Nursing MSc

Ranked 15th in the UK (Complete University Guide), you'll graduate with the confidence and skills to register as a nurse within the Nursing and Midwifery Council in Adult or Mental Health or Children's Nursing in two years.

Course structure

This course will run in three parts over two years. While the exact content may change, here’s what you can expect to study each year.

As a nursing student at the University of Birmingham, you can personalise your learning to understand your preferred field of practice, adult, mental health or child. You'll have opportunities to enhance your knowledge through professional leadership and research.

• Gain your NMC professional registration in just two years.
• Benefit from the opportunity to study at a global university at the heart of an ambitious city.
• Your prior caregiving experience contributes to your clinical hours.
• All clinical placements will be provided within the Birmingham area.
• Learn from world-leading academics and researchers, as well as from your peers.
• Learn in brilliantly equipped clinical suites to take your knowledge to the next level.

• Taught modules - these include on campus and virtual learning through lectures, seminars and workshops.
• Practical based learning - You'll spend a minimum of 1800 hours on placement.
• Research-based modules – We encourage you to get involved with research, not least through HSCE projects.
• Assessments - Modules will be assessed through essays, assignments, exams, oral presentations and computer based problem-solving.

The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.

As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.

MSc Nursing (Adult)

Year 1
2026/27 Session

The following must be taken:

Year 2
2027/28 Session

The following must be taken:

MSc Nursing (Mental Health)

Year 1
2026/27 Session

The following must be taken:

Year 2
2027/28 Session

The following must be taken:

MSc Nursing (Child)

Year 1
2026/27 Session

The following must be taken:

Year 2
2027/28 Session

The following must be taken:

Teaching staff

Programme Director: Dr Claire Sutton

Module Leaders:

• Heather Scripps - Advancing Health and Nursing Care, and Developing Adult Nursing Practice
• Dr Yvette Brown - Developing Mental Health Nursing Practice
• Dr Amelia Swift - Research and Improvement Methods in Practice
• Dr Manuela Jarret - Coordinating Complex Nursing Care
• Dr Claire Sutton - Advancing Clinical Assessment in Urgent Care
• Dr Adam Al Sheik Hassan - Leading and Managing Care Teams
• Dr Chris Wagstaff - Health and Social Care Enquiry

The MSc Nursing (adult or mental health field) has been designed as a two-year taught programme. After application and before starting the course you'll need to submit a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate your prior learning. The portfolio provides evidence of prior graduate learning and care experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, values and caring behaviours equivalent to year one of an undergraduate nursing programme. The evidence you present in your portfolio will demonstrate how your graduate and experiential learning and skills are equivalent to the development of year 1 nursing proficiencies. 

Within the portfolio, you will need to have 500 hours of experience in health/ social care verified by a registrant.

A Recognition of Prior Learning Portfolio

For international students there is an English language requirement to have an IELTS 7.0 with no less than 7.0 in any band.

English presessional programmes

If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September including additional online courses in the summer term.  Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2026 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Tuition fee deposits for international students

International students undertaking a postgraduate taught degree are required to pay a tuition fee deposit before an electronic Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) can be issued.

Postgraduate Masters loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we have put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

The application deadline for the 2026/27 MSc Nursing programme has now passed. Applications will reopen in October for the 2027/28 intake.

Nursing offers a wide range of career opportunities in clinical practice, management, research, and education. With extensive restructuring within the profession and the NHS, a strong career path is now available.

Your careers toolkit

Gain skills, confidence and experiences ready for the world of work with your dedicated careers toolkit. With Careers Network, your dedicated careers service, and the variety of opportunities available at Birmingham, you can build your own toolkit of skills and experiences to get you ready for an ever-changing world after graduation.

Your careers toolkit connects you with the opportunities, support and experiences across the university, including:

• Careers support services and Careers Network
• Work experience and placements
• Enterprise and entrepreneurship
• Alumni and employer connections
• Global opportunities and life experience
• Careers in the curriculum

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.