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level: masters top_up: true international: false clearing: false full_time: false part_time: true start_month: September, January, May location: Waterside

Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) (Top Up) MSc

Key Facts

  • Level

    Master'sPG MSc

  • Duration

    1 year part-time

  • Starting

    September, January, May

Updated 17/12/2024

Updated 17/12/2024

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

Overview


This MSc Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Top Up) course aims to equip to an enhanced level the skills of critical analysis and research in order to advance the application of evidence within the field of Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN).

The course engenders a critical and informed appreciation of current contemporary policy, evidence based practice and practical wisdom to further enhance the delivery of SCPHN practice developing students to effectively synthesise and apply evidence-based knowledge and research skills building on having met the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) proficiency standards for SCPHN.

Highlights


  • Enables individuals to reflect on the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their professional career and to build on this experience by being self-directed and autonomous, applying academic rigour in researching a professional project at masters level.
  • Engenders independent and lifelong learning skills which enable adaptive and reflective practice congruent with leading inter-professional Public Health teams and initiatives.
  • Recognises the value of continuous professional development in order to rationalise present day SCPHN practice and accommodate local and national agendas for inter-professional public health practice.

Entry Requirements


Applicants must hold all of the following:

  • A Post Graduate Diploma in SCPHN (120 credits at level 7)
  • Where the applicant’s first language is not English, evidence of an IELTS certificate (or equivalent) with a score of at least 7 in each area is required.
  • In addition applicants must:

    • Be registered with the NMC as either a nurse or midwife
    • Be currently registered with the NMC on Part 3 as SCPHN.

    You will be supported throughout by a profession specific Personal Academic Tutor and a supervisor who will provide both academic and pastoral support as well as support from the module leader.

Course Content


  • This award is designed to reflect the needs of today’s Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) practitioners in which all learning activities must be demonstrated to have relevance in the workplace and be responsive to the needs of service. The overall theme of the award focuses on the application of the learning achieved. Students must hold a Post Graduate Diploma SCPHN and undertake the compulsory principle module OTHM010 Professional Project (60 credits at Level 7) to successfully achieve MSc SCPHN (Top Up) award.

    Building on the modules completed for the entry requirement award of Post Graduate Diploma SCPHN, you will complete a professional project that allows them to engage with the academic literature and research underpinning contemporary SCPHN practice.

    This programme offers you the opportunity, through critical reflection, to review your personal learning within the professional context of SCPHN practice and the potential for lifelong learning. You may select a mode of study for the principle module OTHM010 which is most appropriate to your personal circumstances, resource base, and relevance for learning in the workplace. You may choose from one of the following modes of study:

    • Audit and evaluation
    • Primary research
    • Evidence-based practice review (literature based project).

    The emphasis within the principle module of translating academic learning into the SCPHN workplace, reflects the overarching philosophy of postgraduate provision in the Faculty of Health and Society of ‘making change happen in practice’.

    The assessment process will enable you to demonstrate the application of theoretical concepts and research methodology to SCPHN practice and critically evaluate the extent to which this practice is underpinned with a sound knowledge base. This philosophy facilitates achievement of the general capabilities and skills expected of a masters graduate.

    Formal and informal teaching and learning contexts will be employed to deliver the compulsory OTHM010 Professional Project module; these include workshops and seminars (staff and student led). One to one supervisory tutorials (face to face, skype or online) will provide you and your supervisor with a platform to discuss the your project ideas and progress on the module. Independent study is an essential aspect of the module to promote autonomy within the student.

    Prior to commencing the project, you will have the opportunity to engage in preparatory workshops in order to furnish you with the skills necessary to conduct the project.

    MODULES

    From Sept 2024, the programme award map is changing and will include two modules: Advanced Professional Projects (NURM110) and Research Dissemination (NURM144).

    Module information can be found on the Awards map.

    For further information regarding the award and the compulsory module, please contact Helen Kimble, Programme Lead on: advancedpractice@northampton.ac.uk

    Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 24/25. The modules relating to the academic year 25/26 will be available from June 2025.

  • How will I learn?

    Given the individualised and specialised nature of this programme of study, there will be considerable emphasis on helping the learner to undertake a Professional Project in an area of contemporary SCPHN practice and through engagement with the Personal Academic Tutor, Module Leader and Supervisor, students will identify a plan of study that meets the learning objectives and addresses development needs related to their professional SCPHN practice.

    Who do I contact for more information?

    For further information regarding the award and the compulsory module, please contact Helen Kimble, Programme Lead on: advancedpractice@northampton.ac.uk.

Fees and Funding


2025/26 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • £2,830 (60 Credits)

For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

  • Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • £2,760 (60 Credits)

Staff


Placeholder image for Tracey Ali, Senior Lecturer - Leadership in Health & Social Care

Senior Lecturer - Leadership in Health & Social Care
Faculty of Health, Education and Society

Tracey Ali
Placeholder image for Helen Kimble, Senior Lecturer - School Nursing

Senior Lecturer - School Nursing
Faculty of Health, Education and Society

Helen Kimble

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