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Build on your experience, knowledge, and skills of nursing and take your career to the next level. Develop understanding of research and health needs that directly relate to the NHS and other employers. Gain a wider perspective of healthcare and a valuable network of contacts with a range of health professionals.
The MSc Nursing course builds on the knowledge, skills and experience you've already gained from an undergraduate degree in nursing and will enable you to further develop your skills of critical enquiry, using evidence in practice, and develop your confidence in undertaking research.
You’ll learn how to further develop yourself as a leader and enable change and continuous improvement in practice. Nursing is increasingly a profession where higher qualifications are essential, so a nursing master's degree can help you in pursuit of higher level management, education or clinical roles within healthcare settings both in the UK and overseas.
This will allow you to advance your professional career, making a greater contribution to people’s health and wellbeing and the quality of the experience of service users, carers and families.
The MSc Nursing course mixes taught elements with independent research and self-directed study. There is flexibility to pursue personal interests in considerable depth, with guidance and inspiration from our supportive tutors.
We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods which include lectures, seminars, case studies, presentations, group work, directed study and tutorials.
Compared to an undergraduate course, you'll find that this nursing master's degree requires a higher level of independent working. Assessment methods include essays, reports, case studies, exams and presentations.
Whether you’re thinking of applying for a nursing degree or working towards one and considering your career options, did you know there are plenty of other job opportunities outside the traditional hospital setting? Here, we’re exploring just a few alternative careers for nurses.
Learn more about alternative jobs for nurses
Nursing is one of the UK’s most employable types of degree and gives you the opportunity to make a real difference to people's lives. Find out more about what you can do with a nursing degree.
Explore the career paths available in nursing
Our typical offer is:
| Qualification | Minimum grade |
|---|---|
| a Canadian bachelor's degree | GPA 2.40 |
| a USA bachelor's degree | GPA 2.5 |
If you already hold a postgraduate qualification, please see our Applying for additional postgraduate degrees Help and Advice article.
If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.
If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.
We require applicants to hold at least a 2:2 honours degree in nursing.
If English isn't your first language, you'll need a British Council International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall score of 6.5 (or equivalent), with at least 5.5 in each band. After 6 April 2015, you must take your IELTS exams at one of the test centres listed on the UKVI website. If you took your IELTS exam before 6 April 2015, this doesn't apply, and your qualification is still valid regardless of which test centre you used.
2025/26 fees:
Part-time study is not available to international students who require a student visa to study in the UK.
If you're unsure whether you qualify as a UK, EU, or international student, find out more in our Help and Advice article.
Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
A master's in nursing could boost your prospects of promotion to a more fulfilling role and a higher band of salary. A promotion to a higher band of pay can quickly ensure a good return on investment. Within the NHS, salaries for nurse team managers are rated as band 7 and salaries for nurse consultants are rated as band 8.
By the end of the MSc Nursing course, you'll have a wider perspective of healthcare generally, as well as a valuable network of contacts with a range of health professionals. You'll also have gained additional credibility as a practitioner. As a result, you'll have new and varied career options.
Find out more about where a career in nursing could take you.
The University has state-of-the-art facilities in an excellent teaching and learning environment.
The quality and wealth of knowledge and skills I have accumulated is unbelievable.
I would certainly recommend the MSc Nursing degree to others as the course content is really good.
It’s a great course to study in a lovely city, with fantastic beaches and friendly people.
For those looking for excellence in educational delivery, Sunderland is a highly recommended choice.
I have been enjoying the excellent learning facilities and the friendly and supportive lecturers.
