Skip to main content Accessibility
Home
Skip to main content Accessibility Home
  • Foundation
  • Undergraduate 2025
  • Undergraduate 2024
  • Postgraduate
  • Research
  • CPD
    •
  • Student Home
  • Welcome new students
  • Cost-of-living support
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Student KLE
  • Staff Directory
  • Library
    •
  • Intranet
    •
    Alumni
  • Faculties
  • Schools
  • Institutes
    •
  • China
  • Hong Kong SAR
  • India
  • Kenya
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UK International
  • Rest of the world
  • Visa
    •

    Specialist Community Nursing - District Nursing Pathway - PgDip, MSc

    Would you like to specialise in District Nursing? Our School of Nursing and Midwifery has developed an NMC-approved Specialist Community Nursing (District Nursing) programme. This programme is available for Home students only who are employed in a community nursing role and are seconded by their employer or funded to undertake the apprenticeship route.

    *This pathway is currently under review pending the outcomes of the Nursing and Midwifery Council review of post-registration standards*

    Month of entry

    • September

    Mode of study

    • Full time, Part time

    Location

    Subject area

    • Nursing

    Fees for 2024/25 academic year


    • UK - The PgDip is an NHS-commissioned programme with no student tuition fees. The MSc (60 credit) top-up fee is £4,250. This programme is also available via an apprenticeship route. 

    Duration of study

    • 1 year full time, 2 years part time

    Why study Specialist Community Nursing - District Nursing Pathway at Keele University?

    Develop and enhance your essential knowledge and skills as a registered practitioner to prepare for a career in specialist community nursing
    Our educational programme and learning environment has a contemporary focus
    The School of Nursing and Midwifery utilises modern teaching facilities, including skills labs and an anatomy suite

    Course summary

    The pressures on the role of the District Nurse have changed substantially over recent years. District Nurses deliver care to patients with a range of complex clinical conditions; these caseload changes are largely as a result of the demographic changes we have seen in recent years (Office of National Statistics (ONS), 2014). An increasingly ageing population and the proposed national shift in the preferred location of care to ‘care closer to home’ (Queens Nursing Institute (QNI), 2013; Department of Health (DH), 2014), has dramatically changed the complexity of the care the service delivers and the dependency of patients requiring such care. These changes have intensified demands on the District Nursing service (QNI, 2015).

    The aim of this programme is to support the development and enhancement of essential knowledge and skills in the registered practitioner to equip them for a career in specialist community nursing. This will be actualised through building upon the theoretical and clinical basis of their specialised area of practice, through delivery of a coherent programme of study. The award options have a contemporary focus and meet the NMC Standards for Specialist Education and Practice (NMC, 2001) for those aspiring to work within the field of District Nursing.

    Next steps

    insert-a start insert-a end

    Course structure

    The Postgraduate Diploma Specialist Community Nursing award – recordable with the NMC - comprises five taught modules and can be undertaken full time over one year or part time over two years (or as an apprenticeship route, part time over two years).

    In order to prepare a practitioner who is able to contribute positively to delivering the health and social care needs of individuals and communities, the educational and learning process will concern itself with the integration and application of theory to practice.   Consequently, the student will develop the ability to reflect on practice and respond proactively to change, whilst maintaining quality within patient/client care.  Critical - thinking skills and a sound evidence base to their practice are essential for competent practice.

    The learning methods selected are used to support students to meet the stated learning outcomes by providing a balance of independent, supported study with choice in relation to topics of relevance and importance to individuals’ teaching contexts, the provision of dialogic development of skills and knowledge through peer and expert support.

    Some of the core modules are shared with other advanced programmes; this enhances inter-professional learning with colleagues from a range of disciplines and clinical areas.

    The option to 'top up' to MSc is available to those who have already completed the PgDip within the last 5 years. The 60 credit top-up fee is £4,250.

    Modules

    The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

    Next steps

    insert-b start insert-b end

    Entry requirements

    • The selection process is undertaken in association with the sponsoring NHS Trust/Organisation. 
    • Please note this programme is available for Home students only who are employed in a community nursing role and are seconded by their employer to undertake the PgDip HEE funded full time (1 year) or part time (2 year) routes or the part time (2 year) Apprenticeship route. 

    Next steps

    Entry requirements

    The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.

    Typical offer

    Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.

    Typical offer: Successful completion of an undergraduate degree and current first level Professional Registration on Part 1 of the NMC Register and sponsorship from an NHS Trust / Organisation

    Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information

    UK

    Successful completion of an undergraduate degree

    and

    current first level Professional Registration on Part 1 of the NMC Register

    and

    sponsorship from an NHS Trust / Organisation


    You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths

    and 

    an English language qualification (see below)

    Bangladesh

    This course is for students with Home fee status only

    and

    must be sponsored by an NHS Trust or Organisation

    Canada

    This course is for students with Home fee status only

    and

    must be sponsored by an NHS Trust or Organisation

    China

    This course is for students with Home fee status only

    and

    must be sponsored by an NHS Trust or Organisation

    Ghana

    This course is for students with Home fee status only

    and

    must be sponsored by an NHS Trust or Organisation

    India

    This course is for students with Home fee status only

    and

    must be sponsored by an NHS Trust or Organisation

    Kenya

    This course is for students with Home fee status only

    and

    must be sponsored by an NHS Trust or Organisation

     

    Nepal

    This course is for students with Home fee status only

    and

    must be sponsored by an NHS Trust or Organisation

    Nigeria

    This course is for students with Home fee status only

    and

    must be sponsored by an NHS Trust or Organisation

    Pakistan

    This course is for students with Home fee status only

    and

    must be sponsored by an NHS Trust or Organisation

    South Africa

    This course is for students with Home fee status only

    and

    must be sponsored by an NHS Trust or Organisation

    Sri Lanka

    This course is for students with Home fee status only

    and

    must be sponsored by an NHS Trust or Organisation

    Uganda

    This course is for students with Home fee status only

    and

    must be sponsored by an NHS Trust or Organisation

    Zimbabwe

    This course is for students with Home fee status only

    and

    must be sponsored by an NHS Trust or Organisation

     
    • The selection process is undertaken in association with the sponsoring NHS Trust/Organisation. 
    • Please note this programme is available for Home students only who are employed in a community nursing role and are seconded by their employer to undertake the PgDip HEE funded full time (1 year) or part time (2 year) routes or the part time (2 year) Apprenticeship route. 

    English language requirements

    All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group E.

    References

    Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.

    Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose

    Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.

    Recognition of Prior Learning

    The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.

    RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.

    General information

    The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

    insert-c start insert-c end

    Funding

    Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2024 start date falls in the 2023/24 academic year. Please see the 2023/24 academic year fees for the relevant fees for starting this course in January 2024.

    Planning your funding

    It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.

    Next steps

    insert-d start insert-d end

    Your career

    The aim of this programme is to support you in the development and enhancement of essential knowledge and skills as a registered practitioner and equip you for a career in specialist community nursing. This will be actualised through building upon the theoretical and clinical basis of your specialised area of practice and developing your intellectual, personal and professional capabilities.

    Our educational programme and learning environment has a contemporary focus which serves to meet the NMC standards for specialist education and practice NMC (2001) and to help you to become a well-rounded practitioner, capable of making a positive and valued contribution in the field of District Nursing.

    Next steps

    insert-e start insert-e end

    Teaching, learning and assessment

    In your programme you will sometimes be expected to role play and engage in simulated clinical scenarios with other students, such as the practice and observation of practical skills in physical contact with other students. For some specific practices, this may necessitate modification of dress - e.g., to shorts and t-shirt.  These activities will be conducted in a professional, safe,  respectful and culturally sensitive way, under the supervision of academic staff, according to a defined protocol.

    Assessment

    Keele University Learning and Teaching Strategy (2011) has informed the development of assessments within this programme. The purpose of the assessments is to measure students’ achievement of the programme learning outcomes  Assessment methods include essays, Reflective analysis/accounts. Portfolios: Examinations, Presentations and Clinical Assessment of Competence in Practice.

    Next steps

    insert-f start

    Keele Postgraduate Association

    Keele University is one of a handful of universities in the UK to have a dedicated students' union for postgraduate students. A fully registered charity, Keele Postgraduate Association serves as a focal point for the social life and welfare needs of all postgraduate students during their time at Keele.

    KPA interior

    Hugely popular, the KPA Clubhouse (near Horwood Hall) provides a dedicated postgraduate social space and bar on campus, where you can grab a bite to eat and drink, sit quietly and read a book, or switch off from academic life at one of the many regular events organised throughout the year. The KPA also helps to host a variety of conferences, as well as other academic and career sessions, to give you and your fellow postgraduates the opportunities to come together to discuss your research, and develop your skills and networks.

    insert-f end     insert-g start insert-g end

    Facilities

    The School of Nursing and Midwifery utilises modern teaching facilities, including skills labs and the anatomy suite where appropriate, to enhance and support the student learning experience. All facilities are equipped with computers, internet access and projection equipment. Rooms are designed to be flexible and can be used for larger groups, also more informally for small groups working together.

    The learning resources available to students on the programme include: 

    An extensive collection of materials relevant to postgraduate study held in both the main University Library on Keele campus, and in the Health Library on the campus of the University Hospital of North Staffordshire. A number of relevant journals are also accessible online to all registered students, and are accessible from anywhere in the world with a University username and password

    The Keele Learning Environment (KLE) provides easy access to a wide range of learning resources including lecture notes and presentations, discussion boards and blogs enabling students and tutors to discuss topics, all information about the programme and all modules, and other materials designed specifically for particular modules.

    Computers for student use are situated in both the Main Library, also in the Health Library.

    Next steps

    insert-h start insert-h end
    Visit us Enquire about this course Programme specifications
    Book to visit us