PG Dip Specialist Community Public Health Nurse: Health Visiting
- Entry year:
- 2026/27
- Start date:
- September
- Study mode:
- Full-time
- Course duration:
- 54 weeks
- Campus:
- City
About this course
Study at LJMU to complete a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse Qualification in Health Visiting
This postgraduate-level programme is designed to develop autonomous, specialist community public health nurses (SCPHNs) in the field of Health Visiting. It prepares practitioners to meet the complex demands of contemporary public health practice, beyond the requirements of initial professional registration.
Students will work towards a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registerable qualification in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Health Visiting), underpinned by a curriculum that integrates theoretical knowledge with applied practice.
Programme Highlights:
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Undertake a recognised NMC-approved qualification in SCPHN (Health Visiting)
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Be taught and supported by a multidisciplinary team of academic staff, experienced nurses, and public health specialists
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Study a curriculum commended by the NMC for its enhanced practice orientation and strong alignment with public health priorities
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Demonstrate achievement of NMC (2022) professional competencies through both academic assessment and supervised practice
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Complete a practice placement, gaining experience in real-world settings under the guidance of qualified practitioners
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Engage in critical analysis, reflective practice, and the development of lifelong learning skills
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Develop leadership capabilities and professional attributes to become a mentor and role model for others working in public health nursing
Educational Aims:
The overarching aim of the SCPHN Health Visiting programme is to prepare practitioners who are culturally competent, critically reflective, and committed to improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities across diverse communities (NMC, 2022). Graduates will be equipped to advocate for social justice, understand and address the wider determinants of health, and deliver evidence-based, person-centred care.
Health Visitors operate at the forefront of community and public health, providing individualised care that promotes autonomy, dignity, and respect. This programme places emphasis on the core values of SCPHN practice: leadership, innovation, equity, and continuous professional development.
Through this academic and practice-based approach, learners will cultivate the skills and insight necessary to:
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Deliver holistic, family-centred care to children, parents, and families in community settings
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Apply trauma-informed approaches and respond effectively to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
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Collaborate effectively within multi-agency and interprofessional teams to safeguard and promote health and wellbeing across the life course
Graduates will emerge as confident, reflective, and forward-thinking Health Visitors- ready to make a significant impact within the communities they serve and lead the future of specialist community public health nursing.
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
You will study core modules on your programme to a total of 120 credits.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Advancing Public Health, Evidenced-based Practice and Application
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills to work as a public health practitioner in the community setting within your field of practice.
It introduces the discipline of public health and the use of evidence to improve services. You will also learn how public policy can influence health needs and service development. The wider determinants of health and health inequalities will be examined in detail. Principles and concepts of health promotion will also be covered.
Advancing Leadership and Management
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to enhance your skills and knowledge, enabling you to take a central role in the development of practice within your working environment.
It will also provide an opportunity for you to engage in debate and discussion, so you can identify your strengths and weaknesses as a leader within your organisation.
You will further consider how you can influence and inspire others at both a local, regional, national and international level.
Advancing Specialist Community Public Health Nursing - School Nurse and Health Visitor Practice
40 credits
40 credits
To help the learner to maximise learning opportunities and experiences within their practice field. There is a necessity for the learner to be exposed to wider, complex issues within the community and how to strategically plan for care delivery.
Safeguarding and Advocacy
20 credits
20 credits
This module is to equip the SCPHN students to promote and protect children, young people and families in the safeguarding arena. It will enhance skills and knowledge in identifying risks and intervening to safeguard individuals and families.
Promoting Mental Health and Well-being
20 credits
20 credits
In this module, SCPHN students will be equipped to systematically evaluate the integration of professional, decision-making, and intervention strategies within the framework of their specialised roles. The module aims to augment students' understanding of mental health issues, cultivating an empathetic, inclusive approach. The utilization of simulation films will provide opportunities to engage in authentic, challenging conversations, thereby broadening both knowledge and proficiency in this intricate area of professional practice.
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
The timetable comprises 40% theory and 60% practice.
Module teaching is on two, and, very occasionally, three specified days of the week. The university day usually runs from 9.30am to 4pm and some sessions may be accessed via Microsoft Teams. Practice days are planned for most weeks throughout the course timetable.
This approach has been developed in partnership with students, practice assessors, NHS mangers and service users. It aims to support students to balance their practice and academic work. Practice day shift patterns vary by placement area, but generally attendance is required 9am-5pm.
Teaching methods
An important element of the programme is to recognise and utilise the current skills of the students and to build on these competencies. Students are encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences and to network both within their peer group and externally. The teaching and learning activities will build on student experiences and will facilitate and encourage further development of existing theoretical and professional knowledge.
The use of interactive lectures and seminars, group work and problem based learning techniques help identify existing skills and, at the same time, encourage students to develop and tailor their portfolio of competencies to meet present and future challenges.
Many of the sessions are shared between the different routes of the community programmes and with other disciplines. Group discussions and workshops provide an ideal opportunity for students to gain knowledge about other specialist roles.
Applied learning
Students are encouraged to spend time working in other alternative practice areas when they are on placement. This will support students to develop key knowledge and skills that will support their future practice as a health visitor.
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
To gain the credits required for each module you must be able to demonstrate that you have successfully achieved all learning outcomes.
Assessments on the specialist community public health nurse health visiting programme include essays, presentations, posters, professional discussions and a practice assessment document.
You will receive regular feedback on your academic progress at key points throughout the programme.
Theory assessments are awarded pass, refer or fail and practice assessments are classed as competent or not competent in each specific area.
Where you will study
Situated in the City Campus, the Schools of Public and Allied Health and Nursing and Advanced Practice work with a wide range of health and social care organisations to design, deliver and evaluate a dynamic suite of postgraduate courses. In addition to specialist facilities, you will find high quality meeting and seminar rooms and lecture theatres, the City Campus Library, plus a large café, IT facilities and social spaces.
LJMU's excellent educational and professional training facilities include professional-standard clinical practice simulation suites, enriched with technology-enhanced learning equipment. We use the latest clinical technology for simulations and developing clinical skills in child, adult and mental health nursing, paramedic practice, social work and midwifery.
This course changed the way I think about relationships, and actually everything I do when I’m working with families, I observe relationships in a way now I never thought was possible. I realise the importance of attachment and understanding ACEs
Postgraduate research opportunities
At LJMU, you can take the next step in your academic journey with a PhD or MPhil, available on a full-time or part-time basis. International students also have the option to study remotely.
- PhD duration: Up to 4 years full-time, or up to 7 years part-time
- Funding options: Choose between funded projects (with supervisors already in place) or self-funded study
Our Doctoral Academy is here to support you every step of the way—from your first enquiry through to successful completion—working closely with Schools, Faculties, and Professional Services.
For more details on postgraduate research and full details on how to apply, visit the Doctoral Academy website.
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 94% (HESA 2022) of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
The School of Public and Allied Health work with a wide range of health and social care organisations to design, deliver and evaluate a dynamic suite of postgraduate programmes.
The School's wide-ranging portfolio of cutting-edge postgraduate courses enables you to enhance your existing skills in the field of health and social care, develop specialised knowledge and expertise and improve your long-term job prospects.
All courses meet the needs of the current healthcare agenda and the growing demand from this ever-evolving sector for increasingly skilled healthcare professionals.
Each programme is informed by cutting edge research, ensuring you have the opportunity to study the latest developments alongside world class experts.
Tuition fees and funding
Funding
There are two routes for funding for this course:
- Secondment (for those currently employed by a local NHS organisation that will provide the practice placement whilst studying at LJMU)
- Self-funding (for those who are working within adult/child nursing and are able to access a suitable practice placement whilst studying at LJMU)
Some organisations and companies will fund the cost of postgraduate studies for their employees as they recognise the value of having well qualified staff. Check out our courses and see if there are any on offer that could enhance your current career. Remember, employer support doesn't always have to be financial; it can take other forms too, such as flexible working arrangements, day release and time in lieu of study.
Funding sources
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From Postgraduate Masters Loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
Financial Support
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
In relevant nursing subject.
Alternatively, consideration will be given to applicants who have evidence of successful level 6 or level 7 study (within the last 5 years).
GCSEs and equivalents
GCSEs and equivalents.
A minimum of two GCSE's which must include Maths and English at grade C (level 4-9) or above OR level 2 Equivalency in Numeracy and Literacy.
Additional requirements
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Interview required
An interview will be conducted involving the prospective learner and the employer prior to offering a place on the programme.
Further information
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Extra Requirements
NMC registered nurse (level 1) or NMC registered midwife, capable of safe and effective practice at the level of proficiency appropriate to the NMC-approved Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) programme
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
You will apply for the course directly with your NHS Trust.
Self-funding students will need to contact the programme lead directly via email - c.henshall@ljum.ac.uk
Additional interview requirements
Applicants will be invited to interview for a place on the programme. You will asked to deliver a 10 minute presentation; the title will be given to you prior to your interview date.
You will also need to provide an up-to-date professional portfolio demonstrating progression towards a career in Specialist Community Public Health Practice and an understanding of the health visiting nursing role.
The portfolio should include relevant, practice reflections (NMC revalidation documents are accepted). You must also demonstrate that you will be able to adapt to student status.
Your university life
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The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.