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Advanced Clinical Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship | Advanced Clinical Practitioner MSc
3 years part-time

REF 2021 Our Research environment is rated 100% world leading

Our Advanced Clinical Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship provides an exciting opportunity for those working as experienced, registered, health professionals to progress into advanced clinical practice roles.

The MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship is a research rich, experientially focused award for those in employment who wish to engage in a work-based learning award. As such, the programme places an emphasis on developing and applying the knowledge, skills and competences required for a successful career in the areas of Advanced Clinical Practice.

Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) are recognised as autonomous specialists who manage complete episodes of care, working across what are deemed traditional professional boundaries to enhance the patient journey and develop clinical practice. Driven by the NHS Long Term Plan (2019) and the NHS People Plan (2020), advanced clinical practice is considered the cornerstone of healthcare service redesign and delivery.

The Advanced Clinical Practitioner MSc award is reflective of the Health Education England (HEE) Multiprofessional framework for advanced clinical practice in England (2017) and has been designed following the Health Education England Centre for Advancing Practice (CfAP) Standards for Education and Training (SETS) (2020). The programme is specifically aligned to and designed to meet the requirements of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Integrated degree).

This degree apprenticeship programme is designed for those wishing to enhance their clinical leadership, advanced clinical practice skills, and engagement in the research and education pillars as set out by HEE Framework. It is suitable for a variety of clinical backgrounds, and available to a range of professional backgrounds including nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals to help meet the changing needs of healthcare provision. Engaging in a work-based learning programme provides opportunities to develop understanding of advanced clinical practice and capitalise on opportunities for applied learning within the context of the workplace. Apprentices will be part of a shared approach to learning that is tripartite between the apprentice, the employer, and the university.

Apprentices will therefore combine academic studies with work-based development of specialist skills and reflection including personal practices and behaviours. Upon completion of the apprenticeship, apprentices will gain an Advanced Clinical Practitioner MSc qualification, enabling recognition as an ACP working within a wider health and social care environment. Apprentices will graduate with the skills and knowledge to help drive service improvements, analyse and interpret clinical data to help make a diagnosis, and improve patient care. This will equip apprentices for such influential roles and support longer-term career aspirations working in advanced clinical practice.

Apprenticeship programmes at Northumbria University are designed to support apprentices in acquiring the appropriate knowledge, skills and behaviour and retain the integrity of the apprenticeship standard as defined by IFATE . For further details please consult the IFATE Apprenticeship standards / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education webpage here.

Course Information

Level of Study
Postgraduate

Mode of Study
3 Years Part Time

Department
Nursing, Midwifery & Health

Location
City Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
January 2024

Fee Information

Module Information

WE’RE 18TH IN THE UK FOR nursing and midwifery

The practice focussed, clinical nature of this programme enables contextualisation of theoretical underpinnings of the 4 pillars of advanced practice; Clinical Practice, Leadership and Management, Education, and Research, thus developing capability in an advanced role whilst also preparing apprentices to contribute to the future healthcare agenda.

The programme aims to enable innovative solutions and develop new ways of working to improve, transform and streamline service delivery and equip apprentices with new, specialist practitioner knowledge to develop in the new role.

The philosophy of the programme is derived from work-based learning guidelines and will:

Develop confidence and competence as research informed and research led learners.
Enable engagement with and utilise critical reflection as a tool to explore and demonstrate applied learning
Focus learning on diverse professional and personal development needs by using the workplace as the context for the learning
Facilitate the updating of knowledge, skills and capabilities.

The programme comprises core study modules in year one with optional routes in year two, ensuring that studies are tailored to the needs of the apprentice. The options for year two include the NMC/HCPC approved Prescribing for Non-Medical Health Professionals module or continued development in line with the 4 pillars of advanced practice. In year three, the dissertation module offers a choice of Practice Project, Empirical Project, or Systematic Appraisal.

During the programme apprentices will complete academic essays, short examinations, oral presentations of practice, a viva-voce, practical demonstrations and develop a portfolio of evidence for summative assessment. Apprentices will also be required to successfully complete a university based multi-station objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) to demonstrate clinical skills early in the programme. The varied and authentic nature of these assessments will prepare apprentices for and continue to be useful throughout a career as an advanced practitioner.

In addition to the MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner award, the following specialist awards are available:

MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Primary Care)
MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Emergency Care)
MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Sexual Health)
MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Advanced Critical Care Practitioner)

To achieve a specialist award, apprentices must meet the requirements of the appropriate nationally recognised standard or curriculum over the course of the programme. This will be facilitated collaboratively between Northumbria University and the Employer.

End Point Assessment

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (2020) state that - Rigorous, robust and independent End Point Assessment (EPA) gives employers confidence that apprentices can actually perform in the occupation they have been trained in and can demonstrate the duties, and knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the occupational standard. For details of the current EPA for your standard please consult the IFATE Apprenticeship standards / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education webpage here.

This apprenticeship normally takes 3 years part-time, followed by the endpoint assessment which will typically be completed within 3-12 months. Full details are available on the IFATE website.

The EPA for this apprenticeship is the final 20 credits of the MSc programme and starts once the apprentice has met the gateway requirements after the dissertation module.

The teaching team on this course consists of clinicians and academics who boast extensive experience, research and knowledge in a variety of healthcare specialisms, bringing their expertise to the classroom to enhance the learning experience.

With many years’ experience supporting advanced practice students and apprentices, our expert team will be there as a support through every step of the apprenticeship, ensuring apprentices leave with confidence and a full understanding of all aspects of this dynamic clinical practice role. This course is apprentice-centred and uses active learning approaches to engage.

During the programme, apprentices will draw on academic research and experiences of participants, facilitation, case-studies, group discussions, self-study, peer learning, simulations and networking. Assessment techniques will be varied and include 360-degree evaluations and reflections.

The course also uses a problem-centred approach in contextualising and applying best practice, allowing apprentices to apply practical lessons to their own context in the workplace.

Apprentices will reap the benefits of workplace learning and to add to this will have access to our Clinical Skills Centre, based at Coach Lane campus that includes some of the most advanced healthcare facilities in the country. Facilities that ensures learning will progress in parallel with the latest developments in the healthcare industry.

University study will contribute to 20% off the job training and timely face-to-face contact will be essential. Attendance at tutor-led sessions is very important, however as employees, we appreciate apprentices may unavoidably miss an occasional taught class. This apprenticeship is taught as a blended delivery with all learning and teaching materials available via a virtual classroom and accessible to students remotely when not being taught on campus. Apprentices will also be allocated a personal tutor who will provide support in respect of academic development.

Whilst on campus, apprentices will have access to the University’s exceptional facilities including social spaces, IT facilities and lecture theatres and not forgetting 24/7 access to our award winner University Library.

Facilities / Advanced Clinical Practice

Facilities

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Research / Nursing Midwifery and Health

Discover more about some of the inspiring research currently taking place at Northumbria, within our department and across the wider University through our multidisciplinary research themes.

Departmental Research

Integrated Health and Social Care

In partnership with Northumbria University, the employer will support the apprentice at work to achieve their apprenticeship. Whilst studying the apprentice will be required to work full-time, for at least 30 hours a week, and will be supported through learning at work to achieve the requirements of the apprenticeship standard.

In the workplace, apprentices will be supported by a clinical supervisor and colleagues. Both apprentice and their line manager will be supported by Northumbria University throughout the programme. Apprentices will also meet with their manager/mentor and a university representative, usually their personal tutor, at least three times each year.

During the programme, many assessments are work-based and aligned to the context and activity of the organisation, leading to increased organisational understanding and performance by the apprentice whilst ensuring they develop new skills and enhance productivity and performance.

To complete the programme, the apprentice will have to demonstrate that they have obtained the relevant skills, knowledge and behaviour required during their workplace training.

Whilst off-campus and in the workplace, apprentices will have access to our technology-enhanced learning (TEL) facilities provide access to module information, electronic reading lists and online learning resources such as podcasts, e-books and e-journals.

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Explore our full range of Higher and Degree Apprenticeships within the following sectors:

Architecture, Built Environment and Construction

Digital, Tech and Creative

Education

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Leadership and Management

Engineering and Manufacturing

Financial and Legal Services

Health, Sport and Social Care

The employer covers all tuition fees for the apprentice, the total payment required depends on the organisation’s apprenticeship levy status.

Apprentices studying an apprenticeship do not pay any tuition fees, however, as they are in full-time employment they do not have student status and therefore are not entitled to apply for student finance.

To discuss the fees for this apprenticeship in detail or to explore signing an agreement with the university, complete the enquiry form below and someone from our Business and Enterprise team will be in touch shortly.

Alternative Application Route

If your organisation is unable to support your studies via their levy pot, but you still want to apply for one of the Advanced Clinical Practitioner options, please find below alternative routes to apply. Please note you will still need to gain your trust or employers permission to be able to apply and full fees will be applicable.

The Levy Explained

Funding for Non-Levy Payers

Enquire now about this apprenticeship:

We guide both employer and apprentice through the application and funding process and will be on hand to assist you during the apprenticeship journey.

Before entry onto the programme, all Apprenticeship applicants must complete an Initial Skills Assessment which maps their prior knowledge against the apprenticeship standard. This is part of the University’s regulatory funding obligations. The purpose of an apprenticeship is to provide new learning and the skills assessment will be used to establish whether we need to tailor your programme in any way to account for your previous qualifications or experience. It also provides a benchmark against which to map your progress on the programme.

Information for Employers

To start the application process for either current employees or new recruits contact our Business and Enterprise team today by email or complete our online enquiry form. Alternatively, you can call 0191 215 6300.

Information for Apprentices

To study this Advanced Clinical Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship you are required to be in full-time employment and working in a role that is recognised as an advanced clinical practitioner or trainee advanced clinical practitioner in your organisation. You should speak with your employer about how your organisation can support you on this course, and in the role of an advanced practitioner. If you are interested in studying this apprenticeship and you are in current full-time employment complete our online enquiry form.

As an apprentice, you must meet the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) qualifications requirements. Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or Functional Skills English and Maths at level 2 and be able to provide evidence of these qualifications. Further information about these requirements can be found here. It is recommended that applicants have this qualification prior to entry, however if applicants are working towards this qualification, it is a condition that it is completed in advance of End Point Assessment. The University will facilitate provision of Maths and English qualifications where this is needed.

If you are not in full-time employment but would like to study this apprenticeship programme, keep checking our vacancies page for information regarding job opportunities.

Alternative Application Route

If your organisation is unable to support your studies via their levy pot, but you still want to apply for one of the Advanced Clinical Practitioner options, please find below alternative routes to apply. Please note you will still need to gain your trust or employers permission to be able to apply and full fees will be applicable.

Enquire now about this apprenticeship:

Discover More

Explore our full range of Higher and Degree Apprenticeships within the following sectors:

Architecture, Built Environment and Construction

Digital, Tech and Creative

Education

Leadership and Management

Engineering and Manufacturing

Financial and Legal Services

Health, Sport and Social Care

Entry Requirements Modules Overview

Entry Requirements 2023/24

Standard Entry

Admission onto a higher or degree apprenticeship can only take place if applicants are currently employed and their employer has a training agreement in place with Northumbria University.

Applicants should normally have:

A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in a relevant subject.

Registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council / Nursing and Midwifery Council (or other appropriate Allied Health Professional registrant) and employed in a relevant clinical setting.

Employed as or working towards an Advanced Clinical Practice role.

International qualifications:

If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English language requirements:

International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 with 7 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

GCSE Requirements:

Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or Functional Skills English and Maths at level 2 and be able to provide evidence of these qualifications. It is recommended that applicants have this qualification prior to entry, however if applicants are working towards this qualification, it is a condition that it is completed in advance of End Point Assessment. The University will facilitate provision of Maths and English qualifications where this is needed.

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

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Modules Overview 2023/24

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one Year two Year three

Year one

DA7007 -

Life Science for Advanced Clinical Practitioners (20 Credits)

The purpose of this module is to allow you to deepen your knowledge of life science for clinical practice, enabling development within your advanced clinical practitioner (ACP) role in relation to all four pillars of advanced clinical practice. You will critically examine the complex interaction of normal physiological processes involved in the control and regulation of metabolism. In your studies you will analyse the manifestations and consequences of altered physiology in response to disease processes, largely appropriate to your clinical specialism. You will also critically appraise the means and methods of measuring the parameters of normal and altered physiology and explore how various pathological manifestations present clinically. Each study day will be specific to a body system and discuss normal anatomy and physiology while common pathophysiology of all body systems will be critically explored. This will link to disease classification, disease processes and compensatory mechanisms involved in homeostasis.

The module will be delivered through a combination of taught, directed and self-directed study. The module will be summatively assessed through a 3,000-word essay, critically analysing a chosen organ dysfunction and discussing the manifestation of this at a cellular level. This will be commensurate with the standard required for advanced clinical practice, working towards Health Education England’s Multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice in England (2017).

More information

DA7011 -

Health History and Examination (20 Credits)

You will learn knowledge and skills for undertaking a general approach to health history and clinical examination of patients that will help you to achieve capability in the Clinical Practice pillar of Advanced Clinical Practice. You will cover biological systems in order to provide a systematic approach to history and clinical examination. The systems covered in your learning are as follows:

Cardiovascular system

Respiratory System

Gastrointestinal system

Neurological system

Examination of the ear

Examination of the eyes

Endocrine system

Musculoskeletal system

Genitourinary systemYou will learn how to review clinical data in order to make (differential) diagnoses, produce patient management plans and evaluate patient outcomes contributing to the Leadership and Management pillar.

To help you to develop your research role in the context of the ACP role, you will learn to interpret clinical evidence to evaluate tests and investigations. This will involve understanding research methods and data applicable to clinical practice.

More information

DA7013 -

Service Improvement and Research Methods in Advanced Clinical Practice (20 Credits)

The module is designed to meet the needs of health and care professionals working in Advanced Clinical Practice roles across a diverse range of speciality and subject-specific areas. It will equip you with the knowledge, skills and behavioural capabilities to transform service delivery and secure continuous quality improvement. It will further enable you to identify and appraise existing knowledge or generate new knowledge in the context of uncertain and complex healthcare systems.

Designed to support you to critically engage in research and service improvement activity, it has also been closely aligned with the Multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice in England, research capability pillar (HEE, 2017; p.10). A key focus of this module will be to identify ways in which you can critically engage in research activity, identify the need for further research or service improvements and facilitate collaborative research links. Support being provided to apply the learning within context of individual practice, disciplines, and professional interests.

Throughout the module, you will engage in a wide variety of authentic learning activities and critically examine aspects of the research process and service improvement methods. Utilising good research practice guidance and appraising a range of validated methodologies you will develop a broad understanding of how the various approaches can be used to enhance care provision, promote safety, and improve productivity.

Module tutors who are also active researchers will support you to adopt a critical and reflexive approach, bringing the research and your role in shaping it to life.

More information

Year two

AC7066 -

Non-Medical Prescribing (V300) (40 Credits)

This module will facilitate your development of the knowledge and skills required for safe and effective prescribing from a legally specified UK formulary. Successful completion of all components of the module will lead to the achievement of a recordable prescribing qualification with your regulatory body (NMC or HCPC). The subject areas you will study include assessing the patient and considering prescribing options, pharmacology for prescribing and de-prescribing, legal and regulatory frameworks, providing information, reaching shared decisions, monitoring and reviewing treatments, prescribing safely, professionally and as part of a team and improving prescribing practice.

More information

DA7006 -

Contemporary Advanced Clinical Practice (20 Credits)

In this module you will continue to develop and build upon the concepts required of an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP). Drawing on the Health Education England Multi-professional Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice, in this module you will explore the four pillars of advanced level practice (clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research) and associated capabilities. The module will enhance your knowledge and skills in each of the four pillars and enable you to analyse and synthesise these to inform the development, implementation and evaluation of your Advanced Clinical Practitioner role. You will explore the global, political and social context of advanced practice and the expectations of the advanced practitioner as clinician, educator, leader and researcher. As an innovative and transformative non-medical workforce role , you will examine the legal, professional and ethical principles informing autonomous advanced level practice. Contemporary theories of leadership, management and change management will support your development as a leader of service innovation and enhanced patient care, delivering and evaluating person-centred holistic care within a multi-professional, multi-agency team, and undertaking practice development, quality assurance and enhancement of service delivery (research, audit, service evaluation, improvement/redesign), including service user/public partnership engagement. As an educator, you will develop your knowledge and application of learning, teaching and assessment theories to create and enhance the learning environment/culture within your service/organisation and establish your ACP role as a mentor, coach, supervisor and assessor. To achieve the level of advanced practice, you will demonstrate your ability to critically appraise contemporary sources of evidence (for example, research; local, national and international guidelines/policy; and legal, ethical and professional frameworks) and demonstrate utilisation of this information applied to your clinical practice.

If you are studying for a specialist named award, you will be expected to develop your ACP role in the context of the nationally recognised standard of advanced practice associated with that award. Please refer to the programme specification document for more information about specialist named awards.

More information

DA7008 -

Managing Clinical Complexity in Advanced Clinical Practice (20 Credits)

In this module you will continue to develop and build upon your Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) development. This module will aid you in the development of the following areas of your ACP role and will be tailored to your specialist field of practice: you will be able to assess and provide on-going review of patients through the assimilation of complex clinical data; monitor and modify collaborative management plans across complex disease continuums, attain technical ability to perform required interventions to our practice; order and/or interpret clinical and diagnostics interventions to evaluate treatment plans for ongoing management, whilst providing a critical rational for actions; critically appraise the clinical progress of patients to plan care, and communicate findings to patients, relatives, and members of the multi-disciplinary team as appropriate to your practice area; critically review patients, relatives, and members of the multi-disciplinary team participation in decision making for care; explore ethical issues in relation to your advanced practice role; critically appraise contemporary sources of evidence (e.g. research, local, national, and international guidelines, and legal, ethical and professional frameworks) and demonstrate utilisation of this information in clinical decisions; and, finally, demonstrate development of management and leadership skills in the organisation of care.

The module utilises a structured core lecture and specialist applied seminar approach to enable you to tailor your learning to your specialist area. You will be encouraged to attend the seminar that is most suited to your learning needs; however, if you are completing a specialist named award you will be required to attend the seminars that are identified as being a core component of your recognised curriculum or standard. The specialist named awards and their recognised standards are as follows:

Emergency Care- ACPs working in Emergency Care will work towards the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Emergency Care Advanced Clinical Practitioner Curriculum. https://www.rcem.ac.uk/RCEM/Exams_Training/Emergency_Care_ACP/Emergency_Care_ACP.aspx?WebsiteKey=b3d6bb2a-abba-44ed-b758-467776a958cd&hkey=8244ccaf-e85a-4b1e-8f8d-152484810137&New_ContentCollectionOrganizerCommon=1

Primary Care- ACPs working in Primary Care will work towards the Royal College of General Practitioners Core Capabilities Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice (Nurses) Working in General Practice/ Primary Care in England. https://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/services/item/724-advanced-clinical-practice-core-capabilities-for-nurses-working-within-general-practice-settings-in-england

Advanced Critical Care Practitioner- ACPs working in a Critical Care setting will work towards the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicines Advanced Critical Care Practice curriculum. https://www.ficm.ac.uk/accps/curriculum

Sexual Health- ACPs working in Sexual Health will work towards the FSRH, BASHH and NHIVNA Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) Integrated Sexual Health and HIV Specialist Training Curriculum. https://www.fsrh.org/news/fsrh-bashh-and-nhivna-advanced-level-curriculum-acp-for-nurses/

If you are studying for a specialist named award, you will be expected to demonstrate that you have developed your knowledge and skills in the context of the nationally recognised standard of advanced practice associated with that award. Please refer to the programme specification document for more information about specialist named awards.

More information

DA7009 -

Professional and Practice Development for Advanced Clinical Practice (20 Credits)

In this module, you will continue to develop and build upon the capabilities required of an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP). Based on the Health Education England Multi-professional Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice, in this module you will evaluate your knowledge, capability and confidence in leading and enhancing patient care and service delivery. Focused on an area of interest and informed by a robust evidence base, this module affords you the flexibility to apply and reflect on your personal and practice development needs to develop your knowledge, skills and abilities to enhance patient care or service delivery within your practice using systematic and rigorous approaches. You will identify your personal development needs related to service improvement, quality assurance and service enhancement approaches in clinical practice. You will also evaluate contemporary theories of leadership, management and change management to effect and evaluate improvements to patient care and service delivery, including use of Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMS) and Patient Recorded Experience Measures (PREMS) in your area of practice. As a leader within a multi-professional, multi-agency team, you will examine strategies for evaluating person-centred holistic care and undertaking practice development, quality assurance and enhancement of service delivery (research, audit, service evaluation, improvement/redesign). This will include analysis of service user/public partnership engagement. You will enhance your ability to critically appraise contemporary sources of evidence (for example, research; local, national and international guidelines/policy; and legal, ethical and professional frameworks) and demonstrate appropriate utilisation of these sources to inform developments for clinical practice.

If you are studying for a specialist named award, you will be expected to develop your ACP role in the context of the nationally recognised standard of advanced practice associated with that award. Please refer to the programme specification document for more information about specialist named awards.

More information

Year three

DA7012 -

Knowledge for Advanced Clinical Practice (Apprenticeship End Point Assessment) (20 Credits)

The purpose of this module is to consolidate your previous learning and support you in your demonstration of the achievement of knowledge, skills and behaviours outlined in the National Standards for the Integrated Degree Apprenticeship for Advanced Clinical Practitioner at Level 7 in order to meet the end point assessment (EPA) requirements of the apprenticeship. To undertake this module, you must meet the criteria to pass through a formal programme gateway that demonstrates readiness to undertake the EPA. Further details about the gateway criteria and EPA can be found by visiting the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Integrated degree) website.

When you study this Masters programme as an apprenticeship, in addition to your degree grade you will be awarded an apprenticeship grade. The apprenticeship grade range includes fail, pass, merit and distinction and this module will provide you with your apprenticeship grade. You can find more information about the apprenticeship grade via the link above.

If you are studying for a specialist named award, you will be expected to demonstrate that you meet the knowledge, skills and behaviours of an advanced clinical practitioner working in the nationally recognised standard associated with that award. Please refer to the programme specification document for more information about specialist named awards.

More information

DA7018 -

Apprenticeship Dissertation Portfolio for Advanced Clinical Practitioners (40 Credits)

In this module you will critically explore a range of approaches to research and how research informs clinical practice. Emphasis will be placed on your understanding of the world view, design and meaning system that will drive your own final project that will form your dissertation. You will pick between an Empirical Project, Service Improvement or Systematic Appraisal. In the module you will revisit and deepen your understandings of a range of key topic areas linked to research and service improvement processes; it will include discussion of world views and research paradigms; the research question, aim or hypothesis; research and service improvement design, using literature and theory to inform evidence-based practice; developing ethical codes; constructing the research sample, collecting robust research evidence; ensuring quality assurance within your work; analysing both qualitative and quantitative evidence; and writing and disseminating your findings. You will be invited to attend a series of research and service improvement seminars during the module and you will have access to a named supervisor for one-to-one supervision. Both the seminars and individual supervision will encourage you to apply the key areas of learning within this module to your own professional context and field of expertise. This will enable you to critically examine how the research and service improvement processes will work best for your final project goals and design.

If you are studying for a specialist named award, you will be expected to complete your research project (portfolio one) and the competence-based component (portfolio two) in the context of the nationally recognised standard of advanced practice associated with that award. Please refer to the programme specification document for more information about specialist named awards

More information

Modules Overview 2024/25

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year three

DA7018 -

Apprenticeship Dissertation Portfolio for Advanced Clinical Practitioners (40 Credits)

In this module you will critically explore a range of approaches to research and how research informs clinical practice. Emphasis will be placed on your understanding of the world view, design and meaning system that will drive your own final project that will form your dissertation. You will pick between an Empirical Project, Service Improvement or Systematic Appraisal. In the module you will revisit and deepen your understandings of a range of key topic areas linked to research and service improvement processes; it will include discussion of world views and research paradigms; the research question, aim or hypothesis; research and service improvement design, using literature and theory to inform evidence-based practice; developing ethical codes; constructing the research sample, collecting robust research evidence; ensuring quality assurance within your work; analysing both qualitative and quantitative evidence; and writing and disseminating your findings. You will be invited to attend a series of research and service improvement seminars during the module and you will have access to a named supervisor for one-to-one supervision. Both the seminars and individual supervision will encourage you to apply the key areas of learning within this module to your own professional context and field of expertise. This will enable you to critically examine how the research and service improvement processes will work best for your final project goals and design.

If you are studying for a specialist named award, you will be expected to complete your research project (portfolio one) and the competence-based component (portfolio two) in the context of the nationally recognised standard of advanced practice associated with that award. Please refer to the programme specification document for more information about specialist named awards

More information

Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.

All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

Full time Courses starting in 2023 are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but may include elements of online learning. We continue to monitor government and local authority guidance in relation to Covid-19 and we are ready and able to flex accordingly to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with additional restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors, potentially to a full online offer, should further restrictions be deemed necessary in future. Our online activity will be delivered through Blackboard Ultra, enabling collaboration, connection and engagement with materials and people.

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We continuously review and improve course content in consultation with our students and employers. To make sure we can inform you of any changes to your course register for updates on the course page.

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Higher and Degree Apprenticeships

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Advanced Clinical Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship | Advanced Clinical Practitioner MSc 3 years part-time

Our Advanced Clinical Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship provides an exciting opportunity for those working as experienced, registered, health professionals to progress into advanced clinical practice roles.

Course Information

The teaching team on this course consists of clinicians and academics who boast extensive experience, research and knowledge in a variety of healthcare specialisms, bringing their expertise to the classroom to enhance the learning experience.

Facilities / Advanced Clinical Practice

Research / Nursing Midwifery and Health

Discover More

The employer covers all tuition fees for the apprentice, the total payment required depends on the organisation’s apprenticeship levy status.

Enquire now about this apprenticeship:

We guide both employer and apprentice through the application and funding process and will be on hand to assist you during the apprenticeship journey.

Enquire now about this apprenticeship:

Discover More

Entry Requirements 2023/24

Standard Entry

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

Modules Overview 2023/24

Modules

Year one

Year two

Year three

Modules Overview 2024/25

Modules

Year three

Any Questions?

Advanced Clinical Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship | Advanced Clinical Practitioner MSc
3 years part-time