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As a nurse, you will be at the forefront of healthcare, meeting a broad range of people who truly need your expertise and empathy. Nurses are involved in promoting health and preventing illness in addition to caring for sick and dying people. This can take place in a variety of environments, which include health centres, homes, residential/care homes and hospitals. A career in nursing can take you into leadership and management, education and research, both at home and overseas. Wherever you choose to specialise in the future, as a nurse you will be an advocate for the people in your care. You will make a difference.

The course content is aligned to the����(NMC) Standards for Future Nurse Education and is underpinned by person-centred and humanistic values. The programme is focused into four key themes which are: Applied Biosciences for Nursing Practice, The Theories and Art of Nursing, and Active Learning. These themes are developed across the four years of the programme.

On this course you will:

• be able to register with the NMC and practise as a nurse;
• be able to confidently deliver safe, effective and person-centred nursing care;
• become part of a community of learners, working collaboratively with lecturers, clinical staff, service users and other students on a transformational journey towards registration;
• actively engage in creative and critical ways of working and learning including approaches such as critical inquiry, reflection, contemplation, simulation and practice learning experiences; and
• carry out invaluable practice learning experiences (PLEs) that will enrich your learning.

Structure

This is a four year undergraduate master’s course. Student’s will graduate with a Master of Nursing (MNurse) and have the eligibility to apply for registration with the NMC. Over the four years you will complete a total of 4,600 hours of theory and practice experience that is split equally. There is an option for students to transition to the BSc (Hons) route at the end of Year Two and they will still be eligible to apply for registration with the NMC as a nurse as soon as they graduate.

Find out about the benefits of studying an undergraduate master’s.

Teaching, learning and assessment

The course is designed to enhance your knowledge, understanding, autonomy, and leadership skills for nursing practice. We use a range of creative ways of teaching and learning to promote self-development and the skills for interacting with others. You will be facilitated to learn in lectures, seminars, practical laboratories and have practice learning experiences. Outside of timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning through self-study. 

We encourage you to complement your theoretical learning by participating in opportunities, such as volunteering, which could be done in the summer break. 
 
We aim to include creative ways of assessment that may involve student choice. Assessments include practical and written exams, assignments and group work.

Placements (Practice Learning Experience)

A Practice Learning Experience (PLE) is offered each year. PLEs provide the opportunity to integrate theory and practice by working directly with people in whichever setting they are.

PLEs can be in a variety of settings such as the community area, a hospital or care home. These may be in the Lothians and Borders. Edinburgh Napier University manages the sourcing of PLEs for each student on this course. Lecturing staff at QMU manage the allocation of PLEs for each student.

The teams are always looking at widening opportunities for students and we are increasing the variety of available PLEs all the time. Opportunities to work with specialist research nurses are being developed.

To enhance future employability PLEs take place across Scotland. It is therefore likely that students will have to relocate for at least some of their practice-based learning unless they have individual requirements (eg specific health needs or school age children) that mean they must remain in a specific location. 

Exchange opportunities

There are no specific exchange PLEs available within the course, however, we promote available opportunities to students and these may include exchanges for a limited number of students and also volunteering opportunities which can be done in the summer break. 

Teaching staff, class sizes and timetables

You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

For more information, please also visit ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.

Year One

You will:

• describe the principles of person-centred practice and understand the contribution of self in developing relationships with persons, families, colleagues, and communities;
• understand principles of reflection and communication in order to work collaboratively and effectively with people to promote health and wellbeing;
• understand the concepts of health and well-being across the lifespan in/for persons, families, and communities;
• identify and explore a range of theories, science, and knowledge to support the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care;
• safely participate in practice learning under supervision and reflect on a range of learning experience;
• understand the importance of evidence-based practice and research that informs and advances nursing care;
• recognise the importance of effective partnerships with people, families, carers, and colleagues;
• understand the concept of health improvement at local, national, and global levels; and
• recognise the contribution of other health and social care professions to enable safe and effective person-centred care.

Modules

• Applied Biosciences for Nursing Practice 1
• Exploring the Theories and Art of Nursing
• Nursing Research 1: Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing
• Introduction to Active Learning Communities 1

Year Two

You will:

• apply the principles of person-centred practice and understand the contribution of self and others in developing intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships;
• apply principles of reflection and communication to work collaboratively and effectively with people to promote health and wellbeing;
• explore the role of the nurse in maintaining health, preventing ill health and health inequalities;
• use a range of theories, science, and knowledge to support the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care;
• safely contribute to care within practice learning environments, including demonstrating situational awareness and communication of escalation of potential risk;
• describe how evidence-based and research practice informs nursing care;
• demonstrate effective connections and partnerships with people, families, carers, and colleagues;
• demonstrate how health improvement can be applied at local, national, and global contexts through collaborative care; and
• demonstrate knowledge of other health and social care professions to deliver safe and effective person-centred care.

Modules

• Applied Biosciences for Nursing Practice 2
• Analysing the Theories and Art of Nursing
• Nursing Research 2: Understanding and Critiquing Evidence and Knowledge to Develop Nursing Practice
• Active Learning Communities 2

Year Three

You will:

• critically reflect on the impact of teams and cultures on the implementation of person-centred practice;  
• practice critical reflection and reflexivity and communication to work collaboratively and effectively with people to promote health and wellbeing;
• critically analyse approaches to local, national, and global health, and contribute to the support and wellbeing of vulnerable individuals and groups;
• appraise theories, science, and knowledge to contribute to judgement and decision making in/of contemporary nursing care;
• critically reflect on practice and appraise own and others practice and care delivery; 
• analyse and evaluate the importance of evidence-based practice and healthcare research in delivering safe nursing care;
• analyse facilitation approaches to establishing effective partnerships with people, families, carers, and colleagues;
• examine and analyse the contribution of health improvement at local, national, and global contexts through collaborative care across a range of health and social care disciplines; and  
• critically analyse the skills and expertise of other health and social care professions to implement safe and effective person-centred care.
• appraise and synthesise a range of nursing skills, complex judgments, and decisions to apply holistic nursing practice within health and social care settings;
• practice critical reflection and reflexivity in driving change, social justice, and accessibility of health and social care services.
• critically analyse nursing and healthcare research and its impact on person-centred care in the UK and globally; and
• critically apply critical, creative methods to facilitate and evaluate their own and others learning within the context of health and social care.

Modules

• Applied Biosciences for Nursing Practice 3
• Applying the Theories and Art of Nursing
• Nursing Research 4: Understanding and Critiquing Evidence and Knowledge to Develop Nursing Practice
• Active Learning Communities 3

Year Four

You will:

• design approaches to leading and influencing teams and culture to advance person-centred practice and be advocates for persons, families, colleagues, and communities;
• be a reflexive practitioner and practice person-centred communication skills to work collaboratively and effectively with people to promote health and well-being;
• synthesise a range of theories in order to evaluate care and impact change to promote health and wellbeing;
• exercise autonomous professional and evidence informed judgement and decision making in multidisciplinary contexts.
• lead and direct care with increasing independence and reflexivity;
• synthesise a range of sources of evidence and research to enhance and promote evidence-based nursing care;
• evaluate and critically appraise the facilitation approaches to build trusting partnerships with people, families, carers, and colleagues to ensure a good care experience, positive health outcomes and promote public confidence;
• evaluate and synthesise the effectiveness of global health improvement at local, national, and global contexts by constructing a supportive collaboration with other health and social care professionals;
• practice and facilitate a critical approach to the delivery of care in collaboration with multiple health and social care professions;
• practice a range of nursing skills, complex judgements, and decisions to apply and evaluate holistic nursing practice within health and social care settings;
• be a reflexive practitioner in driving change, social justice, and accessibility of health and social care services;
• evaluate and synthesise nursing and healthcare research and its impact on person-centred care in the UK and globally; and
• synthesise and design critical creative methods to facilitate and evaluate their own and others learning within the context of health and social care.

Modules

• Master's Level Dissertation Project
• Clinical Assessment Skills for Nursing Practice
• Preparation for Professional Registration in Nursing (MN)
• Advanced Practice Development and Quality Enhancement in Health and Social Care

NB The modules listed here are correct at time of posting (Nov 2024) but may differ slightly to those offered in 2025. Please check back here for any updates.

By the end of this Master’s level degree, you will be a prepared to address complexities within the current challenging health and social care landscape.

This course will give you the confidence and expertise you need to succeed in the field of nursing that you choose. Your professional and graduate prospects will be excellent. You will have a diverse range of career options in the UK and overseas. 

QMU nursing graduates are working in range of diverse clinical practice settings, for example, acute medical and surgical areas, long term, community and rehabilitation contexts. Many have forged careers outside of the traditional hospital setting by working in the Armed Forces, in research, leadership and education roles. You can also advance your nursing career through postgraduate studies.

Doing an undergraduate master’s offers you an alternative model to the traditional route of a four-year BSc degree followed by an additional one or two years to gain a master’s level qualification.

Entry requirements

Scottish Higher: Standard - BBBB, Minimum - BBBC

A Level: BCC

Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H2 H3 H3

International Baccalaureate: 30 points

International: IELTS of 7.0 (with no component below 7.0 for reading, speaking and listening, and 6.5 for writing)

Required subjects: All combinations of qualifications must include a science and discursive subject at Higher or A Level. Science may include Chemistry and Physics as well as Biology or Human Biology. Discursive subjects include English, Philosophy, History, Modern Studies or Religious and Moral Education. You should have Maths and English at Nat 5 (B)/GSCE B or 03/H4 in ILC if not studied at Higher level. We can also accept National 5 Application of Maths or Lifeskills at the same grade.

Mature/Access: Applicants with Access qualifications must demonstrate a strong academic profile. We welcome applications from mature students with other relevant experience and qualifications. More information on related Access courses.

Am I a Widening Access student?: We apply the minimum entry criteria to applicants who meet one or more contextual factor. To see if this would apply to you, please refer to the access and application page.

Direct Entry: Direct entry to Year Two is available, and the entry criteria are as follows: a minimum of 120 credits at level 7 and a minimum of 460 accredited practice learning hours. Direct entry students may have successfully completed Year One of a nursing degree, have achieved Level 1 Diploma in Higher Education - Nursing route+, or have completed HNC Healthcare Practice (with A in graded unit) through West Lothian College or Borders College. (If you previously studied HNC Care and Administrative Practice, you should have completed the “clinical” route with 120 SCQF credit points.) Please note those entering with 120 credits at level 7 who wish to undertake the Master’s option will be required to achieve an additional 20 credits (one extra module) in Year Two. For further details of related HNC and HND courses, visit our College Leavers and Mature Students Advice page. 

Other requirements

• You will be offered immunisation against Hepatitis B.
• A satisfactory criminal records check from the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme, an occupational health check and personal indemnity insurance (normally through membership of the professional body) are required.
• The NMC requires you to complete a declaration of good health and good character each year.
• Applicants may be required to take part in an interview.

Other costs

• The cost of professional indemnity insurance is the responsibility of the student. For more information on this, visit the  page on our website.
• The additional costs associated with placement travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the student. Students who receive SAAS funding may be able to claim for some of these expenses to be reimbursed.
• Uniform, PVG and badge costs – please see page on our website.

Disability/health conditions

If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of your studying at QMU. However, if you are not sure whether your disability might be a barrier in your studies or in relation to the professional standards, please contact the disability service who will be able to have a conversation with you about reasonable adjustments and supports available to you.

How to apply

Application for this course should be made through . More application information is available in the 'Start your Application' box at the top right of this page.

Terms and Conditions

• The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2025/26 Entry Terms and Conditions (Undergraduate).
• The course information on this page is correct at the time of posting (May 2024) but may differ slightly for 2025 entry. Please check back here for updates.

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