Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: See fees section below
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How long will I study?
16 Months
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2025
January 2026
May 2026
Course summary
- explore your chosen topic in-depth
- learn how to critically and creatively apply research methods
- develop your understanding of ethical and scientific practices
- present your findings to your professional community
- identify a pathway of learning that supports progression towards or within an advancing / specialist clinical role.
This dissertation course is a self-directed piece of work specific to your professional interests. Your findings will be used in the community to help improve district nursing practice.
On completion of the course, you’ll be prepared to shape and improve services for patients as part of a successful career in district nursing.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
At Sheffield Hallam, all our courses are designed to engage you with the world and challenge you to think in new ways. You’ll get to collaborate with others, and you’ll be taught in a supportive environment where you can thrive.
You will manage most of your own workload, but will also be supported by a supervisor. You’ll set mutually agreed deadlines, arrange meetings and share your work with your supervisor to get the most out of your learning. You’ll be encouraged to create and set your own research goals, helping you to develop your knowledge of your subject area.
At the start of the course you submit a proposal outlining what you have chosen to study. Masters dissertation projects can be very diverse and can include
- research projects
- evaluation projects
- service development projects
- advanced professional practice projects
- theoretical or literature based projects
You learn through
- self-directed study
- supervised learning
Course leaders and tutors
Abigail White
Senior LecturerI am Module Leader for Practice Learning on the Community Specialist Practice, Primary Care Nursing-District Nursing course, and contribute to other CSP modules, suc … Read more
Applied learning
Applied learning is the ethos at the heart of all Sheffield Hallam courses, meaning that you are given the opportunity to put your study into practice.
You'll be taught by professionals who are active in their field - so you'll get cutting edge, industry focused knowledge of your subject. You'll gain real-world skills through placements, workshops and live projects, often getting the opportunity to work with big global brands.
Work experience is also embedded into every year of the course, so you polish your workplace skills alongside building a solid knowledge of your subject. Applied learning means that when you do start work, you can dive in and make things happen.
Future careers
Graduates of this course have gone on to work as
- specialist practitioners (district nursing)
- community practitioners (nurse prescribers)
Where will I study?
You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
Collegiate campus
Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.
Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities
Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
360 tour - nursing and midwifery facilities
Entry requirements
All students
To complete the course you typically need
• at least 120 credits at level 6 (or pending results prior to the course starting)
• current registration on part one (nursing) of the Nursing and Midwifery Council-s (NMC) register
• normally at least one year's post-registration experience
• to be working as a community staff nurse working in a community team
• self-declaration of good health and character as required by the NMC
• to have successfully applied for a student district nurse NHS training post
• to have a sponsoring health care organisation and be employed by the NHS for the duration of the course
If you are shortlisted you attend a joint NHS and Sheffield Hallam Interview. You must bring original copies of your qualifications, certificates, NMC registration, course application form and references with you. This interview is your opportunity to demonstrate that you have the personal, NHS values based and intellectual qualities to complete the course and meet the required standards to become a district nurse.
You must show how you strive to improve health and wellbeing and peoples experience of the NHS.
You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent. If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 7.0 we recommend you consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve the required level of English.
Additional information for EU/International students
This course is not open to international students who require a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK. If you are an international applicant but do not require a Tier 4 (General) student visa, email our Admissions Team to find out whether you’re eligible to apply.
Modules studied may differ depending on when you start your course.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page. .
Modules studied may differ depending on when you start your course.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Dissertation 45 Credits
Researching For Practice (Distance Learning)
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fees for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 are regulated by the UK government and are yet to be confirmed. For an indication, our tuition fee for UK students starting this course in 2024/25 is £9,250 for the course.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £11,222 available for Home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Health and Social Care (PDF, 182.5KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
