Adult Nursing MSc

Why choose this course?

If you're looking to make a positive difference to people's lives, and already have an undergraduate degree and experience in health and social care, this masters course is for you.

You'll gain the specialist knowledge and clinical skills needed to become a registered adult nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in two years.

Our academic team members come from diverse backgrounds specific to adult nursing including cancer care, dementia care, ICU, A&E, neuro, acute medicine, community (district nursing, health visiting), sexual health and respiratory nursing.

Our simulation suites provide you with unrivalled opportunities to develop your skills in caring for adults through high-fidelity patient simulators and role play with actors. You will have intraprofessional learning with child, mental health and learning disabilities to enhance your skills in caring for clients from these fields. You will also have interprofessional learning opportunities with midwifery and pharmacy students.

Many members of our adult nursing teaching team have contributed to the latest Essentials of Nursing Practice textbook.

You will have the opportunity to take a national or international elective placement at the end of your first year.

NHS Training Grant 

Nursing students on pre-registration courses from September 2020 will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year which they will not need to pay back, subject to eligibility criteria. For more information please visit the NHS Business Service Authority.

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UCAS code Mode Duration Attendance Start date
B743 Full time 2 years Classroom based and clinical placements September 2024

Please note: Teaching on this course may take place on more than one KU campus.

Main Location Kingston Hill
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Reasons to choose Kingston University

  • This course offers both an MSc and a professional nursing qualification. Upon graduation, you will be recommended to the NMC for professional registration.
  • Develop and refine your communication and clinical skills through high-fidelity patient simulators and scenario-based simulation.
  • At the 2023 Student Nursing Times Awards, we won Teaching Innovation of the Year for our public health elective placement.

What you will study

The first year is divided into two parts. In part one you will undertake a bridging module introducing you to the foundations of nursing and healthcare. In part two you will look at the context of nursing within a variety of client groups within your specific field of nursing.

In your second year (part three) you will learn about the analysis and application of research and evidence base and the complexities of nursing at an individual and organisational level as well as preparing for your transition to registered nurse.

Year 1 modules (parts one and two)

Year 2 modules (part three)

Year 1 introduces the foundations of nursing and healthcare, and their various client groups.

Core modules

Applied life sciences for nursing practice

15 credits

This module is a core requirement for all MSc Nursing students. The content of the module is designed to help you develop your knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology in relation to nursing, which is an essential element of nursing proficiency. Pathophysiology will be introduced in relation to common conditions, and you will also begin to develop your knowledge of pharmacological concepts.

The main features of the module are to enable you to apply scientific principles to nursing care. It will also support you to identify and understand current nursing practices underpinned by scientific theory.

Essential skills for nursing practice

30 credits

This module provides you with the fundamental clinical knowledge and skills required for parts 1 and 2 of the programme. You will be prepared for your role in practice, enabling you to provide evidence based, person centred care to people at any stage of life who may have a range of physical, mental, cognitive or behavioural health conditions.

You will be prepared to make evidence-based decisions by collating and rationalising relevant evidence to ensure safe, high-quality person and family-centred care in digital healthcare environment. You will also be introduced to foundational pharmacological and medicines management knowledge to enable you to safely develop your skills and

knowledge in the administration of medicines to clients, patients and service users. You will develop your understanding of the regulatory, legal, and ethical frameworks that influence medicines management and the underlying pharmacological science. Issues such as concordance will be explored, and the skills required to access resources to support medicines management practice.

Embedded within the module is simulated practice learning that will support the development of your clinical knowledge and skills. Personal tutor groups are integrated into this module as is time with your course director and year lead. his is a shared learning module with some key field specific elements.

Public Health

15 credits

This module will introduce you to the principles and practice of public health and the nurse's role within this. It will develop your knowledge, skills and attitudes to make a positive impact on the health of individuals, communities and populations.

You will be introduced to the central themes of public health practice and the NMC Future Nurse standards (2018) Platform 2. You will gain an understanding of the aims and principles of health promotion and protection and prevention of ill health. You will also develop a foundational awareness of the four core elements of public health nursing practice: Search for health needs, stimulation of awareness of health needs, influence on policy effecting health, facilitation of health enhancing activities.

You will be equipped with essential digital skills, including the use of public health intelligence to survey and assess a population's health and wellbeing. You will develop an understanding of how the social/wider determinants of health are important drivers of health inequalities. This module will also consider approaches to reducing these disparities.

You will gain an understanding of public health policy, and be supported to reflect on the ethical dimensions of public health practice. The module will also introduce you to the global dimensions of health, and its links with UK health outcomes. This includes the impact of climate change and the need for sustainable development and environmental management for the benefit of public health.

The fundamental elements of nursing practice

30 credits

This module will introduce you to the fundamental elements of nursing and person-centred care, compassionate communication, evidence-based practice and contemporary health policy. It will enable you to develop critical knowledge, skills and professional attributes for the delivery of safe and effective person-centred care of individuals and their families or carers across a variety of settings.

You will begin to establish a sense of their nursing field identity but also that of other fields in order to promote effective interdisciplinary and integrated care. The skills required for evidence-based healthcare will also be developed and digital healthcare as a concept introduced.

Adult nursing 1

30 credits

This module will enable you to build on the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology knowledge acquired in the applied life sciences module to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to assess and deliver safe and effective care of the adult patient. It will equip you to recognise adults who are at risk of deteriorating, undertake timely structured assessments, interpret clinical data and use situational judgement to escalate findings, prioritise care needs and to plan, deliver and evaluate safe and effective evidence-based, person-centred care as part of the interdisciplinary team.

Practice assessment module part 1

Non-credit bearing credits

This module is the Practice Assessment Module which is designed to support you with the achievement of the NMC proficiencies and practice assessment requirements. The module focuses on practice preparation, reflection following practice experiences and the development of your numeracy skills. All elements need to be satisfactorily completed for you to complete part 1 and to be allowed to progress.

Year 2 examines the analysis and application of research and evidence, and the complexities of nursing at individual and organisational levels.

Core modules

Adult nursing 2

30 credits

This module will enable you to build on anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology knowledge acquired in the applied life sciences module to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to assess, plan, deliver and critically evaluate safe and effective care of the adult patient. This module develops your knowledge of the lived experience of adults from a holistic perspective including bio-psycho-social issues.

You will critically evaluate the political agenda and the socio- economic issues impacting on the health and wellbeing of the adult. It will incorporate professional accountability, social inclusion, partnership and interdisciplinary working, patient involvement in the provision of care promoting self-management and shared decision making.

Complex care for adult nursing

30 credits

This module will provide you with the underpinning knowledge and skills required for your role in coordinating and managing the complex care needs of people in partnership with their families and carers across a range of organisations and settings. You will develop knowledge and skills related to caring for people with complex healthcare needs including clinical skills. You will critically reflect on how the wishes of people, their families and carers can be incorporated into complex care planning and decision making.

The organisation of complex care and the political landscape in which it is delivered will be critically reflected on and evaluated. You will also develop the clinical skills and proficiencies required for Part 3 of your programme through skills and simulated practice learning activities. You will build on your knowledge of partnership and collaborative working and critically examine and appraise the cultural, political, psychosocial and technological infuences on nursing care, resource management and finances.

Practice assessment module part 2

Non-credit bearing credits

This module is the Practice Assessment Module which is designed to support you with the achievement of the NMC proficiencies and practice assessment requirements. The module focuses on practice preparation, reflection following practice experiences and the development of your numeracy skills. All elements need to be satisfactorily completed for you to complete and to be allowed to progress.

Becoming a registrant

60 credits

Navigating the transition from student to a registrant who understands the professional and political environment in which they will be working is critically important to the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality health care. This module aims to explore the key areas that will enable you to transition and fulfil the role of a registered nurse and also to prepare you for your role as a practice supervisor. The module is designed to prepare you for professional nursing practice by further developing your knowledge and skills to enable you to be an accountable and compassionate registrant within the health and social care system. There is a focus on the mechanisms that underpin care organisation and delivery, how nurses are integral to and can influence this and aims to develop your critical understanding of the factors influencing the environment in which you will be working.

The module will also develop your collaborative learning and teaching knowledge and skills enabling you to work with peers, people and families/carers. You will integrate your knowledge of learning theories, communication and relational skills to enable you to work collaboratively with others, critically reflecting on the challenges this can pose. You will also develop the clinical skills and proficiencies required for Part 3 of your programme through skills and simulated practice learning activities. You will have the opportunity to critically discuss inter and intra professional working alongside developing strategies for managing challenging communication. Personal tutor groups are integrated into this module as is time with your course director and year lead. This is a shared module that all students will undertake together providing opportunities for intra-professional discussion and learning.

Leading care for adult nursing

30 credits

From the point of first registration, newly qualified registrants are expected to be models of integrity and leadership for others to aspire to (NMC, 2023). With that fundamental principle as its focus, this module provides you with the theoretical knowledge and skills needed to work safely and effectively within healthcare teams and to critically reflect on this. The module also covers the more practical skills required to be a modern leader in healthcare including business planning, local workforce planning, and understanding human factors, all within the context set by the obligations and boundaries of relevant legislation and regulation.

Through participation in this module, you will become equipped with an understanding of what is needed to be a leader such that you ensure the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality nursing care. Theories of leadership and group dynamics will be applied to contemporary nursing practice while you will also critically examine and evaluate how we know whether your nursing care is safe and effective and what you can do to measure, influence and improve the care that we provide.

While the focus of this module is primarily adult nursing, some learning will be shared across all four fields of nursing through intra-professional learning activities.

Practice assessment module part 3

Non-credit bearing credits

This module is the Practice Assessment Module which is designed to support you with the achievement of the NMC proficiencies and practice assessment requirements. The module focuses on practice preparation, reflection following practice experiences and the development of your numeracy skills. All elements need to be satisfactorily completed for you to complete this level and to be allowed to progress to registration.

Entry requirements

Typical offer

  • A degree at 2.2 or above. Evidence of having undertaken academic studies in the last five years is required.
  • A minimum of 650 hours of health or social care related experience undertaken in the 12 months prior to your application. Applicants will be asked to complete an RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) claim form to demonstrate this experience. This, along with a testimony, is a condition for entry to the programme.
  • You must have at least five GCSEs at grade 4 or above (or grade C or above for GCSEs taken before 2017), including English language and maths, or equivalent qualifications, together with evidence of academic study, ideally within the last five years.

UCAS personal statement

The UCAS personal statement must include:

  • how you have researched the profession of nursing;
  • examples of how you have worked with vulnerable people or worked in teams where you have developed skills which may be relevant to nursing;
  • how you have gained insight into the course e.g. open days, speaking to other people; and
  • your personal qualities which you feel are related to nursing.

International

Non-native speakers who do not have the equivalent of GCSE English at grade 4 (formerly grade C) or an equivalent (e.g. Functional Skills Level 2 Literacy) require an Academic IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent overall and no element below 6.0.

Country-specific information

You will find more information on country specific entry requirements in the International section of our website.

Find your country:

Additional requirements

  • All suitable applicants are required to attend an online interview. This includes a series of short value-based questions, tasks or scenarios.
  • Admission is subject to occupational health screening and Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check including checks against the Adult and Child Workforce Barring lists if you are offered and accept a place on the course.

Covid-19 vaccination requirement

The Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Pharmaceutical Council and Social Work England strongly encourage everyone eligible to be fully vaccinated against Covid 19 to keep yourselves and your community safe.

We are aware that some placement providers may require their staff and students to be fully vaccinated for some clinical areas. The University position is to strongly recommend everyone eligible to be fully vaccinated for health and care courses.

You can book your vaccinations here.

You can read information about Coronavirus vaccines here.

Teaching and assessment

Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars and small group tutorials.

It may also include placements, project work, practical sessions, workshops, conferences and field trips.

Guided independent study (self-managed time)

When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking and preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS – the online virtual learning platform.

Support for postgraduate students

As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services. 

Your workload

Year 1 (part one and two)

Year 2 (part three)

Year 1 (part one and two)
  • Scheduled learning and teaching: 271 hours
  • Guided independent study (self-managed time): 955 hours
  • Practice Learning Hours:: 525 hours
Year 2 (part three)
  • Scheduled learning and teaching: 312 hours
  • Guided independent study (self-managed time): 1230 hours
  • Practice Learning Hours: 1200 hours

Year 1

  • 57% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity (including placement learning).

Year 2

  • 60% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity (including placement learning).

Contact hours may vary depending on your modules

How you will be assessed

Assessment methods include; essays, exams, presentations and reports and clinical skills assessed in our simulation suites and by practice supervisors and practice assessors in practice placements.

The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows:

Year 1

  • 58% coursework
  • 42% exams

Year 2

  • 67% coursework
  • 33% exams

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Who teaches this course?

Our academic team of highly skilled nurses, lecturers and researchers are known for innovation in teaching and learning. Our award winning simulation suites provide you with unrivalled opportunities to develop your skills in caring for patients, service users and children through highly realistic simulations and role play. You will also have opportunities to learn with and from other health and social care students.

Miss Karen Elliott

Course director

Miss Heather Kincaid

Admissions, Recruitment and Outreach Tutor

Ms Carmel Blackie

Associate Professor and Team Leader

Mrs Sally Aucken

Mrs Adwoa Ayensu

Dr Michelle Carter

Ms Yogini Chokeepermal-Naidu

Mrs Kamalpreet Dhindsa

Mr John Docherty

Professor Vari M Drennan MBE

Ms Claire Emery

Ms Judith Francois

Mrs Helen Freedman

Miss Michelle Grainger

Mrs Francina Hyatt

Miss Jessica Inch

Ms Carol Kinsella Frost

Mrs Lucie Llewellyn

Mrs Emily Marron

Mrs Vanida Lutchimee Moonsamy

Ms Alexandra Murrell

Mrs Sophie Newcombe

Mrs Sally Richardson

Barry Ryan

Mrs Siby Sikhamoni

Anne Tibbles

Course fees and funding

2024/25 fees for this course

Home 2024/25

  • MSc full time £9,250

International 2024/25

  • MSc full time £18,100

Funding

Full-time students qualify for the same fee loan and living costs support as undergraduate students starting full-time higher education courses by accessing loans from the Student Loans Company.

Visit our Fees and funding page to find out about the student funding options available to help you fund your postgraduate studies.

In addition, to support you while you are undertaking the clinical placement element of your studies, the government is providing non-repayable grants. The Learning Support Fund administered through the NHS Business Services Authority makes available: 

  • £1,000 Child Dependants' Allowance 

  • up to £3,000 for exceptional hardship 

  • reimbursement of additional travel and accommodation costs over normal daily travel to clinical placements. 

Information on NHS bursaries can be found on the NHS Business Services Authority website. 
 
Please note, you cannot apply for a pre-registration masters qualification in the same profession that you are already registered in, for example, if you hold a BSc Nursing in Adult Nursing, you are unable to complete an MSc Nursing in Mental Health. 

NHS Training Grant 

Nursing students on pre-registration courses from September 2020 will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year which they will not need to pay back, subject to eligibility criteria. For more information please visit the NHS Business Service Authority.

Discounts for Kingston University alumni

Kingston University is pleased to offer a 10% discount on full-time and part-time postgraduate degree course tuition fees (including PGCE courses) to our alumni. Visit our Alumni discount page to find out more.

International students

If you are an international student, find out more about scholarships and bursaries.

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to buy your own copy of key textbooks, this can cost between £50 and £250 per year.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residence. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses. You may wish to purchase your own computer, which can cost from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Photocopying and printing

In the majority of cases written coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing, binding and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees, this may cost up to £100 per year.

Uniform and equipment

We provide you with a uniform. You will need to purchase appropriate shoes (£20-£60) and a fob watch (£5-£20) for practice. If you want additional uniform items, they are available for purchase.

Travel

Travel costs are not included in your tuition fees but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses, Surbiton train station, Kingston upon Thames train station, Norbiton train station and halls of residence.

Placements

Placement expenses for travel and accommodation may be reimbursed by NHS Bursaries where, for example, the requirement exceeds that of attending university; or requires additional accommodation to that of the usual term time location. These expenses may need to be covered initially by the student before any applicable reimbursement is received. Please note: EU and international students may not be eligible for support for travel and accommodation.

DBS check

The University pays for the processing of the application which is £51 but students are expected to pay a small fee (approximately £7) to the Post Office to get their ID documents verified and £13 per year for subscribing to the Update Service. This subscription allows universities and potential employers to view any changes to students' DBS.

Occupational health

You will need to fill out an Occupational Health Form. In some cases, we will require extra information and may ask you to get your GP to complete a routine screening form. All GPs have their own policies on charging fees for completion of these reports. The minimum fee recommended by the BMA is £30. Some GPs will not charge you for completion of the form but some GP surgeries are unable to make exceptions and will charge you the standard rate for their practice (in some cases this can be £50 or more). Neither the Faculty nor Occupational Health will be able to reimburse students for fees charged by their GP.

The majority of the required vaccinations should be free from your GP or via the NHS. Our Occupational Health Service will see you in the first two weeks of the course to ensure you have obtained the necessary vaccinations and will undertake any vaccinations/screening tests you have missed. Neither the Faculty nor Occupational Health will be able to reimburse students for any fees charged by their GP or other vaccination providers for vaccinations incurring a cost. If you are being charged for a vaccination we would suggest that you wait until you start the course where you will be able to obtain the vaccination at no cost to yourself.

Membership and professional fees

Professional body membership fees whilst on course are approximately £10. Nursing and Midwifery Council registration fees, once qualified, are currently £120 for the year.

Facilities

Kingston University's Kingston Hill campus offers you modern facilities and include well-equipped laboratories where you can practise within a safe environment.

Our nursing students are taught by the Simulated Learning and Clinical Skills team within clinical, community and practice health settings.

Our Nursing Simulated Learning and Clinical Skills Centre facilities include a simulated ward area with a medication room, clinical classrooms, one of which has an immersion suite for fully immersive simulated learning scenarios in different settings. The areas are set up with an audio-visual system so skills and simulations can be recorded for group debrief and self-assessment.

Within our facilities, students take part in award-winning innovative simulations with role players and full body manikins that provide unprecedented opportunities to acquire, develop and maintain the knowledge, skills, values and behaviours needed for safe and effective patient care.

After you graduate

  • This course is ideal for careers in frontline and specialist nursing as well as leadership opportunities.
  • The course enables you to join as a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
  • You will be able to progress into a variety of nursing careers, from acute to community settings within the NHS or independent sector. This could include settings such as hospitals, GPS, district nursing, prisons, private hospitals, charities, armed forces.
After you graduate

Accreditation

This degree confers both an academic award and a professional qualification in nursing. On successful completion of the programme, you will be recommended to the Nursing and Midwifery Council for professional registration.

Current research in this subject

Current research in this subject

Many of our staff are research active, often in partnership with NHS trusts. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.

Research themes and programmes include:

  • Integrated and collaborative working and learning;
  • Implementation and Improvement;
  • Emergency, cardiovascular and critical care;
  • Psychological and Cognitive Conditions;
  • Education

Course changes and regulations

The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.

Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.

Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.

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