University of Sunderland • Sunderland
A master’s for nurses who already hold registration, at one of England’s most affordable universities — with a pre-registration MNurse alternative for graduates.
Our take
Start with the distinction that decides whether this page is for you. Sunderland’s MSc Nursing is a post-registration academic degree for nurses already qualified — a 2:2 nursing degree and registration are entry conditions, and completing it does not put you on the NMC register. Graduates without a nursing background who want to become UK nurses should look instead at Sunderland’s MNurse (Adult), the university’s pre-registration master’s that does lead to NMC eligibility — or at our pre-registration MSc options across the country. Where this MSc earns its place is value: fees sit in Sunderland’s £16,500–£19,000 band at a Guardian Top-30 university, in the cheapest city to live on our entire list — a combination that makes it one of the most affordable UK nursing master’s anywhere. For internationally registered nurses, we usually sequence it around — not instead of — NMC registration through CBT and OSCE.
| Duration | 1 year full-time |
| Intake | September & January |
| Accreditation | Academic master’s (not a pre-registration programme) |
| Tuition | Within Sunderland’s 2026/27 international postgraduate band of £16,500–£19,000; exact fee confirmed in your offer letter. £3,500 CAS deposit counts toward tuition. |
Where this leads: Does NOT lead to NMC registration. To practise in the UK you need the NMC international route (CBT, English evidence, OSCE) — or Sunderland’s separate pre-registration MNurse (Adult) if you are a non-nurse graduate.
Academic (non-placement) scheduling allows both September and January starts.
Why Sunderland
A sub-£19,000 fee in Britain’s cheapest student city — likely the lowest total cost of any UK nursing master’s we recommend.
Guardian Top 30 — rare at this price point — with a health faculty spanning nursing, pharmacy (including OSPAP) and public health.
The post-registration MSc and the pre-registration MNurse (Adult) run side by side — whichever you need, Sunderland has a version.
Partnerships across Sunderland, Newcastle and Durham trusts — useful context for nurses planning UK registration in parallel.
What you study
Entry requirements
English language
Sunderland can consider Medium of Instruction (MOI) evidence for some courses — though clinical and regulated programmes usually still require a formal test. Sunderland considers a Medium of Instruction letter where your previous study was at RQF Level 5 or higher (roughly HND level and above). How recent that study must be varies by the country it was completed in, and regulated courses such as nursing and the OSPAP still require a formal English test — so we always confirm MOI eligibility with the university before you rely on it.
Also accepted: LanguageCert Academic, Oxford International Digital (ELLT), Pre-sessional English (EAP) at Sunderland. Pre-sessional English is available if you fall short.
Careers
Your country
Sunderland is consistently one of the most affordable options for Pakistani students, and the Global Leaders Scholarship has recently applied automatically to eligible Pakistani applicants. For master’s courses you typically need a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a UK 2:2 — usually a four-year degree such as a BS (Hons), or a two-year degree plus a master’s, assessed case by case. Note the deposit rule: applicants from Pakistan are currently asked to pay 50% of the first year’s fee before a CAS is issued, rather than the standard £3,500. MOI letters are considered for recent degrees, though we usually recommend a formal test such as IELTS or LanguageCert for a smoother visa file.
Full guide for PakistanIndian students most commonly join Sunderland’s business, computing, public health and nursing master’s courses. A three-year bachelor’s degree from a recognised Indian university is usually acceptable for postgraduate entry, typically with around 55–60% depending on the awarding institution. Applicants from India currently pay 50% of the first year’s fee before the CAS stage instead of the standard £3,500 deposit. MOI letters are considered where your degree is recent and was taught in English, and the January intake gives useful flexibility if you miss September.
Full guide for IndiaSunderland has a dedicated regional team for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. For undergraduate entry, WAEC or NECO with strong credit passes is typically considered alongside a foundation year; for master’s courses a bachelor’s degree at second class is usually expected. The standard £3,500 deposit applies before your CAS. English requirements can sometimes be met without IELTS — Sunderland considers MOI letters and accepts LanguageCert — but MOI validity varies by country, so confirm your specific position with us before you apply.
Full guide for NigeriaStudents applying from the UAE usually hold A-Levels, IB or an Indian or Pakistani curriculum qualification from an international school, which Sunderland recognises for direct entry; the UAE secondary school certificate typically routes through a foundation year first. The standard £3,500 CAS deposit applies. One caution on budgeting: the Global Leaders Scholarship has excluded applicants from Gulf states in recent cycles, so ask us to confirm which discounts you actually qualify for before you plan your finances.
Full guide for the UAECompare
FAQ
No. It is a post-registration academic degree — you must already be a qualified nurse to enrol, and finishing it grants no UK practice rights. UK employment still requires NMC registration through the international route (CBT, English evidence, OSCE).
The MNurse (Adult), Sunderland’s pre-registration master’s, which does lead to NMC registration eligibility. It is a different course with different entry requirements — contact us and we will scope which route fits your background.
Price and credential. It is among the cheapest UK nursing master’s at a Top-30 university, in Britain’s most affordable student city. It suits registered nurses who want the UK master’s for progression — ideally sequenced around NMC registration rather than in place of it.
A 2:2+ nursing degree, nurse registration in your home country, and IELTS 6.5 with no band below 5.5 (or equivalent). September and January intakes give timing flexibility.
Fees, entry requirements, English-language policies and intake dates are correct to the best of our knowledge at the date shown, but universities review them every cycle and immigration rules change. Always treat figures as a guide — we confirm the exact, current requirements with the university before you apply. Facts on this page last checked August 2026.
Intakes shown are for this course specifically; Sunderland runs other intakes for other programmes — see the full Sunderland profile.
Free consultation
Tell us your qualifications and target intake. A Global Pathways advisor will confirm your eligibility, check the current fee and manage your application and Student visa — free.
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