Advanced Clinical Practice MSc

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Advanced Clinical Practice MSc students attending a taught session, watching a lecturer present clinical and professional development content in a modern classroom environment.

Course Overview

To prepare Allied Health Professionals, Nurses, Midwives and Pharmacists to practice as Advanced Clinical Practitioners as defined by Health Education England (2017).

Our dedicated advanced clinical practice academic team are all clinical ACPs as well as academics and as such we are able to ensure clinical currency in the way our modules are delivered.

The MSc Advanced Clinical Practice course at the University of Chester is accredited with NHS England. This means that on completion of the course our students will be eligible to receive a digital badge as recognition of their learning and professional development. Our programme has been reviewed and redesigned in conjunction with current students, advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs), clinical practice leads and service users, which has enabled us to create a programme that is contemporary and fit for purpose.
 
Our team are all ACPs and educators. 80% of the programme team still work clinically in ACP roles, bringing up-to-date clinical experience to the sessions, modules and programme that we deliver. We also have a dedicated service user team, who provide teaching and assessment.

Accreditations

The Centre for Advancing Practice Accredited Course

Why You'll Love It

Teaching Team

The majority of our teaching team are still in regular clinical practice which brings clinical currency and freshness to each session.

A group of people in a classroom

Dedicated Service User Team

We have a team of dedicated service users who support the delivery and assessment of our programme. They bring different but important clinical experiences to the programme.

A student with a patient

NHSE programme accreditation

Our programme is accredited with NHS England and this ensures that all of our successful students are recognised as Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) by NHSE and hold an ACP digital pin.

A student practicing clinical skills

Course Content

The first year is predominantly the clinical year. We introduce the four pillars of advanced practice as defined by HEE (2017). We will also cover A&P, history taking, clinical examination and the use of diagnostics to determine possible differential diagnosis.

Most of our students choose to complete Non-medical Prescribing during the second year as their 40 credit option modules. We launch the clinical dissertation in year 2, which includes the creation of a clinical portfolio.

The clinical dissertation continues into the final year and covers all four pillars of advanced practice. The final module is to enable students to transition into their ACP roles and includes writing for publication, presenting skills, engaging in research and advanced communications.

Core Modules

This module will prepare you  to perform clinical consultations to determine and justify differential diagnosis and ensure decisions made and care given is evidence based. You will also develop an understanding of the impact of the ACP role on quality of services delivered 

The module content will include: 

Formulating differential diagnosis (Integumentary, Musculoskeletal, Neurology, Endocrine, Renal) using advanced communication, history taking, clinical examination, diagnostics, – to develop patient centred management plans  including safety netting and collaboration with others (Health Education England’s framework to promote person-centered approaches in health and care.) 

Interpreting the evidence to justify clinical decisions made and to ensure best practice is delivered and shared widely in day to day Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) roles. Be able to identify gaps within the evidence available and consider how these may be addressed 

The impact of the ACP role and clinical decisions made on the service as a whole and on quality of care provided 

 

  • Formulating differential diagnosis (Ear Nose & Throat, Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Gastrointestinal, Mental Health) using advanced communication, history taking, clinical examination, diagnostics, – to develop patient centred management plans  including safety netting and collaboration with others (Health Education England’s framework to promote person-centered approaches in health and care.) 

 

  • Interpreting the evidence to justify clinical decisions made and to ensure best practice is delivered and shared widely in day to day Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) roles. Be able to identify gaps within the evidence available and consider how these may be addressed 

 

  • Working in partnership to understand the influences of individuals, society and communities on health and access to health care services 

 

 

  • Explore role modelling to ensure care that is delivered by all is safe and evidence-based

This module aims to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate achievement and critically reflect upon  the four pillars of Advanced practice, clinical, leadership, research and education contextualised to their own clinical practice.

The module content will include: 

Portfolio development which will include key systems / conditions as applied to own clinical area, decision making as an Advanced Practitioner, critical reflection 

Apply research pillar to own clinical area by exploring how to identify gaps in evidence, evaluate clinical practice, address gaps and disseminate findings 

Apply education pillar to own clinical area by identifying way to facilitate learning and assessment through role modelling and team working 

Apply leadership pillar to own clinical area by evaluating self, others and service effectiveness to influence practice and enhance quality. Consider service redesign solutions implementation methods. 

History of Advanced Clinical Practice, increased level of responsibility, self- awareness and team working, key documents, legal frameworks (including HEE framework to promote person centered approaches in health and care, Introduction to the four pillars of advanced clinical practice -   

  • Critiquing evidence to aid clinical practice (research pillar) 
  • Influencing clinical practice to enhance quality and adoption of best practice (leadership) 
  • Critical reflection to aid individual and wider team developmental needs (education) 
  • Exploration of why advanced A&P and pathophysiology knowledge important for advanced level practice (clinical) 

Legal and professional consideration in advance clinical practice.  Professional requirements for lifelong learning and for promoting learning in others. 

Principles of evidence-based practice, types of knowledge.  literature searching.  Constructing an argument. Service user as expert and shared decision making, person centred care. 

 Anatomy, Physiology and & Pathophysiology of the major body systems – considering application to practice. 

Individual and population influencing factors eg lifestyle, ethnicity.  Impact of health inequalities.  Health promotion and disease prevention. 

To prepare the learner for final ACP role once formal education is completed 

How to identify the need for and lead research activity, including bidding for research funds  

Develop skills in writing for publication and presenting 

How to engage with health professionals at a higher service lead level, including mentoring trainee ACPs 

Explore role in healthcare governance 

There will be a clinical workshop style day to consolidate all aspects of ACP training  

Optional Modules

The aim of this module is to enable the professional to attain the competencies as identified by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (2021) Framework for safe effective prescribing practice.

The RPS (2021) generic Prescribing competency framework forms the basis of the curriculum and has been used to inform the design and delivery of the programme acting as a contextual framework to structure learning and assessment for all students regardless of their professional background. The RPS competencies are: 

1: ASSESS THE PATIENT

2: CONSIDER THE OPTIONS

3: REACH A SHARED DECISION

4: PRESCRIBE

5: PROVIDE INFORMATION

6: MONITOR AND REVIEW

PRESCRIBING GOVERNANCE (COMPETENCIES 7-10)

7: PRESCRIBE SAFELY

8: PRESCRIBE PROFESSIONALLY

9: IMPROVE PRESCRIBING PRACTICE

10: PRESCRIBE AS PART OF A TEAM

 

This module provides an opportunity to gain academic credit for work-based learning and professional development activities that are relevant to your current role and career aspirations. It is designed to recognise and support learning that takes place in the workplace, enabling you to develop specialist knowledge, skills and professional capabilities within your area of practice.

The specific content and duration of the module will be agreed between you and the Faculty and recorded within the tripartite agreement, ensuring that the learning is tailored to your individual learning needs and professional goals.

Throughout the module, you will be encouraged to critically examine your practice, evaluate evidence and reflect on your professional development. Learning activities may draw on workplace projects, service improvement initiatives, in-house training, independent study, online learning, or other relevant professional development opportunities.

Typical areas of study may include:

  • Critical analysis and interpretation

  • Critical reflection on practice

  • Evaluation and assessment

  • Critical self-evaluation and personal awareness

  • Strategy and policy development

  • Multi-disciplinary working

  • Professional accountability

The module offers a structured and academically rigorous framework through which you can apply and develop subject-specific knowledge and skills, while supporting your ongoing professional and career development.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

How You'll Learn

Teaching will be through lectures, supervised practice, workshops and simulation based learning

Assessments include exams, OSCEs, assignments, dissertation and presentations

This course is designed around in-person study

There may be some online learning activities

An aerial photograph of Exton Park with the text 'How we teach at the University of Chester'

How we teach at the University of Chester

Students will experience a variety of teaching and learning methods designed to facilitate the achievement of all learning outcomes at Masters level within a student-centred approach which fosters personal and professional development. Supervised practice with a designated clinical assessor is a mandatory part of the programme. There will also be consultation-style workshops utilising ‘real life’ scenarios, technology enhanced and simulation-based learning.

Self-directed and peer-learning will be encouraged throughout and, consistent with the philosophy of the programme, peer and self-assessment will be used in the formative assessment process to complement lecturer assessment. Student support and direction will be provided by interactive discussion and individual feedback.

There is an expectation that students will be granted 7.5 hours (1 day) of study leave per week from their employers to attend university or complete the clinical competency achievement.

Summative assessments include:

  • Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) of communication, clinical examination and clinical decision making skills
  • Clinical Competency achievement, assessed by Clinical Assessor
  • Academic written assignments
  • Academic written dissertation
  • Written and online examinations
  • Oral presentation
  • Oral examination

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

To prepare Allied Health Professionals, Nurses, Midwives and Pharmacists to practice as Advanced Clinical Practitioners as defined by Health Education England (2017).

Our dedicated advanced clinical practice academic team are all clinical ACPs as well as academics and as such we are able to ensure clinical currency in the way our modules are delivered.

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

Entry Requirements

Extra Requirements

Evidence of having successfully completed level 6 academic modules within a HEI setting

Other Admission Requirements

Students must provide evidence of confirmation from their employer that a workplace clinical assessor is available to support the student for the duration of the course as part of the application process.

Applicants must work in a service user-facing role and usually have a minimum of 2 years* post-registration experience. Candidates who do not possess the full two years of experience in the specialist area may exceptionally be admitted to the course using the following criteria, both of which must be met:

Support from sponsoring organisation/employer

Identified Clinical Assessor in practice - Registrar/ Consultant/GP or ACP with a digital badge.

Evidence of practice in a closely related area of specialism

Professional Status

Current registration with one of the statutory regulators of health and care professions (NMC, GPhC, HCPC)

Fees and Funding

£9,990 for a full-time course (2026/27)

The tuition fees for home students studying courses in 2026/27 are £9,990 per year.

Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses are available to view on our Postgraduate Fees page. Here you will also find information about part-time fees and project/placement year fees.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships. 

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees and Finance section of our website.