Everything you need to know...
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How long will I study?
2 Years
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2025
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.
Accredited by
Successfully completing the course allows you to be on the NMC register as a
• specialist practitioner – district nursing
• community practitioner – nurse prescriber
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which 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 moreEntry requirements
All students
To complete the course you typically need
• to have completed the PgDip in Specialist Practice District Nursing
• to have the recordable NMC Specialist Practice District Nurse Qualification
• to have relevant work experience
• to have relevant workplace opportunities and organisational support
• to have current registration on part 1 (Nursing) of the Nursing and Midwifery Councils (NMC) register
• self-declaration of good health and character, as required by the NMC
Course enrolment - professional requirements
Before enrolling, you must fully declare during the admissions process any
• unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. For further information on convictions that must be declared see the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) website.
• disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or educational establishments
• involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations
You also need to complete
• a DBS Enhanced Disclosure, and provide us with a copy of your DBS Enhanced Disclosure Certificate if requested. Enrolment also depends on the DBS check being deemed suitable for professional training.
• occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course and an approved programme of immunisation, as recommended by the Department of Health. Health screening and immunisation are provided by your employer.
If your personal circumstances change in relation to any of the professional requirements - from when you apply to the end of your course - you must tell the Professional Issues Team immediately by calling 0114 225 3995 or 0114 225 5786.
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
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.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Advancing District Nursing Practice
Dissertation 60 Credits
Enhancing Quality Of Services Through Effective Collaborative Practice
Evidence Based Approaches To Long Term Conditions
Fundamentals Of District Nursing
Nurse Prescribing (V100)
Researching For Practice (Taught)
The Enhanced Critically Thinking Leader
Final year
Compulsory modules
Advancing District Nursing Practice
Dissertation 60 Credits
Enhancing Quality Of Services Through Effective Collaborative Practice
Evidence Based Approaches To Long Term Conditions
Fundamentals Of District Nursing
Nurse Prescribing (V100)
Researching For Practice (Taught)
The Enhanced Critically Thinking Leader
Fees and funding
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £11,222 available for Home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Nursing and midwifery courses (PDF, 350KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.