Health visiting
Frequently asked questions
Specialist Community Public Health Nurse MSc / PGDip
How long is the programme?
For full-time students the programme is 52 weeks duration. There are two semesters: September–February and February–June for the September cohort, February–June and August–November for the February cohort. Consolidation of practice (10 weeks) follows the two semesters. For part-time students the 10 weeks consolidation (full time) or 20 weeks consolidation (part time) must be completed at the end of the course. The management of this will need to be negotiated with the sponsoring trust on initial course commencement.
Do I need to attend all study and practice days?
You are required to attend at least 80% of each taught module and 100% in practice. The Skills week is counted as one week in practice. By the end of your 52-week course you should have completed 22.6 weeks in practice
How can I distribute my practice throughout the course?
The course follows a modular approach that encourages flexibility. You need to view the course as a whole and distribute practice time around the demands of the taught modules. Where modules are delivered in intensive mode (that is full-time over a week) you will need to make up practice time in other weeks. This could mean that practice has a slightly higher weighting in one particular semester.
What about independent study days?
One study day a week is built into the programme plus full study weeks
Where is the programme based?
The programme is predominantly sited at our Falmer campus but some of the teaching may be sited at a different campus.
What is parking like at the Falmer site?
Car parking at Falmer is restricted. Staff and students are encouraged to use our excellent public transport links. If you meet the published criteria you may be issued with a parking permit. Instructions for obtaining a parking permit will be given at registration.
Am I exempt from Council Tax?
If you are a full-time student, you probably will be exempt. You will get details of this exemption during the Induction week.
Do I get travel and book allowances?
This is very unlikely but you need to discuss this with your seconding Trust. The university is not responsible for any travel payments, book allowances or other expenses.
How much annual leave do I get on the programme?
Seven weeks annual leave is timetabled into the programme. There is minimal flexibility here, and you must discuss and gain the approval of your pathway leader, practice teacher and the course leader in advance of making any arrangement.
How am I assessed?
Most modules of study have a practical and a theoretical component and each component contributes 50% towards the final mark for the module. The "Research" module has a purely theoretical assessment and the "Using research evidence into practice" module a purely practice assessment. Practical assessments (which are marked by the practice teacher provided by your sponsoring Trust) may take the form of performances of skills, presentations and poster presentations. Theoretical assessments may take the form of critical incident analyses, exams, vivas or essays
How do I apply for exemptions from modules?
You will need to discuss any possible exemptions from modules with the course leader and your pathway leader.
What can I do to prepare myself before the start of the course?
If necessary enrol yourself on a computer course and/or a study skills course, but above all prepare your family/significant others. Your seconding / sponsoring Trust may offer you some computer training; they may also be able to arrange external membership to the University of Brighton library. Complete the pre-course reading which you should receive prior to the start of the course.
Does the university provide a study skills package?
The School of Nursing and Midwifery offers a study skills course. Please contact Lawrence Daley on 01273 644095 or L.Daley@brighton.ac.uk for costs, dates and further details. If you are accepted on the programme, the university's Student Services run a series of study skills sessions. If you have not studied for a while or your skills need brushing up please enrol yourself on one of these courses/sessions.
Do I need to understand computers?
This will help enormously. You are required to word process your assignments. In addition, most of the course documentation and session handouts are published on the student intranet. You will need to use the web to research your work. You will have computer access on the university campus and will be allocated a university email account. This will be used for email communication whilst you are a student on the course. You will be offered computer sessions during the programme. If you are not familiar with word processing or using the internet, you are strongly advised to enrol on a class prior to the course.
How many hours do I need to study?
In addition to the timetabled independent study, reading weeks and study leave, you are likely to need to spend at least two hours per day reading, preparing seminar papers, assignments, practice linked activities, etc.
Can I switch full/part-time modes?
This is dependent on approval by the pathway leader, course leader and most significantly, your seconding Trust.
What happens if I am ill during the course or my personal circumstances change?
There is some flexibility. You may extend the length of the programme or intermit for one year, with the approval of the programme leader and your seconding Trust.
I have already booked a three-week holiday, during the semester. What should I do?
You should carefully consider withdrawing your application or cancelling your holiday, as you will not be able to fulfil the course requirements.
I am registered as a full-time student but cannot attend all of the Induction week. What shall I do?
You are required to attend the timetabled sessions in the induction week. Part-time students are expected to attend pro rata.
Which modules will I be studying?
The course consists of a mixture of mandatory modules and one optional module. 'A critical approach to practicing public health' (20 credits at Level 7), 'Transforming practice: the challenges of change' (20 Level 7 credits), 'Using research evidence in practice' (20 Level 7 credits), 'A critical approach to capacity building for early interventions' (20 Level 7 credits), and a 20 credit Level 7 research module. In negotiation with your seconding / sponsoring trust you will have the choice of one further 20-credit Level 7 or a Level 6 optional module. If you have not recently completed a child protection module you will be required to take this as your 'optional' module. You can take 30 credits at Level 6 as part of the PGDip. The child protection optional module is at Level 6.
Can I switch to level six once I have started the course?
You cannot change to Level 6 once you have commenced the course. If you are unable to achieve the Level 7 academic demands then you will not meet the requirements of the award.
Can I switch pathways?
It is rarely possible to switch pathways. It is possible, following registration as an SCPHN in one field, to undertake a 10-week practice placement with a Practice Teacher in the other field of practice. Completion of a portfolio of evidence mapped against the Specialist Community Public health Nurse standards in this alternative field of practice is required. This arrangement is negotiated with your trust, and requires allocation by them of a practice teacher. You would need funding support to register with the university for this module.
You can only register on the 3rd part of the register in one field of practice.
Do I need to keep my initial registration?
Specialist Community Public Health Nurses are required to maintain their registration as a nurse or midwife. For midwives the 450 hours of midwifery practice required does not have to comply with the full supervision demands of normal registration, however careful consideration needs to be given to the hours of practice required. See NMC website for specific information on PREPP.
This page has been prepared to answer some of the most frequently asked questions during the interview. All information was correct at the time of publication. If your question has not been addressed or you have forgotten to ask the interviewers or you would like any further information please contact:
Laura Gilbert, Course Leader:
01273 644186 or L.Gilbert@brighton.ac.uk
