PgC Critical and/or Acute Care: Practice Development
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-01-01 | - |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Course Overview
The PgC - Critical and/or Acute Care: Practice Development course is designed for healthcare professionals who are passionate about the deteriorating patient or the assessment and management of the critically ill adult. The course supports self-development while meeting the demands of the services in which you practice and national standards.
Key Details
- Recruiting to: UK / RoI / Settled in UK
- Course Location: Online
- Institute: Institute of Health
- Delivery Style: Blended Learning
- Course Duration: Part-time: 2 Years
- Course Start Point: January, September
- Award: PgC
- Open Days: All
Minimum Entry Requirements
- Applicants must have at least 6 months experience in an acute health care setting.
Tuition Fees
- Variable - UK
- Please visit the university website for the most up-to-date information on CPD fees
Course Structure
What You Will Learn
Within your chosen pathway, you will develop your knowledge and understanding to support competent practice in patient assessment, monitoring, and management. The course explores the initial effects of acute deterioration and critical illness on body systems, exploring altered pathophysiology, while providing a degree of flexibility for you to meet their own learning needs and interests.
Modules
According to your work environment, you will be advised to follow a specific pathway that will best suit your learning, experience, and expected achievement. The pathways contain different modules to best suit the knowledge and understanding required according to your clinical environment.
Pathway Modules
- Acute Care Pathway
- Foundations for Practice
- Acute Care Contemporary Issues
- Optional module chosen from the CPD programme
- Critical Care Pathway
- Core Assessment and Monitoring of the Critically Ill Adult
- Critical Care: Contemporary Issues
- Work-based learning module
Teaching & Assessment
How You Will Learn
You will learn through multiple methods of teaching, experiences, and the use of available resources to support independent learning. Within your workplace, you will require a Practice supervisor (mentor) and a practice assessor to support application of theory to practice and sign off your agreed competencies to support the end assessment.
How You Will Be Assessed
The process of assessment is clear and transparent across both pathways, using rubric marking grids to support the student in understanding the distribution of their grades. The process is moderated by secondary marking and external examiner review, before being processed and confirmed by the University Assessment Board.
Overview
Evidence of previous academic study is required. For PG Cert, evidence of prior degree is required.
Selection Criteria
- Students wishing to study this course must be working 0.5 or more WTE in a critical care or acute care environment as a registered health care professional.
- For the Critical Care Pathway, the student must have completed their Step 1 competencies in clinical practice, limiting the applicants to registered nurses only.
- All students require the support of their employer, a named mentor/clinical supervisor/assessor in practice.
Start Dates
- Critical Care Pathway: January
- Acute Care Pathway: September
Fees & Funding
Tuition Fees
- 2025 - 2026: Variable - UK
- Please visit the university website for the most up-to-date information on CPD fees
Funding
- The Critical Care Pathway is currently funded by Health Education England for nurses with settled status, working in critical care environments in England.
- Health Education England is not available for the Acute Care Pathway.
Additional Costs
- There will be some additional costs associated with the course, including stationery, textbooks, field trips, and membership fees, although some of these features are optional.
University of Cumbria
Overview:
University of Cumbria is a public university located in the northwest of England. It is known for its focus on practical learning and its commitment to supporting local communities. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including health, education, arts, science, and business.
Services Offered:
The university provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:
Academic Support:
Access to academic staff, student finance advice, and accommodation services.Student Life:
A vibrant campus experience with facilities, student support, and opportunities for extracurricular activities.International Student Support:
Dedicated services for international students, including visa guidance, fees and finance information, and cultural integration support.Research:
Opportunities for postgraduate study and engagement in research projects across various fields.Business & Employer Services:
Support for businesses and employers, including CPD training, apprenticeship programs, and recruitment services.Student Life and Campus Experience:
University of Cumbria offers a diverse campus experience with multiple locations across Cumbria and London. Students can expect:
Beautiful Campuses:
Campuses located in scenic areas, including the Lake District and historic Carlisle.Community Focus:
A strong sense of community with opportunities to engage in local initiatives and events.Facilities:
Access to modern facilities, including libraries, labs, studios, and sports centers.Student Support:
A dedicated student support team providing guidance and assistance with academic, personal, and financial matters.Key Reasons to Study There:
Practical Learning:
Emphasis on practical skills development and real-world experience through placements and internships.Strong Industry Links:
Close partnerships with local businesses and organizations, providing students with valuable networking opportunities.Focus on Employability:
High graduate employment rates, with a strong focus on preparing students for successful careers.Unique Locations:
Campuses located in inspiring and diverse settings, offering a unique learning experience.Academic Programs:
University of Cumbria offers a wide range of academic programs, with strengths in the following areas:
Health:
Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedic Science, Radiography, and Health and Social Care.Education:
Teacher Training, Early Years Education, and Special Educational Needs.Arts:
Film, Theatre, Photography, Fine Art, and Creative and Media Arts.Science and Environment:
Wildlife Conservation, Forestry, Outdoor Education, and Environmental Science.Business and Leadership:
Business Management, Tourism, Law, Forensics, and Policing.Sport and Rehabilitation:
Sports Science, Sports Coaching, and Rehabilitation.Other:
The university is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and has received various accreditations for its commitment to these values. It also actively participates in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and has a strong focus on knowledge exchange and impact.
