Advanced Practice - School Nursing

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

Learning 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 one 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.

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 2026/2027

UK Students

Full Time

• £5,930 for year 1
• £2,920 for year 2

Part Time

• £3,010 for year 1
• £2,920 for year 2
• £2,920 for year 3

This course is not open to EU or international Students.

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.

Additional Costs

• £59 for Protecting Vulnerable Group (PVG) check