Nursing: Child (MSc)

You’ll need a 2.1 degree as well as GCSE English language, mathematics and science, grades 4 to 9 or A* to C.

You must also successfully demonstrate:

• 1,100 hours of relevant learning through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
• a portfolio of evidence that you’ve worked 675 hours in a healthcare environment under the supervision of a registered healthcare professional

If you’re a graduate nurse, you can apply through RPL.

If your application is shortlisted you’ll receive an email invitation to a selection event. The invitation will explain everything you need to know about the event which includes an interview and video-based scenario.

You must also provide a satisfactory Disclosures and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced disclosure, as well as a satisfactory occupational health assessment.

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 an overall score of 7.0 and the following scores for reading, writing, listening and speaking:

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

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

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

You must pass every module and there are no optional modules to choose from. Your modules include a mix of theoretical learning and 2,300 hours of practice learning.

In your first year you'll gain skills in providing person centred care to meet the basic physical and mental health needs of people of all ages.

In the second year you will develop specialist skills in managing and coordinating the care of children and young people and preparing for your leadership role as a registered nurse within the workforce.

You'll also need to complete an independent research project and dissertation. This takes place across the 2 academic years that you study the course.

This course is full-time so you must be available for study and practice placements.

If you’re a graduate nurse studying through RPL, you can complete the course in around 20 months.

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

Learning

You'll complete practice learning to gain the experience and skills needed to work as a registered nurse. Some of this will be in a simulated environment, but most will be in placements throughout your course.

You'll be an active member of a child nursing ‘Professional Practice Development Group’. This will support and refine what you learn and assess what you do and do not know.

Conference days are a forum for our professors to share the latest research with you. They provide opportunities for you to learn, build networks and experience a conference environment.

The University will set up your placements in a variety of hospital and community settings in local NHS Trusts and other healthcare providers.

Assessment

Assessments on this nursing degree include essays, exams, projects, professional conversations and your dissertation.

We’ll assess your practical skills while you’re on placement and your practice mentor will record these.

Your assessment is designed to demonstrate your knowledge, understanding, competency and professional values.

You’ll need to pass both practice and theory components of the course. This means you cannot make up a lower score in one component with a higher score in another.

Timely and constructive feedback will develop your confidence and give you the support to work on learning needs, and get extra educational support.

We’ll assess each module to help you demonstrate that you’ve met the required learning outcomes.

Dissertation

Need SME guidance for a line on dissertation.

Academic Support

We’ll organise your practice placements and support your learning in practice working with your practice assessor.

You’ll be actively supported to identify where you may wish to work for your first post as a registered nurse.

We have a dedicated School Lead for Employability. As well as timetabled careers activities, we’ll invite you to attend the School's annual Health Sciences Careers Fair. You’ll meet potential employers and gain invaluable early careers advice about your options.

As a child nursing graduate from the University of Southampton, you’ll have the ideal platform to move into more senior positions. For example consultant nurse, leading a team or working in advanced clinical practice. 

You could also opt to work in education to train and inspire future generations of nurses. Fast track opportunities for doctoral courses may be available, and you may also have the option to combine practice and research, or research and education. These are known in the profession as clinical academic careers.

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service 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 vibrant 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

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• This course is not available to EU and international students.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

Extra costs you might have to pay

There will be extra costs for the following:

• suitable shoes for your practice placements
• your own fob watch
• your enhanced DBS certificate 
• your professional registration fee (on graduation)

You may be able to claim some travel and accommodation expenses when you're working on placement.

If you're a UK resident, visit the NHS 'Financial Support at University' page to learn more about financial support for your living costs. For example, you can apply for a training grant through the NHS Learning Support Fund. This is a minimum of £5000 per year. 

If you're a resident of Ireland you may be able to apply for financial support through the Student Universal Support Ireland scheme (SUSI).

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 and EU 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.

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries  may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.

You must in the first instance apply for the PGDip in Child Nursing. Applications are processed through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). When you apply, you'll be taken to the UCAS website where you'll need to register an account to submit an application. 
 
You’ll need to use the codes below:

UCAS Course Code: 3310

UCAS Institution Code: S27 

Our admissions team will transfer you to the master’s degree once we receive the application from UCAS.

Application deadlines

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.

Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.

What happens after you apply

You’ll be able to track your application through UCAS.

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• personal values and how these might add to the profession
• previous and current academic achievements
• relevant experience and how this shapes your aspirations
• personal statement
• academic and/or employer reference(s)

If your application is shortlisted you’ll receive an email invitation from our admissions tutor to attend a selection event. The event involves an interview and your perspective on a video-based scenario. The invitation includes information on how to prepare and what to expect.

We'll get back to you within 6 weeks with a decision about your application.

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