Nursing
Full-time
Part-time
One year
Three year
September 2025
In a nutshell
This programme is designed to expand the knowledge and critical thinking skills of nurses. It provides an opportunity to explore various research methodologies, methods, ethical considerations, and literature critique. By engaging with this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of research in practice and care delivery. It will equip you with the essential knowledge and skills to interpret, participate in, and apply evidence-based findings to enhance the quality of care for people who use healthcare services.
The full course runs full-time or part-time, giving you the chance to exit with the following awards:
Full-time
- Postgraduate Diploma: four modules over eight months
- Master's: four modules plus a dissertation over one year
Part-time
- Postgraduate Diploma: four modules over two years
- Master's: four modules plus a dissertation over three years
You will:
- Strengthen your critical knowledge and skills to support career advancement.
- Enhance your expertise while contributing to the progression of professional practice.
- Focus on your own professional development and the application of evidence-based practice.
- Critically evaluate your practice and services, fostering an evidence-based approach to care.
students accepted
This is for you if...
You want to improve nursing practices through evidence-based approaches.
You seek a higher qualification to support your career development.
You aspire to support and teach future and existing nurses and other healthcare professionals.
You want to advance your skills, specialise in your interests, and gain job satisfaction with greater autonomy in your practice.
All about the course
This programme equips nurses with advanced knowledge and critical thinking skills through core and optional modules, focusing on professional practice, research methods, evidence-based care, and specialised topics, culminating in a dissertation to enhance career progression and leadership roles.
Critically Exploring Professional Practice (core module)
This module explores the characteristics of professions and professional practice at the master's level. You will be enabled to critically analyse professional values and beliefs about healthcare in the global context, driving your development as a nurse leader. You will cover the following topics:
- Professional practice in healthcare: critical review of informed consent, dignity, patient rights, and autonomy.
- Healthcare policy in the global context.
- Factors influencing contemporary healthcare: political, socio-economic, technological, and other perspectives.
- Analysis of future healthcare trends.
- Comparison and contrast of factors influencing professional development and career progression.
- Personal development and career planning: developing SMART objectives.
- Critical self-assessment, skills, and tools.
- Writing styles for biographical narratives.
- Accessing and critiquing research evidence to underpin knowledge and skills development related to practice.
Research Methods (core modules)
This course explores contemporary issues and debates in research. You will come to understand the nature, role, and context of research in health and social care, covering the following topics:
- Theoretical issues and approaches to research
- Developing a research proposal
- Developing research questions and hypotheses
- Searching for evidence and information, and critical review of existing research
- Methods of data collection
- Samples and access to study populations
- Presentation, analysis, and interpretation of various forms of data
- Fundamentals of frequently used statistical tests
- Ethical issues in research, including ethical conduct, ethical approval, and other strategies
- Dissemination and publication of research
- Implementation strategies
Independent Learning (optional module)
This course will promote the development of depth and systematic understanding and knowledge of your personal and professional learning. Additionally, you will achieve the following:
- Critically explore and identify issues in your professional arena that may potentially be further developed.
- Critically analyse your professional development within the context of your professional practice to determine your future learning needs.
- Using an evidence-based approach, construct and implement a plan to meet learning needs and modify it to reflect organisational and professional learning needs.
- Demonstrate critical awareness of ethical issues that may arise and how these can be managed, working with others to formulate solutions.
- Critically reflect on your performance in meeting your learning needs.
- Make recommendations for improvement of performance, drawing on innovative or professional best practice.
The optional modules allow you to tailor your learning to your interests and career goals. These modules enable you to deepen your expertise, enhance professional practice, and develop skills applicable to your field.
Research Methods (core module)
Please note, this module can be studied in either Trimester 1 or Trimester 2.
This course explores contemporary issues and debates in research. You will come to understand the nature, role, and context of research in health and social care, covering the following topics:
- Theoretical issues and approaches to research
- Developing a research proposal
- Developing research questions and hypotheses
- Searching for evidence and information, and critical review of existing research
- Methods of data collection
- Samples and access to study populations
- Presentation, analysis, and interpretation of various forms of data
- Fundamentals of frequently used statistical tests
- Ethical issues in research, including ethical conduct, ethical approval, and other strategies
- Dissemination and publication of research
- Implementation strategies
Diabetes Complications and Care in the Marginalised Groups (optional module)
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate and critically reflect how to accurately recognise and effectively manage the short-term complications of diabetes in a simulation environment on.
- Critically discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms that underpin long-term diabetes complications.
- Critically discuss approaches for the prompt recognition, management, and support of people and their families from all backgrounds with long-term complications, using a multidisciplinary approach.
- Use research skills to search for and critically evaluate information relating to short- and long-term diabetes complications.
- Critically reflect on the importance of interpersonal skills when communicating the development of complications to people with diabetes.
- Demonstrate explanatory accuracy when discussing the findings of diabetes complications.
End of Life Care (optional module)
This module aims to enable you to develop an enhanced level of knowledge through the synthesis and integration of relevant theory and research to support skills and attitudes in order to meet the end-of-life care needs of individuals throughout the lifespan and across all disease boundaries. Additionally, the course will enable you to achieve the following:
- Demonstrate a systematic, critical understanding of the philosophical and organisational development of palliative and End of Life Care (EoLC).
- Critically appraise and evaluate the contribution of different disciplines, organisations, and agencies, and how effective collaborative work can enhance End of Life Care practice.
- Demonstrate critical, theoretical, and evidence-based understanding of and skill in therapeutic communication around the end of life, and appraise its impact on psychosocial and spiritual health, including loss, grief, and bereavement.
- Show the ability to critically evaluate and synthesise the legal, ethical, and clinical factors influencing care at the end of life and their relationship to professional nursing practice.
- Demonstrate a clear, evidence-based understanding of the core elements of holistic assessment, and synthesise within a biopsychosocial approach to symptom management in relation to end-of-life care.
Evidence-Based Practice for Patient Care (optional module)
This course will enable you to use the following skills, contributing to preparation for your Dissertation work.
- Searching: formulating a search question, selecting search terms, building up a search strategy, limiting searches; sources of health and social care information; (e.g. MEDLINE; CINAHL; PSYCHINFO etc.)
- Appraising: for quantitative (e.g. RCT and survey); qualitative (e.g. participant observation); systematic reviews; policy documents and other evidence.
- Synthesising: what is a systematic review - literature searching dimension plus appraisal; issues in synthesising RCT’s Vs qualitative research
- Implementing/Getting findings into Practice: need for change management; research evidence and other evidence; current approaches in health and social care (audit, guidelines, protocols, CRD, Cochrane, evaluation, performance review). Gaining local ownership.
Project Management and Methods of Inquiry (optional module)
Upon completing this module, you will be able to critically apply knowledge of project management through experiential learning within your organisation, in addition to the following:
- Utilising an evidence-based approach, apply and critically evaluate the principles of project management to an individually determined project for service improvement.
- Critically explore different project management methodologies to support innovative and creative ways of working to make service improvements.
- Critically appraise your own project management skills in relation to holding people to account for what they have agreed to deliver and in the management of resources.
- Critically evaluate the utility of appropriate methods of inquiry in relation to specific projects.
- Construct a business case which effectively justifies the need for a specific project within your organisation and supports the long-term capability of those it affects.
- Communication skills / interpersonal skills / production of business case.
- Problem-solving through critical appraisal, using information and communication technology, project planning, and management skills.
- Working with others – teamwork, managing others, and leadership.
- Lifelong learning – improving own learning and performance, reflective and reflexive skills, openness to feedback.
Independent Learning (optional module)
This course will promote the development of depth and systematic understanding and knowledge of your personal and professional learning. Additionally, you will achieve the following:
- Critically explore and identify issues in your professional arena that may potentially be further developed.
- Critically analyse your professional development within the context of your professional practice to determine your future learning needs.
- Using an evidence-based approach, construct and implement a plan to meet learning needs and modify it to reflect organisational and professional learning needs.
- Demonstrate critical awareness of ethical issues that may arise and how these can be managed, working with others to formulate solutions.
- Critically reflect on your performance in meeting your learning needs.
- Make recommendations for improvement of performance, drawing on innovative or professional best practice.
Dissertation
This module enables you to develop a research proposal with clear aims and objectives related to your study. You will undertake critical analysis of existing research and engage in various forms of recognised research to produce a sustained, sophisticated, and logical argument in the form of a written dissertation.
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.
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?
Completing an MSc course provides diverse career opportunities in clinical practice, leadership, education, and research. Graduates from this course have pursued roles in leadership within the NHS or in the private, voluntary, or independent sectors. In education, graduates are working as nurse educators, training future nurses as well as the existing workforce in universities and clinical settings. Overall, MSc study has given graduates opportunities to make a greater impact in the healthcare industry both nationally and internationally.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is an essential part of maintaining your professional registration. By undertaking CPD modules and courses, you will be able to demonstrate to employers a commitment to the profession.
Career Links
The NMC provides clear guidance on joining the register for nurses and midwives trained outside the UK (international students).
What you need to know
Applicant profile
This programme is for you if you are a qualified nurse looking to advance your knowledge and critical awareness. It will help prepare you to progress to more senior roles by building your confidence in challenging and influencing practice. You will pursue modules from a number of options, allowing you to tailor your degree to suit your future career aims.
Home students
Applications are invited from registered nurses, and the following application documents are requested:
- Proof of registered nurse status
- Undergraduate nursing or midwifery degree comparable to 120 credits at level 6 or equivalent
- Letter of reference
- Passport copy
- Online application form, including a personal statement
International students
To apply for this programme as an international student, you will need the following:
- Registered nurse status: You must be a registered nurse with an undergraduate nursing degree that is comparable to 120 credits at level 6 or equivalent.
- English language proficiency: Demonstrate your proficiency in English by achieving an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0, with no individual band score below 5.5.
- Letter of reference: Provide a reference letter from a professional who can attest to your qualifications and character.
- Passport copy: Submit a copy of your passport for identification purposes.
- Online application form: Complete the online application form, which includes a personal statement outlining your motivations, experiences, and aspirations related to nursing.
English language requirements
If you are an international student and not from a majority English-speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.0 with writing at 5.5 or above. We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take the Pre-Sessional English course to gain entry onto this degree
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
To be considered for the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme you must have already achieved or be working towards GCSE Maths and English Grade C/4 (or equivalent).
How much?
Looking for funding for a Master's degree? You can check out options like government loans, scholarships, grants, or even see if your employer offers sponsorships.
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,100 per year |
| Full-time international | 2025/26 | £17,000 per year |
| Part-time | 2025/26 | Part-time costs will be calculated on a pro rata basis. |
| Full-time home | 2026/27 | £9,360 per year |
| Full-time international | 2026/27 | £17,520 per year |
| Part-time | 2026/27 | Part-time costs will be calculated on a pro rata basis. |
Additional costs
You should consider additional costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Scholarships for international students
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Explore our International Scholarships.
All set? Let's apply
Still have some questions? Register for one of our Open Days or contact us: