Advanced Clinical Practice (Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner) (MSc)

You’ll need a 2:2 degree in a subject from a clinical or science background, and:

• a current professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council
• a current job contract in a clinical or clinically related area (including the support of a clinical mentor to assess your practice competency and help with your learning)
• at least 2 years post-registration clinical experience
• at least 1 satisfactory reference, normally from your employer, confirming the availability of appropriate clinical practice experience and mentor support

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This MSc runs for 2 to 5 years part-time, allowing you the flexibility to continue working alongside your degree.

You’ll choose 6 taught modules to give you a firm grounding in advanced neonatal practice and develop your skills. You’ll also take a dissertation module to plan, undertake and report on an original project.

You can study the programme ‘fast track’ over 2.5 years by combining the taught modules during year 1 with weeks in practice. You’ll then study and complete the dissertation in year 2.

You’ll need to register for our chosen modules each year once dates are published. You may also study 1 or 2 modules ‘stand-alone’ before registering for the degree pathway.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

We promote a student-centred approach to guide your learning and encourage you to master your planning skills. Your personal academic tutor, module leaders and mentor in practice will support you throughout the programme.

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures and seminar groups (some may be online)
• action learning groups
• workplace-based training
• practical clinical skills sessions
• supervised and self-directed study

These methods are designed to integrate theory and practice, and to foster a spirit of enquiry. We use these methods to mix theory and practice, and to inspire curiosity in our students. We emphasise group discussion and learning to encourage collaborative working.

Assessment

We’ll assess your work according to the assessment guidelines within the module profile. Our assessment methods are designed to maximise your critical thinking and analysis skills, and develop your understanding of advanced clinical practice.

We’ll assess you through a combination of:

• written and oral exams
• practical assessments
• case studies
• a portfolio
• presentations
• viva voce
• your final dissertation

Dissertation

You’ll plan, carry out and report on an independent, original project that’s relevant to your current or future area of practice. You can submit your final dissertation in one of the following formats:

• a literature review
• a service improvement project (including audit)
• an evidence-based project

Academic Support

You’ll have access to:

• an induction day on study skills, information technology and library facilities
• a dedicated section for your course on Blackboard – the University’s online learning resource
• your module leaders, programme leader and dissertation supervisor for guidance and support
• the Health Sciences Student Office for administrative support
• programme and module handbooks
• the University’s student counselling service

Our MSc programme will give you the skills and expertise for a lead role in neonatal clinical practice and professional development.

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

On this course you pay for each module as you study it. There is no overall fee.

Read the latest module fees and dates on our CPD course page.

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £13,704.
• This course is not available to EU and international students.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

What your fees pay for

On this course you'll pay for each module as you study it.

See the latest module fees and dates.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

NHS Learning Support Fund

As a student on this course you may be entitled to help from the NHS Learning Support Fund.

This can include a training grant of £5,000 per academic year, parental support of £2,000 for students with at least one dependent child under 15 years, or under 17 years if registered with special educational needs, and help with travel and temporary accommodation costs for placements.  

Find out more on the NHS Learning Support Fund website. 

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
2. Search for the course you want to apply for.
3. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
4. Submit your application.

Application deadlines

The deadline for applying for your course for the 2023 year of entry depends on where you’re domiciled (where your permanent home is and where you have the closest ties).

This is because:

• students from different countries tend to apply at different times of year
• we want a diverse and balanced mix of international students with exceptional academic ability

We must receive new applications by midday UK time.

The deadline may still move to:

• an earlier date if we have already received enough applications before the deadline
• a later date if there are still places available on the deadline

We receive many high-quality applications, so places for many of our courses are very competitive.  

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Single module (CPD) applications

To apply for a single module (CPD), you'll need to fill in a physical application form that you can download from our continuing professional development pages.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to send 2 academic references. 

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

You may also be asked to provide:

• evidence of professional qualifications

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We'll assess your application on the strength of your:

• academic achievements
• relevant professional experience
• personal statement
• academic references

We will aim to send you a decision 6-8 weeks after you have submitted your application.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

We may invite you to an interview, which will take place by phone if you live abroad. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.

We'll invite shortlisted candidates to a selection day, which includes an interview. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if you're invited to the selection day. This will include information on how to prepare and what to expect during the session.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000