Specialist Community Public Health Nursing MSc (PGCert PGDip)

Course in brief

The Specialist Community Public Health Nursing MSc is for registered nurses and midwives who want to earn both a professional qualification as a school nurse or health visitor, and an academic award at masters level.

The course equips nurses to be innovative and creative in their response to the needs of various client groups across different settings of public health practice.

On completion of the course you will be able to show that you can meet the ten key areas of public health practice required for second level registration as a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC 2004).

Under the guidance of a personal tutor, you will map out a development plan before the start of the course so that you have a clear focus on your intended direction.

We are known for our flexible approaches to practice-based learning, with course durations and intensities that can be adapted to your individual needs and outside commitments.

The values of the NHS constitution are embedded in our curriculum; where patients come first in everything the NHS does, and include respect and dignity, compassion and working together for patients.

You will be taught and supported by passionate and experienced staff, who are informed by current research, meaning teaching is up to date and adheres to best practice.

We have a dedicated team of academic staff who are actively engaged in internationalising the nursing and midwifery curriculum.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Falmer

Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2 years

This course meets NMC standards and course graduates are eligible for registration

We are a top 10 university for world-leading research impact in allied health professions, nursing and pharmacy (REF 2014)

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2017. They should be used as a general guide.

We operate a flexible admissions policy – this means that you could receive a lower conditional offer than the typical offer, informed by our assessment of your complementary non-academic achievements and experiences. For courses that require interview or portfolio review, this may also be considered in the level of any conditional offer that follows if your application is successful.

Degree and/or experience

Registration as nurse or midwife with Nursing and Midwifery Council
First degree normally at 2:1 or above
Applicants are short-listed and subsequently interviewed jointly by academic staff and employers.

To apply for this course please contact the course administrator, c.l.cossu@brighton.ac.uk.

As an NMC-regulated course, the modules have a practice element that is assessed in practice. If you wish to undertake one of these modules, either as a part of a course, or as stand-alone CPE, please contact the course leader before you apply to ensure that the appropriate practice assessor can be put in place.

For non-native speakers of English
IELTS 6.5 overall, with 6.5 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.

How to apply

The next available course starts in September 2016 and the application process for trust sponsorship will be open through NHS jobs between 1 February and 28 February 2016.

The Trust and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) will shortlist the applications and, if successfully shortlisted, your details will be forwarded to the university where you will be asked to complete an online application form and invited to interview.

Please note that it will not be possible to make an application to the university unless you have applied and been shortlisted. Any applications that do not meet this criteria cannot be considered.

Course in detail

Course structure

The course is delivered in a variety of ways, and is flexible enough to meet the needs of part-time students. Delivery is typically via e-learning, lectures, seminars, workbooks for work-based learning and simulation in our state-of-the-art Clinical Skills and Simulation Suite and Flexible Learning Environment.

You will be allocated practice placements by your employing trust, and assigned a dedicated tutor to support your learning in practice. You will also undertake a period of alternative practice during which you can spend a week in another practice environment of demonstrable value to your role, to diversify your skills and experience base.

A variety of learning and teaching strategies are used including problem-based and work-based learning. You need to be highly motivated and be prepared to actively engage with all aspects of your learning.

Public health roles are diverse, and flexibility in the course gives you the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills to suit your personal and professional ambitions.

You will be supported throughout your course and placements by a practice teacher and mentors. An exciting variety of learning approaches are utilised in the course, which can be tailored to your preferred learning styles.

With the guidance of a tutor, you will set out a professional development plan (PDP) from the initial interview, which will be reviewed throughout the course. The PDP helps to integrate your personal areas of advancement with the existing requirements of the knowledge and skills framework. It also serves as evidence of your expanded skill set in order to boost your future employability. The PDP ensures that your needs are assessed on an ongoing basis and adjustments made accordingly, particularly useful if you opt for an extended part-time route.

Areas of study

As a student on the course, you will share your learning with other community nursing specialities, allowing you to benefit from intra-professional collaboration. Our programmes are designed to allow students from other disciplines, and in some cases other professions, the opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise.

A core module within the course relates to public health from the individual, through to whole societies. An innovative module which enables you to work with marginalised groups, connected with the Community University Partnership Project, may also be chosen. The modules allow you to focus your practice assignment work on areas which benefit your desired career.

On completion of the course, you will have studied and practised:

assessing risk in complex situations
developing effective relationships based on trust and openness
working flexibly with other services in a range of settings
dealing with conflicting priorities and ambiguous situations
knowing when to use, different and sometimes contradictory theories and perspectives.

Syllabus

Core modules

A choice of research module
Transforming practice
Capacity building for early intervention
A Critical Approach to Practising Public Health
Taking research into practice

Options

Child protection; Enhancing practice
Health promotion

Facilities

Clinical Skills and Simulation Suite

Our Clinical Skills and Simulation Suite is among the best equipped in the country, and is an invaluable tool for assessment and monitoring students' progress throughout the course.

You will benefit from practising nursing skills in an environment that simulates real-life professional experiences. Provided by the NHS’ South East Coast Ambulance Service, you may have access to our Simbulance, enabling you to work alongside paramedic students in an interprofessional learning environment. On board is a high fidelity mannikin with multiple uses, and a child-size mannikin for paediatric scenarios.

Learning by simulation means you will be confident in your ability to apply your knowledge and skills in your professional life.

Flexible Learning Environment

The Flexible Learning Environment is an adapted home environment in a residential location where you'll be able to practise skills and learn from other students while taking part in a realistic training experience.

Every room is fitted with cameras and microphones, so that students can be directed and monitored from the control room while the observation room provides the opportunity to review, playback and debrief.

Careers and employability

Most graduates go on to work within the NHS in health visiting or school nursing teams.

The skills and knowledge that you will have achieved by graduation can also be applied to a wide range of community nursing or public health roles in various settings.

The context of public health practice both within and outside of the NHS is constantly changing and the opportunities for career development and innovative approaches to service provision exist.

Fees and funding

Your fees

Most students obtain funding through their trust, some choose to self-fund, and others secure funding through scholarships or bursaries.

How to apply

Applications are accepted in the February of each year, which is also when the relevant application form is made available by the School of Health Sciences.

For more information, contact the programme administrator Claire Cossu on C.L.Cossu@brighton.ac.uk.

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2017–18. Tuition fees are payable for each year that you study with us.

Where UK/EU students are subject to regulated fees, the annual fee increase cannot exceed the UK government’s maximum regulated tuition fee limit set for the relevant year. For all other students, ie those not subject to regulated fees, tuition fees are subject to a maximum annual increase of the higher of 5% or RPI.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location and living here

Location

About Brighton

Forward-thinking and welcoming, the city of Brighton & Hove is a community of creative and diverse people who share values like sustainability and inclusivity – just like its university.

Miles of pebble beaches, hundreds of bars, restaurants and clubs, a packed calendar of culture, music and sport and great independent and high street shopping attract visitors from all over the world. By the end of your course you’ll still be finding new things to enjoy about the city.

The Brighton Festival, England’s largest arts festival, takes place every May – as does the Great Escape Europe’s leading industry showcase for new music, 300 bands perform over three days at venues across the city. Major events celebrate Pride, digital culture, cinema, photography, food and the winter solstice. Our own Brighton Graduate show is a highlight, turning the university into the largest exhibition space in the south east as we celebrate the outstanding creativity of our students.

As a student here you’ll have a unique opportunity to experience what the city has to offer. Volunteering and placement opportunities enable you to play your part in the events, organisations and communities that make Brighton such a compelling place to be.

Campus where this course is taught

Falmer campus

Surrounded by the South Downs National Park and just five miles from the centre of Brighton, our Falmer campus has benefited from over £60million of investment over the past 10 years. 7,000 students are based here, studying subjects including English, education, social science, nursing and medicine.

Recent developments include the Falmer Sports Centre – with its fitness suites and sports hall – and the innovative Checkland Building, which has natural ventilation systems and an insulating green roof.

Falmer has also recently installed more than 600 solar panels, which reduce the campus’s carbon emissions by more than 80 tonnes. The renovation has made us one of the top universities in the UK for on-site renewable energy production.

Accommodation

Brighton

Our Brighton halls of residence are located across the city in Grand Parade, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

Grand Parade is in central Brighton and has one hall of residence, Phoenix Brewery, within walking distance.
Moulsecoomb is two miles from the city centre and also has one hall of residence, Moulsecoomb Place, on campus.
Varley Park offers the biggest choice of student accommodation with ten halls of residence.
Falmer campus has two halls of residence: Great Wilkins and Paddock Field.
Varley Park and Falmer are around four miles from Brighton centre; there are good public transport services nearby.

Aside from halls, you have the option of Unihomes, which we let out to our students on behalf of private landlords.

You can also choose to join the many students who live away from campus in private rented accommodation. We have a list of high-quality, university-endorsed private sector accommodation and can help you find housemates to move in with.

Find out more on our Brighton accommodation webpages and if you have any questions, our accommodation team will be happy to help. You can contact them by email at accommodation@brighton.ac.uk or by telephone on 01273 644100.

Paddock Field

Moulsecoomb Place

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Falmer campus and Brighton and Sussex Medical School map

Find out more

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