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Advanced Clinical Practice (Critical Care) (PGCert/PGDip/MSc) (2022 Entry)

About this ... course header
Course overview header

This course is designed for healthcare professionals caring for critically ill patients and those working within acute, emergency or critical care environments such as ambulance services, intensive care units and emergency departments.

The course promotes a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, and aims to help you develop the skills to undertake autonomous practice. Core modules focus on clinical examination and diagnostic skills, critical care transfer, and independent and supplementary prescribing.

Skills from this degree

The structure of the course will enable the non-medical clinicians to:

  • Undertake a full systems examination (child and adult)
  • Develop the knowledge and skills to clinically and critically interpret results of tests and investigations.

Entry requirements header Entry requirements header

Applicants should:

  • Be in a clinical post at Band 6 or above in a trainee ACP post or similar
  • Have current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Health Care Professionals Council or Royal Pharmaceutical Society
  • Hold a BSc degree at 2nd class level, or evidence of Level 7 study
  • Be 4 years post-qualification/ registration

Those without the academic qualifications will have a telephone interview with the course director for a special case request to be made.


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  • Band A
  • With specific component scores of 6.5 in reading and writing.

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Additional requirements header

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Module header

For the MSc:

  • Clinical Examination and Diagnostic Skills for Health Care Professionals
  • Understanding Research and Critical Appraisal in Healthcare
  • Independent and Supplementary Prescribing
  • Critical Care Transfer
  • Professional Project

Optional module header
  • Advanced Emergency Practice
  • Special Incident Management
  • Essentials of Clinical Education
  • Introduction to Leadership and Management in Health Care Contexts
  • Work-based Learning

Read more about the core and optional modules on the Medical School's website.

Teaching header

This is an interactive programme. You will learn through lectures and seminars, practical group work and guided reading. You will benefit from guided discussions and have the opportunity to practise the skills you have learnt during the sessions.


Class size header

Class sizes will vary, however on average they comprise of 20-25 students.


Assessment header

Assessment for each module can be seen by looking at the relevant module page but typically consists of written essays of 4,000 words each, a clinical portfolio and/or an Objective Structured Long Examination Record (OSLER). The Professional Project is assessed by a 4,000-word project report and a poster presentation.


Reading lists

Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web page.


Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

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How to apply
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