University of Derby postgraduate healthcare students receive funding fees boost

Students applying for postgraduate pre-registration nursing and healthcare courses at the University of Derby will now have access to the same funding as undergraduate students following the announcement of new government legislation.

Postgraduate pre-registration students starting courses in the 2018/19 academic year, can access a tuition fee loan of up to £8,430 and a maintenance loan of up to £8,700 per academic year to help meet tuition fees and support living costs.

Like undergraduates, postgraduate pre-registration students will also be eligible for additional support from the Learning Support Fund, including a £1,000 Child Dependants Allowance, up to £3,000 for exceptional hardship, and support for placement costs.

Applicants can choose from four postgraduate pre-registration courses at the University, including for the MSc Nursing (Adult), MSc Nursing (Mental Health), MSc Occupational Therapy and MSc Diagnostic Radiography. To be eligible for the two year courses, applicants must have some healthcare experience and hold an undergraduate degree, not necessarily in healthcare.

Dr Paula Holt, Pro Vice-Chancellor Dean of the College of Health and Social Care, said: “This new access to student loan funding is great news for postgraduate students and the NHS. As demand on the NHS grows, so does the need for a skilled, competent and caring professional workforce. We know we have a workforce shortfall in health and social care to meet future needs, and this is not because there are insufficient people wanting to come into health professions.

“The availability of funding for those who want to become a nurse or health care professional and already have a degree is very welcome, allowing them to become registered professionals in two years at Masters level.”

Dr Wendy Wesson, Head of School of Nursing and Professional Practice, added: “The changes to funding will provide the opportunity for graduates from a wide variety of backgrounds to achieve a registered professional qualification that will open up a plethora of opportunities, and set them up for a rewarding career for life.”

The new legislation brings funding support in line with changes made in August 2017, which meant new students were now funded through the standard loans system rather than through the NHS bursary scheme.

The aim of the reform is to provide a more sustainable model for universities while increasing the supply of nurses, midwives and allied health professionals to the NHS.