Program Overview

Introduction to the Advanced Clinical Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship

The Advanced Clinical Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship is a valuable opportunity for registered nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals to prepare for work in an advanced clinical role. This program allows students to study for a work-integrated master's degree in Advanced Clinical Practice while in employment.

Programme Overview

• Apprentices will be employed as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner Trainee throughout the duration of the program.
• This is a Level 7 program, and apprentices will graduate with an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice.
• Apprentices will remain part of the workforce and continue to contribute to patient care while working towards their qualification.

Key Benefits

• Support: Advanced Clinical Practice apprentices will be supported by experienced academic clinicians who currently work in clinical practice.
• Flexibility: A contemporary and dynamic program that can be linked to the apprentice's current practice area and is responsive to the changing healthcare environment.
• Highest Quality Education: Teaching is always current and integrates best practice through internationally renowned research and national frameworks and policies.
• An Education Provider You Can Trust: The University is one of the largest providers of healthcare education in the South West, with an excellent reputation for delivering healthcare study at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Course Facts

• Duration: 3 years
• Study Expectations Per Week: Employees will have seven and a half hours of protected study time per week.
• Delivery Type: A three-year, full-time program with a blended approach to learning, including face-to-face study days at the University and highly directed online study resources.

Entry Requirements

• The apprentice must be on the Nursing and Midwifery Council register or the Allied Health Professionals Council register to apply for the Advanced Clinical Practice program and must meet the University's entry requirements for study at postgraduate level.
• They must hold a first degree at 2:2 or above and have a minimum of three years post-registration experience and will be currently working in a role that facilitates advanced clinical practice.
• They must hold a GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English, or Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English. Other alternative qualifications may be considered; please contact the University for more information.
• Students must be 18 years old or over at the start date of this course.

Fees and Funding

• Apprentices do not pay any course fees. Costs are covered by the government and/or the organization.
• The total course cost for the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice is Ł12,000.
• There are two funding models available:
  • Co-funded: Non-levy organizations and levy organizations that have exceeded their levy contribution. The government will contribute 95% of the costs, and the employer will contribute 5%.
    • Government contribution: Ł11,400
    • Employer contribution: Ł600
    • Apprentice contribution: Ł0
  • Fully Funded: Levy-paying organizations will pay for the apprenticeship training through their levy account. If the organization has exceeded its levy contribution, it will fund apprenticeship training through the co-funded model.
    • Employer contribution: Ł12,000

Assessment

• Apprentices will be assessed using a diverse range of assessment methods linked to their own practice.
• Throughout the program, apprentices will also be required to maintain an electronic portfolio of evidence of learning, which, upon successful completion of the program, will become a lifelong source to evidence their professional practice.

Support

• Experienced clinicians will support the ACP trainees every step of the way.
• Apprentices will receive 12 weekly tripartite meetings with their workplace mentor and a member of the apprenticeship team to discuss their progress.
• They will also receive visits from their academic tutor once every semester.

Who is this Programme For?

This program is an exciting opportunity for registered nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals. It is aimed at multi-professionals from a variety of clinical settings who wish to develop their research and leadership skills and clinical expertise at the master's level. The program will be of interest to those wishing to work at advanced levels of practice or those who are currently working as specialist practitioners in bespoke clinical areas.

Programme Specification

The program specification outlines the details of the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice, including the structure, content, and assessment methods. It provides a comprehensive overview of what students can expect from the program and what they will achieve upon completion.

Work-Based Degrees and Higher Apprenticeships

The University offers industry-led, higher, and degree apprenticeships to support business growth. These programs help employers develop, harness, and focus the skills of emerging talent within their organization while offering employees the opportunity to pursue undergraduate degree qualifications alongside real-life work experience.