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University Advanced Diploma
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Practice Development: Critical and/or Acute Care
If you’re a health professional looking after critically or acutely ill patients in a hospital or care setting, our course will enable you to upgrade your degree to a PgCert and directly enhance your professional practice and patient care – boosting your CV and your nursing career.
You will follow either an acute or critical care pathway and complete a period of assessed practice in your workplace on our course.
There is a mandatory requirement that a minimum of 40 credits per academic year is studied unless a formal break from study or programme leader agreement exists.
This programme 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 6. Enhance your professional prospects by playing an active role in practice development with Cumbria's flexible course that fits around your lifestyle and commitments.
On this course you will...
Be aware of the evidence, theories and policy drivers that underpin decision making and judgement in holistic acute and critical care practice
Know the professional, ethical and legal perspectives of acute and critical care practice, including diversity and cultural issues in the community and workplace.
Be aware of the need for and constraints of developing reflective practice, managing change and of multi-professional working including concepts and frameworks for transformative reflection, collaborative and partnership working.
Make sound professional judgments and utilise different modes of decision making.
Search for, critically analyse and apply a contemporary evidence base for acute and critical care practice.
Use information technology effectively, as a resource of information, as a learning aid and for the presentation of information.
Throughout the programme, you will develop a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of the current
problems and/or new insights which are at the forefront of your professional practice. You will use this time to analyse complex concepts and professional situations through work place reflection and data drawn from scholarship and research in the field.
This course will enhance your decision making skills as you explore the holistic nature of practice within acute and critical care.
Compulsory modules
There are two pathways you may chose from: Acute Care Route and Critical Care Route
Acute and Critical Care: Foundations for Practice
Acute Care: Initial Assessment and Management of the Acutely Ill Adult
Core Assessment and Management of the Critically Ill Adult
Critical Care: Contemporary Issues
Optional modules
Critical or Acute Care: Independent Study
Patient Safety in Clinical Practice
Pathophysiology and Diseases in Practice
Teaching & Assessment
How you will learn
The benefits of this programme are that the majority of your study will be asynchronous and accessible in a time and place convenient to you. Your module descriptor for the modules available to study will reflect the specific hours around each learning and teaching activity, as well as the expectations for guided independent study. These hours may differ between modules.
How you will be assessed
A range of assessment methods appropriate to the specific module of study are used including;
Written Assignment
Oral Assessment/Presentation
Portfolio
Set Exercise
Practical Skills Assessment
These assessments will be relevant to the needs of the workplace, allowing for authentic assessment and effective formative feedback to facilitate your success. You will be encouraged you to critically reflect on your knowledge and skills development, in order to develop your ability to make sound professional judgements.
Overview
Applicants must be a registered healthcare professional with at least 6 months experience of working within either an acute care environment or a critical care environment (or equivalent level 2 facility as per Intensive Care Society Guidance).
Applicants from critical care must be working a minimum of 18 clinical hours a week in the appropriate clinical area for the duration of the course and have completed Step 1 competencies prior to commencing the programme as per National Standards for Adult Critical Care nurse education. Critical Care Network-National Nurse Leads (CC3N, 2016).
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.
Fees & Funding
Tuition Fees
UK Tuition fees
£2,925 Entry in 2025/26 Academic Year
£3,075 Entry in 2026/27 Academic Year
International Tuition fees
£4,980 Entry in 2025/26 Academic Year
£5,130 Entry in 2026/27 Academic Year
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.
More Information
We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000..
You should budget for stationery and consumables for personal use. These may include notebooks, pens and pencils, digital storage devices, printing and photocopying. The amount you spend will depend on your study preferences.
Books and journals
Approximately £50 to £300 over the course of your studies
Optional · Throughout the course · Books and journals
Most core textbooks and journals are available through the University library. You may choose to purchase personal copies of books or other resources used to support your studies.
Some courses recommend particular books or provide an estimated annual budget for purchasing personal copies. Search for your course below for details.
Technology requirements
Cost depends on the equipment and internet service you choose
Required · Throughout the course · Digital learning and IT
You will need regular access to a laptop or computer capable of accessing the internet and running software such as a word processor and Microsoft Teams. Microsoft 365 is provided as part of your studies. You will also need a reliable internet connection. The amount you spend will depend on the equipment and internet service you choose.
Online learning at the University of Cumbria is an interactive experience that makes use of a range of technologies and media types to provide a rich learning environment.
An Open Day is your opportunity to explore one of 5 campuses, meet your lecturers, and find out how the University of Cumbria could become your new home.
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