If you are a registered nurse or midwife looking to develop a higher level of knowledge and skills required for specialist and advanced practice and have an interest in supporting school aged children, then this course is for you.
The PgDip/MSc Advanced Practice course will equip you with contemporary knowledge to take forward the rapidly changing healthcare agenda and make a positive difference.
This route is for nurses and midwives to build on their experience and develop as culturally competent autonomous advanced practitioners. School Nurses work in partnership with communities to address inequalities, protect health and promote wellbeing to support pre-school aged children in having the best start in life. You will explore professional and clinical implications of working as an autonomous practitioner and develop the leadership skills to advance and lead innovative healthcare services.
This is a NMC approved programme resulting in Specialist Community Public Health Nurse registration as a School Nurse.
If you are considering a postgraduate study option starting in September 2025 or January 2026, then please be aware application deadlines are in place which may affect your first choice of start date or course selection.
Full Time
Year 1
You will begin the course in semester one exploring the theories, principles, and concepts which underpin leading improvement in public health. Students will also generate a proposal suitable to undertake an empirical study or a structured review of an area of clinical practice, using a robust and systematic process, which will inform future research or practice. A practice learning experiences will also provide students practical experience to develop knowledge and understanding of the advanced School Nurse role and pathways and work towards achieving Specialist Community Public Health Nurse standards.
In semester two students will analyse strategies and interventions to support child and families with their health and wellbeing. Students will also critically explore effective interventions and attributes to achieve welling outcomes in public health nursing. Finally, in semester 3 students will complete their final practice learning experience to consolidate theory and to achieve all Specialist Community Public Health Nurse proficiencies in the field of School Nursing.
Year 2
Students will undertake a dissertation project to study an area of practice using a robust and systematic process which will inform future practice or further study.
Part Time
Year 1
You will begin the course exploring the theories, principles, and concepts which underpin leading improvement in public health. A practice learning experiences will also provide students practical experience to develop knowledge and understanding of the advanced School Nurse role and pathways and work towards achieving Specialist Community Public Health Nursing standards. In semester two students will analyse strategies and interventions to support child and families with their health and wellbeing.
Year 2
In year two, students will generate a proposal suitable to undertake an empirical study or a structured review of an area of clinical practice, using a robust and systematic process, which will inform future research or practice. Students will then critically explore effective interventions and attributes to achieve welling outcomes in public health nursing. Finally, students will complete their final practice learning experience to consolidate theory and to achieve all Specialist Community Public Health Nurse proficiencies in the field of School Nursing.
Year 3
Students will undertake a dissertation project to study an area of practice using a robust and systematic process which will inform future practice or further study.
PgDip/MSc Advanced Practice Programme
The PgDip/MSc Advanced Practice course will equip you with contemporary knowledge to take forward the rapidly changing healthcare agenda and make a positive difference.
The programme includes four different specialism routes which prepare you for a range of people and situations to deliver safe, effective and person-centred care at a higher level of practice. You will explore professional and clinical implications of working as an autonomous practitioner and develop the leadership skills to advance and lead innovative healthcare services. The four routes are:
- Community Children's Nursing
- District Nursing
- Health Visiting
- School Nursing
Applicants to all routes should be sponsored/supported by an NHS Board or appropriate employer to meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements for practice assessment.
Find out more:
Graduate Stories
Modules
Modules and delivery order may change for operational purposes. The University regularly reviews its courses. Course content and structure may change over time. See our course and module disclaimer for more information.
Detailed module informationLearning Methods
This is an online course taught within our virtual environment, Moodle, and will apply theoretical learning to contemporary healthcare environments through practice learning experiences within your chosen area of Advanced Practice. Students are directed to learning resources – reading, videos, online lectures, and tutorials to access at a time most convenient to them, which also support accessible learning.
During the course, school nursing students will undertake two Practice Learning Experiences (PLE’s) where they will be assessed and supervised in school nursing and community settings. The four theory modules offer students the opportunity to participate in masterclasses delivered by lecturers and guest speakers who will support progression towards becoming a school nurse.
Students will be supported with an academic assessor throughout as per NMC regulations. When on the work based PLE module you will be assigned an Academic Assessor, Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor who assess and document your performance on the Practice Assessment Document (PAD).
Students need to have a reliable broadband connection and further develop their digital literacy to be able to participate in online learning.
How long is an Advanced Practice - School Nursing course?
The School Nursing course can be successfully completed in 16 months studying online full time or 36 months studying online part time.
Activity Summary
- Lectures - 15-60 students per group, 2 hours per week
- Tutorials - 15-60 students per group, 2 hours per week
- Project supervision - 15-60 students per group, 15 hours per semester
- Independent study - 12 hours per week
- Placement/work based learning - 36 hours week during practice learning experiences
Independent Study
Students will largely be responsible for organising their own learning throughout their course with support from their Personal Tutor and Academic Tutors. During the two Practice Learning Experience’s students will be supported by an Academic Assessor, Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor.
Assessment
Typically students are assessed via:
Full Time
Year 1
- 3 written assignments, including essays
- 2 reports to be written as part of the PLE
- 1 portfolio, approx. 3,500 words
- Practice learning experience assessment documentation to demonstrate proficiency in accordance with the NMC
Year 2
- 1 dissertation of 7,000 words
Part Time
Year 1
- 2 written assignments, including essays
- Practice learning experience assessment documentation to demonstrate proficiency in accordance with the NMC
Year 2
- 1 written assignment, including essay
- 1 report to be written as part of the PLE
- 1 portfolio, approx. 3,500 words
- Practice learning experience assessment documentation to demonstrate proficiency in accordance with the NMC
Year 3
- 1 dissertation of 7,000 words
Feedback
We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.
Staff Delivering on this Course
Staff teaching on this course are registrants with the NMC as nurses or midwives. In addition, for three out of the four theory modules, lecturers are on an additional part of the NMC register as Specialist Community Public Health Nurses (SCPHN) (School Nursing or Health Visiting).
Placements
Students will undertake practice learning experiences as part of this course.
Practice Learning Experience (PLE) requirements:
- School Nursing - one 7-week (252 hours WTE) and ond 10-week (360 hours WTE) PLEs
If you select to undertake a course which includes the Prescribing for Healthcare Practitioners module, you will require supervision by a Prescribing Practice Assessor and supervisor during a 90-hour practice learning experience.
Job Prospects
The programme prepares students to meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements of being recorded as a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) registered as School Nurse.
This programme will prepare you for an advanced role in a range of healthcare settings. You will develop the decision-making, research and leadership skills required to deal with complex situations. The programme is designed to allow you to continue and develop your knowledge and skills within your own areas of practice, enabling you to accelerate your career progression.

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Entry Requirements
What is needed to study PgDip/MSc Advanced Practice - School Nursing?
The minimum entry requirement for this programme will normally be an honours degree or its equivalent.
In addition, because of the practice-based nature of the programme, all students must be working in clinical practice or sponsored by a Health Board/appropriate employer and have access to a practice assessor/practice supervisor.
Additional Requirements
To enter this route, the student must be an NMC registered nurse (level 1) or NMC registered midwife capable of safe and effective practice at the level of proficiency appropriate to the NMC-approved Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN).
Acceptance is based on having acceptable references from two sources and a satisfactory Protection of Vulnerable Groups. When a student is sponsored by an organisation this will be considered as the equivalent of one reference.
All students will require the guarantee of being able to obtain the relevant practice experience in School Nursing with the relevant support of a Practice Supervisor(s) and a Practice Assessor.
A self-declaration of good health and character will be undertaken as part of the admission process and will be repeated on practice learning experiences.
Any self-funded applicant will be given the advice to contact a relevant practice learning partner to seek practice learning experience and contract. Applicants will be supported to meet the conditions required for undertaking practice learning experiences.
English Language Requirements
All routes must meet the NMC English standard requirement
We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:
Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.
Academic Year 2025/2026
UK Students
Full Time
- £8,550 for entire course
- £6,420 for PgDip (Stages 1 and 2)
- £2,130 for MSc (Stage 3 only)
Part Time
- £3,210 for Stage 1
- £3,210 for Stage 2
- £2,130 for Stage 3
This course is not open to EU or international Students.
Academic Year 2024/2025
UK Students
Full Time
- £8,110 for entire course
- £6,080 for PgDip (Stages 1 and 2)
- £2,030 for MSc (Stage 3 only)
Part Time
- £3,040 for Stage 1
- £3,040 for Stage 2
- £2,030 for Stage 3
This course is not open to EU or international Students.
Additional Costs
- £59 for Protecting Vulnerable Group (PVG) check
Some other costs are not included in the course fees:
- The cost of books that you may wish to purchase.
- Costs associated with any placement / study abroad
- Accommodation and Living Costs
- Printing
Alumni Discount
Robert Gordon University is delighted to offer a 20% discount on course fees for all alumni who have graduated from RGU.
Student Funding
Postgraduate students will normally make their own arrangements for payment of fees. However, there are a limited number of SAAS funded places on certain postgraduate courses.
Scholarships and Financial Awards
You may qualify for a scholarship or financial award:
Disclaimer
For new intakes, course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in the offer letter. For further information:
Any questions?
Get in touch with our Student Admissions Service and we'll do our best to help.