A master's degree in nursing is a graduate-level programme designed for registered nurses seeking to advance their careers in the nursing profession. An MSc nursing course offers an in-depth exploration of the theoretical and practical aspects of nursing, providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to assume leadership positions within the field.
The curriculum of an MSc nursing typically includes courses in advanced nursing practice, research methods, healthcare policy and management, patient care management, and leadership and organisational behaviour. Students may also have the opportunity to specialise in a particular area of nursing, such as paediatrics, critical care, or oncology.
Graduates with a master's degree in nursing are prepared to assume various roles in healthcare organisations, such as nursing leadership, advanced clinical practice, research, education, and administration. The programme can also serve as a foundation for doctoral studies in nursing.
If you want to study a master's in nursing in the UK, learn more about the best universities for MSc nursing below (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Nursing). Then, arrange a free consultation with SI-UK to begin your UK nursing application.
Top Five UK Universities for MSc Nursing
1. King’s College London
The MSc Clinical Nursing at King’s College London is designed to support qualified nurses in developing their knowledge and skills to advance their careers. The course aims to help nurses become expert clinical decision-makers capable of leading and coordinating high-quality nursing care that promotes patient safety. The curriculum covers a wide range of content, including digital strategies in healthcare, evidence-based practice, and person-centred care.
The course is delivered by internationally renowned clinicians and academics who promote evidence-based care and appreciation of translational research and offers a flexible study pathway that builds on existing clinical experience and skills, enabling nurses to acquire and demonstrate generic, transferable competencies and those specific to their area of practice.
Optional modules allow nurses to focus on a particular clinical field or develop a wider knowledge of different clinical pathways. Completing the course will help nurses to deepen their knowledge of contemporary issues in healthcare, broaden their career prospects, and enable them to influence service delivery and effect change in their area of clinical practice.
- Course in focus: Clinical Nursing MSc
- Entry Requirements: A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
- International Fees: £23,850
- QS world ranking: 2
2. University of Manchester
The MSc Adult Nursing programme offered by The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is a two-year pre-registration course that leads to registration as an adult nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The course aims to prepare graduates from any discipline for an exciting career in nursing leadership, education or clinical academia.
In the first year, the course will cover the person in the patient, a holistic approach to nursing care, health psychology and behaviour change, ethics applied to nursing, and biosciences applied to nursing. In the second year, the focus will be on developing skills in decision-making, leadership, teaching and learning, and research. In addition to consolidating clinical skills, students will have three practice learning experiences, further practice on campus/clinical skills simulation sessions, and three theoretical course units, including a dissertation.
- Course in focus: MSc Adult Nursing
- Entry Requirements: An undergraduate degree with at least an Upper Second in any subject.
- International Fees: £24,500
- QS world ranking: 6
3. University of Southampton
The University of Southampton’s Master’s in Adult Nursing empowers students to support and care for adults in various healthcare settings. It is designed for ambitious graduates and career changers who want to become registered nurses and qualified nurses who want to pursue a second field of registration. The programme is two years long and includes theoretical learning and practice hours to meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration requirements. Placements in healthcare settings give students essential practical experience to develop into nursing professionals.
The taught theoretical modules cover a range of topics, including professional nursing practice, global and public health, coordinating long-term care, and managing acute changes in health status. Developing critical thinking, reasoning, and analytical skills is a major focus of the course, as is improving leadership skills so that students can supervise, delegate, and challenge practice in the future. Upon completion of the degree, graduates will be eligible to register with the NMC as Registered Nurses (Adult).
- Course in focus: Nursing: Adult (MSc)
- Entry Requirements: A 2.1 degree and GCSE English language, mathematics and science, grades 4 to 9 or A* to C.
- QS world ranking: 11
4. University of Leeds
The Advanced Clinical Practice MSc at the University of Leeds caters to seasoned healthcare professionals like nurses, pharmacists, radiographers, audiologists, cardiac physiologists, ambulance personnel, and midwives, granting them enhanced autonomy and advanced decision-making skills. Geared towards fostering their expertise, it integrates clinical practice, leadership, education, and research at a master's level.
- Course in focus: Advanced Clinical Practice MSc
- Entry Requirements: A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, and a nursing qualification.
- QS world ranking: 38
5. University of Nottingham
The MSc Advanced Nursing course is designed to improve patient care and advance nursing practice, preparing students for senior and advanced nursing positions. The course offers 180 credits, including 120 credits of core modules and 60 credits of optional modules. Core modules include The Principles and Methods of Evidence-Based Practice in Health and Social Care, Dimensions of Advanced Nursing, Leadership and Governance in Health and Social Care, and a Dissertation Project.
Optional modules cover a range of areas, including High Dependency and Critical Care for Neonates, Infants or Children, Advanced Clinical Decision-Making, Contemporary Care of the Critically Ill Adult, Contemporary Cancer Therapies and Care, Contemporary Theory and Practice in Palliative and end-of-life care, and Learning and Assessment in Healthcare Education. The course attracts students from various clinical backgrounds, including acute and community care settings, as well as from the UK and other countries.
- Course in focus: Advanced Nursing MSc/PGDip
- Entry Requirements: A first or second-class honours degree (2:2 or above) in nursing or other relevant topics.
- International Fees: £21,500
- QS world ranking: 38
Study MSc Nursing in the UK
If you want to study for an MSc in Nursing in the UK, arrange your free consultation today.
MSc Nursing FAQ
The average tuition fee for a master's in nursing for international students in the UK ranges from £16,000 to £27,000 per year.
The average salary for nurses in the UK ranges from £25,000 to £46,000 per year or about 2,560,000 INR to 4,800,000 INR per year (considering the exchange rate in May 2024).
Obtaining a Master of Science (MSc) in Nursing can provide numerous opportunities and expand the scope of your nursing career in the UK, including as an Advanced Practice Nurse, Nurse Researcher, Nurse Manager/Administrator, Clinical Nurse Specialist, or Nurse Consultant.
Generally, a full-time MSc in Nursing course in the UK can be completed within 1 to 2 years. Most full-time MSc Nursing programs are designed to be completed in 1 year and typically consist of three terms or semesters.
The UK is renowned for its high standard of education and strong reputation in healthcare and nursing education. UK universities and nursing degrees are known for their rigorous academic standards, well-structured curriculum, and experienced faculty members. A nursing degree from a UK university is widely recognised and respected globally.
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