MSc Professional Nursing (Adult Nursing)
A pre-registration nursing master’s programme preparing graduates for adult nursing practice in Ireland’s healthcare system.
Best for:Best for graduates with a first degree in any subject who have relevant healthcare experience and seek a regulated nursing qualification with a focus on adult care.
Overview
This two-year full-time master’s programme at Queen’s University Belfast is designed for graduates seeking to qualify as adult nurses. It combines academic study with hands-on clinical training to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for person-centred, team-based care in modern healthcare settings. Applicants must demonstrate both academic excellence and practical experience through a portfolio of verified direct care hours. The programme is subject to funding availability and requires additional checks such as occupational health assessments and criminal record clearances. Graduates will be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in the UK.
What you'll do
- Develop and apply advanced clinical skills in adult nursing care within diverse healthcare settings.
- Engage in evidence-based practice to deliver safe, effective, and person-centred care.
- Complete mandatory clinical placements to gain hands-on experience in real-world healthcare environments.
- Participate in academic modules covering nursing theory, ethics, and healthcare policy.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to enhance patient outcomes.
- Adhere to professional standards and regulatory requirements set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
Requirements
Degree required: Honours degree (2:1 or equivalent) in any subject. Candidates with a 2:2 degree may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Degree offered: MSc Professional Nursing (Adult Nursing)
Language: English proficiency (assumed for applicants with a UK degree; additional evidence may be required for international applicants).
Instruction: English
- Minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) including English Language, Mathematics, and a Science subject (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Physics).
- Verified direct care experience amounting to 650 hours, documented by a manager.
- Proficiency in written and verbal communication to produce personal statements reflecting nursing competencies.
- Ability to meet occupational health and criminal record checks (Access NI Enhanced Disclosure).
- Applicants must be eligible for a funded place (Northern Ireland residents only in 2026).
- Students who have already received Department of Health funding for pre-registration Nursing/Midwifery/AHP courses in Northern Ireland are ineligible.
- Qualified nurses and midwives may be exempt from portfolio requirements but must meet GCSE equivalency.
- Applicants with a BSc (Ordinary) in Nursing must provide a portfolio for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) if lacking one year of practice.
Funding & terms
Programme and admissions
Admissions not verified
A catalogue listing does not mean applications are open or funding is guaranteed. Check the source for your intake.
- Intake
- Not confirmed by the source
- Duration
- Not confirmed by the source
- Teaching language
- Not confirmed by the source
- Taught / research mode
- Not confirmed by the source
- Study mode
- Not confirmed by the source
- Campus
- Not confirmed by the source
- Prerequisites
- Not confirmed by the source
- Application instructions
- Not confirmed by the source
- Tuition
- Not confirmed by the source
- Funding
- Not confirmed by the source
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-05-27
Applicants must submit a portfolio of evidence including 650 verified direct care hours and personal statements. Applications are processed through Queen’s University Belfast’s postgraduate application portal. Shortlisting occurs by 27th May 2026, with interviews in early June. Offers are conditional on meeting academic requirements, occupational health assessments, and criminal record checks.
- CV or curriculum vitae
- Portfolio of evidence (650 hours of verified direct care)
- Personal statements reflecting nursing competencies
- GCSE certificates or equivalent qualifications
- Degree transcripts and certificates
- Reference letters (if applicable)
- Proof of eligibility for a funded place (if applicable)
Contact
Queen's University Belfast Admissions· Postgraduate Admissions Office
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