Nursing Postgraduate Programs
The College of Nursing offers postgraduate nursing programs with various exit options, including a Master of Science in Nursing (MSc), a Postgraduate Diploma (PG-Dip), and a Postgraduate Certificate (PG-Cert) in different clinical specialties, such as Cardiovascular Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, Emergency Nursing, and Pediatric Nursing.
The programs offer several clinical specialties, including Cardiovascular Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, Emergency Care Nursing, and Pediatric Nursing with Specialty Concentration.
Students in these specialties can graduate with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSc) degree, a Postgraduate Diploma (PG-Dip) degree, or a Postgraduate Certificate (PG-Cert) program.
Students in the Pediatric Nursing specialty degree programs can also choose to graduate with one of the following concentrations: Pediatric Nursing with a focus on Pediatric Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Care, or Pediatric Oncology.
The pediatric nursing clinical specialty program (MSc, PG-Dip, and PG-Cert) enables graduates to earn their degree or certificate with a clinical concentration/focus of study during their final semester. This involves taking a specialty course within the focus area and completing a semester of clinical placement training in the specialty area.
The advantage of having a concentration within the degree/certificate is to give a clinical focus beyond the general pediatric skills.
The postgraduate programs are designed to equip nurses with the advanced knowledge, skills, and clinical expertise needed to manage and care for patients with complex conditions. Learners will gain a deeper knowledge and sharpen their critical thinking and clinical judgment skills, enhancing their ability to function with more advanced clinical skills and become clinical specialist leaders.
Multiple Exit Options means that students with varying preparation levels, at different stages in their lives, can choose to graduate/exit the program and earn an academic degree. They can also return at a later stage in their life to complete their degree at the next level. The available Exit Options are: Master’s degree (MSc), Postgraduate Diploma degree (PG-Dip), and Postgraduate Certificate (PG-Cert).
The postgraduate programs at the HBMCoNM offer students the option to exit with a Master’s degree (MSc), a Diploma degree (PG-Dip), or a Certificate (PG-Cert).
Once the students meet the admission criteria for the postgraduate program and are enrolled in one of the programs, they can complete the program and earn an MSc degree. However, if for any reason, they could not commit to the entire program of 36 credits, they can exit the program and graduate with a PG-Dip if they finish the 24 required 24 credits, or PG-Cert if they complete the required 18 credits.
Yes, students who exit their program of study with a PG-Dip or a PG-Cert can rejoin the program within two years of exiting it to continue their education and earn their Diploma or Master’s degree when they are ready. Exit option means that no matter where you are in your career or education, there is a door open for you to upskill and earn an academic degree or certificate
Yes, students who exit their program of study with a PG-Dip or a PG-Cert can rejoin the program within two years of exiting it to continue their education and earn their Diploma or Master’s degree when they are ready. Exit option means that no matter where you are in your career or education, there is a door open for you to upskill and earn an academic degree or certificate.
Students can enrol as fulltime or parttime students and the program can span from 1 to 2 years.
| Program | Fulltime | Parttime |
| Master Degree (MSc) | 3 semesters (18 months) | 4 semesters (2 years) |
| Postgraduate Diploma (PG-Dip) | 1 year | 2 years |
| Postgraduate Certificate (PG-Cert) | 2 semesters | 1 year |
The total credit hours for each program is as follows:
| Program | Credit hours |
| Master Degree (MSc) | 36 |
| Postgraduate Diploma (PG-Dip) | 24 |
| Postgraduate Certificate (PG-Cert) | 18 |
The postgraduate programs at HBMCoNM provide strong clinical training preparation. Students who complete their Master’s (MSc) degree, PG-Dip degree, or PG-Cert have to complete 540 clinical placement training during the program. The clinical is typically completed over a period of 3 semesters.
The language of instruction is English. All applicants are required to meet English language proficiency standards to be admitted. The English proficiency requirement are:
- IELTS: An overall score of 6.0, with no skill band less than 5.5. or
- TOEFL: An iBT score of 80.
The HBMCoNM and the MBRU university are accredited by the UAE’s Ministry of Education and CAA, which assures students that the degree is nationally recognized and respected.
To be considered for admission to the MSN, Diploma, and Certificate programs, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a valid Registered Nurse license.
- Have a minimum of one year (full-time) of experience in the specific specialty area is preferred.
- Hold a Bachelor of Nursing degree or its equivalent with a minimum cGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Provide a letter of support from a current or past employer, if applicable.
- Successfully complete a personal interview with the selection panel.
- Meet the English language proficiency requirements.
Applicants must submit one of the following:
- IELTS: An overall score of 6.0, with no skill band less than 5.5. or
- TOEFL: An iBT score of 80.
Consideration for conditional admission may be extended on a case-by-case basis. This decision is made by the HBMCoNM student admission committee. If admitted conditionally, you may be required to undertake remedial courses, meet specific GPA requirements, or adhere to credit load limits. Failure to meet these conditions will be subject to dismissal.
Yes. An exemption may be granted if:
- You are a native English speaker, and the language of instruction for your undergraduate studies was English.
- You graduated from an academic institution where English was the primary medium of instruction for your bachelor’s degree.
The primary difference is the length, credit requirement, and final qualification.
| Master’s Degree (MSc) | Postgraduate Diploma (PG-Dip) | Postgraduate Certificate (PG-Cert) |
| This is the most comprehensive program at 36 credits. | This is a mid-level program requiring consists of 24 credits | This is the shortest program, requiring 18 credits. |
| Can be completed in 3 semesters/18 months full-time or 2 years part-time. | A shorter program than the MSc can be completed in one year full-time or 2 years part-time | Can be completed in one year full or part-time |
| The study plan for the program includes the completion of a master’s thesis, indicating a research component. | No thesis research component. The focus is on knowledge depth and clinical. | No thesis research component. The focus is on knowledge depth and clinical. |
| This is the best choice for nurses seeking advanced leadership, academic, or high-level clinical expert roles. | ideal for nurses who want a substantial specialization that is more in-depth than a certificate but does not require the research thesis of a full master’s degree. | Its advantage is gaining a focused, official qualification in a specialty area (like Critical care, Emergency, Pediatric, cardiovascular) to enhance your clinical practice. |
Choosing the right program depends on your career goals:
Master’s Degree (MSc): The advantage is its depth (36 credits) and inclusion of a research thesis. This is the best choice for nurses seeking advanced leadership, academic, or high-level clinical expert roles.
Postgraduate Diploma (PG-Dip): This 24-credit program is ideal for nurses who want a substantial specialization that is more in-depth than a certificate but does not require the research thesis of a full master’s degree.
Postgraduate Certificate (PG-Cert): At 18 credits, this is the fastest pathway. Its advantage is gaining a focused, official qualification in a specialty area (like Cardiovascular Nursing) to enhance your clinical practice.
Regardless of nationality, all nursing students in the postgraduate programs will receive the MBRU Frontliners 50% Scholarship. The total program tuition cost for the entire length of the program after the scholarship is as follows:
MSc (36 credits): AED 70,000
PG-Dip (24 credits): AED 46,667
PG-Cert (18 credits): AED 35,000
Yes. A Financial Sponsorship Loan is available for all accepted Dubai Health employees. This loan provides a payment plan for the remaining tuition balance over a maximum period of 4 years.
In addition, students can pay their tuition over a set number of equal instalments over the semester. Contact the MBRU Student Services office for further information.
MBRU does not provide direct accommodation to students. However, we have negotiated on behalf of the students with several private providers. Complete information can be found here
Yes, we will consider a new application as if it was the first.