Adult Nursing Blended Learning (pre-registration) MSc

Postgraduate

Trainee nurses looking at a dummy patient on a hospital bed

Pursue a career in adult nursing utilising your current care experience and previous degree. Upon successful completion of the course, you will be eligible for registration as an adult nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)
Coventry University (Vauxhall, London)
CU Scarborough (Scarborough)

Study mode

Full-time
Online/Blended

Duration

2 years full-time

Course code

HLST265

Start date

September 2025
January 2026
May 2026

How to apply

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At Coventry University, we continuously review the courses we offer to ensure we reflect industry-relevant emerging best practice and technology. As a result, this course is undergoing continuous improvement assessment and will be launched with a renewed curriculum starting in September 2025. Module content and titles will be updated. Course title, learning outcomes and assessments may also change. We expect our new curriculum to be fully updated by May 2025. Please return to this page to see the final course details.

Course overview

Develop your skills in forming therapeutic relationships, promoting patient involvement in decision-making, safeguarding and addressing comprehensive health needs for all ages.

Learn skills and behaviours to independently address diverse health and care needs across the lifespan. Analyse, develop and deliver effective care to adults, focusing on physiological, mental health and wellbeing needs, with an emphasis on evidence-informed practice, care and compassion.
Learn the clinical and care skills to provide autonomous, compassionate and person-centred care and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams as an adult nurse, coordinating safe, evidence-based care delivery.
Through recognition of your previous care experience and completion of four practice placements organised by Coventry University during your course, achieve 50% practical placement training needed for registration as an adult nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The clinical practice experience exposes you to caring for the needs of adults across a range of health services.^2,5
Study one module at a time, with five weeks of learning followed by one week of assessment per module.
Enjoy the freedom of studying from anywhere in the UK for most of the course as most academic learning sessions are delivered online. It is an NMC requirement that you must be resident in the UK during all the course’s theory and practice elements.
All eligible students on this course can apply for a minimum payment from the government of £5,000 per year, with additional payments for students incurring childcare costs.⁶

The practice elements of the clinical placements may be delivered in one of the following regions of England: Midlands, North East and Yorkshire, London, Bedfordshire, East Kent and Medway. Please note, you are responsible for your travel arrangements to attend your placements.^2,5

Face-to-face skills and practical teaching elements will be delivered at Coventry, Scarborough or Vauxhall (London) campuses. We will try to accommodate your preferred choice (subject to availability). Please note, you will be responsible for your travel arrangements to attend these.^2,5

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 9th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

Learn to work with high standards of person-centred care, complex care coordination, decision-making, leadership and mentoring. Become an accountable professional, excel in multidisciplinary teams and demonstrate leadership through relationship management and emotional intelligence.
This course is ideal for you if you’re a graduate of health-related disciplines, psychology, criminology or sociology degrees with some experience in health and social care. It is also suitable if you are an existing nurse looking for dual qualifications.
Theoretical course aspects will be further developed through simulation and clinical placements which are relevant to the adult nursing field.^2,5
Develop your digital fluency, curiosity, critical and reflective thinking.

Studying in the School of Health and Care

Gain the skills and experience to transform lives, communities and the future of healthcare delivery. We aim to empower you to become a stand-out healthcare professional, capable, competent and confident in your field and role within the wider healthcare team.

While continuously developing your sense of professional identity as a nurse from day one, you'll also collaborate with learners from other School of Health and Care fields, learning in an environment that puts inclusivity, diversity and dignity at its heart.

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited¹ by the following professional bodies:

Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC)

This course is currently accredited by the NMC. Following changes that have been made to improve the course, we will apply for re-accreditation for entrants of 2025/26. If any changes occur with respect to our accreditation, we will notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

This is a normal part of the process of continuous improvement to our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

This course is designed to include the criteria set out by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice. It is expected that students who successfully pass the module Leading for the Future as a Health and Care Professional will be eligible to be considered by CMI for the award as an additional qualification.

This module is undergoing assessment by the CMI to confirm that all criteria are met to the required standard and therefore, until this assessment is completed, remains subject to accreditation. Should CMI accreditation not be received by the time you are due to study this module we will write to you to confirm this status.

Virtual reality powered by 5G provides a highly immersive learning experience.

Nursing at Coventry University

We have an excellent reputation for the quality of the education provided to trainee and qualified nurses.

Why study with us

We have an excellent reputation for the quality of the education provided to trainee and qualified nurses.

What you'll study

This course will deliver eight theoretical modules, each six weeks in duration, and four field-specific clinical placement^2,5 modules of longer duration.

Learn fundamental knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable you to work in diverse clinical environments, supporting people with their physical and emotional health and wellbeing. Over two years of study, you will progress and build upon your skills and practice experience to enable you to coordinate complex care with individuals.

Modules

Becoming a Professional Practitioner – 15 credits

Explore the intersection of professional values, behaviours and actions within the context of health and social care. You will also evaluate the relevant global factors that influence healthcare. Expect to build upon a strong foundation of personal and academic skills, developing your strategies for continuous improvement with an emphasis on critical thinking and evaluation. The module is designed to cultivate a culture of professionalism, enabling you to recognise and challenge inequality constructs within yourself, your profession, and the broader context of health and social care.

Compulsory

Evaluating Evidence within Health and Care – 15 credits

Evaluate evidence bases, knowledge and drivers for practice in health and care, exploring and debating of the context of interdisciplinary and profession-specific evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence. You should develop a deep understanding of the methodologies associated with real-world evidence within health and care and apply this to construct a rationale for an evidence-based professional project.

Compulsory

Exploring Wider Influences on Health and Care – 15 credits

Explore factors that influence people's health and wellbeing across the lifespan. Learn about societal influences, health inequalities and determinants of health. Explore health policy and the different strategies you can use to help promote health and wellbeing. Gain further understanding of the impact of behaviours on pathophysiology and how this impacts the need to access care. Gain valuable insights into the global communities you will be supporting, alongside the delivery of culturally competent and inclusive care. Learn about collaboration and care coordination within multiprofessional health care teams, whilst developing the skills and knowledge you need to effectively contribute.

Compulsory

Assessment and Decision-making in Adult Nursing – 15 credits

This module aims to provide you with the essential theory, knowledge and practical skills related to nursing health assessments and explore how these can be used to inform individualised care plans. The module will cover key body systems and introduce the principles of pharmacology, non-pharmacological approaches, and medicine administration. Additionally, it introduces the concept of holistic nursing care and aims to deepen your understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusive nursing practice. Throughout the module, emphasis is placed on building therapeutic relationships and enhancing your communication skills.

Compulsory

Placement 1: Delivering Nursing Care – 15 credits

In this module, you will spend time within a healthcare setting, relevant to your field of nursing, and continue to work towards the expected level of proficiency for a first-year student nurse. Under continued supervision, you will work towards delivering an episode of care through effective assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of a person or family receiving care. You will also work towards demonstrating the safe and effective administration of medications under supervision, whilst you continue to maintain your professional values.^2,5

Compulsory

Placement 2: Delivering Enhanced Nursing Care – 15 credits

In this module, you will spend time within a care setting relevant to your field of nursing, building your confidence and work towards the expected level of proficiency. The aim is for you to work more independently with less direct supervision in an increasingly confident and competent manner, delivering safe holistic care to individuals and people who support them. You should demonstrate safe and effective administration of medication under supervision, whilst you continue to develop and strengthen your professional values.^2,5

Optional

Modules

The Evidence-based Practitioner: Professional Project – 15 credits

Provides the opportunity for you to critically reflect on the evidence, apply knowledge, concepts and research techniques, to a professional question or problem, making recommendations to improve practice for a range of stakeholders across health and care. You will identify an area of current or emerging practice to design and implement using recognised techniques an evidence-based project (i.e. audit or evaluation, primary research or systematic review). Where relevant, this project can be tailored to address service/employer priorities.

Compulsory

Leading for the Future as a Health and Care Professional – 15 credits

Our health and care workforce are required to lead the delivery of high-quality care, whilst navigating a complex health and care ecosystem. You will engage in inter-professional learning, drawing upon contemporary theory, practice and evidence, to analyse and reframe your understanding of what accountable leadership means, and critically reflect upon your own experiences. You will apply your understanding of the inter-related themes of leading self, teams, organisations and systems, to develop confident and creative approaches to lead complex, sustainable change.

Compulsory

Therapeutic Interventions and Innovations in Adult Nursing – 15 credits

Enhance your understanding of communication and its role in developing therapeutic relationships, whilst respecting the diversity of individuals, their needs, preferences and desired care outcomes. You will examine a range of therapeutic interventions which will allow you to enhance your knowledge and skills in selecting, initiating and evaluating appropriate interventions. Additionally, you can expect to develop your awareness of contemporary service delivery and nursing care innovations, digital developments and sustainable practise in delivering nursing care.

Compulsory

Coordinating Complex Care within Adult Nursing – 15 credits

Develop your ability to make complex decisions within adult nursing in unpredictable contexts. Enhance your knowledge of specialist roles within the wider health and social care contexts. Examine relevant law, ethics, and professional values to help you deliver equitable and inclusive, person-centred care to the individual and their support networks.

Compulsory

Placement 3: Delivering Complex Holistic Nursing Care – 15 credits

Develop your ability to deliver evidence-based care for groups of people and people with increasingly complex health and social care needs. Your ability to work independently with reduced supervision should strengthen during this placement as you continue to gain confidence and competence in delivering high-quality, holistic and inclusive care. You should further develop proficiency in preparing and administering medication, whilst demonstrating your practical application of pharmacological knowledge.^2,5

Compulsory

Placement 4: Practising Autonomously – 15 credits

Refine and strengthen your knowledge and skills, learning how to be autonomous and fully accountable for your practice. You will be independently organising and managing the care of a group or caseload of complex patients with minimal guidance. You will be leading a team of healthcare professionals, delegating tasks, and overseeing the delivery of high-quality, non-discriminatory care, offering guidance, supervision and appraisal to others. You should continue to administer medications under supervision with confidence and competence, demonstrating a sound knowledge of pharmacology.^2,5

Optional

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

online lectures
clinical simulation
seminars
workshops
online tutorials
online learning materials
practical clinical work in a practice setting.^2,5

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time student on this course, you will study modules totalling 180 credits across two academic years. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average you will have between 4 and 8 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Practice-based learning

Practice-based learning forms an essential and significant part of your learning experience. Practice hours will differ between placements and different health and care courses. You will have access to university staff, but should expect to spend the majority of your contact time with practice collaborators undertaking placement activity. Overall, the hours you undertake in practice-based learning will need to satisfy the eligibility requirements set by the professional body regulating the profession, the NMC. No less than 2300 practice-based hours gained from a combination of placement and simulated learning will need to be completed over the course of your degree.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module. Assessment methods may include:

critical appraisal essays
reflective accounts
presentations
viva voce
reports
Observed Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE)
practice assessments
independent projects
numeracy tests.

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

An honours degree 2:2 or above in a health-related subject.
GCSE Grades 4/C or above in English and maths.
Satisfactory health clearance, confirmation of vaccination status and enhanced criminal record disclosure. Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section.⁵

All learners who meet the admission criteria are interviewed following a values-based recruitment process.

There is a requirement to demonstrate completion of 600 practice hours in relevant health/care settings through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process to meet the NMC standard of nursing education of 2,300 practice hours. The RPL process will credit you for 600 hours to meet the stated NMC criteria. You will be supported in the RPL process.

Non-UK degrees may be accepted if healthcare related and accompanied by a certificate of comparability which you can obtain from www.enic.org.uk

We recognise a breadth of qualifications. Speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK	2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year	Not available

All eligible students on this course may qualify for a minimum payment from the government of £5,000 per year, with additional payments for students incurring childcare costs.⁶

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities, and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing, and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad)

Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Students in scrubs in the mock operating theatre

Alison Gingell Building

The Alison Gingell Building features mock hospital wards, an operating theatre, critical care settings and other real-life environments.

Students and a tutor with a manikin in the hospital ward

Mock hospital wards

Our mock hospital wards and critical care settings give you the chance to experience patient scenarios in a real-world environment.

Community houses

Our two full-size community homes can be used for sessions simulating working with patients outside of a hospital setting.

The facilities available to you during the face-to-face teaching at our Vauxhall campus in the new Hudson Building include a mock ward, high dependency unit and clinical skills centre with state-of-the-art equipment and simulators.

This range of mock healthcare settings, which also include therapy suites and a community apartment, give you the opportunity to replicate real-life situations before you go on placement.

You’ll make use of our extensive simulation facilities – from basic life support mannequins to high-tech simulation dummies, which emulate patient responses and test resuscitation skills. You will also use equipment found in the real world of practice, such as medical devices to assist with all elements of care, particularly medication administrations.

You will use equipment found in the real world of practice, such as medical devices to assist with all elements of care including medication administration, to help build confidence before you go on placement.⁴

Students in the hospotal ward around a mannequin in a hospital bed

Simulation facilities

You’ll be able to make use of our extensive simulation facilities – from basic life support mannequins to high tech simulation dummies, which emulate patient responses and test resuscitation skills.

Mock hospital ward

Gaining experience using simulation across a range of care settings is aimed at building your confidence and knowledge about how to act in these situations. You can practise and develop your clinical and interpersonal skills in a safe but realistic environment.

Nursing studenttaking an actor's blood pressure

Realistic scenarios

We use actors to enhance your experience, giving you the opportunity to replicate real-life situations including breaking bad news, demonstrating emotional resilience, conflict, aggression, teaching and child protection

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

This course aims to deliver accountable professionals able to thrive in dynamic multidisciplinary teams who can demonstrate leadership, influence, and supervision through adept relationship management and emotional intelligence.

The course aims to enhance your academic development, deepening theoretical understanding and practical skills while preparing you for an accelerated career as a nursing leader, clinical expert, educator or researcher within the profession.

Successful completion of this course is a strong indication to potential employees that you have both the ability and academic characteristics required for working in a variety of clinical settings.

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

apply for registration as an adult nurse through the consistent demonstration of the knowledge, skills, level of proficiency and behaviours required to meet the professional standards set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
act as an autonomous and accountable adult nurse who can apply relevant legal and ethical frameworks and requirements towards ensuring safe and effective care delivery within the scope of their professional practice.
critically evaluate evidence from diverse sources to inform, rationalise and improve nursing care delivery whilst developing skills to support continued professional validation and life-long learning.
apply evidenced-based approaches towards sustaining and enhancing the wellbeing of individuals, communities, and populations.
utilise effective communication strategies that enable informed choices to protect and promote health.
demonstrate the qualities of an influential leader who can proactively develop professional relationships, supervise, and work collaboratively with others, towards improving care outcomes.
lead in the coordination of care across a range of unpredictable and complex environments. To ensure patient safety and high-quality care, graduates must collaborate closely with individuals, their support networks, other health and care professionals, and utilise digital technologies.
assess, plan, deliver and evaluate culturally competent care that is respectful, equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and adaptive towards incorporating people’s health care choices.

Where our graduates work

Our nursing courses have historically had very high employment rates. Employment is possible in a variety of clinical and specialist areas, across a range of public and private healthcare settings within adult nursing and public health roles in the UK and beyond.

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online.

Apply now

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

⁵Placements

Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks, you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is, therefore, unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

⁶NHS payment

The rules may be subject to review by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in the future and as a result may change. Please, therefore, check the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website for up-to-date information before applying.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.