“…The University of Ulster has developed an integrated system of postgraduate education for nurses with the opportunity for students to progress as far as they are able or wish, exiting with a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Nursing or Midwifery, a Master of Science m Advanced Nursmg or Midwifery, or a Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc) It incorporates both the study of nursing theory and practice, and the development of competence m research The first students will be ready to transfer to the DNSc stage of the programme in October 1995, if they achieve the required standard m their work to that point This programme is believed to be the first leading to a Doctor of Nursing Science ui Europe and is possibly the first integrated programme of this type in the world Individual master's courses in nursmg are now offered in a number of universities m the UK, some of them with strong European links (Davis 1993) The majonty ofthese emphasize administration and education (Armstrong-Esther & Myco 1987) although some are now focusmg on specialist practice Master's and DNSc programmes are Correspondence Professor f RJ* Boore, Nursing and Community Health Research Unit, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Co Londonderry BT52 ISA Northern Ireland email fRPBOOREQulst ac uk particularly well developed in North America and McKevitt (1986) reported that master's programmes had focused primarily on preparation for clinical and functional roles m nursing, possibly because of the increase in the number of doctoral programmes with a strong research emphasis This course of study has been designed within the United Kingdom higher education system, with its unique charactenstics, and it aims to mtegrate closely development for clinical practice with the acquisition of research expertise to a high level Planned withm the UK, it takes account of the specific needs of the nursing profession and the health care service withm this country However, as the first such programme withm the island of Ireland, it is intended to meet the needs of nurses fi-om the Republic of Ireland, as well as from Northern Ireland, and it is considered that the core content and the fiexibility planned into this programme makes it emmently smtable for other international students…”