Public Health Practice SCPHN School Nursing PGDip - 2027/8
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Final award and programme/pathway title
PGDip Public Health Practice SCPHN School Nursing
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| PGCert | Public Health Practice |
Professional recognition
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a post-registration and CPD qualification.
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | PTA56917 | 120 credits and 60 ECTS credits |
| Part-time | PTA56918 | 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 specialist community public health nurses https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/standards-for-post-registration/standards-of-proficiency-for-specialist-community-public-health-nurses2/ 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
DOWNER Karin (Health Sci.)
Date of production/revision of spec
08/07/2026
Educational aims of the programme
- To develop critically autonomous specialist public health nurses in school nursing who can adapt and tailor their response to enable them to improve population health whilst promoting human rights and addressing inequalities.
- To develop school nurses who undertake assessments of school age children and young people that are child centred, safeguarding those who are most vulnerable, advocating for fairness and social justice to support children and young people to reach their full potential.
- To equip school nursing students with the knowledge and skills to design, deliver and evaluate culturally competent, maturity appropriate, person-centred health promotion to empower school age children, young people and families to make informed choices in relation to health behaviours.
- To equip school nursing students, in partnership with health, education and other agencies, with the skills to lead and transform public health practice through the application of the latest evidence and research whilst considering the impact of diversity on health and equitable service provision.
- To provide school nurse students with the theoretical and practical competencies to meet the standards of proficiency for entry to the NMC register as a SCPHN School Nurse.
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| Critically evaluate and apply the evidence base and public health data in order to promote health and prevent ill health and disability that are influenced by genetics, life choices, inequality, environmental factors, non-communicable diseases, trauma, public health hazards and emergencies and pandemics. | KCPT | PGCert, PGDip | |
| Identify opportunities to lead, influence and collaborate with other agencies, organisations and professionals to critically evaluate and develop innovative, sustainable public health interventions that inform and improve health across the life course within communities. | KCPT | PGDip | |
| To develop innovative and culturally competent, autonomous practitioners who are committed to advocating for and improving people¿s fundamental human right for health and wellbeing, reflecting the contemporary developments in the delivery of public health. | KCPT | PGCert, PGDip | |
| Demonstrate a critical awareness of the impact of vulnerability on children and families and analyse policy; to play a key role in the safeguarding of those people who are most vulnerable in society to ensure early intervention and prevention. | KCPT | PGCert, PGDip | |
| To develop advanced assessment and surveillance skills in order to identify the unique health needs of individuals, families and communities in order to address health inequalities. | KPT | PGDip | |
| Critically apply theory to the biopsychosocial assessment in relation to child development, considering physical and mental health, vulnerability, capacity, consent, cognitive ability confidentiality, intergenerational cycles of dependency and adversity to safely manage challenges and conflicts both in terms of individual and population health. | KCPT | PGCert, PGDip | |
| Demonstrate application of specialist knowledge and evidence to build trusting relationships in order to promote, support and improve the health and wellbeing of school aged children and young people, recognising the rights of the child and the increased vulnerability at transition stages. | KPT | PGDip | |
| Applying the theory and evidence base, critically assess existing services to identify gaps in order to design, deliver and evaluate public health interventions that respect the rights of parents and children; ensuring their voices are heard with regard to equity, diversity and inclusion. | KCPT | PGCert, PGDip | |
| Apply advanced communication and leadership knowledge and skills to lead teams and promote the visibility of school nursing services and ensure accessibility through engagement with school aged children and young people, parents, carers, families, school staff and other stakeholders. | KPT | PGDip | |
| Demonstrate critical awareness of the impact of socio-economic disadvantage including digital poverty, and work with others to facilitate policy change that supports school aged children and young people to achieve their potential. | KCPT | 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 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
N/A
Year 2 (Part-Time) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HCRM043 | ADVANCED ASSESSMENT AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING PRACTICE | Core | 15 | 1 |
| HCRM052 | SAFEGUARDING IN HEALTHCARE | Core | 15 | 2 |
| NURM202 | LEADING SERVICE DEVELOPMENT IN PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING | Core | 30 | Year-long |
Module Selection for Year 2 (Part-Time) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
N/A
Year 1 (Part-Time) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Module Selection for Year 1 (Part-Time) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
N/A
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
On achieving a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Practice (SCPHN School Nursing), students are eligible to register with the NMC as a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse School Nurse. Registration must be completed within five years; failure to do so will require additional education, training, or experience in line with NMC standards (NMC 2022b 5.2).
Exit with a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health Practice does not lead to an NMC award. Any module combination, except Developing Autonomous Practice in SCPHN (School Nursing), can contribute to the 60 credits required.
The School of Health Sciences is committed to developing graduates with strengths in employability, digital capability, global and cultural awareness, sustainability, and resilience.
Digital capabilities: Students develop skills in critical information use, problem-solving and innovation, including technology-enhanced learning. These support evidence-based practice, service development and leadership in modern digital healthcare environments.
Employability: Students are NMC-registered nurses (level 1) or midwives. The programme develops skills and knowledge to enhance career progression, with successful completion enabling SCPHN School Nurse registration.
Global and cultural capabilities: The programme reflects the diversity of health and social care, incorporating varied cultural perspectives and emphasising equity, diversity and inclusion, aligned with NMC standards.
Resourcefulness and resilience: Students build reflective and adaptive skills to respond to changing community needs, using scenario-based experiential learning grounded in professional experience.
Sustainability: Students are encouraged to promote health as a fundamental human right, developing innovative public health services aligned with contemporary practice and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, supported through flexible and sustainable programme 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 2027/8 academic year.