PG Dip Nursing (Child) | Part-time
- Entry year:
- 2026/27
- Start date:
- September
- Study mode:
- Part-time
- Course duration:
- 18 months
- 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 18 months part-time study
- Fully online delivery allows you the flexibility to plan your studies around work and family
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 an 18-month course that is delivered through distance learning.
You will complete 4 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 on this course.
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 Children's Nursing
20 credits
20 credits
This module will prepare students to plan and evaluate complex care delivery within the context of Children's Nursing. This will include developing an understanding of how to support patients and families at the end of life. This module will further support students to develop a conceptual understanding of complex care delivery within Children's Nursing
Planning and Evaluating Children's 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 children's nursing processes support individualised care delivery.
In this module the indicative content will specifically be applied within the context of children's 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.
The theory component of this course is delivered fully online via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The self-paced learning provides the flexibility to complete your studies during your own time. This is important so you can balance your learning with your professional and family commitments.
You will learn through a mix of:
- On-demand, flexible lectures
- Real-time tutorials with academic staff for support
- Evidence based written materials
- Virtual group activities with other nursing professionals
- Peer learning fostering a sense of community
- Discussion boards to engage with your peers
- Collaborative and individual projects to support your learning
Although this course is largely self-paced it is important to ensure you have a quiet place to study so you can fully engage with the materials. You will receive the same level of support as students who come into the University and will be able to access your course tutors via Teams tutorials and drop-in sessions. The tutors will actively engage with students within the VLE and will offer a variety of office hours to accommodate working professionals.
The course is 50% practice and 50% theory, and you will undertake blocks of practice placements and blocks of theory-based learning. You will complete 3 placements across the 18-months. You must complete a minimum of 800 hours of practice and 800 hours of theory to be able to successfully complete this course and register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Your course is designed for you to be able to meet this requirement.
As a distance student, you will be responsible for arranging your practice placements in your own local area. There are a number of requirements that these placements must meet to be acceptable to the NMC, however, you will be able to talk to one of our placement team who will provide you with all the information you will need to know before you apply.
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.
The 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
Facilities are provided to students through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) utilising the latest technology. Students will engage and learn through the VLE, providing an exciting, innovative and interactive environment to support their learning and development throughout the course. Students will also be actively engaging with their peers through the VLE, supporting inter-professional learning and providing peer support.
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
- Part-time per credit:
- £53
The above mentioned 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:
Child 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.
Applicants are required to source their own practice placements and must submit a letter of support from the relevant trust at time of application.
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.
Application is directly through LJMU via this link: LJMU Online Application Form
Once you have completed the initial application and have set up your applicant portal, you then need to complete and submit the Distance Learning Agreement form. We will not be able to consider your application without this form.
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.
Students will need to be a registrant on the NMC register
Students will need to have completed a relevant health care undergraduate degree with a final classification of 2:2 or higher, or have the international equivalent
Applicants will be required to have access to a computer with the following technical requirements to be able to complete the programme:
- Webcam, microphone and speakers
- Windows 10 or a Mac OS X 10/9 or later
- Intel Core i5 Processor (or better) (Intel M Processors are not recommended)
- 4GB RAM
- 20 GB available hard drive space
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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.