Program Overview

Introduction to Advanced Critical Care Practice MSc

The MSc Advanced Critical Care Practice equips senior/graduate NHS nurses and Allied Health Professionals with the academic and professional skills to undertake Advanced Clinical Practice roles within Critical Care. Graduates of this programme will satisfy the professional registration requirements for the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM).

Programme Overview

The programme is designed and delivered by a multidisciplinary faculty of clinical and education experts in critical care and in advanced practice. Students learn through an engaging and supportive online learning environment, with opportunities for practice learning in selected partner NHS trusts.

Key Features

• The programme combines online learning with practical skills, taught by experts in critical care, perioperative medicine, advanced practice, and pharmacy.
• It includes an integrated PG Cert in independent and supplementary non-medical prescribing with enhanced clinical assessment.
• Eligible students can graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate in Independent and Supplementary Non-medical Prescribing, a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Critical Care Practice, or with the Master's in Advanced Critical Care Practice.

Entry Requirements

• A minimum of a second-class UK Bachelor's degree.
• Applicants who hold a pre-registration qualification which is not at degree level but can evidence the ability to study at level 7 will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• All candidates must successfully register with their professional body (Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC)) and must be eligible to become a student of non-medical prescribing, in line with current national legislation.
• Students undertaking the PG Cert, PG Dip, or Advanced Critical Care Practice MSc must also provide evidence of employment from their home trust and a named consultant intensivist who will be the clinical supervisor.

English Language Requirements

The English language level for this course is Level 2. UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are available for international students aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL.

Equivalent Qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website. International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the provided list.

Course Structure

The programme is delivered part-time over three academic years. It includes seven compulsory modules and a dissertation. Students can graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, or Master's degree.

Modules

• Clinical Assessment
• Independent and Supplementary Non-Medical Prescribing
• Critical Care Applied Anatomy and Physiology
• Fundamentals of Critical Illness Disease Management
• Transfer Medicine and Professional Standards of Advanced Practice in Critical Care
• Advanced Critical Care Practice: Specialist Care
• Introduction to Research and Improvement Science (for MSc)
• Advanced Critical Care Practice (MSc Dissertation)

Teaching and Learning

The programme is delivered through distance e-learning, practice learning, tutorial groups, practical skills training, and self-directed study. Moodle is used as the main learning environment, along with virtual classroom facilities. Much of the learning occurs during practice learning and one-to-one sessions at the patient's bedside, guided by experienced teachers and intensive care consultants.

Assessment

Each module has formative and summative assessments, including:

• Maintaining a record of in-training experience
• Essays and written case-based discussions
• Oral presentations
• Contributions to group discussions
• Reflective writing
• Examinations (written, verbal, and practical)
• An annual review of clinical and professional competence in line with FICM requirements (ARCP)

Placement

Practice learning is provided by selected NHS trusts with a partnership agreement with UCL. Applicants should note that this learning will be in locations within the UK, with the same NHS trust, for the duration of the 2-3 year programme.

Fees and Funding

• Tuition fees for UK and international students are ｣5,600 for the 2026/27 academic year.
• Additional costs include access to a computer and internet, transport and accommodation costs for clinical placements and examinations, and a fee deposit.
• Students may be funded through NHS England, their employers, or self-fund. Funding opportunities are available, and students can visit the Scholarships and Funding website for more information.

Career Prospects

The UK Advanced Clinical Practice workforce is evolving, with trusts increasingly employing Advanced Critical Care Practitioners to support safe, high-quality care for an increasingly frail and comorbid population. Graduates will satisfy the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM) professional registration requirements and can work as qualified Advanced Critical Care Practitioners, contributing to a dynamic and highly skilled medical workforce in the UK.

Accreditation

The Advanced Critical Care Practice pathway at UCL fulfils the requirements of FICM for students to achieve membership status on successful completion of both the academic and clinical components of the training. The non-medical prescribing component of the programme is accredited by the NMC and the HCPC. UCL is committed to achieving formal FICM Accreditation and NHS ACP Accreditation.