Course summary
The MSc Professional Nursing programme will enable you to graduate with a Masters and you will be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as an Adult Nurse. Nursing is a rewarding, dynamic and highly skilled profession. This course will equip students with the knowledge, skills and attributes to deliver person-centred, team-based, safe, effective care in today’s fast-paced, dynamic health service. You will learn in our state-of-the-art clinical skills and simulation suite and complete practice placements in a range of settings. The course is taught by experts in acute and chronic care, palliative care, community nursing and mental health who will support you in becoming a caring, compassionate professional, working in partnership with people, families, and communities. Our focus on interdisciplinary learning throughout the two year course will enrich your experience and help prepare you for the reality of professional practice. Following the issue of guidance at the Department of Health, the tuition fee for this course may be fully funded by the Department of Health for students who have been habitually resident in Northern Ireland for three years prior to the commencement of the course, and students from the Republic of Ireland (excluding England, Scotland, Wales and the EU). Students on this programme are ineligible to apply for funding from the Student Loans Company. The programme is not available as a part time programme. If you have previously commenced or completed a DoH paid place/bursary for a pre-registration nursing, midwifery or AHP course in Northern Ireland you may not be eligible for a funded place on this programme. In 2026 we are unable to offer this programme to students who are not eligible for a funded place, which will include GB and overseas students.
Modules
For further information please see https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-taught/professional-nursing-adult-nursing-msc/#course
How to apply
International applicants
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 7.0, with not less than 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking, and no less than 6.5 in writing, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years. International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes. For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.
Entry requirements
All applicants must normally have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 to include English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject (i.e. Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Double Award Science or Single Award Science) or equivalent qualifications acceptable to the University. GCSE Applied Science is not acceptable in lieu of GCSE Science. (Qualified nurses and midwives may be considered to have met the GCSE entry requirements). In addition to the GCSE requirements, or equivalent, all applicants must have an Honours degree in any subject with an award of 2.1 or above. Candidates with an Honours degree in any subject with an award of 2.2 may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with a 3rd Class Honours degree or Ordinary degree would be deemed to hold the equivalent academic standing of an Honours degree, provided they hold additional post graduate qualifications in a health and social care related field alongside relevant healthcare experience. These applicants will be assessed through the provision of certificates and within the GEMS Portfolio completed as part of the admissions criteria for admission to the programme. All applicants applying via this entry route must meet the GCSE (or acceptable equivalent) requirements above. Nurses who have graduated with a BSc (Ordinary) in Nursing or equivalent, would be deemed to hold the equivalent academic standing of a BSc (Honours) with a minimum of one year's practice in nursing. N.B. This would not apply to students who took a BSc (Ord) as an exit degree due to part failure of their programme. All applicants applying via this entry route must meet the GCSE (or acceptable equivalent) requirements above. Students who have a first degree in nursing and who are registered with the NMC will be eligible to apply for a field of practice in which they are currently not registered. Applicants must submit a portfolio of evidence as part of their application, which should include evidence of 650 hrs of verified direct care by a manager where experience has taken place, and personal statements that reflect the skills, knowledge and attributes for nurses based on the NMC Code. The portfolio is considered alongside the academic entrance requirements. Applicants who satisfy the academic and portfolio requirements or will be able to do so by 27th May 2026, will be shortlisted for interview. Applicants can apply and be considered for the program, with the expectation of completion and verification of the 650 direct caring hours by 24th August 2026 at the latest. Qualified nurses and midwives will be considered to have met the portfolio condition and will not be required to submit a portfolio to be considered for interview. However, applicants with a BSc (Ordinary) in Nursing will be required to complete a portfolio for RPL purposes. Interviews will normally take place in second week of June and will evaluate the candidate's experience of healthcare, or other relevant direct care employment, paid or voluntary, as well as the skills, knowledge and attitudes expected of graduates. Offers are subject to satisfactory Occupational Health Assessment, Criminal Record check (Access NI Enhanced Disclosure Check) and declaration and clearance of current or previous safeguarding proceeding, in addition to any academic requirements. More detail can be found on the School's website. In 2026 we are unable to offer this programme to students who are not eligible for a funded place, which will include GB and overseas students. In addition, students who have already received Department of Health funding for pre-registration Nursing, Midwifery or AHP courses in Northern Ireland will not be eligible to join this programme. Please note the delivery of this programme is dependent on adequate student numbers. Closing date: 27th May 2026. Start Date: Monday 31st August 2026
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Sponsorship information
For more information on funding and scholarships for Postgraduate study, please see http://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/PostgraduateStudy/FundingandScholarships/
Provider information
Queen's University Belfast
University Road
Belfast
BT7 1NN