Master of Science in Advanced Professional Practice (Nursing and Midwifery Professions)

at University of Plymouth United Kingdom

Explore the driving forces of relationships between countries and cultures in the 21st century close to where the G7 leaders met in 2021. Unpick all aspects of international relations from law to economics, diplomacy and governance to help you build your own critical thinking skills to navigate some of the major issues facing society. Combine theory and practice so you can better understand the decision-making that drives change. Hone your skills by representing Plymouth at the model UN.

Key Features

• We’re very proud of our National Student Survey (NSS) 2018 return showing that 100 per cent of our students agree staff are good at explaining things.*
• Travel the world through our international student exchange program. From the Czech Republic and Poland, to Canada and the USA, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to gain insights into international relations worldwide.
• Look at how politics works in practice by visiting the Middle East and southern Africa on university-subsidised fieldtrips led by the academic staff.
• Be inspired by teaching rooted in research. Our staff are leading experts in their fields; areas of expertise include popular protest in the Middle East, British and American foreign policy, development in Africa, global environmental politics, security studies and the politics of the European Union.
• Explore the evolution of politics internationally. Debate contemporary worldwide issues, current affairs and major political events. Ask those difficult questions about war, hunger and poverty in the developing world.
• Engage with contemporary international issues and take part in exclusive events, film screenings and lectures, through the Politics and International Affairs Society.
• Differentiate yourself in an international sector with industry experience and modern language skills. As journalists, politicians' assistants and public affairs consultants, our graduates have gone on to work for the European Union, United Nations and UK Civil Service.
• Investigate daily headlines: discover the international and political ideas that influence society.
• Benefit from a course which received excellent ratings for teaching and student satisfaction, in the Guardian University Guide 2015 (within the subject league table for Politics).
• Enhance your employability by participating in the our internship scheme.

Statisticians play a vital and increasing part in all areas of society, business and industry. We have recently seen the importance of statistical analysis and thinking in understanding and managing the Covid-19 pandemic as an example.

You will gain key statistical knowledge and skills to build data fluency that is very much valued by employers. You will have the opportunity to work on a statistics project that provides innovative solutions to real-world problems driven by business, information technology, engineering, finance, medicine, biology and psychology.

Key Features

• This programme provides a deeper knowledge of statistical techniques and a broader experience of data analysis than our BSc (Hons) Mathematics programme. It also covers all the mathematics necessary for a career as a professional mathematician.
• Your experience of studying Statistics at Plymouth will be different from school, because you will learn with experts who design clinical trials, collaborate with national and international health organisations, and provide consultancy to medical practitioners and financial institutions. You will solve problems of contemporary importance using real-world data. For example, you will meet techniques for monitoring and understanding the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Your lectures are also highly qualified and renowned practitioners of mathematics and statistics education. They include authors of text books used worldwide, winners of prestigious research prizes for statistical education, and Senior Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. They are dedicated to enabling students from different educational backgrounds to reach their full potential and maintain it long-term.
• You will have the opportunity to collaborate with lecturers on a mathematics or statistics research project, one output of which is a report which also provides material for discussion in job interviews. The Plymouth Mathematics and Statistics programme is designed to enable you to become a creative, analytical and persevering problem solver and to discuss technical results with non-specialist collaborators clearly and in-depth.
• You will gain knowledge of techniques relevant to business, education, engineering, health and wellbeing, psychology, science, social media analytics and sport, which will make you highly valuable to an extremely broad range of employers.
• You will be equipped with subject-specific knowledge needed by mathematicians and statisticians throughout their working lives. You will learn how to master state-of-the-art analytical software in such a way that you can quickly become familiar with programs that you will use in the workplace.
• You will be part of the close-knit, collaborative and supportive family that is Mathematical Sciences at Plymouth and that is based in the naturally beautiful South West. We are highly committed to interactive student engagement and personalized learning, as this enables us to check regularly your knowledge and skills consolidation together with your general development. This means that studying with us will provide you with the strongest possible foundations for life-long professional success.

Geography explores the relationships between people, places and the environment. Our diverse degree has a strong emphasis on applied skills and career development. You can choose to specialise or maintain a broad range of interests, and an optional placement year offers work experience. You learn from expert, accessible, supportive staff who are skilled researchers in their field. Plymouth is the ideal setting as a vibrant urban environment surrounded by iconic rural and coastal landscapes.

Our geography degrees make the most of geography’s strengths in tackling head on the biggest global challenges we face. Modules have been designed to address many of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals – developed by the UN as the 'blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all' – all of our degrees are fully accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).

Key Features

• Our newly designed curriculum places sustainability challenges at the centre, with modules designed to help address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
• Choose from a range of human and/or physical geography choice modules so that you determine your degree pathway. 
• Our supportive staff are expert researchers and many are world leaders in their field.
• Teaching is innovative and student-centred. You will learn through lectures, seminars, practicals, national and international residential fieldwork, tutorials and one-to-one dissertation support. 
• Learn to use Geographical Information Systems to analyse and communicate complex spatial data. 
• Take advantage of a wide range of study abroad possibilities in Europe, North America and Australia. 
• Experience a valuable work placement programme, opening up a range of career opportunities such as consultancy, policy development and management, teaching, planning and conservation.
• LABplus is a unique open access laboratory and resource centre designed for students studying science and engineering courses. The lab provides a flexible workspace, computing facilities, specialist software, access to microscopes, microscope cameras and bespoke resources. 
• We’re very proud of our National Student Survey (NSS) 2020 return which shows student satisfaction overall at 96 per cent for human geography. 
• Benefit from our unique location, in the heart of the historical city of Plymouth, bordered by Dartmoor National Park as well as the Tamar Valley and South Hams Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Devon and Cornwall have glorious beaches, coasts, rivers and estuaries.

 MA Heritage Theory and Practice is intended for graduates and professionals focused on a career in heritage. You will explore current principles and practices in the management and curation of heritage sites and museums including interpretation and community engagement.

You will also engage with concepts and approaches in contemporary heritage theory and, importantly, how theory can relate to practice. During the degree, you will take part in ‘live’ projects with one of our heritage partners and be eligible for a heritage work placement.

Key Features

• Study Heritage at Plymouth and work on ‘live’ projects with one of our heritage partners including the National Trust, Powderham Castle, The Box, The Elizabethan House.
• Explore the connections between theory and practice in contemporary issues such as equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Be part of the team of Cornerstone Praxis, the University of Plymouth’s highly successful heritage engagement unit.
• Be taught by world leading academic experts and heritage professionals.
• Be part of a community of heritage focused staff and students through Cornerstone Heritage, the University of Plymouth’s interdisciplinary research centre for cultural heritage.
• Explore the emerging field of digital heritage, producing your own online content for our 'Digital History Project'.
• Showcase your research and professional practice skills with the option of a dissertation directly linked to the development of one our partner heritage sites or museums.
• Participate in a work placement with one of our national and regional heritage organisations.
• MA Heritage Theory and Practice is designed for a range of applicants including recent graduates and those with a professional background in heritage looking for a postgraduate qualification as part of their professional development

Explore the ever-evolving world of literature and culture through an exciting array of thematic modules, spanning a broad range of periods from the early modern to the present. You benefit from staff expertise in the field, and their connections with wider research communities. Gain a deep understanding of literary studies and acquire advanced research skills applicable throughout your studies and beyond.

Key Features

Whether you are interested in mechatronics, artificial intelligence or the possibilities for biosensors, the BEng Robotics will encourage you to push your limits. Our emphasis on high level robotics, including mobile and humanoid automation, and our focus on the electronics and hardware that support industrial and service robotics is complemented by the hands-on approach you'll develop in our specialist laboratories.

You will work in a world-class research environment with staff internationally renowned for conducting cutting-edge service and cognitive robotics research. You will take part in robotics competitions offering invaluable opportunities for exciting and highly formative, practical sessions of intense study. You’ll capitalise on the opportunity to take a work placement in your third year, putting your robotics skills into action in the real world.

Have you considered

• MEng (Hons) Robotics
• BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Key Features

• 100% of our graduates said the course was intellectually stimulating in the 2019 National Student Survey. No doubt because from the day you join us until the day you graduate you’ll be testing and applying everything you learn in our fantastic labs.*
• Our robotics courses have a large number of laboratory practical sessions embedded in their modules, and this is a strong feature of the robotics teaching in Plymouth. This ensures that you can consolidate theory learned in lectures using real practical tasks, making your understanding of topics much more concrete.
• Develop in a broad range of subjects ranging from analogue and digital electronics to software programming and artificial intelligence, all in the context of robotics. 
• Advance your knowledge of electronics, microprocessors, and embedded systems forming the technological core of the course. This is supported by a thorough understanding of robotics concepts, such as control theory, sensors and motors. 
• Learn by doing in our high specification electronics, communications and robotics laboratories.
• Work in a world-class research environment with staff internationally renowned for conducting cutting-edge service and cognitive robotics research.
• Take part in robot football and other robotics competitions offering invaluable opportunities for exciting and highly formative, practical sessions of intense study. 
• Benefit from individual and group projects offering the possibility for you to consolidate your robotics knowledge by building and programming a variety of robots including small wheeled robots, industrial robots and humanoids.
• Draw on unique opportunities to engage in world-class robotics research, and in a variety of activities (for example, in the humanoid robot football, Federation of International Robot-soccer Association (FIRA) competition).
• Capitalise on the opportunity to take a work placement in your third year, putting your robotics skills into action in the real world.
• Join our Robotics Society and take the opportunity to assist robot development for international competitions such as the Robocup humanoid football league and robot athletics. 
• Immerse yourself in a degree accredited by the Institution for Engineering and Technology (IET), and meet the educational requirements for becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
• Benefit from free IET membership while you are on the course.
• Work alongside internationally-renowned staff in a leading service and cognitive robotics research environment.
• To complement your formal learning we offer regular PALS sessions that provide the opportunity for you to learn with and from your peers. Share knowledge, discuss ideas, and ask questions in a relaxed and friendly environment.

The impact of human activity on our marine ecosystems has become more evident and high profile in recent years, such as from overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, coastal development, plastics and climate change. So what do we do about it – how can we preserve and recover marine habitats and species populations while also allow sustainable use and exploitation of our seas?

This new MSc program, taught by leading experts in the field, focuses specifically on marine conservation in practice and is targeted at producing the next generation of ocean guardians with the skill set to address this question. The MSc Marine Conservation program does not have any exams within its range of assessments.

Key features

Smart urban futures is a unique and innovative new MA programme that will equip you to address design challenges at the boundaries between smart technologies and urban design and planning. You will gain skills in IoT, smart technologies, open data, 3D fabrication, augmented reality and virtual reality complimented by core teaching in urban design, planning and placemaking.

Through a design lab approach, you will develop digital prototyping and place-making projects that respond to the opportunities and needs of digital living, transport, health, mobility, governance and sustainability in a holistic approach to smart urban futures

Key Features

Are you fascinated by technology and design? Primarily problem solvers, mechanical engineers design, create and use tools and methods in every industry from atomic physics to space exploration. They play a vital role in tackling problems that affect us all such as energy security; efficient manufacturing and smart cities. Our engineering students are taught by enthusiastic staff with strong industry links who use laboratory sessions and physical demonstrations to reinforce academic learning.

Our accredited BEng Mechanical Engineering is designed to start your journey to becoming a qualified professional mechanical engineer. Our engineering programmes rely strongly on practical work and you will develop your design skills throughout the programme. We offer the opportunity to undertake a paid placement year to help consolidate and develop your engineering knowledge and many students receive job offers as a result of their time in industry.

Key Features

• Open the door to a successful future. With starting salaries from £23,000, our graduates have gone on to work for Hoare Lea, Babcock Marine, Becton Dickinson, e2v, Edwards, the Shaw Group and the Ministry of Defence.
• Distinguish yourself professionally with a degree accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). The course has been designed to fully satisfy the educational base for an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and partially satisfy the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng). A programme of accredited Further Learning will be required to complete the educational base for CEng.
• Choose specialist modules in control systems engineering or thermo-fluid mechanics, and learn from engineering failures.
• Benefit from an optional 48 week paid work placement. Employment may lead to sponsorship and future employment opportunities.
• Engage in experimental work in excellent laboratories and workshops.
• Take advantage of a flexible course. The first two years are common with BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Composites and the first year is common with BEng (Hons) Marine Technology, allowing you to swap courses.
• Progress onto the MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering at the end of the second year if you are doing well on the BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering.

The study of human behaviour and relationships creates a lens through which to see the world better. At Plymouth, you’ll hold that lens to the world around you so you can play a positive role in it. Here we look inwardly at our surroundings as much as we look beyond them, and you’ll spend time immersed on the streets of the city you’re living in, putting Plymouth society under the microscope. See how change is made by working with local support groups and projects like Landworks.

Key Features

• Learn from passionate and committed academics with active and wide-ranging research expertise. Our research and specialisms include health, well-being and social policy alongside politics and identities. .
• Explore a wide-range of topics including sustainability, tourism, health and wellbeing, media, deviance, work and employment, gender and sexuality, global development, methodological innovations, philosophy of social science and food, culture and society.
• Apply sociological theory to contemporary issues in an interactively taught environment.
• Explore and experience first-hand the world beyond the classroom with national and international field trips and exchange opportunities.
• Engage in a pioneering, well established work-based learning programme along with voluntary opportunities to enhance your employability.
• Develop key transferable skills that employers actively seek through novel research methods training.
• Benefit from studying with a faculty of highly regarded staff who engage in innovative and experiential learning spaces.
• Experience varied and engaging assessment formats supported through personal tutoring.
• Join a course where overall student satisfaction is consistently rated at over 90% in the National Student Survey (NSS), as reported by DisoverUni. The latest NSS results show 100% overall student satisfaction.*
• Know that your teaching and learning is informed by prominent research, with 62%of our research rated as world leading or internationally excellent (Source: Research Excellence Framework, 2014).