MSc Advancing Practice

Program Overview

The MSc Advancing Practice is a flexible program designed for nurses and allied health professionals seeking to enhance their careers and contribute to healthcare evolution. It offers two pathways, one for healthcare professionals seeking advanced knowledge and the other for those pursuing advanced practice roles in the UK with a focus on clinical practice. The program's online delivery and part-time structure allow for accessible and convenient learning, equipping graduates with advanced knowledge, skills, and competencies to lead and influence in their fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MSc Advancing Practice is a flexible Masters program designed for nurses and allied health professionals seeking to enhance their career opportunities and contribute to the evolving landscape of health and social care. The program aims to equip students with advanced knowledge, skills, and competencies to lead and influence within their chosen field.

Objectives:

Upon graduation, students will be able to:

• Utilize their knowledge and skills to inform the organization and delivery of care.
• Demonstrate advanced decision-making skills.
• Display a comprehensive understanding of advanced practice central themes, including leadership, facilitation of learning, research/development, and advanced professional practice, along with the underpinning principles.
• Apply critical reasoning and argument skills to support evidence-based practice within health and social care delivery.
• Evaluate theoretical models to inform advanced practice developments and innovation.

Program Description:

The MSc Advancing Practice offers two distinct pathways:

• Pathway A: Advancing Practice: Suitable for all registered healthcare professionals, both within and outside the UK, who aim to gain advanced knowledge and expertise in contemporary healthcare issues to lead and influence within their roles.
This pathway is delivered entirely online, making it accessible to professionals worldwide.
• Pathway B: Advancing Practice (Clinical Practice): Exclusively for healthcare professionals practicing in the UK who are working towards an advanced practice role or require advanced skills to meet the demands of their current role, with a primary focus on clinical practice.
This pathway requires two compulsory clinical modules:
• Advanced Clinical Assessment and Examination
• Prescribing for Healthcare Professionals
The Prescribing for Healthcare Professionals module leads to a qualification with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), requiring UK-based practice and registration.

Outline:

Structure:

• The program is structured to allow students to exit with a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, or Masters in Advancing Practice.
• Students can also choose to study individual modules as standalone continuing professional development (CPD) short courses.
• The program can be completed part-time over 3 or 3.5 years.
A full-time route is not currently offered.

Course Schedule:

• The program starts in September and January.
• Students require 60 credits for a Postgraduate Certificate, 120 credits for a Postgraduate Diploma, and 180 credits for a Masters award.

Modules:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Evidence-based Practice (must be taken before the Dissertation module)
• Advanced Clinical Assessment and Examination (for Pathway B only)
• Optional Modules:
• Advanced Practice
• An Integrated Approach to Frailty
• Diagnosis and Decision Making in Advanced Practice
• Essentials of Mental Health Assessment – a multi-professional approach
• Living with Long Term Conditions: Care and Management

Module Descriptions:

• Advanced Clinical Assessment and Examination: This module focuses on developing advanced clinical assessment and examination skills, equipping students with the knowledge and practical abilities to conduct comprehensive assessments in various clinical settings.
• Advanced Practice: This module explores the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of advanced practice, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the role and responsibilities of advanced practitioners.
Students will learn about different approaches to managing frailty and promoting well-being in older adults.
• Diagnosis and Decision Making in Advanced Practice: This module focuses on the diagnostic process and decision-making skills required for advanced practice.
Students will learn about different diagnostic tools and techniques, as well as the ethical and legal considerations involved in diagnosis.
• Essentials of Mental Health Assessment – a multi-professional approach: This module provides a multi-professional perspective on mental health assessment, covering various assessment tools and techniques used in different healthcare settings.
• Evidence Based Practice: This module introduces students to the principles and methods of evidence-based practice, equipping them with the skills to critically evaluate research and apply evidence to their practice.
• Living with Long Term Conditions: Care and Management: This module explores the challenges and complexities of managing long-term conditions, focusing on patient-centered care and promoting self-management strategies.
• Prescribing for Healthcare Professionals: This module provides healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to prescribe medications safely and effectively.

Assessment:

• Assessment methods vary depending on the specific module and may include essays, portfolios, and examinations.

Teaching:

• The MSc Advancing Practice is delivered entirely online, except for the two compulsory clinical modules in Pathway B, which require face-to-face attendance.
• Online resources and interactive teaching sessions are designed to engage students and challenge their thinking.
• Students are encouraged to embed their learning within their practice through directed activities, reading, seminars, and tutorials.
• The Canvas virtual learning platform is used to deliver online elements of teaching, such as online seminars, podcasts, videos, and other interactive materials.

Careers:

• The MSc Advancing Practice equips graduates with valuable knowledge and skills that can boost their contribution to health and social care and enhance their career progression.
• Graduates can pursue a variety of roles, including:
• Advanced Practitioner
• Specialist Practitioner
• Clinical Educator
• Researcher
• Manager
• The program supports Continuing Professional Development and can be linked to appraisal systems such as the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework.

Other:

• The program is taught by researchers in the field of nursing and healthcare.
• The Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport is committed to ongoing excellence in research and teaching.
• The program aligns course content with clinical scenarios and professional requirements at the Masters level.

2023-24 fees

UK and Republic of Ireland students International (including EU) students Full course fee £7,600 £17,775 20-credit module £844 £1,975 40-credit module £1,689 £3,950 60-credit module £2,533 £5,925

2024-25 fees

UK and Republic of Ireland students International (including EU) students Full course fee £8,000 £18,700 20-credit module £889 £2,078 40-credit module £1,778 £4,156 60-credit module £2,667 £6,233 This fee is charged as a module fee.

Payment options

We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments.