Primary and Community Care SPQ District Nursing PGDip - 2026/7
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Final award and programme/pathway title
PGDip Primary and Community Care SPQ District Nursing
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| PGCert | Community Nursing Practice |
Professional recognition
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a post-registration and CPD qualification.
The Queen's Institute for Community Nursing (QICN)
This programme is endorsed by the Queen's Institute of Community Nursing.
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | PTA56911 | 120 credits and 60 ECTS credits |
| Part-time | PTA56912 | 120 credits and 60 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Other internal and / or external reference points
NMC (2022a) Standards of proficiency for community nursing specialist practice qualifications (SPQ) https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/standards-for-post-registration/standards-of-proficiency-for--community-nursing-specialist-practice-qualifications/ NMC (2022b) Part 3: Standards for post-registration programmes https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/standards-for-post-registration/standards-for-post-registration-programmes/ NMC (2018a) Part 1: Standards framework for nursing and midwifery education https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards-for-education-and-training/standards-framework-for-nursing-and-midwifery-education/ NMC (2018b) Part 2: Standards for student supervision and assessment https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards-for-education-and-training/standards-for-student-supervision-and-assessment/
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences - School of Health Sciences
Programme Leader
OOZAGEER GUNOWA Neesha (Health Sci.)
Date of production/revision of spec
30/10/2026
Educational aims of the programme
- To develop a critical and autonomous practitioner who will be able to innovate and evaluate change within the community based on formidable research base.
- To develop students to become confident system leaders, driving innovations and research within a multidisciplinary team.
- To enhance students' competence in public health management and complex decision making to enable them to make a significant contribution to service user care and service development.
- To enhance the students' understanding, knowledge and expertise to lead and develop primary and community care practice safely.
- To provide Community Nursing SPQ District Nurse students with the theoretical and practical competencies to meet the standards of proficiency to enable them to gain the recordable NMC qualification of Community Nursing SPQ District Nursing.
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| To evidence a comprehensive level of theoretical knowledge and demonstrate the practical application of the capabilities appropriate to the NMC SPQ District Nursing pathway. | KPT | PGDip | |
| To practise in compliance with the NMC code and Standards of proficiency for community nursing specialist practice qualifications (SPQ), being responsible and accountable for decisions, actions and omissions at this specialist level of practice. | KPT | PGDip | |
| To demonstrate the ability to continually develop practice in response to changing population health need, engaging in horizon scanning for future developments (e.g. impacts of genomics, new treatments and changing social challenges). | KCP | PGCert, PGDip | |
| Make sound professional judgments in the assessment, planning and delivery of care and services demonstrating critical reflection on own practice, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and openness to change within a diverse society. | CP | PGDip | |
| Communicate complex knowledge relating to primary and community care effectively in professional and academic arenas. | PT | PGCert, PGDip | |
| Initiate, evaluate and meet the person-centred, holistic care needs of the people they encounter through interventions which may include advanced medicines management, digital technologies, therapies, lifestyle advice and care. | KCP | PGCert, PGDip | |
| Take a critical approach to identify gaps in the evidence base and its application to practice, alerting appropriate individuals and organisations to these and how they might be addressed in a safe and pragmatic way. | KCP | PGCert, PGDip | |
| Identify and define complex problems and apply relevant knowledge and skills to their solution, including risk assessment and management and supporting teams to do likewise to ensure the safety of individuals, families and carers in their home, in settings close to home and the community. | KPT | PGDip | |
| Evaluate and audit own and others' clinical practice, selecting and applying valid, reliable methods, then act on the findings. | KP | PGDip | |
| Critically analyse and engage in community focused research activity, adhering to good research practice guidance, so that evidence-based strategies are developed and applied to enhance quality, safety, productivity and value for money. | CP | PGCert, PGDip | |
| Critically analyse own practice, and participate in multi-disciplinary service and team evaluation, demonstrating the impact of specialist practice on service function and effectiveness, and quality all whilst working across boundaries and broadening their sphere of influence. | CPT | PGCert, PGDip | |
| Demonstrate team leadership, resilience and determination, managing situations that are unfamiliar, complex or unpredictable and seeking to build confidence in others. | KPT | PGCert, PGDip |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This programme is studied full-time over one year, consisting of 120 credits at FHEQ level 6/7. Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
Part-time
This programme is studied part-time over two years, consisting of 120 credits at FHEQ level 6/7. Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Module Selection for Year 1 - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Students must select either Holistic Pain Management or Application of Decision Making
Year 2 (Part-Time) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HCRM044 | ADVANCING PRACTICE IN LONG TERM CONDITIONS | Core | 15 | 1 |
| HCRM051 | PATIENT SAFETY, QUALITY AND RISK | Core | 15 | Cross Year |
| HCRM033 | ADVANCED MEDICINES MANAGEMENT | Core | 15 | 2 |
| NURM201 | HOLISTIC PAIN MANAGEMENT | Optional | 15 | 2 |
| HCRM034 | APPLICATION OF DECISION MAKING | Optional | 15 | 2 |
Module Selection for Year 2 (Part-Time) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Students must select either Holistic Pain Management or Application of Decision Making
Year 1 (Part-Time) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HCRM048 | INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH | Core | 15 | 1 |
| NURM141 | RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY | Core | 15 | 2 |
| NURM199 | EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE | Core | 15 | 2 |
| NURM200 | ESSENTIALS OF SPECIALIST PRACTICE AND HEALTH ASSESSMENT | Core | 15 | Year-long |
Module Selection for Year 1 (Part-Time) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Students must select either Holistic Pain Management or Application of Decision Making
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | Y | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | N | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | N | |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | Y | Yes |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
"Graduates completing the Postgraduate Diploma in Primary and Community Care SPQ District Nursing will be eligible to record the Community Nursing SPQ District Nursing qualification with the NMC. This must be recorded within five years of programme completion; otherwise, additional education, training or experience may be required (NMC, 2022b).
Students exiting with a Postgraduate Certificate in Community Nursing Practice (60 credits) will not receive the SPQ award. Eligible module combinations exclude Essentials of Specialist Practice and Health Assessment.
The programme develops five key graduate capabilities:
Digital capabilities: Critical use of digital technologies, information and innovative learning approaches to support clinical decision-making, health needs assessment and service development.
Employability: Advanced clinical and leadership capabilities that enhance professional practice, career progression and specialist district nursing expertise.
Global and cultural capabilities: Inclusive, culturally responsive practice underpinned by equity, diversity and the NMC SPQ standards (2022a), supported by clinical experts and service users.
Resourcefulness and resilience: Reflective practice, adaptability and effective responses to complex community healthcare situations through experiential and scenario-based learning.
Sustainability: Leadership in developing innovative, equitable and sustainable community nursing services, supported by flexible learning approaches that minimise disruption to healthcare delivery."
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.