funding for UK/EU Students

Living costs / accommodation

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2025

2026