MSci Nursing (Adult or combined Adult and Mental Health)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Exeter

Program Overview

The MSci Nursing at the University of Exeter is a four-year integrated master’s degree designed for students who want to become highly skilled nursing professionals, with the option to qualify in Adult Nursing or gain a dual qualification in Adult and Mental Health Nursing. The programme combines nursing theory, clinical placements, simulation-based training and research-led learning to help students develop the practical skills, confidence and professional knowledge needed to provide high-quality, compassionate patient care.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
The first year introduces students to the essential foundations of nursing practice and healthcare. Modules such as Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology, Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice, Nursing Theory into Practice 1, Simulated Practice Learning 1 and Clinical Immersion 1 help students understand human health, develop core nursing skills and begin applying knowledge through simulated and clinical experiences.

Year 2:
The second year focuses on expanding clinical knowledge and improving students’ ability to support patients in different healthcare settings. Through modules including Nursing Theory into Practice 2, Evaluation, Improvement and Research Approaches in Nursing, Simulated Practice Learning 2, Public, Population and Planetary Health and Clinical Immersion 2, students develop skills in evidence-based care, healthcare improvement and understanding wider health challenges.

Year 3:
The third year prepares students for more independent nursing practice while developing leadership and professional skills. Modules such as Simulated Practice Learning 3, Innovation in Nursing Leadership and Management, Clinical Immersion 3, Developing Professional Identity: The Art and History of Nursing, and Nursing Theory into Practice 3 (Adult) or Nursing Theory into Practice 3 (Adult and Mental Health) help students strengthen clinical judgement, leadership abilities and their professional identity as nurses.

Year 4:
The final year provides advanced master’s-level nursing education with a focus on leadership, research and complex clinical decision-making. Students complete modules such as Clinical Academic Internship, Clinical Immersion 4, Simulated Practice Learning 4, and Nursing Theory into Practice 4: Enhancing Clinical Judgement and Decision Making or Using Evidence-Based Practice for Quality in Mental Health, while optional modules including Principles of Advanced Clinical Practice, Fundamentals of Research Design and Education Essentials allow students to further develop specialist interests.

Focus Areas: Adult Nursing, Adult and Mental Health Nursing, Clinical Practice, Evidence-Based Healthcare, Patient-Centred Care, Public Health, Nursing Leadership and Management, Healthcare Research, Professional Practice, Global Health.

Learning Outcomes: Develop advanced nursing knowledge, apply evidence-based approaches to patient care, gain clinical decision-making abilities, build leadership skills, practise safely in healthcare environments, understand professional responsibilities and develop communication, teamwork and research skills required for modern nursing practice.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The MSci Nursing programme is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), allowing graduates to apply for professional nursing registration after successfully completing the programme. The course prepares students for professional nursing careers across healthcare organisations, including NHS services and other healthcare providers.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): The University of Exeter’s Nursing programme has a strong reputation for combining academic excellence with practical clinical training. Students benefit from research-led teaching, simulation facilities and extensive placement opportunities that help develop the professional skills required for successful nursing careers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students on the MSci Nursing at the University of Exeter gain valuable practical experience by combining academic learning, simulation-based training and extensive clinical placements throughout the four-year programme. The course helps students develop confidence in patient care by allowing them to practise essential nursing skills in realistic healthcare environments before applying their knowledge in professional settings. With access to specialist simulation facilities, clinical skills training spaces and healthcare placement opportunities, students build the practical abilities and professional judgement needed for a successful nursing career.

The programme provides a strong practical foundation through simulation, clinical placements and professional healthcare experiences:

Develop clinical skills in the Clinical Skills Resource Centre, where students practise patient assessment, communication, clinical procedures and essential nursing techniques in a safe learning environment.
Train in the Teaching Simulation Ward at Heavitree Hospital, a realistic healthcare setting with patient bays that allows students to practise nursing scenarios and respond to different clinical situations.
Use simulation-based learning technologies, including electronic patient simulators and mock healthcare environments, to improve clinical decision-making and confidence before working with patients.
Spend approximately 50% of the programme in clinical practice placements, gaining hands-on experience across NHS Trusts, community hospitals, primary care services, social care settings and voluntary healthcare organisations.
Complete placements with healthcare partners including Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Devon Partnership NHS Trust and Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Experience different areas of nursing practice through placement rotations, including acute healthcare, mental health services, community nursing, primary care and other specialist care environments.
Take part in additional “spoke” placements that provide wider healthcare exposure in settings such as GP practices, care homes and learning disability services.
Complete an elective practice learning experience in the UK or overseas, allowing students to explore different healthcare systems and broaden their understanding of global nursing practice.
Build professional competence through modules such as Simulated Practice Learning 1–4, Clinical Immersion 1–4, Clinical Academic Internship and Nursing Theory into Practice, which connect classroom knowledge with real clinical experiences.
Work collaboratively with healthcare professionals and students from other healthcare disciplines, developing teamwork and communication skills required in modern healthcare environments.
Use digital learning resources, clinical assessment tools, case studies and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) to practise and demonstrate professional nursing skills.
Access healthcare education facilities at St Luke’s Campus, which supports teaching and training for nursing and other health professional programmes.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A MSci Nursing degree from the University of Exeter prepares graduates for a successful healthcare career by combining advanced nursing knowledge, clinical experience and leadership development. The programme allows students to become eligible for professional nursing registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) while developing the skills needed for roles such as Registered Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Consultant. With strong clinical training, research experience and professional development opportunities, graduates are well prepared to make a positive impact in healthcare settings.

The programme supports your career development through professional accreditation, clinical partnerships and dedicated employability support:

Graduates can apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) after successfully completing the programme, providing a recognised pathway into professional nursing practice.
Gain career-ready experience through extensive clinical placements, simulation-based training and real healthcare learning environments that prepare students for nursing roles in different care settings.
Benefit from the University of Exeter’s Career Zone, which provides individual career guidance, employability advice, skills development support, employer events and help with career planning.
Access employability programmes such as the Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award, which help students demonstrate professional skills, teamwork, leadership and workplace readiness.
Develop professional networks through clinical placement partnerships with healthcare organisations including Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Devon Partnership NHS Trust and Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Progress into careers such as Registered Nurse, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Consultant, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nursing Education Specialist, Nurse Researcher and Healthcare Leadership roles.
Benefit from the integrated master’s structure, which provides advanced nursing education, research experience and leadership development to support progression into senior healthcare roles.
Strengthen your professional profile through experience in evidence-based practice, clinical decision-making, healthcare improvement and patient-centred care.
The NMC-approved programme provides long-term professional value by supporting graduates in developing a recognised nursing career pathway and progressing into specialist areas of healthcare.
The University of Exeter’s Nursing programme has a strong reputation for academic and professional excellence, with recognition in national and global subject rankings, supporting graduate employability in healthcare sectors.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the MSci Nursing, graduates can continue their professional development through advanced postgraduate study and specialist training. Students may progress into areas such as Advanced Clinical Practice, Nursing Leadership, Healthcare Education, Nursing Research, Public Health or specialist clinical pathways. Graduates interested in research and academic careers can also continue to doctoral-level study, such as a PhD in Nursing or Health Sciences, preparing them for roles in healthcare research, education and senior clinical leadership.