COURSE OVERVIEW
- Join a contemporary programme that embraces themes of leadership, sustainability, and evidence-based clinical practice
- Undertake a highly flexible learning experience using blended teaching and a guided discovery approach
- Learn from an expert team with knowledge and experience in practice and with academic credibility both within and outside of the University
- Choose from a fascinating range of optional modules (see below)
- Improve your career options by becoming a highly effective leader fit for future challenges within Primary Care and the Community, or allied settings
Are you a busy healthcare professional looking to extend your knowledge to an advanced level within your specialist field of practice? You can achieve that on this dynamic, multi-professional course, where you will study a contemporary advanced clinical practice programme with a specific focus on working in Primary Care and in the Community, or allied settings.
You will be part of a multi-professional group with the opportunity to explore a number of pathways through the programme as well as flexible study options that are designed to fit in around you and your work commitments.
Studying at Master’s level, you will be informed by the latest developments in clinical practice. The modules are mapped to the HEE Multi-Professional Framework, the FCP Roadmap and HEE’s Credential Specifications, the programme is seeking accreditation from the Centre for Advancing Practice.
The core modules are designed to link with your clinical practice setting where you will complete supervised clinical components in support of your learning. As well as the core Advanced Practice Curriculum, considerations of mental health and public health are embedded. The programme will embrace themes of leadership, sustainability, and evidence-based practice. The key components of Advanced Practice – leadership, education, clinical practice, and research – will be integrated into your learning, enabling you to demonstrate competence in these components of practice.
The programme will rely on your multi-professional experience and there is an expectation that you will participate and support the learning of others throughout the course.
You will normally study the Advanced Clinical Practice MSc programme over a three-year period although other options are available.
Proposed core modules are: Advanced Practice, Practice Portfolios (parts 1 & 2) and Research Methods and Research Paper, and the Capstone Project where you will complete a quality improvement project. In addition, you will have a choice of options that will be successfully completed in order to complete the ACP MSc.
Proposed option modules may include Independent and Supplementary Prescribing, Mental Health in Non-Mental Health Settings, Community Rehabilitation – Healthy Aging, Community Rehabilitation – Long Term Conditions, Musculoskeletal Practice in Primary Care and Managing Mental Health in Non-Mental Health settings
History Taking and Assessment is a stand-alone module that some learners will be expected to successfully complete before proceeding with the programme or particular modules e.g., Independent and Supplementary Prescribing and Musculoskeletal Practice in Primary Care.
Research will be embedded throughout the programme, and you will write a research-based paper that you will present in your final year alongside completion of a Capstone Project.
The learning and teaching approach will adopt a variety of methods of blended delivery, utilising a guided discovery approach. Case studies and your own experiences will be used to inform and challenge your learning which will be integrated into practice throughout.
Teaching will include keynote lectures, small group work, practical sessions, project supervision, tutor-led tutorials and seminars, clinical practice learning, and guided independent study.
There will be a strong emphasis on student wellbeing and support, underpinned by the values of the University, for developing graduates who are adaptable, flexible and ‘tuned’ to the future needs of health care.
You will normally be required to be employed in an appropriate UK clinical setting during the period of study as there is a requirement for work-based learning and supervised clinical practice to be successfully completed as part of the programme which contributes to the awards.
Careers
Advanced Clinical Practitioners are in demand across all health and care settings particularly in Primary Care and the Community.
ABOUT THIS COURSE
Suitable for applicants:
Based in UK employment. You must also meet the requirements for registration with an appropriate UK statutory health or care regulator.
Learning and teaching
Start date: January 2023
Teaching takes place: through a combination of delivery modes, including distance learning and teaching on campus in Winchester. Please contact the Programme Leader for further information.
The programme utilises a case-based learning and teaching approach which adopts a variety of methods of delivery. These include keynote lectures, student, plenaries, small group work, practical sessions, project supervision, tutor-led tutorials and seminars, clinical placements, and guided independent study. Different resources will be used including library and web-based for directed reading research based learning, videos, and portfolios personal reviews and reflections to facilitate personal development.
Location
Taught elements of the course take place on campus in Winchester.
Assessment
Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.
We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day or Open Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.
Feedback
We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.
Further information
For more information about our regulations for this course, please see our Academic Regulations, Policies and Procedures.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Relevant first degree/qualification with an award at first or upper second-class Honours level, normally awarded in the past six years, or equivalent professional experience from a recognised Education Provider and current registration (or eligibility for registration) with a relevant UK regulator e.g., Nursing & Midwifery Council, Health and Care Professions Council, General Pharmaceutical Council.
Additional Entry Requirements
- Evidence of educational and practice currency related to your current role
- Evidence of at least three years of relevant, recent, and contemporary experience, normally in, or working towards, an advanced practice role.
- Currently working in or towards, an advanced practice role with support from employer to attend programme and to complete supervised practice components of the programme.
- Attendance at an interview
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance
- Occupational Health clearance
Course enquiries and applications
Telephone: +44 (0) 1962 827234
Applications need to be submitted before the 15 May 2023. Late applications can be accepted throughout the remainder of the application year, for more information see our How to Apply section.
Visit us
Explore our campus and find out more about studying at Winchester by coming to one of our Open Evenings.
Year 1: Level 7
Modules Credits
| Advanced Practice | 20 | |
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This core module in the MSc ACP, PGCert and PGDip enables a critical analysis and understanding of the processes, theories, decision making, and skills that underpins advanced clinical assessment. This module includes epidemiology, public health, mental health, pathophysiology, anatomy, and physiology of disorders typically seen within practice (normally Primary Care and/or Community). You will consider relevant legal, policy and professional responsibilities and frameworks. Successful completion of this multidisciplinary module will enable you to further develop knowledge and clinical skills required to systematically take a patient history, perform appropriate examinations, and interpret diagnostic data particularly where information may be limited or incomplete. These skills are foundations of ACP and the ability to manage individuals with undifferentiated and undiagnosed conditions. This module is aimed at practising health and care professionals in roles requiring, or will require, advanced skills in history taking and assessment of patients and the underpinning knowledge and understanding. |
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| Practice Portfolio | 10 | |
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This clinical module takes place in the individuals normal clinical setting and builds on successful completion of Practice Portfolio 1 where the individual will manage their case load under conditions of supervised practice and in independent practice. |
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| Optional Modules | ||
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Year 2: Level 7
Modules Credits
| Practice Portfolio 2 | 10 | |
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This clinical module takes place in the individuals normal clinical setting and builds on successful completion of Practice Portfolio 1 where the individual will manage their case load under conditions of supervised practice and in independent practice. |
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| Research 1 (research methods) | 20 | |
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This module will build on research skills acquired during your bachelor’s degree and previous learning to enable you to carry out a piece of empirical research at Masters level. The module will review literature searching and critical appraisal skills as well as a regular journal club to develop critical appraisal skills for practice. You will analyse generated quantitative and qualitative data and develop your skills in protocol and journal writing. To prepare you for your Ethics Committee submission (where appropriate), research question and research study, you will also undertake research governance training. |
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| Optional Modules | ||
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Year 3: Level 7
Modules Credits
| Research 2 (research paper) | 40 | |
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During this module you will work with a research supervisor to undertake the research activity as described in your research protocol completed during the Research 1 – research methods module. |
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| Capstone Project | 20 | |
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During this module you will work with a site mentor/supervisor during the final year of your ACP programme to identify a quality improvement plan focused on a combination and integration of clinical practice, leadership, education and research as defined in the Multi-Profession Framework. This project brings together elements of your previous learning from the programme and your own personal learning journey. You will operationalise your plan and evaluate its impact. Examples of project may include ‘Creating practice guidelines to implement advanced practice supervision’, ‘Create and implement a professional development plan for newly qualified advanced practitioners, ‘Develop and implement an online continuing education programme for advanced practice staff transitioning into Primary Care and/or Community practice’ |
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Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing, for full-time students entering the programme in Year 1. Optional modules are listed where applicable. Please note the University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. For further information please refer to the terms and conditions at www.winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions.
The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed above.
Progression from one level of the programme to the next is subject to meeting the University’s academic regulations.
2023 COURSE TUITION FEES
UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man
Full-time entry | £9,775
Part-time entry | £3,258 p/a (3 years)
Total Cost | £9,775
International Students
Full-time entry | £16,150
Part-time entry | £5,383 p/a (3 years)
Total Cost | £16,150
ADDITIONAL COSTS
As one of our students all of your teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.
There might be additional costs you may encounter whilst studying. The following highlights the mandatory and optional costs for this course:
Optional
Core texts
Multiple copies of core text are held within the library and e-books are identified where possible, however due to the popularity of some books, there will not be enough availability for every student. It is advised that students look into purchasing second-hand copies. Indicative cost is £150.
Recording equipment
You may need to record and evaluate practice components. Indicative cost for ePortfolio subscription is £45 per annum.
Mandatory
Printing and Binding
The University is pleased to offer our students a free printing allowance of £5 each academic year. This will print around 500 A4 mono pages. If students wish to print more, printer credit can be topped up by the student. The University and Student Union are champions of sustainability and we ask all our students to consider the environmental impact before printing.
SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND AWARDS
We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To see if you’re eligible, please see our Scholarships and Awards.
Key course details
- Duration
- Part-time: 3 years
- Typical offer
- Normally a first or upper second-class Honours degree in a Health or Care related subject and registration with a relevant UK Health regulator
- Location
- A combination of distance learning and teaching on campus in Winchester
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