PGDip Specialist Practitioner Qualification (District Nursing)
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Location: High Wycombe
- Duration: One Year
- Start Date: September 2025
Led by a team of highly skilled Specialist Practice Lecturers who have strong links with the wider nursing community, this programme will help give you the skills you need to be able to inspire and lead community teams with gravitas.
We strongly believe in the importance of working in partnership with people with lived experience. We collaborate with Experts by Experience and invite them into the classroom to share their story with authenticity. This helps you to reflect on your impact on patients and families as well as understand the landscape of health from the patient and carer’s perspective.
The support from the University staff were paramount for my successful experience. Many skills I learnt on the course, I use daily such as: management of caseload, enhanced view of governance and higher management decisions, confidence on liaison with other disciplines and the ability to safely built up a professional network to support patients safely in the community.Pedro Lino
Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
The SPQ District Nursing programme is designed to prepare registered you with the advanced knowledge, clinical proficiencies, critical thinking skills and professional behaviours required to meet the NMC standards of proficiency for community nursing specialist practice qualifications for District Nursing.
It emphasises the development of specialist expertise in community healthcare, equipping you with enhanced skills in leading autonomous practice. This will enable you to provide high-quality, individualised care that meets the holistic needs of diverse people and populations within community settings.
You will learn to be accountable and autonomous leaders of community nursing services, adept at working collaboratively with individuals, families and communities, within the context of the wider community interprofessional workforce. Skills in leading change will be fostered, providing the opportunity for you to plan and implement tangible service improvements within the context of district nursing.
You will benefit from an excellent standard of teaching provided by staff from the University and practice, in partnership with our NHS Trust partners. As well as this you will be taught by lecturers who have a wide expertise in the field. Our lecturers also maintain close links with practice, ensuring that the programme is up-to-date with modern practice.
We offer continuous support throughout the programme, and you will receive personal tutoring and benefit from a high level of research within the teaching team. Your personal tutor will help guide you through your studies, support you with your academic development and give advice when needed.
Highly regarded by students and practice partners for our teaching in this area, BNU has a strong reputation for its District nurse training. You will work with highly skilled academics, who have worked in the community – and spend time in practice yourself, consolidating and deepening your understanding and skills.
What facilities can I use?
We have a range of state-of-the-art facilities for you to access, including our Nursing Simulation Labs, multi-storey library and IT suites. You will be able to access our full range of support services, including the Learning Development Unit for skills and study support, the Careers and Employability Team, Student Finance Team, Accommodation and Counselling Services.
How will I be taught and assessed?
This is a full-time programme and runs for 52 weeks with 46 weeks of allocated teaching and learning time. You will attend all University days (some will be online) and undertake a minimum of 90 days in clinical practice over 52 weeks.
You will have protected learning time and will be supported in practice by your Practice Supervisor, Practice Assessor and the wider team. Your allocated Academic Assessor and Personal Tutor will also support you during your time in clinical practice.
This course covers all the areas needed to meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) professional requirements for district nurses.
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Explain the fundamental principles of district nursing practice as a basis for providing specialised nursing care, promoting independence and empowering people and populations to improve their health and wellbeing.
- Explain the multifaceted determinants of health, including cultural, social, economic, and environmental factors, and the broad impact that they have on various population groups and health outcomes.
- Critically evaluate evidence-based health promotion strategies and interventions tailored to diverse populations to prevent ill health and maximise wellbeing within the community setting.
- Interpret leadership principles, strategies and best practices to foster collaboration, communication and shared decision making to enhance community nursing services.
- Design innovative strategies for developing the community nursing workforce, considering emerging trends, technologies, and the impact of dynamic caseloads.
The course makes use of a range of flexible learning and assessment approaches, to ensure you learn in the way that suits you best. We will be looking at how well you apply the theory to your own nursing and leadership practice.
As well as spending time in practice, case study-type simulations will allow you to explore the kind of issues you will face as a district nurse. You will also work closely with students from other community nursing courses at BNU, building your experience of working inter-professionally.
By the end of the course, you will have acquired advanced skills and knowledge essential for becoming a leader in this specialised nursing field. Your Portfolio will serve as evidence to validate your learning for the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Approved by the (NMC) and incorporating essential aspects of modern district nursing practice, including mental health support across the care lifespan, long-term conditions, effective caseload management, and self-care.
We collaborate with Experts by experience and invite them into the classroom to share their story. We help you to reflect on your impact on patients and families as well as understand the landscape of health from the patient and carer’s perspective.
Gain continuous personalised one to one support throughout the course including personal tutoring and access to a research-active team. Personal tutors assist you in navigating your studies, supporting academic development, and providing guidance as needed throughout the course.
What are the course entry requirements?
- You must be an registered nurse (Level 1) with relevant professional registration, capable of safe and effective practice at the level of proficiency appropriate to the NMC approved community nursing specialist practice qualification programme. You must have the equivalent of one-year full-time hours working in a relevant community nursing role and be able to evidence appropriate post-registration experience to Buckinghamshire New University and Practice Learning Partners.
- As an NMC registered nurse, which could include NHS, non-NHS, self-employed and self-funding applicants, you will require access to a district nursing clinical practice setting, and to a Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor who meet the requirements of the NMC Standards of Student Supervision and Assessment and can facilitate successful completion of the programme learning outcomes. Governance structures to support learning must be in place, in addition to a commitment to student support and learning.
- Your application must be supported by two references, one of which must refer to your professional competence. Where appropriate, one referee must be from your current employer.
- You will have in place a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. If you are self-employed, you must prove that indemnity insurance and DBS requirements are met.
- You must evidence the competence, experience and academic ability to study at the required level of the programme. The minimum academic criteria for admission to this programme is usually 120 credits at level 6 in Nursing. However, experienced nurses who have fewer than 120 credits at level 6 and relevant professional experience will be asked to undertake a written assessment to demonstrate to the programme team of their ability to study at level 7.
- Your previous study, professional and/or vocational experiences may be recognised as the equivalent learning experience and permit exemption from studying certain modules in accordance with our accreditation of prior learning (APL) process.
- A self-declaration of good health and character will be undertaken as part of the admission process and will be repeated at the end of the programme prior to your qualification being recorded with the NMC.
- A selection process for employed applicants in collaboration with practice-based learning partners is undertaken and will include a value-based interview. It may also include academic skills tests, group discussion and presentation. During the interview, we will provide advice and guidance to ensure you fully understand the entry requirements for the programme and what you need to do to succeed once you are enrolled. Interview questions from Experts by Experience (People who use services and carers) are also included and, where possible and practical for them, we endeavour to include them on the interview panel in person. Reasonable adjustments can be made during the interview process to accommodate individuals with specific needs, ensuring equal opportunities and a fair assessment of abilities.
- A selection process for self-employed applicants will follow the Application Process for Self-Funding Learners – PGDip Specialist Practice Qualification flow chart to ensure that all required practice learning support and governance structures are in place.
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: £9,270 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?
As a graduate of this course, you will be well equipped to advance your career as a team leader in community children’s nursing. Your specialist skills and knowledge will also be sought after in areas such as managing community services, or practice or academic teaching.
Course leader
