Postgraduate Diploma Community Specialist Practice: District Nursing (Independent and Supplementary Prescribing Route)
Do you have the leadership qualities to become a district nurse and inspire your own team in the community? Our postgraduate diploma will support your ambitions.
Are you ready to take the next step in your nursing career and become a leader in community healthcare? The Postgraduate Diploma in Community Specialist Practice: District Nursing is designed to equip you with the advanced skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to thrive in modern healthcare settings. Delivered by expert educators in the School of Health Sciences, this programme will prepare you to take on an essential role in delivering high-quality care to patients in their homes and communities.
With healthcare rapidly evolving, district nurses are at the forefront of shaping new models of care that bring treatment closer to people’s homes. This course ensures that you develop the clinical expertise and leadership skills required to manage complex cases and work as an autonomous practitioner. You'll gain hands-on experience and advanced practice knowledge, enabling you to make a real impact in a fast-changing health and social care environment.
Join us and become part of a future-focused profession dedicated to improving patient care in the community. Whether you are looking to enhance your clinical skills, take on leadership responsibilities, or drive innovation in district nursing, this programme provides the foundation for your success. Apply today and start your journey towards a rewarding and influential career in community healthcare.
School
Location
Duration
1 years full-time
Start month
January
2025/26 fees
To be confirmedWhat you should know about this course
What you will study
About the course team
Welcome to our Specialist Practitioner (District Nursing) PGDip. Your teaching comes from an experienced team of expert practitioners and lecturers. These include academics and practitioners with a wide range of experience. All of our teaching team hold a teaching qualification.
Come and meet us
We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
Applicants need to be currently registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a Nurse (level 1 with relevant professional registration), (including NHS, self-employed or non-NHS employed registrants).
Normally have a least two years post registration experience including community experience (the applicant will have been registered with the NMC for a minimum of one year prior to application for entry onto the programme.
Applicants will need to evidence that they have the competence, experience and academic ability to study at the level required for the programme.
Applicants should have a relevant degree, normally at 2:2 or above (a minimum of 120 credits at Level 6).
For more information, use our contact form or call us on 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
Further information about entry
Applicants must show prior study in English or achieve a minimum IELTS score of 7 in all skills or an equivalent rating in another Secure English Language Test.
Available to overseas students?
No
Can I use Prior Learning?
Applicants lacking requirements may apply via RPEL with a relevant DipHE (120+ Level 5 credits) and some Level 6 credits. Contact the Programme Leader before applying.
How you will learn
Teaching
A spiral progressive curriculum integrates theory and practice through an incremental learning approach, supporting academic and professional growth. It fosters a dynamic, collaborative learning community involving universities, practitioners, employers, and students to enhance employability and lifelong learning. Varied teaching strategies accommodate different learning styles, incorporating enquiry-based learning, skills development, and simulation for practical application.
Class sizes
30 students max and for shared modules up to 70 students.
Independent learning
Outside of timetabled sessions, you will need to dedicate time to self-study to prepare for coursework, presentations and exams. Our library and online resources will support your further reading and research. You can also join a range of student activities to support your learning.
Overall workload
The programme incorporates both theory and practice including simulation.
Assessment
The assessment strategy ensures District Nurses demonstrate required knowledge, skills, and behaviours through flexible, practice-relevant tasks. It promotes multidisciplinary learning, critical thinking, and academic rigor. Assessments include workbooks, case studies, OSCEs, essays, presentations, exams, and practice-based evaluations. A 50% minimum pass mark applies. Inclusive scenarios reflect UK and international contexts, with formative and summative feedback supporting development.
Feedback summary
Information coming soon.
Dates and timetables
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.
Fees and funding
University is a great investment in your future. English-domiciled graduate annual salaries were £10,500 more than non-graduates in 2023 - and the UK Government projects that 88% of new jobs by 2035 will be at graduate level.
(Source: DfE Graduate labour market statistics: 2023/DfE Labour market and skills projections: 2020 to 2035).
2025/26 fees
To be confirmed.Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a wide range of financial help including scholarships and bursaries.
The Greenwich Bursary
This bursary is worth £700 for new undergraduate students with a low household income, entering Year 0 or 1 who meet the eligibility criteria.
EU Bursary
Following the UK's departure from the European Union, we are supporting new EU students by offering a substantial fee-reduction for studying.
Financial support
We want your time at university to be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress, so planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
Careers and placements
Will I have a work placement?
Students will be offered work placement at their individual employing Trust for their practice sessions and will also have the opportunity to participate in other alternative placements to support their learning.
How long is my placement?
Placement runs throughout the course either as week placements or two days a week plus the final ten weeks of the course are spent in consolidation of learning and on placement.
What are the financial arrangements?
To undertake this course you will be seconded or sponsored and therefore will be paid a salary by the employing Trust; this is independent of the university.
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
The programme prepares Specialist Community Practitioners for employment through a dynamic learning community involving universities, employers, and students. Teaching methods develop clinical skills, knowledge, and professional values, while assessments align with career pathways. Employability support includes CV writing, job applications, interview prep, and career fairs. Students can join the Greenwich Employability Passport and access online resources for career development.
Are internships available?
Not applicable for this course.
Do you provide employability services?
Our Employability & Careers Service (ECS) is committed to supporting our students and recent graduates in their transition towards a rewarding graduate destination. We aim to empower our students to achieve their potential, with support including: CV and cover letter checks Application support One-to-one careers advice Interview tips and support Careers fairs Internships Graduate jobs.
Accommodation
Avery Hill
Our Avery Hill halls of residence are a home away from home to over 1,200 students. For those studying in Greenwich, our free shuttle bus service takes you to Greenwich campus in only 25 minutes. Excellent transport links also mean you can be in central London in under 30 minutes, and you're a short walk away from the historic Eltham Palace.
The Avery Hill student village has many useful facilities including a convenience store, launderette and two cafes. The halls are an ideal option for those wanting access to the hustle and bustle of London while living in a safe and relaxing parkland environment.
With our seven different halls, you have a variety of options depending on your preferences and budget. Rooms start at £133.98/wk and include Wi-Fi, utility bills, access to our on-site gym, 24/7 security and 24-hour residential support.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
The Programme Leader provides overall academic direction, while module leaders and teaching teams offer topic-specific support and feedback. Frequent communication occurs between students, tutors, and the programme team. In practice-based learning, students are supported by assessors, supervisors, and multidisciplinary teams. Each student has a Personal Tutor for academic and pastoral support, with additional resources available for IT skills, library support, counselling, and chaplaincy services.
Support from the department
The programme team prioritises a supportive learning environment to help students reach their full potential. Students are expected to engage per postgraduate requirements and the Student Engagement Policy. Week One induction introduces a support system, including academic skills workshops. Early academic writing assessments help identify individual needs, with students directed to relevant support resources to enhance their learning experience.
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