Advanced Clinical Practice (Apprenticeship) MSc

Start date

22 September 2025

Duration

3 years part-time

About the course

Reasons to study

Enhancing your knowledge of advanced clinical practice may lead to career progression into advanced level roles across all specialties of practice.
Tailor this course to support your specific clinical practice, through studying either Primary Care, Critical Care, Emergency Care, Mental Health Care or Cancer Care.
You will be taught by lecturers have a wealth of skills, expertise and professional credibility related to advanced clinical practice.

Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) are a relatively new career pathway in heath provision. Trainee ACPs can be from a variety of multi-professional backgrounds bringing with them a wealth of clinical experience. ACPs are part of Government plans to modernise and transform the health service and will help to meet ongoing changes and challenges of the NHS, including increasing service provision to meet the needs of patients in a variety of clinical settings. With increased patient demand, ageing populations, patients with multiple co-morbidities, complexity and poly-pharmacy ACPs provide holistic clinical care to enhance the patient experience and improve health and social care outcomes. Advanced practice in all fields requires expert clinical, leadership and education skills underpinned by high quality research and evidence base to support practice developments. The course challenges the depth and breadth of your knowledge and supports you to demonstrate a high level of practice so you can function at the leading edge of advanced practice.

The apprenticeship course provides the opportunity for experienced registered healthcare professionals to gain 180 FHEQ level 7 credits and a Master of Science award. It is designed to provide those who are working as ACP apprentices, with an opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, behaviours and values required to meet the Institute for Apprenticeships Advanced Clinical Practice Standard and for an Advanced Clinical Practitioner role as part of the health and social care workforce.

The complexity of the course requires you to apply advanced theoretical knowledge in your clinical practice. To achieve this, you will study part-time for three years, attending the University for the equivalent of one day per week (minimum 20% out of practice training). The expected length of time to complete the course will be detailed in the Commitment Statement (Individual Learning Plan) agreed by the apprentice, employer and the University following your Initial Needs Assessment.

You will be able to study specific routes to support your education including: Primary Care, Critical Care, Emergency Care, Mental Health Care, Cancer Care or Generic.

If you’re thinking of studying an apprenticeship course or are an employer looking for an apprenticeship for your employees, you’ll also find useful information on our Degree Apprenticeship webpages.

Course detail

Year 1

Core Clinical Assessment, Skills and Decision-making for Advanced Practice

Situated around the HEE core capabilities for advanced clinical practice, you will study the theoretical principles required to carry out effective assessment, diagnosis and management of undifferentiated and undiagnosed conditions in addition to pre-diagnosed conditions related to body systems. You will explore how to generate differential diagnoses in addition to making informed collaborative decisions about the management of your patient’s presentation. Emphasis throughout the module will be placed on a person-centred holistic approach to assessment with development of management plans from which to provide optimum care.

Fundamentals of Contemporary Advanced Practice

In this module you will explore the four pillars of advanced level practice (clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research). The module will enhance your knowledge and skills in each of the four pillars and enable you to analyse and synthesise these to inform your clinical decision-making and the development of your Advanced Clinical Practitioner role. The module will challenge you to identify how healthcare policy impacts on your area of advanced clinical practice.

Year 2

One of the following:

Developing Advanced Practice in the Workplace

This module provides the opportunity to enhance your advanced knowledge and understanding of pathophysiology applied to acute or chronic illness, along with the examination of current evidence and developments in this field of care. Emphasis throughout the module will be placed on a person-centred holistic approach to assessment with development of management plans from which to provide optimum care. You will study the principles required to carry out advanced consultation to achieve effective assessment, diagnosis and management of patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed conditions, in addition to pre-diagnosed conditions, related to your area of practice

Developing Advanced Practice in the Workplace (Cancer Care)

This module provides the opportunity to enhance your advanced knowledge and understanding of pathophysiology applied to cancer, along with the examination of current evidence and developments in this field of care. Emphasis throughout the module will be placed on a person-centred holistic approach to assessment with development of management plans from which to provide optimum care. You will study the principles required to carry out advanced consultation to achieve effective assessment, diagnosis and management of patients with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of cancer and/or associated conditions, including treatment related effects, relevant to your area of practice.

Developing Advanced Practice in the Workplace (Critical Care)

Developing Advanced Practice in the Workplace (Emergency Care)

This module provides the opportunity to enhance your advanced knowledge and understanding of pathophysiology applied to acute and chronic illness, trauma and acute injury along with the examination of current evidence and developments in this field of care. Emphasis throughout the module will be placed on a person-centred holistic approach to assessment with development of management plans from which to provide optimum care. You will study the principles required to carry out advanced consultation to achieve effective assessment, diagnosis and management of patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed conditions, in addition to pre-diagnosed conditions, related to your area of practice.

Developing Advanced Practice in the Workplace (Mental Health Care)

This module provides the opportunity to enhance your advanced knowledge and understanding of pathophysiology applied to acute or chronic mental health conditions and illness, along with the examination of current evidence and developments in this field of care. Emphasis throughout the module will be placed on a person-centred holistic approach to assessment with development of management plans from which to provide optimum care. You will study the principles required to carry out advanced consultation to achieve effective assessment, diagnosis and management of patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed conditions, in addition to pre-diagnosed conditions, related to your area of practice.

Developing Advanced Practice in the Workplace (Primary Care)

Plus one of the following:

This is a compulsory module for all students who are able to register as an Independent Prescriber with their professional body.

Independent and Supplementary Prescribing

This module helps to prepare you to be an Independent and Supplementary Prescriber. You will explore the relevant professional, legal, ethical policy, evidence-based and practice components of prescribing. You will undertake coursework, examinations in pharmacology and numeracy and complete 90 hours of clinical practice with a practice supervisor and practice assessor.

Professional groups unable to register as an Independent prescriber and students who are already qualified as an Independent prescriber will undertake a module from a list which may include:

Caring for children and young people

This module provides the opportunity for all healthcare professionals who work with and care for children and young people to further develop their knowledge and skills, which can be applied to their current work environment. Children differ physiologically, emotionally and developmentally so therefore require individual care. You will explore the anatomical and physiological differences in children; normal child development; ethical, legal and professional issues in caring for children and young people; paediatric pharmacology including pain management; communicating and engaging with children; spotting the sick child; paediatric resuscitation; mental health; the injured child and medical and surgical conditions seen in children.

Electrocardiograph (ECG) Monitoring and Interpretation

This course will challenge you to develop your existing knowledge of ECGs. You will be provided with the opportunity to analyse and understand complex rhythm strips and 12 lead ECGs in turn, enabling diagnosis recommendations based on the information provided.

Long Term Conditions Management (Diabetes, COPD, Long COVID and Frailty)

This module provides the opportunity for you to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the short and long term clinical management of the individual with long-term conditions. Throughout the module you will need to take into consideration the implications for patients and carers facing the reality of living well, or dying as a result of a long-term condition. You will develop your understanding of the principles of case management and therapeutic interventions.

Managing Minor Injuries

You will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in relation to assessment, diagnosis, and management of undifferentiated and undiagnosed minor injuries in your own clinical setting. You will be supported by experienced minor injury clinicians to demonstrate competency in clinical skills applied to the context of your clinical practice. A personal portfolio will be developed as part of the course, based within a clinical setting which will allow you to demonstrate the application of theory into practice.

Personal and Practice Development

You will be provided with the opportunity to enhance your knowledge and understanding of an area of interest to support your continuing professional development needs. Informed by robust evidence based, you will have the flexibility to apply and reflect your individual personal and/or practice development learning needs expanding your knowledge and abilities within your practice.

Year 3

Core modules:

Advancing Clinical Practice Project

This module provides you with an opportunity to integrate the skills and learning afforded by your Master's programme. You will develop a proposal and have the opportunity to implement and analyse it into an advancing practice project. The emphasis will be on a project which meets your individual educational and professional developmental needs whilst having the potential to advance your clinical practice.

Advanced Practice End Point Assessment

This module will focus on the End Point Assessment (EPA) of the Advanced Clinical Practice apprenticeship. The module is designed to provide independent synoptic assessment of the knowledge, skills, and behaviours of the apprenticeship standard. Apprentices will explore their own knowledge, skills, and behaviours across the Advanced Clinical Practitioner apprenticeship standard.

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies are designed to offer you a variety of teaching, learning and assessment opportunities that align with your module learning outcomes, and offer realistic and effective preparation to enhance their knowledge, skills and progress as Apprentice Advanced Clinical Practitioners.

Learning and teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars, group work, practical experience, clinical workstations, staff or student-led tutorials, simulation, lab work, problem based exercises and also via distance learning. Student-centred learning is used throughout the course and modules are designed to embed transferable skills and to allow students to progressively increase their knowledge and confidence. Your studies will also be supported by the University's virtual learning environment.

The assessment methods for this course are varied and include a combination of coursework; practice/competency based learning, presentations and examinations. The nature of the assessment varies from module to module, and mirrors the modes of communication expected of graduates in this field to include report writing, critique and case presentation.

Throughout the course you’ll also have access to a Personal Development Plan, where you can identify your strengths and weaknesses, construct a record of achievement documenting the acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies, as well as reflect and act upon your personal, professional, academic and long term career goals.

On completion of this course, apprentices will need to complete the End Point Assessment (EPA). This is mandated by the Integrated Degree Apprenticeship for the Advanced Clinical Practitioner at Level 7 (Institute for Apprenticeships, 2018). You will work with Clinical Educators in practice throughout the course in order to meet the learning outcomes for modules and the EPA.

Teaching excellence

Triple proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.
We are joint first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 23 since 2008 (2024 data).
We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

Entry requirements

You must hold:

Current registration on Part 1 of the Nursing and Midwifery Council Register, Health and Care Professions Council or the General Pharmaceutical Council.
A minimum period of 3 years post-registration experience.
A first degree in your specialism or another relevant health related subject is required, or evidence of ability to study at postgraduate level.
GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme or equivalent.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

Ofsted Outstanding courses

The University’s apprenticeship provision was awarded an outstanding rating by Ofsted in a recent inspection.

Huddersfield is only the second university to be awarded Ofsted’s outstanding rating for its apprenticeship provision in the last four years.

It is also the only university in the Yorkshire and Humber region and the north-west of England to have both an outstanding Ofsted rating for apprenticeships and to be a TEF Gold-rated university.

The University was awarded outstanding in all five categories:

Quality of education
Behaviour and attitudes
Personal development
Leadership and management
Apprenticeships

The apprenticeship provision was praised by Ofsted for the positive experiences of the apprentices, the research-informed knowledge of teaching staff, and for the strong relationships between the University’s leaders and employers.

Placements

Supervision and assessment in clinical practice, when studying on this course:

You are required to be working in clinical practice in primary, community or secondary care.
You will require a Clinical Educator who will supervise and assess you in clinic practice.
Your employer must confirm that they are able to release you for ‘off the job training’ to attend all university study days.
You and your employer are responsible for identifying an appropriately qualified, occupationally competent clinical educator who will supervise the development of your clinical skills and will assess your level of competence in clinical practice to provide evidence of your achievement of course and module learning outcomes. The course leader will provide the University’s criteria for the clinical educator role.

Facilities

Relax with friends in the Campus Kitchen

Student Central Building

Inside the University's extensive library

University Campus

Students discussing work

Your career

On successful completion of this course you will meet the national standards required for the Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) role.

Professional links and accreditations

The Independent and Supplementary Prescribing Module is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Career support

We know you’re coming to university to undertake your course, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also help you to focus on life after you have graduated to ensure that your hard work pays off and you achieve your ambition.

So while you’re here (and even after you graduate) the Careers and Employability Service offer professional help, support and guidance, including industry-supported workshops, careers fairs and one-to-one guidance sessions. Find out more about the Service.

Professional links and accreditations
Career support

The Independent and Supplementary Prescribing Module is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Career support

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - part-time

As an apprentice, there is no tuition fee to pay for the higher or degree apprenticeship. Tuition fees are covered by your employer and the government through the levy. As you will be a paid employee, you are not able to take out a student loan.

Are you an employer? You will find lots of information about how apprenticeships are funded via the Apprenticeship Levy on our Degree Apprenticeship webpages.

If you require further information please contact apprenticeships@hud.ac.uk

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - part-time

Are you an employer? You will find lots of information about how apprenticeships are funded via the Apprenticeship Levy on our Degree Apprenticeship webpages.

If you require further information please contact apprenticeships@hud.ac.uk

Important information

When you enrol as an apprentice learner of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and our disciplinary procedure. It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to them when you join us as an apprentice. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to.

Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons:

Changes to a course you have applied for but not yet started

If we propose to make a major change to an apprenticeship course that you have applied for, then we will tell you and your employer as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Although we always try and run all the courses we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or delay your course start date if we consider this reasonably necessary, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you and your employer as soon as reasonably possible. In such instances, we will work with you and your employer to agree a deferred start date, or cancel your application and, if appropriate, provide information regarding other local apprenticeship providers.

Changes to your course after you enrol as an apprentice

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change is a change that materially changes the services available to you, or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days, classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the requirements of an updated version of the apprenticeship standard relevant to your course; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you and your employer as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered or claiming an interim award and exiting the University.

If a major change affects your course, we will notify you and your employer as soon as possible and will carry out suitable consultation with affected apprentices. If you and your employer reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment we will work with both of you to try to find an appropriate solution. Where one cannot be found we will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring your remaining apprenticeship learning to another training provider if you and your employer wish to do so.

Termination of employment

As your employer is funding your apprenticeship course, you must remain in relevant employment for the duration of the course until you have completed your end point assessment. Under the apprenticeship rules, if you are made redundant and you have completed 75% of the practical period or have less than 6 months left, then you may complete the course. Otherwise, unless you find alternative relevant employment within 12 weeks of the date you are made redundant, then you will be withdrawn from the course.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University. The ESFA is the principal regulator for your apprenticeship course.