Ranking
15th
Complete University Guide 2024
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Course overview
Develop skills to thrive in an in-demand industry whilst studying at Birmingham's prestigious Medical School. You'll develop an understanding of the complexity of humans through nursing practice and be able to treat patients in one of the UK's largest healthcare regions.
Ranked 15th in the UK (Complete University Guide), you'll graduate with the confidence and skills to register as a nurse within the Nursing and Midwifery Council in Adult or Mental Health Nursing in two years.
Course structure
This course will run in three parts over two years. While the exact content may change, here’s what you can expect to study each year.
Course highlights
Graduates of our Nursing programs become critical thinkers with an understanding of the diverse and complex human body, being able to deliver safe, compassionate care to a range of patients.
As a nursing student at the University of Birmingham, you can personalise your learning to understand your preferred field of practice, adult or mental health. You'll have opportunities to enhance your knowledge through professional leadership and research.
- Gain your NMC professional registration in just two years.
- Benefit from the opportunity to study at a global university at the heart of an ambitious city.
- Your prior caregiving experience contributes to your clinical hours.
- All clinical placements will be provided within the Birmingham area.
- 15th
for Nursing in the Complete University Guide 2024.
- Knowledge
Learn in brilliantly equipped clinical suites to take your knowledge to the next level.
- Leading
Learn from world-leading academics and researchers, as well as from your peers.
Course delivery
Our blended learning approach gives you exposure to a range of experiences, on campus and on specialist placements.
- Taught modules - these include on campus and virtual learning through lectures, seminars and workshops.
- Practical based learning - You'll spend a minimum of 1800 hours on placement.
- Research-based modules – We encourage you to get involved with research and have access each week to maternal health research team.
- Assessments - Modules will be assessed through essays, assignments, exams, oral presentations and computer based problem-solving.
Module information
The course has a blended teaching approach across lectures, small-group seminars and placement to make sure that you are able to complete the modules to the best of your potential. The core modules are designed to promote development of skills in each area of care.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
The following must be taken:
| Advancing Health and Nursing Care | 20 | Full Term |
| Co-ordinating complex nursing care | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Developing Adult Nursing Practice | 20 | Full Term |
| Nursing Practice Part 2 (PG) | 0 | Semester 2 |
| Research and Improvement Methods for Practice | 20 | Semester 1 |
Year: 2
2026/27 Session
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Advancing clinical assessment in urgent nursing care | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Health & Social Care Enquiry | 40 | Full Term |
| Leading and Managing Care Teams | 40 |
Teaching staff
Programme Director - Chris Wagstaff
Staff - Karen Day – AHNC, Alison Gayton/ Richard Breakwell – DNP, Victoria Skerrett – CCC, Amelia Swift – RIMP, Maxine Perrins - LMCT
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2:1 Honours degree or above
in the preferred subject areas of Science or Social Science. However, other degrees will be considered.
The MSc Nursing (adult or mental health field) has been designed as a two-year taught programme. After application and before starting the course you'll need to submit a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate your prior learning. The portfolio provides evidence of prior graduate learning and care experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, values and caring behaviours equivalent to year one of an undergraduate nursing programme. The evidence you present in your portfolio will demonstrate how your graduate and experiential learning and skills are equivalent to the development of year 1 nursing proficiencies.
Within the portfolio, you will need to have 500 hours of experience in health/ social care verified by a registrant.
A Recognition of Prior Learning Portfolio
For international students there is an English language requirement to have an IELTS 7.0 with no less than 7.0 in any band.
Fees and scholarships
- £10,900
Full-time
Postgraduate Masters Loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
Application process
All students who receive an offer for MSc Nursing will be required to submit two suitable references before being eligible to start studying at the University of Birmingham. References should be submitted with your application as soon as possible. Ideally, we require an academic reference and a professional reference and they need to be sent from a professional email and/or be on headed note paper.
- 29 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Career opportunities
Our graduates are highly valued, with most securing nursing positions or pursuing further career-related training upon completing the programme. Many choose to stay in the Birmingham area and work within the NHS, while others take up positions across the UK and abroad.
Nursing offers a wide range of career opportunities in clinical practice, management, research, and education. With extensive restructuring within the profession and the NHS, a strong career path is now available.
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Student experience
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham has developed into a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Campus life
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus, so that you can get the most out of your university experience.