Keen to step up within your role as a nurse? Interested in broadening your horizons or improving your ability to manage? Our 100% online and part-time short postgraduate nursing course is designed for practising nurses who are keen to continue their professional development and take on new challenges within their field.

You will have the ability to customise your studies by selecting from a range of modules in various healthcare and management topics alongside our compulsory offer, including:

  • the management of disease, including pathophysiology and pharmacology
  • the principles of pain management
  • the theoretical knowledge required to support the delivery and management of diabetes care both in primary and secondary healthcare settings
  • the role of nurses in meeting the needs of vulnerable individuals, groups and communities
  • the scientific concepts underpinning infection control and prevention
  • contemporary models and strategies to guide the design of effective health promotion activities
  • practical leadership skills underpinned by a critical appreciation of leadership theory

Upon completion of your PG Cert Nursing, we offer the opportunity for you to progress on to study for a PG Dip Nursing (120 credits) or an MSc Nursing (180 credits).

We're proud to be rated Gold in the Times Higher Education (THE) Online Rankings 2024. Our achievement, which is based on four pillars - resources, engagement, outcomes and environment - recognises our commitment to excellent online education.

PG Cert Award
April, July, October Start
Part-time, Distance, Online Study Mode
8 months Duration

Entry Requirements For This Course

We know that many people from non-traditional backgrounds would succeed on our courses! That's why we offer two different entry routes, taking into account your prior work experience and relevant qualifications. You will also need to meet our English language requirements.

Additionally, you will need to pass your first assignment set within your two-week induction period of the course in order to continue with your studies.

Because of the work-based nature of the programme, all students must be working in clinical practice as a registered nurse or with a license to practice as a nurse with a nursing regulator or appropriate licensing board.

Academic entry route

In order to satisfy the Academic Entry Route requirements for our PG Cert Nursing programme students must meet the following criteria as a minimum:

  • An undergraduate degree or equivalent in a health or social care related subject from an approved institution
  • Working in clinical practice as a registered nurse or licensed to practice as a nurse with a nursing regulator or appropriate licensing board

Work experience entry route

Students who do not have a degree may be eligible for entry and will be considered on an individual basis. In order to satisfy the work experience entry route requirements for our PG Cert Nursing, you must meet the following criteria:

  • at least three years' post-qualification work experience as a registered nurse or licensed to practice as a nurse with a nursing regulator or appropriate licensing board, supported by appropriate references

English language requirements

As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency with English is required. If English is not your first language, your English ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0. Don't worry if you don't hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification - we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.

You don't need to prove your English ability if you are a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries.

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