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?
1 Year
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2025
1. Course summary
- Specialise in early intervention and the prevention of ill health.
- Work with diverse communities affected by health inequalities.
- Lead specialist public health practice with collaboration and targeted interventions.
- Maximise partner relationships and deliver care in homes and communities.
- Use therapeutic communication and child development knowledge to empower family wellbeing.
This course equips you to make a real difference in public health practice. You’ll work closely with children, young people and families – tackling health challenges through innovative interventions and preventative strategies. You’ll graduate as a reflective, skilled and employable professional, eligible to apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for the Community Public Health Nursing register.
Accredited by
This course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Graduates are eligible to apply to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse - Health Visitor or School Nurse.
You must be registered with the NMC in order to practise as a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse in the UK.
To access the full course and gain the NMC recognised qualifications, you need to be sponsored by an employing NHS organisation (hence have NHS contract for the length of the course).
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
2. How you learn
This course combines 50% theoretical knowledge and 50% hands-on practical experience, preparing you for professional practice.
You’ll benefit from an entirely practice-based course. All assessments are based in practice and include an audio commentary, teaching resources and OSCEs. You’ll learn from expert lecturers and experienced practitioners who deliver engaging seminars, workshops and practical sessions.
You learn through:
- lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials
- practical sessions and evaluations
- poster presentations
- independent learning and group work
- simulated role plays
- case studies and client stories
- conducting real consultations under exam conditions
- written assignments
Key themes
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of essential areas in public health and nursing practice. You’ll begin with attachment and parenting, examining the significance of secure attachment and strategies to support positive parenting practices. Building on this, you’ll delve into child and adolescent development, gaining a thorough understanding of developmental milestones and their impact on health and wellbeing.
Key therapeutic approaches are also covered – including motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – where you’ll learn evidence-based communication techniques to promote meaningful behaviour change. The course places a strong emphasis on health promotion and prevention, focusing on strategies to tackle health inequalities and improve outcomes within communities.
Your leadership abilities will be developed through modules in leadership and specialist practice, which address the complexities of modern public health nursing. You’ll also acquire advanced physical assessment and consultation skills, alongside expertise in non-medical prescribing – all preparing you to deliver holistic, person-centred care.
You’ll then progress your learning with leadership and management training, preparing you for senior roles in your field. Finally, through applied research projects, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of practice and the evolution of public health nursing.
Course support
You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate-level employment through a number of key areas. These include:
- access to our student support triangle, with personal, academic and career guidance
- access to our Skills Centre for one-to-one support, webinars and online resources
- support from your course leaders, module leaders, academic adviser and employability experts
Course leaders and tutors
Dr Patricia Day
Senior lecturer in primary careI am passionate about teaching public health nursing. I have remained in practice as a school nurse and sexual health practitioner whilst teaching at the university. … Read more
Applied learning
Work Placements
You’ll be supervised in practice by experienced practice assessors and supervisors. Placements will be in your employing trusts, while alternative learning experiences enable you to observe a variety of placements in different settings.
Live Projects
You’ll complete a community development project addressing the specific environmental health needs of a population. This project will integrate public health theory with practical application, enhancing your ability to drive change in community health.
Networking Opportunities
Through strong links with healthcare organisations, you’ll connect with professionals in public health nursing and attend guest lectures from leading experts.
3. Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in:
- specialist roles in early interventions, safeguarding and child protection
- practice education
- family nurse partnership nursing (FNP)
- counselling and sexual health advice
- management and research nursing
- voluntary service abroad
After completing the course you’ll be eligible to register with the NMC as a specialist community public health nurse, opening opportunities in hospitals, health centres and education settings.
4. 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 more5. Equipment and facilities
You’ll have access to industry-standard facilities, including:
- clinical nursing placement environments
- purpose-built clinical simulation suites
- mock health clinics and community spaces
- technology-enhanced learning resources
- clinical skills laboratories
- virtual reality tools
You’ll also benefit from 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed to support your academic success.
6. Entry requirements
All students
• The PgDip is open to current Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registered first level nurses or midwives. Current NMC registration is part of the essential criteria for application and will be confirmed at interview, and as part of the onboarding process.
• Applicants will hold a first degree (honours) recognised in the UK.
• The University will consider applications on an individual basis if applicants hold an Ordinary degree in Nursing / Advanced Diploma in Nursing Studies.
• Applicants will be required to demonstrate their capability to study at level seven through written application and interview.
• Students will RPL their previous experience and study and submit an extended CV to support application to the programme.
• Applicants must also hold three GCSEs or equivalents at grade 4 / C or above, in mathematics, English language or literature, and a science subject.
• Evidence of recent study (within the last 10 years).
International students:
If English is not the applicant's first language, they will need an IELTS of 7 with a minimum score of at least 6.5 in all areas. Or OET Minimum B with B in all areas. Or a combination of the 2 test each section to score at least 7/B. Full details:
https://www.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/english-language-requirements
If the applicant's level of English language is currently below IELTS 7.0 we recommend they consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course, which will enable them to achieve the required level of English.
For applicants who were educated overseas and subsequently achieved registration with the NMC – we will accept the qualification (i.e. Degree or Diploma) that qualified the applicant to practice as a nurse in their country of origin.
Any international student who is an NMC registrant does not need to take an additional IELTS test - registrant status will be accepted.
In addition, all applicants must have completed at least 12 years of general school education in order to be compliant with Article 40(2) of Directive 2005/36/EC.
Recognition of prior learning:
Students will have the opportunity to apply for credit from previous study by mapping their learning to the learning outcomes as per the University policy.
Proposed transfer of current students to the programme under review: The students on the current programme will not be transferred onto the programme under review.
Self-funding arrangements
Students who wish to self-fund must have an honorary contract with a suitable employer. Indemnity arrangements will need to be in place. Admission to the course must fulfil all entry requirements. Arrangements for allocation of placement, practice supervisor and assessor in accordance with Standards for Student Supervision and Assessment(NMC, 2018, updated 2023) must be made in advance.
Additional information for EU/International students
This course is not open to international students who require a student visa to study in the UK. If you are an international applicant but do not require a 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.
Compulsory modules
Interventions To Reduce Health Inequalities
Practice Assessment
Promoting Environmental Health
Supporting Parenting, Child And Adolescent Development
Therapeutic Communication And Specialist Practice
8. Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.
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 £12,858 is available in 2025/26 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, 165.7KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
