Community Health Studies, Specialist Practice Qualification in District Nursing, PGDip

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Course Overview

District nurses play a vital role in delivering healthcare in community settings and are a key part of multidisciplinary primary care teams. As healthcare needs become more complex and community services continue to evolve, district nurses need the advanced skills and confidence to manage diverse and increasingly demanding caseloads.

The PGDip Community Health Studies, Specialist Practice Qualification in District Nursing prepares you to work independently and autonomously in this fast‑changing environment. Our aim is to support you to become a confident, future‑focused leader who can transform practice and contribute meaningfully to the wider healthcare agenda.

The programme offers flexible access routes with full‑time and part‑time study options, helping you choose a pathway that fits your professional commitments.

As a result of this PGDip you will be able to:

  • Work as part of a Primary Health Care Team to deliver skilled nursing care in a range of community settings.
  • Take responsibility for managing the caseload and the team.
  • Act as the patient’s advocate, supporting informed choices and promoting independence and self‑care.
  • Monitor, maintain and develop service or practice innovation through supervision, reflection, professional leadership and collaboration with allied health professionals.
  • Follow a framework of legislation, policy and standards for safe, effective medicine management and prescribing practice.
  • Complete a practice‑based project to contribute to the evidence base for district nursing.
  • Seek opportunities to apply for a Band 7 Team Leader post.

If studying a PGDip, it may be possible to upgrade to an MSc; however, the MSc is not approved by the NMC.

Why study at Swansea University?

The School of Health and Social Care is a major contributor to the preparation and education of District Nurses for the workforce in South Wales and the UK.

You will be taught on our Singleton Park campus, located on the edge of the beautiful Gower Peninsula and just a stone’s throw from the nearest hospital. Our academic staff are qualified nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals, many of whom are also practising clinicians, providing an exceptional combination of theoretical rigour, professional insight, and practical expertise.

We have an outstanding reputation for Nursing at Swansea University and are ranked in the Top 200 in the World for Nursing (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025). As a student, you will benefit from our strong links with Welsh health boards, whose clinical teams hold the up‑to‑date expertise required to support and sign off the competencies essential to district nursing roles.

Your District Nursing Experience

During your time on the programme, you will feel part of a supportive and professionally focused community. You will have opportunities to engage with wider university life, including sports clubs, social activities and relevant professional networks such as the Institute of Health Visiting and the Community Practitioners’ and Health Visitors’ Association. These experiences help you build your identity as both a student and a developing professional.

You will benefit from placements that reflect your linguistic needs, personal circumstances and professional goals. The programme team works closely with employers to ensure Welsh‑speaking students can be matched with Welsh‑speaking Practice Supervisors and Practice Assessors. All placements are designed to be inclusive and supportive, accommodating different levels of Welsh language proficiency and regional diversity.

We place a strong emphasis on creating a sense of belonging. You will learn in an environment where you are valued, heard and respected, both in academic settings and in practice. You will benefit from peer collaboration and informal mentorship, helping you build confidence, resilience and lasting professional relationships. Inclusive practices are embedded throughout the programme, ensuring you feel you have a place and a voice.

Personal tutors and pastoral support are available throughout your studies, so you will always have someone to turn to for academic guidance or personal support. This approach reflects the collaborative ethos of district nursing itself, where teamwork, empathy and connection are central to high‑quality care.

You will be primarily based at our Singleton Park Campus, where the District Nursing teaching team and specialist facilities are located. Here, you will have access to realistic clinical spaces that allow you to practise skills in environments that closely reflect community nursing settings. If you live more remotely, you can also access facilities at St David’s Park in Carmarthen, including the library, simulation and immersive suites, common rooms and IT spaces.

Your District Nursing Career

The PGDip Community Health Studies, Specialist Practice Qualification in District Nursing is a professional programme for registered practitioners, underpinned by the NMC Standards (2023). Completing this qualification will equip you with the advanced clinical, leadership, and decision‑making skills needed to work confidently and autonomously within community nursing.

Successful completion of the programme provides you with the eligibility to apply to the NMC for registration as a Specialist Practice Qualification (SPQ) District Nurse. If you are already employed by a Health Board, this registration supports continued employment within your existing role.

It is anticipated that many graduates will continue to develop their careers within community nursing practice; however, it is also common for learners to progress into other specialised areas, including acute clinical teams, specialist community roles, and advanced practice positions.

This qualification provides you with unique opportunities to build a career in a wide range of diverse and specialist community settings, giving you the flexibility to follow the pathway that best aligns with your professional ambitions.

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.