postgraduate nursing funding scotland

• Schools & departments

Advanced Nursing MSc

Awards: MSc

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Advanced Nursing

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Programme description

This innovative programme offers advanced study for nurses working within a global context to enhance practice at the local level.

You can either choose a specific pathway: leadership, clinical research* or education, or follow a flexible generic programme with the opportunity to study a range of relevant courses from across the School of Health in Social Science and the wider University.

Nursing, health and social care research underpins the whole programme.

You will begin the MSc at the same entry point as all other students, but depending on the pathway you would like to undertake, have the opportunity to exit with a range of different degree titles:

• MSc Advanced Nursing
• MSc Advanced Nursing (leadership)
• MSc Advanced Nursing (education)
• MSc Advanced Nursing (clinical research)

Who is this programme for?

The programme is suitable if you are a nurse registered in any branch of the profession to practice in your own country and you want to critically examine the ways that evidence-based research, theory and knowledge can advance nursing in the global context.

The degree also provides an excellent foundation for postgraduate research e.g. a doctoral degree, or to advance their professional career.

*The clinical research pathway is only available for students who are registered with the Nursing Midwifery Council in the UK to practice in a clinical setting.

Programme structure

Teaching methods.

Teaching is delivered in a range of engaging and interactive formats by academic and specialist staff working in the contemporary health care environment.

Teaching methods include:

• tutor-led online learning environments

Full-time students

As a full-time MSc student, you will take two core courses and two option courses each semester.

There is a choice of one of three different dissertations:

• research proposal
• e-portfolio

This is to be completed during the Semester 3.

You can follow one of three different pathways: leadership, education or clinical research, or can take a generic pathway, depending on career aspirations and areas of interest.

Part-time students

As a part-time student, you can choose one or two courses each semester and have a choice of dissertation in your final year.

You can also follow the three different pathways or take a generic pathway.

The compulsory courses form the core part of the MSc and are:

• Nursing and Global Health Policy: developing your political leadership
• Designing Research in Nursing, Health and Social Care

You can then choose 4 optional taught courses before you go on to undertake the dissertation.

Optional courses

Optional courses can be chosen from those on offer within the School of Health in Social Science or across the wider University and are dependent on the pathway that the student chooses.

Optional courses vary across years depending on the specific courses on offer, but some of the current optional courses available include:

• Homelessness and Inclusion Health
• Contemporary Issues in Leadership for Health and Social Care
• Global Public Health: a critical approach to health improvement
• Learning by doing Research in Nursing, Health and Social Care
• Complex Interventions: an engaged approach to development and evaluation
• Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and Stroke Rehabilitation
• Community Nursing
• Person Centred Care in Practice: Relationships and Emotion

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Learning outcomes

The programme will enable you to:

• Develop advanced specialist knowledge and skills to be able to interrogate nursing, health and social care research, scholarship and practice within the context of a globalising world.
• Develop extensive, detailed and critical knowledge and understanding in either leadership, education or clinical research.
• Enhance skills to be a professional and critically reflective practitioner able to provide evidence-based practice in both a local and international context.
• Develop advanced skills in critical analysis for working in an evolving landscape of nursing, health and social care.

Career opportunities

This programme will facilitate career progression for those working in any branch of nursing to develop advanced nursing knowledge, skills and understanding.

As a student, you will develop research skills to enable you to apply for progression to doctoral level study upon successful completion of the programme.

In addition, if you are taking a specific pathway, you will develop specialist skills in leadership, education and clinical research to progress your career in these areas.

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, and a nursing qualification.

We may also consider your application if you have other qualifications or experience; please contact us to check before you apply.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT : 7 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Tuition fees, scholarships and funding.

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

borrowing money

taking out a loan

family support

personal savings

income from work

employer sponsorship

• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

To find out about scholarships and funding, please visit our student funding site.

• School funding pages .

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
• Contact: [email protected]
• Programme Director, Susanne Kean
• Contact: [email protected]
• School of Health in Social Science
• Medical School (Doorway 6)
• Teviot Place
• Central Campus
• Programme: Advanced Nursing
• School: Health in Social Science
• College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

MSc Advanced Nursing - 1 Year (Full-time)

Msc advanced nursing - 2 years (part-time), msc advanced nursing - 3 years (part-time), application deadlines.

We strongly recommend you submit your completed application as early as possible, particularly if you are also applying for funding or will require a visa. We may consider late applications if we have places available.

• How to apply

You must submit one reference with your application.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Search the site

Or search for a course.

• Undergraduate Course Search
• Postgraduate Course Search

Duration & study mode

1.5 years full-time / typically 3 years part-time only

Health & Life Sciences

Lanarkshire, Fully online

Course starting dates

Full-time (International applicants only): September & January

Part-time fully online: September & January

Entry Requirements

• Course Details
• Fees & Funding

Postgraduate Open Evenings 2024

Postgraduate Open Evenings are a great way to learn more about the programmes we deliver, meet staff and students and see what it’s like to study at UWS.

Our MSc Nursing course is designed to provide a progressive pathway of master’s level study for all registered nurses working in all fields of practice.

This MSc will be of interest to local and international students (including the armed forces).

Through this MSc you will develop higher level critical, analytical and reflective skills which can be utilised in academic and practice environments.

You will also develop originality and sound judgement in leadership and facilitation skills, which will enable you to implement best practice in service delivery.

Course Highlights

• This course will enable you to advance your knowledge and experience as a nurse by specifically examining contemporary issues such as quality improvement, advancing roles and leadership.
• International students studying full-time will be based at our new £110 million, ultra-modern campus in Lanarkshire, equipped with the latest innovative and collaborative technologies.
• The MSc will provide registered nurses with an updated knowledge and skill set so that you are able to care for your patients safely and competently.

This MSc programme has worked in partnership with my career progression. I feel that distance learning was the only way I could commit to studying whilst coping with the demands of working full-time and my personal life. I could not get through the course without the encouragement and support from the lecturers who are amazing at providing reassurance and guidance when needed.

Natalie Hood , MSc Nursing student and Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Career Prospects

Gaining a postgraduate qualification in nursing can lead to a variety of nursing roles (e.g. specialist, leadership, nursing management, etc.) and destinations in health and social care. Professionally, learners will build and advance their critical thinking, reflection, leadership, conceptual and decision-making skills.

Through this MSc you will develop higher level critical, analytical and reflective skills which can be utilised in an academic and practice environments. You will also develop originality and sound judgement in leadership and facilitation skills, which will enable you to implement best practice in service delivery.

Further Study

Upon completion of the course learners may wish to consider further Continuing Professional Development (CPD) or be supported to take their studies to the next level by completion of either a Professional Doctorate (DProf) or PhD.

Studentships are regularly available to support PhD level of study.

Furthermore learners will be supported and encouraged to publish their work as appropriate.

(The Times / The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019)

Overall student satisfaction amongst UWS postgraduate students (iGraduate Student Barometer 2017-18)

of UWS postgraduate students would recommend UWS to a friend (iGraduate Student Barometer 2017-18)

don't take our word for it

The course prepared us to take up leadership roles. The modules on research and social care, clinical teaching and leadership for effectiveness were very interesting. They were all geared towards critical thinking and writing critically. They support evidence-based practice.

Francisca Owusuaa Tuffour, MSc Nursing student

Every student has a unique story to tell, bringing a new perspective to the conversation. Memorable moments such as these, with people I have come to care so much about, have truly been the highlight of my MSc journey at UWS.

Feyisayo Odutayo, MSc Nursing student

What qualifications do you need?

We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.

Don’t worry if your qualifications are not listed here, we take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience

If you are applying with an EU or non-EU qualification, please check our   Postgraduate & Post-experience Entry Requirements page   which gives more information about country-specific entry requirements.

Academic Requirements

You must be a registered nurses and should normally possess an Ordinary (bachelor's) degree in nursing.

Applications from those who do not hold a degree will be considered on an individual basis as the discretion of the Admissions Officers.

Professional Experience

You must hold current registration as a nurse with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) or for International students you must hold registration with an equivalent recognised nursing professional body in your home country.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL may be considered where applicants can demonstrate they have achieved similar or work related experience against the module or programme outcomes.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements overview.

All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.

* applicants who are exempt from english language requirements include:

• native speakers of English
• Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise)
• non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification)
• students whose previous degree-level study has been taught and assessed in English in what UK Visas and Imigration (UKVI) define as a majority English speaking country

In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).

UWS & INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST SYSTEM (IELTS)

At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module ( not General Training ) as follows:

Undergraduate (bachelor's - BA, BAcc, BEng, BSc etc.) degrees and postgraduate (master's - MA, MBA, MSc etc.) taught degrees

• the CEFR equivalent requirement is normally an overall IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent), with a score of no lower than 5.5 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing)

Postgraduate research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA etc.)

• the CEFR equivalent requirement is an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent), with a score of no lower than 6.0 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing)

These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.

† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information). 

IELTS SCORE EXCEPTIONS (RESEARCH DEGREES, BIOMEDICAL & PARAMEDIC SCIENCE DEGREES, NURSING & MIDWIFERY DEGREES WITH NMC REGISTRATION, SOCIAL WORK DEGREES, CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION, ETC.)

Research degrees.

For our research degrees ( MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf ) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

• overall score of 6.5
• no sub-test score of less than 6.0

HEALTH & MIDWIFERY AWARDS

For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Adult Nursing, MSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, MSc Mental Health Nursing, BSc Midwifery and MSc Midwifery ), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

• overall score of 7.0
• score of at least 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking and
• score of at least 6.5 in writing

PARAMEDIC SCIENCE DEGREE

Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student , for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:

• no sub-test score of less than 6.5

BIOMEDICAL DEGREES

For our   BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science ,   BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science   and   MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees , which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

• no sub-test less than 6.5

SOCIAL WORK DEGREES

Our   BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

• no sub-test score of less than 7.0

CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

For our   Certificate of Higher Education   courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

• overall score of 5.0
• no sub-test less than 4.5

OTHER IELTS EQUIVALENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTS

In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.

Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests

ENGLISH LANGUAGE HIGH SCHOOL QUALIFACTIONS ACCEPTED FOR NON-EU APPLICANTS

UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.

Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications

PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES AT UWS

Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:

• 10-week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.0 with no element below 4.5.
• 5-week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.5 with no element below 5.5.
• English Language for University Study - entry criteria UKVI IELTS with an overall score of 4.0, plus a score of 4.0 in all sub-tests (10-month course), or an overall score of 4.5, plus no score below 4.0 in all sub-tests (7-month course).

Find out more about our English language Courses.

Course details

Our course have various exit points allowing you to exit with a Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert), Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) or Master's award depending on your needs. However, most students will typically complete the full Master's award (180 credits).

Please note the the course details differ for international students. All international students are directed to the separate tab below for specific course delivery details.

The MSc is comprised of core and optional modules as follows:

• The PgCert consists of 60 credits made up of two, core modules and one optional modules (20-credits each)
• The PgDip consists of a further 60 credits; two core modules and one optional module (20-credits each)
• The MSc requires completion of the Research and Enquiry Dissertation module worth 60 credits

The PgCert requires the successful completion of the following two core modules:

• Quality Improvement in Healthcare (core, 20 credits)
• Role Development in Nursing (core, 20 credits)

Plus, a further one optional 20-credit module:

• Clinical Supervision: Health & Social Care (optional, 20 credits)
• Clinical Teaching (optional, 20 credits)
• Delivering Compassionate Care (optional, 20 credits)
• Independent Study (HSCE) (optional, 20 credits)
• Introduction to eHealth (optional, 20 credits)

Successful completion of the PgCert allows you to progress to the PgDip which requires the successful completion of the following two core modules:

• Research for Health & Social Care (core, 20 credits)
• Leadership For Effectiveness (core, 20 credits)
• Contemporary Cancer & Palliative Care (optional, 20 credits)
• Leadership For Effectiveness (optional, 20 credits)
• Psychosocial Concerns (optional, 20 credits)

Successful completion of the PgDip allows you to proceed to the master's module:

• MSc Research & Enquiry Dissertation (60 credits)

Stage 1- Postgraduate Certificate

Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing (SCQF Level 11):

As part of the core modules you will critically explore a variety of models of quality improvement, the tools and techniques used, thus enabling you to use a variety of different approaches to realise the potential of the improvements being undertaken. You will also examine your own professional knowledge and experience and develop a solid foundation for your own professional development as we recognise that nurses now have additional management and leadership responsibility which may involve service improvement.

In addition to the core modules you will have one optional module to choose from to compliment your area of practice.

Please note: not all optional modules may be available to undertake every year.

Successful completion of the two core modules and optional module will mean you may exit with a Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing.

Stage 2 - Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing

Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (SCQF Level 11)

The topics you’ll cover from your core modules will include critically exploring the current challenges facing health and social care professionals as well as appraising your own personal leadership role, the influence of team dynamics and the contribution various professional groups make towards the delivery of efficient and effective health and social care practice. You will also gain an understanding of research design and methods as well as explore a range of methodological issues relevant to research in health and social care setting.

Successful completion of the two core modules and optional module will mean you may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing.

Stage 3 - Master's Dissertation

MSc Nursing (SCQF Level 11):

As part of your studies you will undertake a piece of extensive piece of work either in the form of a research project or improvement project in which you will engage with relevant methodology, developing skills in data collection and analysis and acquiring a deeper and more extensive understanding of your chosen topic.

Additionally, you have the option to undertake or a research protocol (in-depth proposal) which will include a systematic description and detailed set of activities for your proposed research project.

Course Details for International Students

Course Starting Date: September & January Duration & Study Mode: 16 months, Full-Time Location: Lanarkshire (Scotland, UK)

We are excited to announce a delivery of our MSc Nursing course suitable for internationally trained nurses at our award-winning Lanarkshire campus on a full-time basis. Our course focuses on examining contemporary nursing issues, quality improvement and leadership allowing you to make a significant contribution to improving nursing practice. There are two exit point with this postgraduate programme: 1) PgDip Nursing and 2) MSc Nursing.  

PG Dip Nursing

TERM 1 (September - December) Level 11 SCQF

• Quality Improvement in Healthcare (20 credits)
• Independent Study (20 credits)

TERM 2 (January - May) Level 11 SCQF

• Research for Health & Social Care (20 credits)
• Role Development in Nursing (20 credits)
• Clinical Teaching (20 credits)

TERM 3 (May - August)

• Leadership for effectiveness (20 Credits)

 MSc Nursing

• MSc Dissertation module (60 Credits) can be completed after core modules above.

Teaching & Assessment

Learning & teaching.

• Independent Study: 70%*
• Scheduled Learning: 30%*

Our MSc is delivered fully online and course materials prepared by different health & social professionals at various levels including lecturers, senior lecturers and professors who are considered experts in their field or practice.

You will access materials through our Virtual Learning Environment, Moodle. Teaching and course materials will be accessed through a variety of resources such as podcasts, videos, PowerPoint, eBooks and journal articles. Guest speakers and contributions from national and international conferences are streamed (where possible) to enrich the learners experience.

• Coursework: 100%

A variety of traditional and innovate assessment strategies are included in this programme and these will normally include essays, asynchronous discussions, written reports and dissertation. Depending on the optional module you choose coursework may be assessed via presentations and engagement within online forums and discussions. You are encouraged to write for publication (where applicable) and support can be accessed to achieve this via the teaching team or personal tutors. Support and constructive feedback is built into each module to enable you to improve on your academic ability as you progress through your studies.

* average of core taught modules

Course Structure

Uws programme specifications and module descriptors.

Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject. 

View our Programme Specifications & Module Descriptors

Tuition Fees 2023-24

Use the Link below to download details of our full-time, part-time tuition fees for Bachelor, Masters, Research, and English Language pre-sessional courses for session 2023-24.

Postgraduate Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for this course 2024/25, international (all other eu excluding ireland, plus non-eu).

£18,000 per year of study

Online Modular Tuition Fees (20-credit points) 2024-25

£1,070 per module (20 credits)

All other UK & Republic of Ireland

£1,680 per module (20 credits)

Channel Islands & Isle of Man

International (all other eu plus non-eu).

£2,570 per module (20 credits)

How to apply

Postgraduate courses (ma, msc, med, mba, dba, pg cert, pg dip, etc.) & some post-experience courses (certhe, ba, grad cert, grad dip, etc.).

All students should apply directly to the University through our online application system. Before you apply, you should check that you meet our entry requirements and you should have all your supporting documents ready.

The first stage of the process is to complete the initial application form. You will then receive a follow-up email with further instructions relating to your application including documents that you will need to forward to support your application, e.g. degree transcripts and certificates etc.

Most courses don't have a formal closing date, but they will close when they are full; apply early to avoid disappointment. There may also be funding deadlines that apply to you.

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) applies to all international students and researchers (apart from exempt nationalities) who are subject to UK immigration control and are intending to study or research at postgraduate level in certain sensitive subjects.

Students and researchers who are nationals of EU countries, the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the United States of America do not need an ATAS certificate.

An ATAS certificate may be required for certain taught postgraduate master's degrees for international students at UWS.

For the latest information on ATAS and details of eligibility and how to apply for a certificate check the UK Government's dedicated ATAS web pages .

Get in touch

Do you have a question about applying for this course? Get in touch. We are here to help!

• [email protected]
• 0800 027 1000 (UK)
• +44 (0) 141 849 4101 (out-with UK)

Research at UWS

With cutting edge facilities, specialist knowledge and world-leading and internationally excellent expertise, we aim to develop research outputs that have a tangible, early and positive impact on society across the globe.

We will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions .

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