PG Dip Nursing (Adult)
- Entry year:
- 2026/27
- Start date:
- September
- Study mode:
- Full-time
- Course duration:
- 1 year
- Campus:
- City
Why study this course with LJMU?
- Successful completion of this course leads to eligibility to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in a second field of nursing
- Dual registration provides greater career flexibility, enhances professional competence, and supports improved patient outcomes
- Gain second registration in as little as 12 months full-time study
About this course
Broaden your clinical skills and career opportunities with registration in a second field of nursing
The Postgraduate Diploma – Second Field of Nursing is a 1-year course that is delivered in person at our City Campus.
You will complete 2 blocks of theory content and 3 blocks of practice placement. The course has been designed to provide you with the breadth and depth of exposure to both the practical clinical skills required for registration as well as the theoretical and evidence-based underpinning to practice. The course content will support you in achieving proficiencies that are matched to Part 3 of the Practice Assessment Document (PAD).
You will take 5 modules at Level 7 study in the theory blocks and will cover content including research and evidence-based practice, managing complex care, planning and evaluating nursing care, critical enquiry in health. You will also take a course-long practice learning module that will enhance and support your practice placement experiences. You will have three practice placement blocks totalling approximately 800 practice hours which the NMC has deemed as reasonable to achieve proficiency in a second field.
Please note that this course is not eligible for UK Student Loans or the Government Postgraduate Master’s Loan. You will therefore need to self-fund or secure alternative financial support before applying.
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
All the modules on this course are core (mandatory); there are no optional modules.
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
Research and Evidence-based Safety and Quality in Nursing Care
30 credits
30 credits
This module will enable students to demonstrate their research capabilities through the exploration of the factors which impact upon safe, quality nursing care. Students will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the application of legislation and policy which informs nursing care. They will be able to evidence a critical awareness of human factors and how risk management is utilised to promote safe practice.
Managing Complex Care Delivery in Adult Nursing
20 credits
20 credits
This module will enable students to understand the decision making processes which underpin complex care delivery, including how to plan and evaluate patient care within adult nursing. In this module the indicative content will specifically be applied within the context of Adult Nursing.
Students will be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to support patients, including those at end of life, and respond appropriately and safely to challenges that delivering care may present.
Students will be able to critically evaluate adult nursing care and consider human and environmental factors when delivering high quality nursing interventions.
Planning and Evaluating Adult Nursing Care
20 credits
20 credits
This module will equip students to apply patient centred care approaches to care planning across the lifespan. This will include an understanding of effective communication, identifying and reducing barriers to person centred care and how to evaluate current care. Students will be able to critically appraise how adult nursing processes support individualised care delivery.
In this module the indicative content will specifically be applied within the context of Adult Nursing.
Critical Enquiry in Health
30 credits
30 credits
This module will equip the student with the underpinning knowledge and skills required for their role in contributing to risk monitoring and quality of care improvement agendas. They will develop an understanding of health legislation and current health and social care policies, and the mechanisms involved in influencing policy . Students will also broaden their understanding of the principles of health economics and their relevance to resource allocation in health and social care organisations and other agencies.
Consolidating Practice Learning
20 credits
20 credits
This module will enable students to complete part 3 of the NMC Future Nurse standards of proficiency. This module will facilitate support a students' transition to registered nurse status through consolidation of prior learning within clinical practice. They will be supported to develop an understanding of future responsibilities once qualified, such as revalidation and practice supervision.
Professional body recognition
This programme is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and aligned to the Standards for pre-registration nursing programmes (NMC, 2023).
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
Your learning journey has been designed to be inspiring and motivating, provide tailored support, and to meet the specific NMC requirements for registration in an additional field.
You will learn through a mix of:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Group work activities
- Simulated learning
- Practice placements in a range of settings
- Tutorials
We use an active blended learning approach. This means you will attend face to face teaching on campus - usually at the School of Nursing and Advanced Practice, based in the Tithebarn Building (part of our City Campus), along with independent learning and work online. Examples of online activity include tutorial discussions, discussion boards and collaborative or individual projects.
The course is 50% practice and 50% theory, undertaking blocks of practice placements and blocks of theory-based learning with each week being 40 hours. You will complete 3 placements across the year. You must complete a minimum of 800 hours of practice and 800 hours of theory to successfully complete the course and be able to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Your course is designed for you to be able to meet this requirement.
Your placements are all allocated to you via our Placement Learning Support Unit (PLSU).
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.
There will be a final (summative) assessment for each module and there are informal (formative) assessments throughout modules.
Formative assessments help you to focus on your development, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, in addition to providing you with feedback on your progress during your learning journey. Examples of formative activities include discussion boards to develop learning networks, article reviews and group presentations.
Feedback may come from several sources, including academic staff, practice supervisors and assessors, service users and wider university support staff. You may receive this verbally or in written format. Formative feedback and feedforward are helpful in your development throughout the modules.
Summative assessments are the module assessments which you need to pass to receive the credits for the module. As a postgraduate student, the pass mark for your theory assessments is 50%.
The assessments will use methods that you will use in your professional life, including relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes.
Where you will study
The School of Nursing and Advanced Practice is based in the Tithebarn Building, which is part of LJMU's City Campus. It's no exaggeration to say the school has some fantastic facilities! With hospital-grade clinical simulation suites, including nursing wards, intensive care, maternity and paramedic facilities, our students have access to the latest technology-enhanced learning environments.
You will recognise Tithebarn Building from the giant Superlambanana public artwork sculpture that sits outside and marks the entrance to the City Campus Library. This is where all the nursing resources are located.
There are a wide range of physical learning resources across all sites that you will be able to access, including flexible learning spaces and IT suites.
As an LJMU student, you also have access to our Student Life Building and Sports Centre, situated at Copperas Hill. Student Life is home to a range of student-facing services, such as Life and Wellbeing, the Student Futures team, and the Students’ Union (JMSU).
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 97% of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2025). 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.
Successful completion of the course will allow you to apply for registration as a nurse with your second field with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Due to the increasingly integrated nature of health service delivery and a demand for nurses that can work with complex conditions, across the lifespan and within different settings this can result in you potentially being highly employable to healthcare providers.
Some graduates prefer to pursue careers in teaching, research or management, or continue their studies. You will need to register your additional nursing qualifications within 5 years of completing your course and then every 3 years you are required to revalidate with the Nursing and Midwifery Council to maintain your registration.
Tuition fees and funding
- Full-time per year:
- £9,790
The home fees for September 2026 are subject to Parliamentary approval.
The above quoted fees cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library (online and physical) membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software.
Additional fees you may need to factor in are travel costs to placements and parking if using a car whilst on placement.
For 2026 entry you will receive the following uniform provided to you which are included in your course fees:
Adult Nursing – 3 tunics, 3 pairs of trousers
If you wish to buy extra uniforms, you have the option to do so via our Placement Learning Support Unit (PLSU).
Liverpool John Moores University offers a number of scholarships and bursaries, which you may be eligible for. We encourage all applicants to learn more about, and take advantage, of these opportunities.
Please note that this course is not eligible for UK Student Loans or the Government Postgraduate Master’s Loan. You will therefore need to self-fund or secure alternative financial support before applying.
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
Applicants should have a degree equivalent to UK first-class or second-class honours (2:2 or above). Health-related subjects are preferred but not essential. Other subjects will be considered on an individual basis.
Alternative qualifications considered
Applicants without a degree may be considered based on practice experience, subject to demonstrating a comprehensive knowledge of the discipline, including an in-depth awareness of current issues. Skills in critical analysis and evaluation, as well as the ability to learn in a flexible, independent manner, are essential.
Further information
-
Extra Requirements
Applicants must be current registrants on Part 1 of the Nursing and Midwifery Council Register. Applicants will be required to provide their NMC number in order to verify registration. Applicants' current registration status confirms they have maintained knowledge and proficiency and the required practice hours in their first field of nursing. This allows them to be recognised for Parts 1 & 2 of the programme and complete one year (full time equivalent) to achieve second field registration.
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.
If your application meets the criteria, you will be invited to attend an interview via Teams.
Applicants are required to evidence that they have met the required occupational health standards for entry onto the programme.
An Enhanced DBS clearance is required to be evidenced as part of the application process.
Your university life
From accommodation and academic support to clubs and societies. Find out what LJMU has to offer.
Related Links
Talk to our students
Connect with a current LJMU student for advice and guidance on university life, courses and more.
See what our students are saying
At LJMU we want you to know you’re making the right choice by studying with us. You can see what our students are saying about their experience with us through their reviews on the following websites:
News and views
Browse through the latest news and stories from the university
.jpg)
.png)
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.