MSc Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Health Visiting)

100% of our MSc SCPHN Health Visiting graduates are in employment or further study six months after graduating _{^{Graduate Destination Survey 2016}}

The MSc (Hons) Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Health Visiting) will prepare nurses and midwives to become Specialist Community Public Health Nurses. You will gain the knowledge, interpersonal skills and managerial capabilities to practice confidently, competently and effectively.

This Masters course has been developed to meet the demands of this rapidly changing field, providing you with a professional qualification that recognises your expertise.

Registered specialist community public health nurses (SCPHNs), such as health visitors, aim to reduce health inequalities by working with individuals, families and communities to promote good health and prevent ill health. We place emphasis on partnership working that cuts across disciplinary, professional and organisational boundaries.

Funding is available via the Welsh Government. Please note, candidates must work for the NHS in Wales to receive funding from WEDS (Workforce, Education, and Development Services).

NMC Approved Course

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2023
2024

Study Mode 2023	Duration	Start Date	Campus	Campus Code
Full-time	1 Year	April	Glyntaff	A
Part-time	3 Years	April	Glyntaff	A

Study Mode 2024	Duration	Start Date	Campus	Campus Code
Full-time	1 Year	April	Glyntaff	A
Part-time	3 Years	April	Glyntaff	A

Contemporary Developments in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing Practice - 20 credits
Promoting the Public Health of Populations - 20 credits
Evidence Based Public Health - 20 credits
Law, Ethics and Safeguarding - 20 credits
Governance and Leadership - 20 credits
Foundations of Specialist Community Public Health Nursing - 20 credits

Successful completion of the above modules and the 16 clinical learning outcomes enables you to apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for Part Three registration as an SCPHN (in health visiting) and exit the course with a Postgraduate Diploma at the end of one year if studying full-time.

If you wish to return and top up your credits to 180 and complete the MSc, we offer three 20-credit modules specifically for the SCPHN student.

Policy Analysis on Practice Development - 20 credits
Research Impact on Practice Development - 20 credits
Dissemination of Project Development - 20 credits

Each of the three modules require critical examination of a key area of SCPHN theory and/or practice in health visiting, to develop and enhance your own practice and leadership ability. You can study all three modules in one calendar year and they are delivered through classroom based tutorials, distance learning and self-directed study. Please note that the Welsh Government does not fund these three modules.

Teaching

The MSc Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Health Visiting) course has been designed to meet the NMC (2004) SCPHN requirements of a 50/50 ratio of theory and practice. Learning and assessment will take place both at the University and in a range of clinical environments, and all modules involve theoretical and clinical assessments of equal weighting. Where appropriate, there are work experience opportunities that may involve use of the Welsh language. The Postgraduate Diploma course attracts Welsh Government funding for NHS staff.

Assessment

You will be assessed by a range of methods including written assignments, an oral presentation, poster presentation, examinations, a recorded presentation and clinical practice assessments.

Accreditations

The University of South Wales is an NMC Approved Education Institution (AEI).

Placements

Placements are undertaken within the employing/hosting health board. Students may undertake a week-long alternative placement in a different geographical location. Please note, there is no funding for this.

The placements are within health boards in Wales and students are expected to work in Health Visiting in Wales once the course is completed.

Facilities

Through our Hydra Simulation Centre and Clinical Simulation Centre, we can effectively replicate practice experiences in a safe and supported environment.

Lecturers

Michelle Thomas, course leader
Dwynwen Spargo

We regularly revalidate courses for quality assurance and enhancement

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.

Applicants need professional and academic qualifications. You must have NMC professional registration on Part One and/or Part Two of the NMC Register as a Registered Nurse and/or a Registered Midwife.
Applicants should usually have an Honours degree, although consideration will be given through the accreditation of prior and experiential learning (APEL) mechanism if you do not possess these qualifications.
An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check on the Child & Adult Workforce and Child and Adult Barring Lists and subscription to the DBS Update Service.

This Health Visiting course may attract Welsh Government funding for Welsh NHS staff.

Prospective candidates will be interviewed by the course team, which in most cases would include a member of the NHS trust that provides student placements for 50% of the course duration and a service user.

Applications for the April 2023 intake will be accepted until the closing date of 31st October 2022. Interviews will take place during /Nov/Dec 2022

Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course.

August 2022 - July 2023 Fees

Full-time UK: £9250
Full-time International: £14700
Part-time UK: £1030 per 20 credits

August 2023 - July 2024 Fees

These courses are normally supported by Welsh Government commissioners in collaboration with NHS University Health Boards

Student Perks

At the University of South Wales, you’re investing in so much more than a degree. We strive to provide our students with the best possible experience, no matter what you chose to study. Whether it’s access to top of the range mac books and PCs, state-of-the-art facilities packed with industry-leading equipment and software, masterclasses and events led by industry experts, or a wide range of clubs and societies to meet likeminded people, better tomorrows start with extra perks.

Each course also has their own unique student benefits to prepare you for the real word, and details of these can be found on our course pages. From global field trips, integrated work experience and free course-related resources, to funded initiatives, projects working with real employers, and opportunities for extra qualifications and accreditations - at USW your future, is future-proofed.

Click here to learn more about student perks at USW.

Additional Costs

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.

* Obligatory

Item	Cost
DBS *	£55.42	This fee includes £40 for the enhanced DBS certificate, the Post Office Administration fee and the online administration fee.
DBS Updating Service *	£13	Subscription required for each year of the course for a yearly fee of £13. Please note the service has to be joined within 30 days of receipt of your enhanced DBS certificate.
Other: Placement		Year 1 FT and Year 1 & 2 PT. Placement costs will vary depending on where the student is placed, but some costs can be reclaimed.
Other: Poster Printing	£40	Year 1 FT and Year 2 PT
Other: Extra-curricular opportunities		Costs of conference attendance and extra- curricular activities are changeable, with some being free. However these are optional and extra-curricular opportunities. Costs vary depending on event and location.

Funding

Funding to help pay for (or cover) course tuition fees and living costs

Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

To learn about course fees, funding options, and to see if you are eligible for financial support, visit our Fees and Funding pages.

Apply directly to the University for this SCPHN course.

Admissions statement

This course prepares SCPHNs to work in complex and varied settings and have the knowledge, interpersonal skills and managerial capabilities to practise effectively in today’s health service. Graduates are usually employed by NHS local health boards and wider employment opportunities are developing.