MSc in Nursing

Build on your theoretical practice while developing skills to elevate you as a healthcare leader. During your studies, you’ll also have the opportunity to develop a professional practice portfolio to demonstrate your understanding of lifelong learning and its benefits. You’ll study a range of exciting topics, including:

• how health promotion can drive positive health-related behaviours 
• empowerment in healthcare and approaching vulnerable patients 
• infection control intervention across healthcare and clinical settings 

At the end, you’ll carry out a dissertation project where you’ll investigate, analyse and report on a topic of interest, relevant to your current nursing role or community.

The University of Essex Online delivers 100% online and part-time courses in business, computing, education, health, law, criminology and psychology. The qualifications we offer include CertHEs and Bachelors degrees at the undergraduate level, and PG Certs, PG Dips and Masters degrees at postgraduate level, with study durations ranging from 8 months to 4 years.

You can study with us from anywhere with an internet connection and at a time that suits your schedule best. Your course will be delivered through a state-of-the-art virtual learning environment (VLE), which provides you with 24/7 access to high-quality resources, including lecture casts, discussion forums, live seminars and Q&A sessions, as well as extensive eLibrary.

Even your assessments will be completed entirely online – none of our courses has a requirement to travel to testing facilities or exam centres. In fact, the majority of our courses don’t have exams at all! For the few courses that have exam requirements, we use a virtual proctoring system that enables you to sit academically rigorous exams from the comfort of your own home. Otherwise, you’ll be completing written assignments, taking part in discussion forums or writing reflective journal entries.

Whether you're an experienced professional looking to progress your career or a recent graduate who wants to boost their CV, online study is a cost-effective, convenient and flexible way to get ahead.

Why study with us?

We are one of the longest-running providers of 100% online degrees in the UK. All our courses are specifically designed for online delivery, combining gold standard teaching with the latest technology and enabling you to gain a top-class education from anywhere in the world.

We achieved a gold rating in the government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2018) for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for our students. With an 89% satisfaction rating, we are also the highest-rated online-only provider in the National Student Survey (NSS 2020).

Our online tutors are leading authorities and specialists in their respective fields. They are passionate about what they teach and combine their knowledge of industry practice with high-quality academic delivery, offering you an unparalleled learning experience.

Our team of dedicated student advisers and study skills specialists provide world-class mentoring and academic support to you from your first day to graduation. The team will be on hand to help and guide you as you progress through your studies. Whatever the question or issue, they will work with you to find a solution.

All our qualifications are awarded and validated by the University of Essex, an award-winning university with a 50-year heritage of teaching and research excellence. Upon completing your studies, you’ll be invited to graduate from the University of Essex’s Colchester campus. You will receive the same certificate as campus-based students – your mode of study is only mentioned on your academic transcript.

Because of the work-based nature of the programme, all students must be working in clinical practice as a registered nurse or with a license to practice as a nurse with a nursing regulator or appropriate licensing board.

Academic entry route In order to satisfy the academic entry route requirements for our MSc Nursing, you must meet the following criteria as a minimum: an undergraduate degree or equivalent in a health or social care related subject from an approved institution working in clinical practice as a registered nurse or licensed to practice as a nurse with a nursing regulator or appropriate licensing board

Work experience entry route If you don’t have a degree, you may still be eligible for entry and will be considered on an individual basis. In order to satisfy the work experience entry route requirements for our MSc Nursing, you must meet the following criteria: at least three years’ post-qualification work experience as a registered nurse or licensed to practice as a nurse with a nursing regulator or appropriate licensing board, supported by appropriate references

English language requirements As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency with English is required. If English is not your first language, your English ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5. Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency. You don’t need to prove your English ability if you are a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries.

• Designated for postgraduate student loans in England.
• Simple monthly payment plan available, enabling you to spread the cost over the duration of your studies.
• Full payment discount of 5% if you pay upfront.
• Regional scholarship available for international students based overseas in eligible countries.
• Alumni discount of 10% of the tuition fee available if you are a previous graduate with the University of Essex or University of Essex Online.
• 10% corporate discount available when three or more of your employees study with us.

Please note, a maximum of two discounts or scholarships can be applied. The corporate discount can only be used in combination with our upfront payment discount, but not in conjunction with any other discount or scholarship. Find out more information about our discounts and scholarships.

With our MSc Nursing, you’ll be confident to progress from wholly clinical roles to middle and senior management positions within nursing. These could include Ward Manager, Charge Nurse, Nurse Manager, Senior Staff Nurse or Nursing Officer. Gaining a postgraduate qualification with the University of Essex Online also puts you in good stead for your career prospects. Results from our 2021 student survey showed:

• 92% of students said their course helped develop their research skills
• 89% of students say their studies fit with their future plans
• Almost 60% said their studies had a positive effect on their career
• 25% of students saw their salaries increase by up to 10%