MSc Advanced Professional Practice (Part time)
Key Details
- Attendance
- Part Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 3 years
- Course Start Date
- January 2025
Course Overview
The Advanced Professional Practice programme reflects national and international benchmarks for advanced level professional practice for the healthcare workforce, while supporting you to build a personalised qualification around your own advancing professional practice role. In addition to four core modules, you'll choose from a wide range of optional modules, allowing you to tailor the programme to the context of your own professional practice and achieve optimal professional development. The programme is accredited by the HEE Centre for Advancing Practice and is therefore closely aligned to the Health Education England Multi-Professional Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice in England (HEE, 2017).
Most modules are available as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) standalone modules Visit our CPD section for further information about individual CPD modules.
We consider advanced practice to be a level of practice, which can be achieved across a wide range of roles and settings within healthcare. Therefore, this programme is suitable for health professionals working in a wide variety of settings living and working in the UK. As the programme requires learners to be assessed in practice and to undertake a service improvement project within their clinical setting, you must have the support of your employing organisation and a commitment by them that they will meet the assessment and governance requirements of the programme during your period of study.
Key attributes of the programme include:
A flexible approach to study: innovative and accessible online and blended learning and teaching methods will sustain your interest and motivation, while giving you control over your learning experience.
Community of learning: we embrace and encourage diverse professional perspectives and backgrounds to promote an inclusive and participatory approach to learning.
Underpinned by the four pillars of advanced practice: a range of core and optional modules are available to enhance practitioners’ overall level of practice, whatever their role.
Individual focus: evaluate and advance your practice by recognising and addressing areas of limitation, building on strengths, and reflecting on and applying your learning experiences to your own professional role and context.
Career-enhancing: gain the knowledge, insight and skills to progress your career to the next level, demonstrating your value to your employer and meeting the ever-changing demands of modern healthcare practice.
Student support: to enable you to achieve your full potential, we offer a wide range of support for your academic study including a range of advisers and specialists within the school and programme team, and the University’s dedicated student support service.
Accreditations
As an HEE-accredited programme, if you are working in an advanced practice role, completion of the MSc Advanced Professional Practice allows you to register with HEE as an Advanced Practitioner. Dependent on your role within practice and the modules selected, there is also potential for application for credentialing with external bodies. Credentialling is available via the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine
Study and Modules
Structure
You'll complete 60 credits, including at least one 20-credit core module in term one or term two. Optional modules can also be selected to reflect the role and setting in which you work and your professional interests. Some modules are subject to further entry requirements, which may require organisational support.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
| Sep - Dec | Core OR Optional | Core OR Optional | Optional OR Core Service Improvement Project |
| Jan - Mar | Core OR Optional | Core OR Optional | Optional OR Core Service Improvement Project |
| Apr - Jul | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Many of our modules are taught fully online or have a significant online learning component. Asynchronous learning (learning resources and activities which you engage with flexibly, on a day and time that is convenient to you) is supported by focused live seminars and tutorials, which you are expected to attend.
Some modules are taught face-to-face on the UEA campus, or have a face-to-face component, meaning that you are expected to attend in person. Our state-of-the-art, purpose-built skills and simulation facilities provide excellent learning opportunities to advance your practice in a safe and encouraging environment.
Module organisers are experienced academics with a strong clinical background. Modules are further supported by teams of knowledgeable academics and practitioners with appropriate specialist expertise and the experience to help you to apply your academic learning to practice. The learners on the Advanced Professional Practice programme are also part of the module team, providing valuable multi-professional insight and perspectives to enrich learning.
Comprehensive personal advising and academic support systems are in place to enable you to receive additional support if required and optimise success in your studies.
Each module is assigned a specified number of ‘effort’ hours. This is 200 hours for a 20-credit module and 400 hours for a 40-credit module. The teaching and learning activities timetabled and any practice-based learning and assessment will account for many of the hours, but there is an expectation that you'll undertake independent study in each module involving finding, appraising and applying evidence to inform your thinking and academic writing, as well as general notetaking and preparation for assessment. This will not only enhance your learning experience but will also help develop a sound evidence-base to support your academic preparedness for an advanced practice role.
Assessment
A range of assessment methods are used throughout the programme, which have been carefully considered to enable you to demonstrate effectively both the learning outcomes for each module and your progression in relation to the pillars and principles of advanced practice.
Formative and summative assessment strategies across the programme include written assignments, unseen examinations, case study analysis and evaluation, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), group/individual poster/oral presentations, practice assessment documents and portfolios.
Structure
You'll complete another 60 credits, including at least one 20-credit core module in term one or term two, taking your total number of credits to 120. Optional modules can be selected to reflect the role and setting in which you work and your professional interests. Some modules are subject to further entry requirements, which may require organisational support.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
| Sep - Dec | Core OR Optional | Core OR Optional | Optional OR Core Service Improvement Project |
| Jan - Mar | Core OR Optional | Core OR Optional | Optional OR Core Service Improvement Project |
| Apr - Jul | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Many of our modules are taught fully online or have a significant online learning component. Asynchronous learning (learning resources and activities which you engage with flexibly, on a day and time that is convenient to you) is supported by focused live seminars and tutorials, which you are expected to attend.
Some modules are taught face-to-face on the UEA campus, or have a face-to-face component, meaning that you are expected to attend in person. Our state-of-the-art, purpose-built skills and simulation facilities provide excellent learning opportunities to advance your practice in a safe and encouraging environment.
Module organisers are experienced academics with a strong clinical background. Modules are further supported by teams of knowledgeable academics and practitioners with appropriate specialist expertise and the experience to help you to apply your academic learning to practice. The learners on the Advanced Professional Practice programme are also part of the module team, providing valuable multi-professional insight and perspectives to enrich learning.
Comprehensive personal advising and academic support systems are in place to enable you to receive additional support if required and optimise success in your studies.
Each module is assigned a specified number of ‘effort’ hours. This is 200 hours for a 20-credit module and 400 hours for a 40-credit module. The teaching and learning activities timetabled and any practice-based learning and assessment will account for many of the hours, but there is an expectation that you'll undertake independent study in each module involving finding, appraising and applying evidence to inform your thinking and academic writing, as well as general notetaking and preparation for assessment. This will not only enhance your learning experience but will also help develop a sound evidence-base to support your academic preparedness for an advanced practice role.
Assessment
A range of assessment methods are used throughout the programme, which have been carefully considered to enable you to demonstrate effectively both the learning outcomes for each module and your progression in relation to the pillars and principles of advanced practice.
Formative and summative assessment strategies across the programme include written assignments, unseen examinations, case study analysis and evaluation, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), group/individual poster/oral presentations, practice assessment documents and portfolios.
Structure
You'll complete a further 60 credits, taking your total number of credits to 180. In addition to the 40-credit module, for which you'll require organisational governance and support, you'll take either one 20-credit core module or, if you have completed all three 20-credit core modules for the programme in years one and two, one optional 20-credit module, in either term 1 or term 3. You can start the 40-credit module either in term 1 or in term 2. Some optional modules are subject to further entry requirements, which may require organisational support.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
| Sep - Dec | Core OR Optional | Core OR Optional | Optional OR Core Service Improvement Project |
| Jan - Mar | Core OR Optional | Core OR Optional | Optional OR Core Service Improvement Project |
| Apr - Jul | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Many of our modules are taught fully online or have a significant online learning component. Asynchronous learning (learning resources and activities which you engage with flexibly, on a day and time that is convenient to you) is supported by focused live seminars and tutorials, which you are expected to attend.
Some modules are taught face-to-face on the UEA campus, or have a face-to-face component, meaning that you are expected to attend in person. Our state-of-the-art, purpose-built skills and simulation facilities provide excellent learning opportunities to advance your practice in a safe and encouraging environment.
Module organisers are experienced academics with a strong clinical background. Modules are further supported by teams of knowledgeable academics and practitioners with appropriate specialist expertise and the experience to help you to apply your academic learning to practice. The learners on the Advanced Professional Practice programme are also part of the module team, providing valuable multi-professional insight and perspectives to enrich learning.
Comprehensive personal advising and academic support systems are in place to enable you to receive additional support if required and optimise success in your studies.
Each module is assigned a specified number of ‘effort’ hours. This is 200 hours for a 20-credit module and 400 hours for a 40-credit module. The teaching and learning activities timetabled and any practice-based learning and assessment will account for many of the hours, but there is an expectation that you'll undertake independent study in each module involving finding, appraising and applying evidence to inform your thinking and academic writing, as well as general notetaking and preparation for assessment. This will not only enhance your learning experience but will also help develop a sound evidence-base to support your academic preparedness for an advanced practice role.
Assessment
A range of assessment methods are used throughout the programme, which have been carefully considered to enable you to demonstrate effectively both the learning outcomes for each module and your progression in relation to the pillars and principles of advanced practice.
Formative and summative assessment strategies across the programme include written assignments, unseen examinations, case study analysis and evaluation, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), group/individual poster/oral presentations, practice assessment documents and portfolios.
In your third year, you are expected to complete the 40-credit service improvement project module, in which you plan, conduct and evaluate a practice-based project to enhance usual practice within your service. This module provides an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills developed throughout the programme in clinical practice, leadership, education and research.
Entry Requirements
- Degree Classification
- Bachelors (Hons) degree - 2.2 or equivalent within the last 5 years
- Degree Subject
- Health Care subject
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in all components)
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
-
- Intakes
- This course is open to UK and International applicants. The intakes for this course are January and September each year .
Additional Information or Requirements
Equivalent evidence of recent study in the last 5 years includes
-
Two or more degree level 6 CPD modules achieving 55% and above
-
One or more Masters level 7 CPD modules achieving 50% and above
Current Registered Healthcare professional (including Nurses, Midwives, Paramedics, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists) with a minimum of 2 years post registration practice experience, working at Band 5 and above in a suitable clinical facing role
You must submit a Memorandum of Understanding at the time of application. Your manager will need to confirm that you will be given the time and resources required for the programme.
Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2024/25 are:
-
UK Students: £9,975 (full time)
-
International Students: £21,200 (full time)
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,023 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
You can find information regarding additional costs associated on our Fees and finance webpages.
How to Apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
The Application deadline for January 2025 will be announced shortly.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
Whether you are looking for promotion or to advance your knowledge and skills more generally, complete our programme and you'll walk away armed with the academic and practice-based evidence you require to support your professional progression. You'll be able to demonstrate learning across the pillars of advanced practice, with the emphasis dependent on the pathway you have chosen and the modules you have selected.
As an HEE-accredited programme, if you are working in an advanced practice role, completion of the MSc Advanced Professional Practice allows you to register with HEE as an Advanced Practitioner.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
