Course outline
Course summary
This 60 credit award is designed for those working with clients in an acute and critical care setting who wish to enhance and develop their clinical and academic skills at level 7. You will be required to attend one of the induction days prior to commencing the first module of your course (distance learning students excepted). If you have studied at the University of Cumbria in the past two years, the requirement to attend the induction day may be waived.
The closing date for applications is 5 working days prior to the module start date or, if this is your first module, 5 working days prior to the induction date.
Modules
Year one
Compulsory modules
- Acute and Critical Care: Foundations for Practice
- Qualificatory Practice Unit for the Practice Development: Acute and Critical Care Pathway
- Critical Care: Contemporary Issues or Acute Care: Assessment and Management of the Acutely Ill Adult or Advanced Pathophysiology an Disease in Practice
Optional modules (subject to availability and demand)
- Evidence Based Practice
- Negotiated Learning
- Work Based Learning
Programme Specification
Programme specification (PDF)
Programme specification
For a detailed summary of all course content please read our programme specification for this course.
Assessment, Feedback, and Teaching and Learning methods
Timetables
Entry requirements
Entry Requirements
See course specific entry requirements listed below.
Selection criteria
Applicants will need to be a qualified nurse or health care professional and be working in an acute health care setting with at least 6 months experience in the speciality. You will also need a mentor who is suitably qualified to assess your development of competence in the field of acute and critical care. A minimum of 135 hours direct contact time (typically three hours per week) with your mentor is required to fulfil the learning outcomes of the Qualificatory Practice Unit (QPU) for this award. The period of practice development begins at commencement of the UAD and continues throughout all three contributing modules.
Admissions criteria are outlined in the University Admissions Policy. Normally applicants will be required to hold an honours degree classification second-class honours, lower division or above in a related subject. For applicants who do not meet this requirement, non-standard entry criteria will apply. In such cases, applicants will be interviewed using a proforma. It is expected that such candidates will have evidence of successful study at level 6 (or equivalent) within the preceding 5 years.
Applications will be reviewed on an individual basis. Potential students will be offered advice by an academic tutor on the suitability of the award and their module choices, this will be dependent on factors such as currency of prior learning, and their personal and professional development needs. Students should be able to show the potential benefits of studying for the award and a commitment to attempting the assessment items.
Application information
Making your application
Applications should be made online directly to the university - visit our website or contact enquirycentre@cumbria.ac.uk for details and guidance. There is no official closing date but we would encourage you to apply as early as possible, as many courses are competitive.
*Most part-time students are invoiced by module in each semester. Modular billing enables you to study at a rate you can afford, and over a period of time which suits you. Please note that some course fees may be subject to inflation.
What makes a good application?
We consider all aspects of your application, not simply your qualifications and grades. We look at your academic background and performance, relevant experience (particularly for professional courses where some voluntary or paid experience is required) and your reference. Above all, we look for motivation, commitment and potential - evidence that you can benefit from study at higher education level.
Make sure you include:
- Relevant qualifications/evidence of ability: check our website for the specific entry requirements required for each course. Tell us your previous academic results and your projected grades.
- A supportive reference, from an employer or your school or college.
- A good personal statement.
Explain clearly what attracts you to the course and tell us about your wider interests and experience. If you are applying for a course that incorporates professional training and placements, you should include any relevant experience or visits you have made in the workplace. Highlight your individual strengths and qualities, personal skills, capacity for teamwork, contribution to the community and your enterprise, originality and determination. Select some activities which bring out these qualities.
What next?
When we receive your application, we will send you an acknowledgement and if you are successful at this stage you will get either - an offer (with an invitation to visit the campus to which you have applied), or - an invitation to interview on a particular date. If we are not able to offer you a place on your chosen course we will usually try to offer you a place on a similar course and will contact you to discuss this. Alternatively, if we think you are suitable, but cannot offer you a place on your preferred campus because of the level of competition, we will offer you a place at another campus if one is available.
And if I accept?
The admissions team will contact you and send further information from February onwards about accommodation, and from May/June onwards about preparing to join the university. If you have any other queries, please telephone the admissions offices for information and advice on 0845 6061144.
Deferred entry
We welcome applications for deferred entry on some courses. If you have specific plans during your year out, indicate these on your personal statement as they may be relevant to your course and could enhance your application.
International students
Please see the international pages of our website for full details of our entry requirements (including English-language skills) as well as contacts for advice and support.
From 2009 the UK Border Agency introduced a Points-Based Immigration System (PBS) for students coming to the UK from outside the European Economic Area (EEA).
Students entering higher education will need to obtain a Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) plus finance confirmation to obtain a Tier 4 student visa.
UK education providers are licensed by the UK Border Agency. When students apply for their visa (or entry clearance) they will need a valid Certificate of Acceptance of Studies from the university. Please note that a CAS is not a guarantee that a visa will be issued.
See the following websites for further details: