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MSc - Advanced Clinical Practice

If you’re a registered health professional wanting to boost your career, our flexible distance learning course will see you enhance your qualifications and further your career opportunities..

Our Institute for Health course will develop your knowledge and skills in: health assessment, diagnostic reasoning, clinical decision-making and leadership - all you need to bolster your CV and climb the career ladder.

Apply September 2027 Register Interest

Download our Prospectus

Accredited by:

The Centre of Advancing Practice.

Course Overview

You will develop qualities needed for senior healthcare roles, including in circumstances requiring the assessment, diagnosis, problem solving, clinical decision making and treatment of patients with undifferentiated undiagnosed conditions. We will enhance your knowledge and skills in leadership and caring for clients with complex needs. Healthcare is a complex and unpredictable environment, which requires personal responsibility and initiative, skills we will help you build throughout the course.

On this course you will...

Develop a comprehensive and systematic knowledge and practical understanding of how techniques of rigorous enquiry enable the critical appraisal, interpretation and application of evidence as it concerns the field of advanced practice.
Critically appraise different models of leadership and management and apply them appropriately to enable advanced practice service development and improvement, demonstrating originality of thought and the development of strategic thinking in response to a changing and dynamic practice environment and to health and social policy.
Critically appraise a range of theoretical concepts and frameworks for collaborative working and therapeutic relationships (embracing equality and diversity), demonstrating mastery in their application and innovative approaches to multi-agency working in the arena of advanced practice, including user/carer engagement and team working.
Make rational and sound professional judgements and use a range of techniques in relation to the assessment of health needs of individuals.

Apply September 2027

Download our Prospectus

Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
Course LocationOnline
Institute Institute of Health
Mode of DeliveryDistance learning
Course Duration Part-time: 3 Years
Course Start PointSeptember
AwardMSc
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysAll

Minimum entry requirements

1st or 2nd class honours degree.

Honours degree

UK Tuition fees

£11,000

Total Course Fee. Entry in 2025/6 Academic year

£1222 per 20 credit module. Subsequent year modules are subject to inflation

£11,295

Total Course Fee. Entry in 2026/7 Academic year

£1255 per 20 credit module. Subsequent year modules are subject to inflation

International Tuition fees

£16,900

Entry in 2025/6 Academic Year

£1708 per 20 credit module. Subsequent year modules are subject to inflation

£17,355

Entry in 2026/7 Academic Year

£1928 per 20 credit module. Subsequent year modules are subject to inflation

Tuition Fees Policy

Course Structure

What you will learn

Each 20-credit module attracts 200 learning hours and more information on how these hours are used are available in the individual module descriptors. You will notice as you progress on programme that each module builds upon the preceding one in a cumulative manner that will 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 then you will undertake two 20 credit optional modules in the second year and a single optional module in the third year. First and Second Year modules must be studied alongside the Qualificatory Practice Unit. You and your personal tutor will meet at the start of your programme to discuss your pathway through the programme as you may have accreditation of prior learning that we can allow into the programme, such as Non-Medical Prescribing. This will enable your personal tutor to map out your learning journey with you as it may differ from that above. If you are following the full programme, then you will only have to undertake one optional module in year three and again your choices and their availability will be discussed with you.

Year one

In the first year you have around 3 contact hours per week (36 per module). Your learning will be a combination of scheduled teaching and learning within the Blackboard virtual learning environment (VLE) and learning in clinical practice.You will be expected to consult with patients with a range of differing conditions within your workplace under close supervision and undertake workplace assessments on a termly basis e.g. demonstration of practical skills (DOPs) for physical examination of specific physiological systems.

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

In the second year you will have scheduled teaching and learning is 2 hours contact time per week (24 in total) for the Leadership module. You will be consulting with patients and developing in the other 3 pillars of practice of clinical leadership, education and research, whilst developing your portfolio of evidence and undertaking the workplace assessments on a termly basis. Non-medical Prescribing (NMP) sits within year 2 on programme as you are becoming more adept at undertaking patient histories and developing your diagnostic skills and confidence in role. Becoming an independent prescriber allows you to increase your level of clinical autonomy and complete full episodes of patient care within your scope of practice..

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)
Care of Minor Illness and Injury (optional)
Coaching and Mentoring (optional)
Disaster response (optional)
Management of Major Illness and Major Trauma

Year three

In the third year, you will undertake a Service Evaluation Project which has 24 contact hours and further tutor support within this double module. This project has 12 weeks of online learning and then a further 12 weeks to undertake and present your project that includes up to 8 hours of individual tutor support and guidance. Your final 20 credit module to complete the programme will be a choice module and the contact hours may vary here. You will continue to have a minimum of 1 hour per week with your educational supervisor throughout year 3 to enable continued progress with your advanced knowledge and skills.

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)

Overview

1st or 2nd class honours degree.

Students with other qualifications may be admitted to the course, please contact the Enquiry Centre for further details.

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

Applicants must have explicit approval from their employer to undertake Advanced Clinical Practice training. For those working in secondary care, this approval must be provided by the Trust Lead Advanced Clinical Practitioner before an application is submitted. Evidence of this approval will be required as part of the admissions process.
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). This will be dealt with via the University RPL procedures.
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. Standard University practice will be followed with respect to applicants without traditional entry requirements. Non-standard entrants are required to demonstrate ability to benefit from and successfully complete the course. All non-standard entrants are interviewed.
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. One referee must be the applicant's current employer.
It is expected that students will have in place a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS check). If an additional DBS check is required, it is the responsibility of the student or employer, to arrange for and fund this.
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.

Contextual Admissions

Contact pgadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

UK Tuition fees

£11,000
Total Course Fee. Entry in 2025/6 Academic year

£11,295
Total Course Fee. Entry in 2026/7 Academic year

International Tuition fees

£16,900
Entry in 2025/6 Academic Year

£17,355
Entry in 2026/7 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..

Student Finance

Additional Costs

Stationery, printing and digital storage

Approximately £30 to £40 per year

RequiredPer yearStationery

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

OptionalThroughout the courseBooks 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

RequiredThroughout the courseDigital 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.

Information on borrowing university laptops

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Location
Online Learning
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.
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MSc - Advanced Clinical Practice