The MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner course is healthcare professionals who want to extend the scope of their practice regarding consultation, assessment, diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.
It is suitable for aspiring Advanced Nurse/ Paramedic Practitioners and people requiring advanced physical assessment skills for their role. Modern healthcare services are dynamic, diverse and challenging, often requiring care and interventions delivered by healthcare practitioners with advanced clinical skills and sound theoretical knowledge.
The MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner will allow you to develop your skills at an advanced level, thereby meeting the requirements set by National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare (NLIAH).
You will develop your understanding of altered physiology to effectively assess patients' health or ill health status. In addition you will study research methods, influences on current health care practices and independent prescribing. The MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner can be achieved within three years and you will need to be supported by a medical and professional mentor in practice.
The wellbeing and health and safety of our students and staff is paramount to us. We are committed to delivering all of our courses and services as safely as possible. Due to the pandemic, the methods and activities adopted for the coming year may differ from those previously published and may be subject to further change through the course of your study if such change is necessary due to public health concerns, health and safety guidance or in response to Government Guidelines. USW is committed to providing you with a fantastic student experience and a wealth of support, and you can hear how students have benefitted from this approach here: Learn more about blended learning.
The final year of the MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner course has a choice of three pathways:
Optional modules
You will attend the University one day a week. First year students will study on Mondays, whilst second years are Thursday and third year are in on a Friday. Hours of study: Monday 09.00-17.00; Thursday 10.00-19.00; Friday 11.00-17.00.
MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner is taught by a variety of methods including tutorials, lectures, case study presentations, peer presentations, and problem-based learning. You will also undertake practicals in our Clinical Simulation Suite as well as in actual clinical practice.
Assessments include written examinations, assignments and OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations). The OSCEs will take place in May each year and be completed as part of the clinical skills modules and involve undertaking a comprehensive patient history, examining a particular bodily system, and identifying a management and treatment plan for the individual.
Our state of the art Clinical Simulation Centre is set up to replicate an acute care NHS environment, providing realistic clinical facilities for our pre-registration students and qualified healthcare professionals.
Applicants must be a registered nurse, midwife, SCPHN, health visitor, physiotherapist or pharmacist, or paramedic educated to at least degree level 2:2 or above. Candidates must have a minimum of three years, full-time, post-registration experience (or equivalent part-time) and be in current employment. Accreditation of recognised prior learning (RPL) will also be considered. You will also need to have access to a medical mentor who will assess and approve your clinical competencies throughout the Advanced Clinical Practitioner course.
The application process does not currently include an interview, other than for the Independent Prescribing module which is in the third year. Your application is vetted firstly by ensuring you meet the entry criteria as outlined. If you only fill out the basic information, your application is likely to be referred back to you. Please take the time to complete the personal statement and demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding of Advanced Practice and its application to your role.
If you have been offered an unconditional place on the course, please accept the offer as soon as possible, otherwise you may lose the place. You can always change your decision afterwards or defer. However, you can only defer your application for one year. If you decide not to attend after this deferral you will have to apply again.
The course welcomes international applicants and requires an English level of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component or equivalent.
Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course.
Students have access to a wide range of resources including textbooks, publications, and computers in the University’s library and via online resources. In most cases they are more than sufficient to complete a course of study. Where there are additional costs, either obligatory or optional, these are detailed below. Of course students may choose to purchase their own additional personal resources/tools over and above those listed to support their studies at their own expense. All stationery and printing costs are at a student’s own expense.
Whilst you’re studying you’ll have two main costs – tuition fees and living costs. You can get a range of funding to help with these costs.
There are a number of ways to fund your postgraduate study. This can be through student finance, bursaries or help from grants, trusts and charities (see Alternative Funding), or a combination of all three.
Click here to find out more about funding your postgraduate tuition fees and living costs.
The University of South Wales is offering a 20% reduction in tuition fees for all University of South Wales graduates studying a postgraduate course from September 2021 (this includes students starting their course in January/ February 2022). T's and C's apply.
Click here for more information about the USW Alumni Postgraduate Discount
Apply directly to the University for this course. You will need to register first.
The MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner will develop a range of clinical skills in greater depth and gain the knowledge to assess, diagnose and treat patients. Study of relevant protocols, policy and research will complement this to allow safe practice at an advanced level. Typical career progression is to Advanced Clinical Practice Nurse. Students can also progress to a PhD or a research degree.
The Pontypridd Campus is made up of two sites; Treforest and Glyntaff. Our students love the community atmosphere. It’s quieter than the cities, with green open spaces and views across the valley.
It’s the community and friendships you’ll build that make this place special. Outside your studies you can experience our amazing sport facilities and Students’ Union.
Living in Halls is a great way to meet new people and make friends. We have high quality accommodation in Treforest, Cardiff and Newport.
