The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is a modern and vibrant institution located in Scotland. It was formed in 2007 through the merger of the University of Paisley and Bell College. With a history dating back to 1897, UWS has a rich heritage of providing education and training to students from across Scotland and around the world. Today, UWS is one of Scotland's largest universities, with four main campuses located in Paisley, Hamilton, Ayr, and Dumfries. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, engineering, health, education, and the arts, and is known for its innovative and student-centered approach to learning.

Our course has various exit points allowing you to exit with a Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert), Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) or Master's award depending on your needs. However, most students will typically complete the full Master's award (180 credits).

FULLY ONLINE VERSION

The MSc is comprised of core and optional modules as follows:

Quality Improvement in Healthcare (core, 20 credits)
Role Development in Nursing (core, 20 credits)
Research for Health & Social Care (core, 20 credits)
Leadership For Effectiveness (core, 20 credits)
MSc Research & Enquiry Dissertation (core, 60 credits)
Plus, two further optional 20-credit modules:

Clinical Supervision: Health & Social Care (20 credits)
Clinical Teaching (20 credits)
Contemporary Cancer & Palliative Care (20 credits)
Delivering Compassionate Care (20 credits)
Independent Study (HSCE) (20 credits)
Introduction to eHealth (20 credits)
Psychosocial Concerns (20 credits)
FULL-TIME VERSION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

We are excited to offer delivery of our MSc Nursing course suitable for internationally trained nurses at our award-winning Lanarkshire Campus on a full-time basis. Our course focuses on examining contemporary nursing issues, quality improvement and leadership allowing you to make a significant contribution to improving nursing practice. As part of the course you’ll undertake the following:

TERM 2 (JANUARY – MAY)

Clinical Teaching (core, 20 credits)
Leadership for Effectiveness (core, 20 credits)
Research for Health & Social Care (core, 20 credits)
TERM 3 (MAY – AUGUST) (SUMMER TERM)

Optional UK Nursing Competency Development Course (8 weeks - optional)***.

An additional fee will be applied.

Please note: Students who opt out of this eight-week course will have no classes.

TERM 1 (SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER)

Independent Study (Health, Social Care or Education) (core, 20 credits)
Quality Improvement in Healthcare (core, 20 credits)
Role Development in Nursing (core, 20 credits)
TERM 2 (JANUARY – MAY)

MSc Dissertation module (optional, 60 credits)
***UK NURSING COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT COURSE (8 WEEK COURSE)

As part of our MSc Nursing course you’ll have the opportunity to participate in an eight-week course during Term 3 (which is typically the summer term) designed to develop the competencies you will need to work as a registered nurse in the UK. This course will allow you to undertake a wide range of simulated learning experiences relevant to nursing in the UK, all of which are expertly facilitated within our cutting-edge clinical skills environments.

If you are a qualified nurse outside the European Economic Area and intend to seek UK registration by engaging in the Nursing and Midwifery Council (UK) Test of Competence, please visit www.nmc.org.uk to register.

Please note: Students who choose to undertake this eight-week course will incur additional fees.

Stage 1- Postgraduate Certificate
Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing (SCQF Level 11):

As part of the core modules you will critically explore a variety of models of quality improvement, the tools and techniques used, thus enabling you to use a variety of different approaches to realise the potential of the improvements being undertaken. You will also examine your own professional knowledge and experience and develop a solid foundation for your own professional development as we recognise that nurses now have additional management and leadership responsibility which may involve service improvement.

In addition to the core modules you will have one optional module to choose from to compliment your area of practice.

Please note: not all optional modules may be available to undertake every year.

Successful completion of the two core modules and optional module will mean you may exit with a Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing.

Stage 2 - Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing
Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (SCQF Level 11)

The topics you’ll cover from your core modules will include critically exploring the current challenges facing health and social care professionals as well as appraising your own personal leadership role, the influence of team dynamics and the contribution various professional groups make towards the delivery of efficient and effective health and social care practice. You will also gain an understanding of research design and methods as well as explore a range of methodological issues relevant to research in health and social care setting.

In addition to the core modules you will have one optional module to choose from to compliment your area of practice.

Please note: not all optional modules may be available to undertake every year.

Successful completion of the two core modules and optional module will mean you may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing.

Stage 3 - Master's Dissertation
MSc Nursing (SCQF Level 11):

As part of your studies you will undertake a piece of extensive piece of work either in the form of a research project or improvement project in which you will engage with relevant methodology, developing skills in data collection and analysis and acquiring a deeper and more extensive understanding of your chosen topic.

Additionally, you have the option to undertake or a research protocol (in-depth proposal) which will include a systematic description and detailed set of activities for your proposed research project.

Course Details for International Students
Course Starting Date: January
Duration & Study Mode: 16 months, Full-Time
Location: Lanarkshire (Scotland, UK)

We are excited to announce a delivery of our MSc Nursing course suitable for internationally trained nurses at our award-winning Lanarkshire campus on a full-time basis. Our course focuses on examining contemporary nursing issues, quality improvement and leadership allowing you to make a significant contribution to improving nursing practice. As part of the course you’ll undertake the following:

TERM 2 (JANUARY – MAY)
Clinical Teaching (core, 20 credits)
Leadership for Effectiveness (core, 20 credits)
Research for Health & Social Care (core, 20 credits)
TERM 3 (MAY – AUGUST) (SUMMER TERM)
Optional UK Nursing Competency Development Course (8 weeks - optional).
An additional fee will be applied
Please Note: Students who opt out of this eight-week course will have no classes.

TERM 1 (SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER)
Independent Study (Health, Social Care or Education) (core, 20 credits)
Quality Improvement in Healthcare (core, 20 credits)
Role Development in Nursing (core, 20 credits)
TERM 2 (JANUARY – MAY)
MSc Dissertation module (optional, 60 credits)
UK NURSING COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT COURSE (8 WEEK COURSE)
As part of our MSc Nursing course you’ll have the opportunity to participate in an eight-week course during Term 3 (which is typically the summer term) designed to develop the competencies you will need to work as a registered nurse in the UK. This course will allow you to undertake a wide range of simulated learning experiences relevant to nursing in the UK, all of which are expertly facilitated within our cutting-edge clinical skills environments.

If you are a qualified nurse outside the European Economic Area and intend to seek UK registration by engaging in the Nursing and Midwifery Council (UK) Test of Competence, please visit:

Please Note: Students who choose to undertake this eight-week course will incur additional fees.

Teaching & Assessment
LEARNING & TEACHING

Independent Study: 70%+
Scheduled Learning: 30%+
+ average of core taught modules

Our MSc is delivered fully online and course materials prepared by different health & social professionals at various levels including lecturers, senior lecturers and professors who are considered experts in their field or practice.

You will access materials through our Virtual Learning Environment, Moodle. Teaching and course materials will be accessed through a variety of resources such as podcasts, videos, PowerPoint, eBooks and journal articles. Guest speakers and contributions from national and international conferences are streamed (where possible) to enrich the learners experience.

ASSESSMENT

Coursework: 100%
A variety of traditional and innovate assessment strategies are included in this programme and these will normally include essays, asynchronous discussions, written reports and dissertation. Depending on the optional module you choose coursework may be assessed via presentations and engagement within online forums and discussions. You are encouraged to write for publication (where applicable) and support can be accessed to achieve this via the teaching team or personal tutors. Support and constructive feedback is built into each module to enable you to improve on your academic ability as you progress through your studies.

Course Structure
Find out more about the structure, learning outcomes, compulsory and optional modules in this course.

MSc Nursing Course Structure

• The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is a vibrant and dynamic institution located in Scotland. Founded in 2007, UWS was formed through the merger of the University of Paisley and Bell College. With a history dating back to 1897, the university has a rich heritage of providing education and training to students from across Scotland and around the world.
• UWS is one of Scotland's largest universities, with four main campuses located in Paisley, Hamilton, Ayr, and Dumfries. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, engineering, health, education, and the arts. UWS is also known for its innovative and student-centered approach to learning, which includes a focus on practical, real-world experiences and hands-on learning opportunities.
• UWS is officially ranked by Times Higher Education in the top 150 of universities worldwide under 50 years old (2022 Young University Rankings). In the recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, 90 percent of research at University of the West of Scotland was classed as world-leading, internationally excellent, or recognised internationally. UWS was also crowned Higher Educational Institution of the Year 2022 (The Herald Higher Education Awards).
• One of the standout features of UWS is its commitment to providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today's rapidly changing job market. The university offers a wide range of programs that are designed to meet the needs of students from all backgrounds, and its experienced faculty is dedicated to helping students reach their full potential.
• In addition to its strong academic programs, UWS also offers a wealth of extracurricular activities and student services. The university has a vibrant student life, with numerous clubs and organizations, as well as sports teams, volunteer opportunities, and cultural events. There is also a well-established student support network that provides guidance and assistance to students on a wide range of topics, from academic support to personal and financial advice.
• Another key aspect of UWS is its strong commitment to research. The university has a growing reputation as a center of research excellence, and its faculty and students are working on a wide range of cutting-edge projects in areas such as engineering, health, education, and the arts. This research is not only helping to advance knowledge in these fields, but it is also helping to create new opportunities for students and improve the lives of people around the world.
• In conclusion, the University of the West of Scotland is a dynamic and forward-thinking institution that is dedicated to providing its students with the education, skills, and experiences they need to succeed in today's rapidly changing world. With its strong academic programs, vibrant student life, and commitment to research, UWS is the perfect place for students who want to get the most out of their college experience.

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it