MSc Advanced Clinical Practice

Program Overview

MSc - Advanced Clinical Practice

Course Overview

This flexible distance learning course is designed for registered health professionals who want to enhance their qualifications and further their career opportunities. The course will develop your knowledge and skills in health assessment, diagnostic reasoning, clinical decision-making, and leadership.

Key Details

• Recruiting to: UK / RoI / Settled in UK, EU / EEA / International
• Course Location: Online
• Institute: Institute of Health
• Delivery Style: Online
• Course Duration: Part-time: 3 Years
• Course Start Point: March, August
• Award: MSc

Course Structure

What you will learn

Each 20-credit module attracts 200 learning hours. The course is structured to build your knowledge and skills in the advanced practitioner role as you become part of an inclusive community of practice.

Modules

You will follow the programme core modules in the sequence laid out above. However, if you are in a profession who cannot yet prescribe, you will undertake two 20-credit optional modules in the second year and a single optional module in the third year.

Year one

• Consultation, Examination and Clinical Decision Making in Advanced Practice
• Clinical Decision Making: Improving Outcomes in Complex Patients
• Analysing Research and Evidence to Inform Advanced Clinical Practice
• Portfolio of Advanced Practice and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE)

Year two

• Clinical Leadership to Improve Patient Outcome
• Independent Prescribing for Pharmacists
• Independent/ Supplementary Prescribing for Nurses and Midwives (V300)
• Independent/ Supplementary Prescribing for Allied Health Professionals
• Portfolio of Advanced Practice and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE)
• Health Assessment in Common Childhood Illness (Optional)
• Advanced Assessment of the Acutely Unwell Child (Optional)
• Negotiated learning (Optional)
• Work Based Learning (Optional)
• Acute Care: Initial Management of the Acutely Ill Adult (Optional)
• Advanced Pathophysiology & Diseases in Practice (Optional)

Year three

• Service Evaluation for Improving Clinical Practice
• Health Assessment in Common Childhood Illness (Optional)
• Advanced Assessment of the Acutely Unwell Child (Optional)
• Negotiated learning (Optional)
• Work Based Learning (Optional)
• Acute Care: Assessment and Management of the Acutely Ill Adult (Optional)
• Advanced Pathophysiology & Diseases in Practice (Optional)

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

Academic learning will be facilitated through an online distance learning delivery, using a supported and facilitated approach that includes formative feedback.

How you will be assessed

Overview of the methods of assessment used on the programme within each year of study:

• Patchwork Text
• Case Study & Viva
• Written assignment
• Poster presentation
• OSCE and Portfolio submission
• Project

Entry Requirements

• 1st or 2nd class honours degree
• Students with other qualifications may be admitted to the course, please contact the Enquiry Centre for further details

Selection Criteria

• Applicants must be on the NMC Nursing Register /Health Professionals Council Register or its equivalent, and have regular access to an advanced practice environment
• Nurse Practitioner (RCN approved courses only) graduates will be exempt from the Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE)
• Applicants will have 3 years (pro rata) experience in their clinical field
• Applicants are required to have a clinical practice facilitator to support their clinical learning and undertake their practice assessments
• Placements are subject to an educational audit of the learning environment
• Normally applicants must hold an Honours degree classification 2ii or above in a cognisant subject
• Applicants who do not hold a 2ii Honours degree will be considered as a non-standard entrant
• Applicants will need to provide evidence of successful study at Level 6 (or equivalent) within the last 5 years
• Students for whom English is a second language may be required to provide evidence of passing an International Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score of 7.0 with a mean score of 6.5 in all elements
• Applicants will be interviewed by a member of the Advanced Practice team; this interview will be conducted by telephone
• The application must be supported by two references one of which must make reference to the applicant's professional competence
• It is expected that students will have in place a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS check)
• Where a student undertakes a placement outside a contract of employment with the placement provider, there is an expectation that adequate arrangements for indemnity insurance will be in place and this is the student's responsibility

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

• £11,000 - UK
• £16,900 - International

This course is billed per 20 credit module, with 180 credits necessary to complete the course.

2025/6 fees per 20 Credits are: UK £1,222 Overseas £1,878

2024/5 fees per 20 Credits are: UK £1,222 Overseas £1,708

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

Additional Costs

There may be some additional costs associated with the course including stationery, textbooks, field trips and membership fees although some of these features are optional.