Program Overview

MSc Adult Nursing (Pre-registration)

The MSc Adult Nursing (Pre-registration) course is designed for individuals who have already graduated with an undergraduate degree and wish to pursue a career in adult nursing. This accelerated postgraduate course allows students to gain the experience and skills required to practice as an adult nurse in two years, rather than the traditional three-year route.

Course Overview

The course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and is an accelerated pathway into professional nursing practice. Students will spend half of their time studying in clinical placements or in simulation-based learning, incorporating a variety of settings, with support from a practice supervisor/assessor and academic assessor.

Features and Benefits

• Approved course: This course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
• Accelerated course: An accelerated postgraduate pathway into professional nursing practice, allowing students to gain the experience and skills required to practice as a registered nurse in two years, rather than three.
• Become a registered nurse: On successful completion, students are eligible to register as an adult nurse with the NMC.
• Outstanding nursing facilities: The university has well-equipped clinical skills labs complete with computerized simulation manikins, used to demonstrate both basic and challenging conditions and nursing interventions.
• Taught by experts and clinicians still in practice: All of the teaching team in the School of Nursing are registered nurses, health visitors, advanced practitioners, and academics. Many are still active in practice alongside their roles at Manchester Met, helping to keep teaching relevant and up-to-date with current NHS standards.
• Real-world experience: Students will spend an equal amount of time on clinical placements/simulation in community and hospital settings and at university on nursing theory.

Year 1

In the first year, students will explore topics such as person-centered nursing, responsibilities as a nurse, and local and global health issues. At the beginning of the course, students will learn essential practical skills, from taking blood pressure to basic life support.

Core Modules

• Person Centred Nursing (Adult): This module introduces students to the background and theories around Person Centred Nursing, while also exploring the implementation of Person Centred Nursing as part of a wider adult nursing team.
• Local and Global Health: This module focuses on the causal factors, implications, and multi-agency responses to local and global health issues.
• Enquiry and Evaluation: This module critically explores the application of research methodologies and evidence within the context of person-centered approaches to nursing care.
• Resilience and Relationships: Through this module, students will demonstrate and effectively explore professional practice issues, specifically in field-specific nursing.

Year 2

In the second year, students will build upon the foundational knowledge and skills gained in the first year. They will look at leading and improving care in contemporary healthcare systems while recognizing the fundamental challenges in improving care for patients, families, and caregivers.

Core Modules

• Fieldcraft Skills: This module focuses on developing students' knowledge and skills in medicines management in accordance with professional and regulatory standards.
• Leading and Improving Care: This module critically reflects upon the overall leadership and management of care in a contemporary healthcare system while recognizing the fundamental challenges in improving care for patients, families, and caregivers.
• Supervised Independent Study Project (Adult): This module allows students to build upon their year 1 Project Proposal from the Enquiry and Evaluation unit into a critical piece of work that relates to the adult field of nursing.

Study and Assessment

• Full-time: 15% lectures, seminars, or similar; 50% placement; 35% independent study.
• Full-time: 90% coursework; 0% practical; 10% examination.

Additional Information

• Health checks: Students will be required to complete an Occupational Health Assessment to ensure that their health does not constitute a barrier to the achievement of the program learning outcomes or eligibility to apply for registration with the professional body.
• Professional Suitability: Students on programs leading to professional qualifications are required to adhere to professional standards and codes of practice during their studies.
• Course-specific regulations: Professional, Statutory, and Regulatory Bodies require students to achieve results that demonstrate their ability to practice safely.

Entry Requirements

All applicants must have achieved a minimum of a first degree (2:2 or above) and should have a minimum of Mathematics, English Language, and Science GCSEs at grade C/4 or above. IT skills can be demonstrated through the application process.

Fees and Funding

• UK and Channel Island students: Full-time fee: £9,535 for the 2025/26 academic year.
• EU and non-EU international students: Full-time fee: £22,000 per year.

Careers Support and Prospects

Once students are registered nurses, they might start their careers at one of the university's partner NHS trusts. Or, they might choose to work in the private or voluntary sectors. Although many graduates begin their careers as staff nurses in NHS hospitals in the UK, they could develop their nursing career in the Armed Forces, prisons, hospices, GP surgeries, care homes, or schools.