Public Health Practice (SCPHN) (Health Visiting) MSc - 2026/7
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 7
Final award and programme/pathway title
MSc Public Health Practice (SCPHN) (Health Visiting)
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| PGDip | Public Health Practice (SCPHN) (Health Visiting) |
| PGCert | Healthcare Practice |
Professional recognition
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
Recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as an approved programme for the specialist community public health nursing part of the register.
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | PTA61047 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
| Part-time | PTA61044 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Nursing
Other internal and / or external reference points
NMC standards for SCPHN
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences - School of Health Sciences
Programme Leader
ROBERTS Sarah (Health Sci.)
Date of production/revision of spec
18/12/2024
Educational aims of the programme
- Advance the critical and analytical skills of the students to allow critical evaluation of current public health policy and practice, to equip students to initiate, lead and manage change, and to problem solve across disciplines and organisations, drawing on a breadth of knowledge from an inter-professional approach to education.
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| Draw on a range of research based information to inform their understanding of the practice of public health and underpin practice and service development. | K | PGDip, MSc | |
| Utilise and critically evaluate appropriate tools and screening processes to identify individuals and groups who are at risk and in need of further support | K | PGDip, MSc | |
| Initiate and engage effectively in professional debate over policy and practice issues and development. | K | PGDip, MSc | |
| Identify and define complex problems and apply relevant knowledge and skills to their solution to protect the public¿s health and wellbeing from specific risks | C | MSc | |
| Critically analyse and interpret data and communicate information about the health and wellbeing related needs of a defined population | C | MSc | |
| Critically evaluate, challenge and apply health policies relating to the wellbeing and protection of groups and communities and their environments | C | PGDip, MSc | |
| Evaluate and apply legal and ethical principles within their own area of practice | C | PGDip, MSc | |
| Recognise and determine complex problems and issues clearly and initiate and manage projects to improve health and wellbeing of individuals and groups. | C | PGDip, MSc | |
| Critically evaluate and apply research methodologies and other evidence based knowledge to synthesise information for the advancement of public health practice | C | PGDip, MSc | |
| Critically evaluate and utilise evidence based knowledge and information for the advancement of public health practice | C | PGDip | |
| Critically analyse and interpret data and apply relevant knowledge and skills to their solution to protect the public¿s health and wellbeing from specific risks | C | PGDip | |
| Critically evaluate and utilise evidence based knowledge and information for the advancement of public health practice | C | PGDip | |
| Establish working partnerships to raise awareness about health and social wellbeing and related factors, services and resources | P | PGDip, MSc | |
| Communicate effectively and confidently in an academic or professional arena | P | PGDip, MSc | |
| Identify opportunities to work collaboratively to initiate and develop health programmes and services to reduce inequalities | P | PGDip, MSc | |
| Develop effective communication skills to empower individuals and groups to improve their health and wellbeing | T | PGDip, MSc | |
| Reflect on own and others¿ functioning in order to improve practice | T | PGDip, MSc | |
| Develop as an independent and self-critical learner, able to manage own requirements for continuing professional development. | T | PGDip, MSc | |
| Work effectively with a public health team as a member and a leader, clarifying tasks and making effective use of the capacities of group members | T | PGDip, MSc | |
| Become an independent and self-critical learner, able to manage own requirements for continuing professional development. | T | PGDip, MSc |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Master's Degree programme is studied full-time over a maximum period of four academic years, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7*. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
*some programmes may contain up to 30 credits at FHEQ level 6.
Parts of this programme may be studied outside of the standard University structure and may be subject to professional body requirements.
Part-time
This Master's Degree programme is studied part-time over a maximum period of five academic years, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7*. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
*some programmes may contain up to 30 credits at FHEQ level 6.
Parts of this programme may be studied outside of the standard University structure and may be subject to professional body requirements.
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Module Selection for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Students must complete all core modules and take Specialist Practice in SCPHN OR Specialist Practice in SCPHN including V100.
Students must choose one optional module.
Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Module Selection for Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Students must complete all core modules and take Specialist Practice in SCPHN OR Specialist Practice in SCPHN including V100.
Students must choose one optional module.
Year 2 (part-time) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Module Selection for Year 2 (part-time) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Students must complete all core modules and take Specialist Practice in SCPHN OR Specialist Practice in SCPHN including V100.
Students must choose one optional module.
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | N | |
| 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) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
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.