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Start Dates

20 September 2027

Duration

1 year part-time


Recent Awards For Excellence

Nursing - QS 2025
Find out more about these awards
About this course

Overview

Why choose Huddersfield for this course?

  • Build confidence in holistic critical care assessment and management of critically ill patients.
  • Advance your skills with CC3N Step 2 and 3 competencies, taught by experienced critical care clinicians.
  • Apply your learning in real-world settings, with mentor support to strengthen skills and progress your career.

Accreditation and Professional Links

Recognised connections to give you an extra edge when you graduate. Read More

This course is designed for registered nurses working in critical care who want to deepen their understanding of how critical illness affects the body. You’ll build the confidence to assess patients holistically and develop clear management plans that support safe, effective care.

Aligned to the Critical Care National Network (CC3N) Step 2 and Step 3 competencies, this course helps you advance both your knowledge and your practical skills. Designed and validated in conjunction with local employers, it focuses on the realities of today’s critical care environment and supports your academic and clinical growth.

You’ll explore current evidence, emerging developments and best practice in the field. Teaching is delivered by experienced acute and critical care practitioners, with guest speakers bringing fresh insight from frontline practice.

Your learning continues in the workplace, where you’ll apply new skills under the supervision of an experienced critical care mentor. This practical assessment helps you demonstrate Critical Care National Network (CC3N) Step 2 and Step 3 competencies and strengthens your readiness for the next stage of your career.

Who can apply?

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for this course are normally:

  • Be a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registrant with 12 months experience and currently working in a critical care setting.
  • You must have completed step 1 of The Critical Care National Network Nurse Leads Forum (CC3N) competencies prior to commencing the course.
  • You must possess a Diploma of Higher Education in a relevant health profession for example Nursing.
  • Have an honours degree at 2:2 or above, have studied at honours level or can demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skills at honours degree standard. We will consider other qualifications and experience on an individual case basis.
  • To undertake this course, students must identify, negotiate and access relevant opportunities and experiences to demonstrate their skills and competencies in Critical Care under the supervision of an appropriately experienced/qualified mentor.
What will you learn?

Course Details

Structured around the Critical Care National Network stage 2 competencies, this module will provide you with the opportunity to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the pathophysiological effects of critical illness along with the examination of current evidence and developments in this field of care. You will focus your studies on developing your knowledge and applying skills in critical care practice. Emphasis is placed on the holistic assessment of the individual with the development of subsequent management plans from which to provide optimum care.

Structured around the Critical Care National Network stage 3 competencies, this module will provide you with opportunity to enhance your advanced knowledge and understanding of the pathophysiological effects of critical illness along with the examination of current evidence and developments in this field of care. You will focus your studies on developing your knowledge and applying skills in critical care practice. Emphasis throughout the module will be placed on holistic assessment of the individual with the development of subsequent management plans from which to provide optimum care.

Teaching and Assessment

Discover what to expect from your tutor contact time, assessment methods, and feedback process.

Interested in a placement?

Placements

You will be required to undertake practice based learning and assessment, which will normally be within your own critical care setting. However, if there are core competencies that are not achievable you will need to arrange alternative settings which will allow you to meet these.

Where could this lead you?

Your Career

Previous graduates from courses in this subject area have gone on to work in a variety of roles such as Advice worker, Care manager, Community development worker, Community education officer, Family support worker, Health improvement practitioner, Health service manager, Youth worker, Equality, diversity and inclusion officer.*
*Source: Prospects

98% Percentage of the University's postgraduate students go on to work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduating.

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2022/23, UK domiciled.

How much will it cost?

Fees and Finance

£1,544 per 30 credit module

This is the tuition fee for 2026/27 entry. Tuition fees for 2027/28 will be published once the information becomes available.

This information is for Home students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Modules credits can range from 15 to 60, dependent on the content of the module. Read more about total credits required for a range of degrees, to allow you to calculate the potential total cost.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

For detailed information please visit https://www.hud.ac.uk/study/fees/

Scholarships and Bursaries

Discover what additional help you may be eligible for to support your University studies.

Tuition Fee Loans

Find out more about tuition fee loans available to eligible postgraduate students.

What’s included in your fee?

We want you to understand exactly what your fees will cover and what additional costs you may need to budget for when you decide to become a student with us.

If you have any questions about Fees and Finance, please email the Student Finance Team.

Explore More

Why Hud

Explore the unique opportunities and resources that make our institution a top choice for students seeking a well-rounded and future-focused education.

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More Info

Careers support

We know you’re coming to university to study on your chosen subject, 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.

Find out more about careers 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.

See our support services

Teaching Excellence

Great teaching is engaging and inspiring — it helps you reach your full potential and prepares you for the future. We don’t just teach well — we excel — and we have the awards and recognition to prove it.

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Inspiring Academics

Our researchers carry out world-leading work that makes a real difference to people’s lives. Staff within the Department of Nursing may teach you on this course.

Find out more about our staff

Research Excellence

You’ll be taught by staff who want to support your learning and share the latest knowledge and research.

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Accommodation

Looking for student accommodation? Huddersfield has you covered. HudLets has a variety of accommodation types to choose from, no matter what your preference. HudLets is the University’s approved accommodation service, run by Huddersfield Students’ Union.

Take a look at your options

Further Study

Many of our graduates stay at Huddersfield to complete postgraduate research degrees at Masters or PhD level.

Discover research degrees
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