Course summary
The programme is designed to enable practitioners to adopt a strategic approach to the provision of specialist community nursing care, working effectively with individuals, families, groups and communities, involving, where appropriate, an active collaboration with other disciplines and agencies. It fulfils the professional standards for the education and preparation of specialist community practitioners developed by the UKCC [2001] and is endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The programme leads to a professional recognition in community children’s nursing, community nursing in the home – district nursing or general practice nursing preparing students for an enhanced, specialist role with specific patient/client groups in the community with either an Independent Nurse prescribing award or community nurse prescribing award. The programme also prepares specialist community practitioners to effectively contribute to the current health policy agenda through the provision of quality specialist community nursing interventions that promote the health and well-being of individuals, families, groups and communities.
Modules
Core modules: Policy in practice in primary care; holistic assessment of health needs in primary care; leading innovation in practice; research and evidence-based practice; managing long term conditions in primary care; case management in primary care. Optional modules: Community nurse prescribing; integrative review of community nursing practice; non-medical prescribing (nurses).
Entry requirements
The normal entry requirements for the MSc Specialist Community Nursing course are: A UK degree, or other qualification at equivalent level, in a health related subject (excluding a specialist community degree leading to professional recognition as a specialist community public health practitioner). All applicants are required to demonstrate effective registration on parts 1 and 2 of the NMC register. You also need to have access to an appropriate specialist community practice placement with a designated ‘sign off’ practice teacher for the duration of your studies on the course. This is normally provided through the sponsoring employer. If you are self-sponsored you are required to negotiate this with a Primary Care Organisation.
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
Fees for Postgraduate Study 2025/26
https://www.herts.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/fee-information/how-much-are-my-fees
Sponsorship information
Applicants will need to negotiate funding and practice placements with their primary care employers.
Provider information
University of Hertfordshire
College Lane
Hatfield
AL10 9AB