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The course aims to enhance your skills of critical analysis and research in order to advance the application of evidence within Specialist Community Public Health Nursing.
level:PG;top_up:true;international:false;foundation:false;clearing:false;full_time:false;part_time:true;start_month:September, January;location:Waterside

Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) (Top Up) MSc

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  3. Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) (Top Up) MSc

Key Facts

  • Level

    Master'sPG MSc

  • Duration

    1 year part-time

  • Starting

    September, January

    SEP, JAN

Updated 02/05/2025

Open Days

Updated 02/05/2025

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

Overview

This MSc Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Top Up) course aims to equip to an enhanced level the skills of critical analysis and research in order to advance the application of evidence within the field of Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN).

The course engenders a critical and informed appreciation of current contemporary policy, evidence based practice and practical wisdom to further enhance the delivery of SCPHN practice developing students to effectively synthesise and apply evidence-based knowledge and research skills building on having met the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) proficiency standards for SCPHN.

Highlights

  • Enables individuals to reflect on the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their professional career and to build on this experience by being self-directed and autonomous, applying academic rigour in researching a professional project at masters level.
  • Engenders independent and lifelong learning skills which enable adaptive and reflective practice congruent with leading inter-professional Public Health teams and initiatives.
  • Recognises the value of continuous professional development in order to rationalise present day SCPHN practice and accommodate local and national agendas for inter-professional public health practice.
Aerial view of University of Northampton, Waterside campus featuring multiple modern buildings, a river, and surrounding greenery and open fields. Car parks and residential areas are visible in the background.

Waterside campus has everything students needs from: Learning Hub featuring 24/7 library, Creative Hub, on-site shop, restaurant, cafes and food outlets, multi-faith chaplaincy, student village hall, Students' Union and more. With only a short walk over the bridge into the town centre.

Internal view of the Learning Hub, showing barriers towards elevators and in the background the student information desk. There is a large clock on the wall. A person is walking through the spacious lobby.

The Learning Hub and Student Information Desk would be a student's first point of call when needing support.

Two floors of the Learning Hub library, showing a spacious, modern interior with rows of bookshelves, a mezzanine level, and several students studying on couches and tables below.

Our library covers three floors of the Learning Hub, with IT rich learning environments, including silent and group study spaces, physical books. Don't forget there are plenty more resources available online!

University of Northampton Student Information Desk area with digital screens, staff computers, and a sign reading

The Student Information Desk is the first place a student should go if they need any help. Here the team can direct you to academic support, mental health support, financial support, IT support, and more.

Spacious modern building lobby, the Learning Hub, with high ceilings, circular ceiling panels, staircase, and staff and students working at yellow seating areas.

The Learning Hub is where every student will go for library support and classes, as well as food outlets and social events.

External view of the Learning Hub, with large windows and vertical pillars housing, adjacent to a green lawn with benches and an outdoor seating area with an umbrella.

The Learning Hub also has lots of outdoor space for meeting with friends or finding some silent time between classes.

External view of the Learning Hub at the University of Northampton. The building features large glass windows, metal panelling, and pavements.

The Learning Hub is the biggest building on campus, home to our Student Information Desk, 24/7 library, teaching spaces, cafes, and more.

External view of Senate building at the University of Northampton, which is a modern building with cream features and grey roads surrounding it.

The big and spacious modern Senate building has various types of learning spaces, teaching rooms, our Bloomberg suite, Morley Room lecture hall, and cafes.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold all of the following:

  • A Post Graduate Diploma in SCPHN (120 credits at level 7)
  • Where the applicant’s first language is not English, evidence of an IELTS certificate (or equivalent) with a score of at least 7 in each area is required.

  • In addition applicants must:

    • Be registered with the NMC as either a nurse or midwife
    • Be currently registered with the NMC on Part 3 as SCPHN.

    You will be supported throughout by a profession specific Personal Academic Tutor and a supervisor who will provide both academic and pastoral support as well as support from the module leader.

Course Content

  • This award is designed to reflect the needs of today’s Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) practitioners in which all learning activities must be demonstrated to have relevance in the workplace and be responsive to the needs of service. The overall theme of the award focuses on the application of the learning achieved. Students must hold a Post Graduate Diploma SCPHN and undertake the compulsory principle module OTHM010 Professional Project (60 credits at Level 7) to successfully achieve MSc SCPHN (Top Up) award.

    Building on the modules completed for the entry requirement award of Post Graduate Diploma SCPHN, you will complete a professional project that allows them to engage with the academic literature and research underpinning contemporary SCPHN practice.

    This programme offers you the opportunity, through critical reflection, to review your personal learning within the professional context of SCPHN practice and the potential for lifelong learning. You may select a mode of study for the principle module OTHM010 which is most appropriate to your personal circumstances, resource base, and relevance for learning in the workplace. You may choose from one of the following modes of study:

    • Audit and evaluation
    • Primary research
    • Evidence-based practice review (literature based project).

    The emphasis within the principle module of translating academic learning into the SCPHN workplace, reflects the overarching philosophy of postgraduate provision in the Faculty of Health and Society of ‘making change happen in practice’.

    The assessment process will enable you to demonstrate the application of theoretical concepts and research methodology to SCPHN practice and critically evaluate the extent to which this practice is underpinned with a sound knowledge base. This philosophy facilitates achievement of the general capabilities and skills expected of a masters graduate.

    Formal and informal teaching and learning contexts will be employed to deliver the compulsory OTHM010 Professional Project module; these include workshops and seminars (staff and student led). One to one supervisory tutorials (face to face, skype or online) will provide you and your supervisor with a platform to discuss the your project ideas and progress on the module. Independent study is an essential aspect of the module to promote autonomy within the student.

    Prior to commencing the project, you will have the opportunity to engage in preparatory workshops in order to furnish you with the skills necessary to conduct the project.

    MODULES

    From Sept 2024, the programme award map is changing and will include two modules: Advanced Professional Projects (NURM110) and Research Dissemination (NURM144).

    Module information can be found on the Awards map.

    For further information regarding the award and the compulsory module, please contact Helen Kimble, Programme Lead on: advancedpractice@northampton.ac.uk

    Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.

  • How will I learn?

    Given the individualised and specialised nature of this programme of study, there will be considerable emphasis on helping the learner to undertake a Professional Project in an area of contemporary SCPHN practice and through engagement with the Personal Academic Tutor, Module Leader and Supervisor, students will identify a plan of study that meets the learning objectives and addresses development needs related to their professional SCPHN practice.

    Who do I contact for more information?

    For further information regarding the award and the compulsory module, please contact Helen Kimble, Programme Lead on: advancedpractice@northampton.ac.uk.

Fees and Funding

2025/26 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • £2,830 (60 Credits)

For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

  • Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • £2,760 (60 Credits)

Staff

Placeholder image for Tracey Ali, Senior Lecturer - Leadership in Health & Social Care

Senior Lecturer - Leadership in Health & Social Care
Faculty of Health, Education and Society

Tracey Ali
Placeholder image for Helen Kimble, Senior Lecturer - School Nursing

Senior Lecturer - School Nursing
Faculty of Health, Education and Society

Helen Kimble

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