MSc Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (top-up)
Full-time
Part-time
Eight month
Four month
May 2025
In a nutshell
The MSc Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Top-Up) at the University of Salford is designed for those who have completed an NMC-validated postgraduate programme in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) and wish to achieve a full master's qualification. This course allows you to build on your postgraduate diploma, providing the opportunity to critically appraise and develop the skills needed to lead services regionally, nationally, and internationally.
At the University of Salford, you will benefit from a programme specifically designed to enhance your research skills within the integrated health and social care system. This course supports you in leading research-informed integrated services that improve the quality of care and enhance outcomes for people, professionals, organisations, and the wider community.
You will:
- Develop advanced research skills tailored to specialist community public health nursing.
- Lead and innovate in integrated health and social care services.
- Critically appraise and apply evidence-based practices.
- Enhance your leadership capabilities in diverse healthcare settings.
- Improve care quality and outcomes through research-informed practices.
- Network with professionals and experts in the field.
This is for you if...
You want to gain advanced research skills tailored to specialist community public health nursing.
You want to lead and innovate in integrated health and social care services.
You want to enhance your career prospects in leadership roles.
You want to benefit from unique networking opportunities with experts.
You want to improve care quality and outcomes through research-informed practices.
All about the course
This course offers an opportunity for nurses who have completed an NMC-validated Specialist Community Public Health Nursing programme (any pathway, such as Health Visiting or School Nursing) at level 7 to achieve a master's qualification. You can complete the dissertation module part-time or full-time within five years of finishing your PgDip SCPHN. Throughout your dissertation journey, you will receive guidance and support from a university academic supervisor. You have the flexibility to choose between a project-based dissertation or a literature review, focusing on your specialist area. There is flexibility to start on a number of dates across the year.
Modules
The programme consists of a single 60-credit level 7 module, supported by an academic supervisor who is an expert in your specialist area. This module is designed to help you master independent learning and critical thinking.
Key Features:
- You will be guided by an academic supervisor throughout your journey.
- Orientation, workshops, and facilitated sessions are provided to support your success; these include academic writing, project approaches, systematic reviews, ethics, and dissemination strategies.
- An opportunity to engage in wider research learning, including attending research presentations.
- Your choices will be negotiated and agreed upon within an individualised personal development plan with your supervision team.
- Supervisory sessions and tutorials provided by your supervision team.
This programme is designed to provide you with the skills and support needed to excel in your specialist area, ensuring a rich and engaging learning experience.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
The School of Health and Society
The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real-world impact.
Our courses are informed by the latest research and we work closely with organisations from both the public and private sector to ensure our teaching is at the forefront of practice. The University has received approval for a new health building on the Frederick Road campus which will create brand new teaching spaces, including new Podiatry spaces. Construction will begin in late 2024, with completion expected by Autumn 2026. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a health and wellbeing hub, supporting popular healthcare courses and community services. It will feature sustainable design elements and provide modern clinical facilities to enhance student learning and community engagement. Find out more about our new Health Building.
In time community healthcare clinics will also take place there as partnerships are developed to explore research opportunities and to provide a range of therapeutic sessions.
Facilities
There are a variety of clinical ward areas in which healthcare students learn and practice essential clinical skills such as CPR, wound care, physiological observations and hand-washing.
Our state-of-the-art Simulation Suites are designed to replicate a real hospital environment. These facilities include the following: An adult and children’s ward, treatment room, nurse’s station, bathroom, day room, two side rooms, a midwifery home area and labour room. All of the bed spaces are equipped with oxygen delivery ports, suction points, nurse call buttons, emergency buzzers and bed lights, all of which mimic a real hospital environment.
There is a vast range of human patient simulators (HPS) including two fully portable wireless adults, a newborn, an infant, a child and a birthing mum.
The HPS can simulate breathing, blinking, bleeding and sweating and also have chest, heart and bowel sounds. Many different clinical procedures and scenarios can be practised using the simulators and experienced staff strive to ensure that health and social care students learn in a safe and supportive environment. Examples of simulated scenarios include cardiac arrest, psychosis, fitting, pulmonary embolism, post-partum haemorrhage, asthma and a fractured femur.
There are also soundproof control rooms where specialist technicians operate the reactions and voice of the HPS and coordinate the audio-visual requirements for the scenarios. In order to enhance the students learning there is a dedicated room for debriefing and streaming the scenarios into, which enable peer observation, learning and feedback.
Service User and Carers Group
Our Nursing Service Users and Carers Group (SU&C) is a collective group of service users, carers and parents who have past and current lived experience of engaging with local healthcare services and or providing care for family or friends. The group shares their breadth and wealth of expertise and diverse lived experiences in an open genuine, generous and frank manner with students to ensure that the voices of the public, patients and carers are fully heard and represented in the nursing curriculum.
What about after uni?
Upon successful completion of this programme, you will have the opportunity to advance your career as a highly skilled specialist community public health nurse and leader. You will be well-prepared to work in a variety of settings across the health and social care system and beyond. This programme equips you with the expertise and leadership skills necessary to make a significant impact in your field.
Career Links
The dissertation is closely linked to your professional practice, providing an opportunity to consolidate your postgraduate diploma and practical experience. You will collaborate with your employer to select a topic area that showcases your expertise in your specialist field. Completing the dissertation will position you as a highly sought-after professional within health and social care, as well as in broader contexts. This process not only enhances your skills but also significantly boosts your career prospects.
What you need to know
There are two pathways for entry:
Progression from the Community Specialist Practitioner nursing NMC-approved programmes:
- PgDip Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) (all pathways) completed at the University of Salford.
- PgDip Specialist Community Public Health Nursing from any SCPHN programme in the UK validated by the NMC.
Completion of the above must have been within the last 5 years.
This course is ideal for registered nurses who have completed an NMC-validated Specialist Community Public Health Nursing programme at level 7. We are looking for dedicated professionals with a postgraduate diploma in community nursing who are eager to advance their careers. Ideal candidates will have experience in health and social care settings and a strong interest in integrated care and research. You should be motivated to lead and innovate in your field, with a commitment to improving care quality and outcomes. If you are passionate about making a difference and enhancing your expertise, this course is for you.
All applicants will be interviewed by the programme leads and will be asked to complete a dissertation proposal (500 words).
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We positively welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to successfully pursue a programme of study in higher education. Students who do not have the traditional entry requirements may be able to apply through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme. Support in preparing for the written assessment is available from the University.
English Language Requirements
International applicants will be required to show proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 (with no element below 5.5) is proof of this. If you need to improve your written and spoken English, you might be interested in our English language courses.
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time | 2025/26 | Part-time costs will be calculated on a pro rata basis. |
All Set? Let's Apply
Still have some questions? Register for one of our Open Days or contact us:
By email: enquiries@salford.ac.uk
By phone: +44 (0)161 295 4545