MSc Adult Nursing
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Location: Uxbridge
- Duration: Two Years
- Start Date: September 2026
Nurses are the foundation to our healthcare system. From birth to death, during our lifetime we will all need care at some point. For a patient, having an empathetic and confident nurse can make this experience as seamless and reassuring as possible.
If you are seeking a career change where your actions can profoundly impact individuals during their most vulnerable moments, then our two-year fast-track MSc (Hons) Adult Nursing degree could be for you. Upon successful completion of the degree, you’ll be eligible to register with the .
Our adult nursing degree programme integrates academic study alongside practice-based learning. It is underpinned by a strong collaboration between the University, service users (experts by experience) and our NHS practice partners, in response to both policy and regulatory developments.
On successful completion of the course, you’ll be eligible to apply for your , so you’ll then be able to practice as a qualified nurse.
Throughout the course, you’ll allocate approximately half of your time to clinical practice and the remaining half to University-based learning. Our strong partnerships with various NHS Trusts and independent care providers in the region ensure that students have diverse and enriching clinical placements.
BNU works closely with a range of practice partners across Buckinghamshire and London. You will be allocated to one or more of the following to experience hospital and community based care:
- Harefield Hospital (part of )
And you may have a placement in a number of private health care providers or a GP surgery.
At our Uxbridge Campus, we have impressive facilities with state-of-the-art equipment. You’ll get to recreate real scenarios in realistic 'wards' so when you’re out on placement you’ll be confident in your adult nursing skills.
Our facilities offer a high-fidelity environment, which includes the use of NHS approved consumables, genuine functioning equipment and technology enhanced manikins. The essential element of de-brief in simulation is undisputed; audio/visual technology is available and widely used by the teaching teams to enhance feedback to learners.
You will also benefit from up-to-date PROMPT advanced models where you’ll practice resuscitation using authentic equipment. All the technology and equipment supplied to you enables you to become familiar with kit and techniques used within the local hospital trusts.
Led by a dedicated teaching team of professional nurses and educators, you’ll have access to their wealth of clinical expertise and research activity. This will allow you to benefit from their experiences, insights and perspectives to enhance your learning.
Whilst nursing is a rewarding career, we also understand studying nursing at university can be challenging at times. Throughout your time on the course you’ll gain direct support both in the classroom and on placement, as we provide a personal tutor who will check in with you on a regular basis and practice visitors to support your learning in practice.
On campus you can find further support in the form of our Student Wellbeing Centre and our Student Learning Achievement Centre. Here we will be able to help you with a range of areas such as academic writing and building your CV.
To support your studies, the UK Government are continuing to provide adult nursing students with a payment of at least £5,000 a year which will not need to be paid back. Find out more about the
What will I study?
Becoming an is a deeply personal and rewarding choice. As a qualified nurse you’ll have the opportunity to grow and take on a range of specialties and roles, providing opportunities for career advancement.
Our MSc in pre-registration Adult Nursing is designed for high achieving graduates, recognising that you’ll bring transferable academic skills, healthcare experience and valuable life experience to your studies.
From emergency care, district nursing, operating theatres, surgical wards to caring for vulnerable and older people to developing leadership skills, no day is the same. You’ll be continually learning and evolving in your role.
This fast-track two-year degree programme integrates postgraduate academic study alongside practice-based learning. It is underpinned by a strong collaboration between the University, service users (experts by experience) and our NHS practice partners, helping you to gain the knowledge and skills you need for your future career in adult nursing. Our team of experienced and dedicated lecturers have a collective wealth of knowledge from working in a range of health care and clinical environments across the NHS and private sector.
Being a nurse is a profession that can see you working worldwide, and the impact and contribution of nurses is recognised and needed both nationally and internationally.
We’ll help develop, encourage and nurture you throughout your studies. You’ll be supported in gaining the skills and knowledge you need to meet and manage the holistic, person-centred care needs of individuals across the lifespan in relation to the health-illness spectrum.
You’ll learn how to perform a range of nursing skills with proficiency, based on contemporary knowledge and the understanding of best practice. As well as this you’ll be taught how to assess and review mental, physical, cognitive, behavioural, spiritual and social needs to identify the priorities and requirements for evidence-based nursing interventions and support.
From being able to refer to policies and procedures, to pharmacology, treating pressure ulcers and assessing and making the right care-decisions for a patient, you’ll understand how to work as critically reflective, resilient practitioners, with an ability to learn from experience and solve problems.
The curriculum includes core and field specific learning and teaching. This allows students from adult and mental health nursing courses to be taught and learn together, so you can benefit from their individual experiences, share insights and offer competing perspectives. You’ll be able to demonstrate your awareness of, and competence in working within, the multi-disciplinary teams within practice environments.
This innovative curriculum reflects Buckinghamshire New University’s core values of creating a learning environment that is inclusive, challenging and promotes collaboration, professionalism, and confidence in our students.
Upon graduation you’ll be a compassionate, proficient, confident, and digitally able nurses, who is able to adopt a biopsychosocial, person-centred approach, working autonomously and accountably, within the integrated care system. You’ll also be able to apply for your , meaning you’ll then be able to practice as a qualified nurse.
How will I be taught and assessed?
The MSc in Adult Nursing is a full-time course, based on 40 hours of learner activity each week over 90 weeks. The 180-credit programme is made up of 1,800 theory hours and 1,800 clinical practice hours. As per NMC regulatory standards (NMC, 2018) with the addition of RPL the course meets the required minimum total hours of 4,600.
This two-year pre-registration postgraduate nursing programme seamlessly blends academic and practical learning, fostering collaboration between the University and practice partners. Embracing a student-centred philosophy, the course enables you to gain essential knowledge, skills, and professional values necessary for the delivery of compassionate, safe, and effective nursing care.
When you’re on campus, your academic study will be undertaken through varying including seminars, lectures, exploring authentic scenarios and case studies as well as virtual learning.
Simulation is valued within the College of Health and Society as supportive in enabling our nursing students to acquire skills and behaviours through practice. Nursing simulation incorporates the use of human patient simulators in a virtual ‘real-life’ healthcare environments and situations. Within this learning environment, real-time evolving clinical situations can be simulated, repeated, evaluated, and reflected, reducing the risk of patient harm.
To help build your digital skills, online teaching and digital learning opportunities, such as discussion boards and interactive web-based activities, will also be integrated throughout many modules within this programme. This helps you to develop and enhance the necessary digital skills required to work in today’s health care environments.
We include assessments which reflect real life nursing practices and, across the two years, you will be assessed through a number of means, such as:
- reflective assignments
- presentations
- exams
- academic poster development
- assignments
- literature review
- oral exams.
You are also required to complete the knowledge skills and behaviours included in the Practice Assessment Document in each term of practice.
What are the course entry requirements?
To study this course, you will need to have obtained the following:
- Classification of 2:1 or above in any subject/discipline OR consideration will be given to applicants who have: Classification of 2:2 in a subject with relevant content and experience, e.g., sociology; psychology; physiology; bio- chemistry; health studies or social work.
- Five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English language or literature, mathematics, and a science subject
- Evidence of study within the previous five years.  
- Establish digital and technological literacy on application.
English language requirements
For those whose first language is not English, there is a requirement to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English through application and interview. An IELTS score of 7.0 overall with no section below 6.5 or an equivalent is also required. Find out more on our general entry requirements page.
Using an NMC-approved pre-registration qualification
If you have completed an NMC-approved pre-registration nurse, midwife or nursing associate programme, we will accept this as evidence that you have the necessary knowledge of English.
Additional requirements
If successful at interview you will be required to complete the following as part of the condition of your offer:
- Verified evidence of 500 hours of related clinical practice in the last 3 years. This will be demonstrated through an enhanced CV
- A reflective essay demonstrating Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Further details and guidance will be provided upon successful interview.
Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend a Selection Day.
Applications are made through UCAS.
All offers are subject to Academic, successful RPL, Enhanced CV, satisfactory Occupational Health and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
The government has said it will remove the proposed legal requirement to have COVID-19 vaccinations to work, or attend placements, in health and social care. We & our practice partners continue to encourage you to get vaccinated for your & others' safety.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
What are the tuition fees
Home
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Home, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £9,535 per year *
Following the Government’s announcement of 4 November 2024, we will be increasing our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for UK students to £9,535 per year from the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Our part-time fees for UK undergraduate students will increase to £7,145 per annum. Please visit , on the Government’s website, for more information about the changes.
Tuition fees for Home undergraduate students (including with foundation year) may increase in subsequent years for both new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Government.  
Tuition fees for both new and continuing international students may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year.  
Tuition fees for postgraduate courses and CPD may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year. This increase will apply to both new and continuing students.  
We understand, and really appreciate, the significant financial commitment our students make when they choose to study at BNU. We take our responsibilities to our students very seriously, and are ambitious for each to reach their full potential and succeed in their chosen career. Our fees help us to continue providing our students with a high-quality education, and to invest in the services and facilities which create an excellent student experience at BNU.
The following factors will be considered by the University when we set the annual fees: measures of inflation such as the retail price indices; projected increases in University costs; and any changes in the level of funding for teaching received from the Government.
What are my career prospects?
On successful completion of the MSc Adult Nursing degree, you’ll be eligible to become a registered nurse with the . With this qualification, you may find employment within the NHS or with private healthcare providers.
Opportunities for adult nurses are continually expanding and you'll have the chance to go into many areas, such as:
- staff nurse working in a hospital or on a specialist ward
- staff nurse working in an acute or rehabilitation centre
- practice nurse working in a GP surgery
- community nurse, for example district nurse
- hospice care
- working in nursing homes
- working with private health care providers
- prison nursing
- the armed forces
- sexual health nurse
- school nurse
- nurse researcher.
Course leader
- Associate Professor for Nursing and Midwifery Education Leadership
