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For all modules the applications portal will close 4 weeks before the start date. All applications must be submitted and funding confirmed before the portal closes. Any applications that have not been processed and or do not have funding confirmed from the sponsor organisation before the portal closure will not be accepted by the IHSC administrator staff.
Course reference
- Code: 5537
- Credits: 180
- Start date: Please click 'Apply now' to view start attendance dates.
Overview
For all modules and courses the applications portal will close 4 weeks before the start date. All applications must be submitted and funding confirmed before the portal closes. Any applications that have not been processed and or do not have funding confirmed from the sponsor organisation before the portal closure will not be accepted by the IHSC administrator staff
On this page:
- About this course
- Module sequence
- Accreditation of prior learning
- Entry requirements
- HEE guidance regarding Advanced Clinical Practice
About this Course
Advanced Practice development in the UK was pioneered by Barbara Stilwell, now an Honorary Doctor of London South Bank University. Dr Stillwell founded the first advanced nursing practice course at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in 1990. The original RCN Advanced Nurse Practitioner course moved to London South Bank University, where it has been developed for more than 20 years.
Since 2016, Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) training at LSBU has been multi-professional, in line with the Health Education England (HEE) Multi-professional Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice in England (HEE, 2017). In addition to the Adult MSc, we also have a Child and a Mental Health MSc Advanced Clinical Practice.
The ACP courses are open to:
- Registered nurses and midwives
- Allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists, pharmacists, paramedics, dieticians, etc.
Our students work in a variety of diverse settings across primary care and secondary care, which combined with the multi-professional backgrounds of students, gives a diverse range of experience amongst student cohorts for individual students to draw on.
The advanced practice pathways on offer at LSBU are fully accredited with the RCN. In addition, Health Education England (HEE) accreditation is pending.
The MSc Advanced Clinical Practice (Adult) is sequenced following a spiral curriculum, and encompasses all four HEE pillars of Advanced Practice:
- Clinical
- Research
- Leadership
- Education
There are two intakes per year: September and January.
This programme is accredited by Health Education England’s Centre for Advancing Practice. https://advanced-practice.hee.nhs.uk/
Module Sequence
All modules are at Master’s level (level 7).
Please note that the attendance days stated below may be subject to change.
There will be a 2-day induction prior to the start of the course.
Year 1, semester 1:
- Physiology for Advanced Clinical Practice ACP_7_009 (20 credits)
Thursday mornings x 11 weeks plus one optional week.
Assessment: three-hour exam.
- Advanced Clinical Assessment Skills ACP_7_010 (20 credits)
Thursday afternoons x 11 weeks plus one optional week.
Assessment: case study (2,500 words), practice-based learning handbook, and OSCEs. Possible prior accreditation.
Year 1, semester 2:
- Prescribing for Clinical Practice NMP_7_040 (40 credits)
2-day blocks over 6 months.
Assessment: drug calculation exam, pharmacology exam, VIVA, portfolio, and case study (3000 words). Possible prior accreditation.
If students cannot legally prescribe, they must undertake two extra modules, including WBL_7_001 (see below).
Year 2, semester 1:
- Clinical Reasoning and Diagnostic Skills ACP_7_011 (20 credits)
Wednesday morning x 11 weeks plus one optional week.
Alternating clinical reasoning and related pathophysiology.
Assessment: 2.5 hour exam and practice-based learning record.
Year 2, semester 2:
- Leadership, Research and Education for Advanced Clinical Practice ACP_7_007 (20 credits)
Wednesday afternoon x 11 weeks plus one optional week.
Assessment: portfolio (4,000 words)
Optional exit with a Post-graduate Diploma (120 credits)
This is not recommended unless unavoidable because it will probably not be sufficient for ACP registration with HEE.
Year 3, semester 1:
- Professional Development for Advanced Clinical Practice ACP_7_008 (20 credits)
Tuesday or Thursday afternoon x 9 weeks
Assessment: practice development proposal (4,000 words)
- Enhancing Practice for Work Based Learning WBL_7_001 (20 credits)
Tuesday or Thursday morning x 3 sessions.
Assessment: work-based learning project.
Or an alternative 20 credit module of choice. Possible prior accreditation.
Year 3, semester 2:
- Clinical Complexity in Advanced Practice ACP_7_012/013/014 (20 credits)
Three options: Primary and Urgent Care, Emergency Care, or Acute and Critical Care.
Thursday morning x 11 weeks plus one optional week.
Assessment: Clinical Portfolio and OSCE.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
Advanced Clinical Assessment Skills is subject to prior accreditation whereby students can transfer-in a similar completed module, if it is level 7 and of at least 20 credits.
Prescribing (NMP_7_040) can also be transferred-in if you are an existing registered and practicing prescriber. The qualification previously achieved can be at level 6 or 7, but if the number of credits is less than 40 an additional module may be required.
Enhancing Practice for Work Based Learning WBL_7_001 can, if a relevant module has been completed within the previous 4 years, can also be accredited.
Please note that credits used for entry (see entry requirements below) cannot also be used for prior accreditation of modules.
All other modules are core modules, and not open to prior accreditation.
Practice Based Learning
In order to apply academic learning to practice all students are required to dedicate the equivalent of 3 hours minimum per week throughout the calendar year (in addition to the study days in university) as protected learning time, working in a supernumerary capacity.
Throughout the course, with the exception of annual leave, students must be working at least 30 hours a week in a single clinical area, and have an allocated Practice Facilitator to supervise and support the applicant’s overall clinical development, and facilitate completion of specified practice-based learning activities. This is in addition to supervision and support from the wider clinical team.
The Practice Facilitator must be either a:
- Qualified doctor (GP, or Registrar level in hospital setting)
or:
- An Advanced Clinical Practitioner who has successfully completed a minimum of an RCN Accredited BSc Nurse Practitioner or a MSc/PgDip ACP at least 2 years ago.
Entry Requirements
Academic:
Applicants must be able to supply transcripts to demonstrate a minimum of 90 undergraduate degree (level 6) health-care related credits.
If you are uncertain as to whether you have achieved this, or if you are using a non-UK qualification, please contact the Course Director, nicky.bradley@lsbu.ac.uk.
Professional:
Students must hold registration as a Health Care Professional with one of the following:
- The Nursing & Midwifery Council.
- Health and Care Professions Council.
- The General Pharmaceutical Council.
- Or accredited with the British Society of Echocardiography or the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging.
Applicants must have a minimum of 3 years’ post-registration experience on entry to the module, and to be employed at a minimum of band 6 (or equivalent).
Practice:
Students must be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in one relevant clinical environment, with access to appropriate clinical support and supervision for the development of knowledge and skills to an advanced level. This excludes students who are working in a locum or agency basis.
Applicants must also be able to demonstrate employer support for all of the following (even where individuals are self-funding):
- Willingness to allow the student the equivalent of 3 clinical hours per week in a supernumerary capacity throughout the module (in addition to attendance at the university).
- Provide time with a suitable professional to act as Practice Facilitator (see criteria under Work Based Learning).
- Provision of day-to-day supervision and support by an experienced clinical team to enable the development of the knowledge, skills, behaviours, competence, and confidence commensurate with this level of practice.
Funding and ACP information
Most students are funded by HEE, this funding is requested by the applicant’s Trust or Training Hub. Whether students are funded by HEE, or by the Trust or Training Hub, the application must be approved (via our Wozzad system) by the Trust or Training Hub as sponsor/employer.
Self-funding students do not need Trust or Training Hub approval for the application, but do need a strong commitment from the employer to supply the level of clinical supervision and support indicated above under entry requirements.
Regardless of funding, the HEE Centre for Advancing Practice website has valuable information regarding the role of the ACP, preparation for ACP study, and clinical supervision.
- The Centre for Advancing Practice
- Multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice in England
- Advanced Clinical Practice Programme Handbook 2022/23
- Workplace supervision for Advanced Clinical Practice: an integrated multi-professional approach for practitioner development
Contact information
Course Leader
Name: Nicky Bradley
Administrator
Name: Asma Hashmi
CPD Enquiries: +44 (0)20 7815 5412