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Pre-Hospital Critical Care (Part-Time PGCert) (2024 Entry)

Advanced Clinical Practice student talking to patient

Explore our Pre-Hospital Critical Care taught course

This course is aimed primarily at doctors, nurses, paramedics and AHPs who work within acute, emergency and critical care environments such as Emergency Departments, Intensive Care Units and Ambulance Services.

It is ideal for those practitioners who are developing their scope of practice towards an autonomous role.

Course overview

The course is modular and organised in blocks of study lasting between four and six days at a time, which can be consecutive days within the same week or spread out over several weeks.

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

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.

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

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

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

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications although students will need to be practicing in the UK.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page.

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

The course is modular and organised in blocks of study lasting between four and six days at a time, which can be consecutive days within the same week or spread out over several weeks.

You will study the following modules:

Advanced Emergency Practice

This module addresses the needs of both air and land paramedics and doctors and allied health care professionals wishing to undertake a primary HEMS role or work in an environment providing advanced medical interventions to a similar level (oil rigs, expeditions etc.). You will need to be currently employed or have access to clinical placements that will support development of clinical skills during the course of the module. You will need to
have access to clinical and educational mentorship support.

Critical Care Transfer

This module addresses the needs of air paramedics, doctors and nurses wishing to undertake level 2 and level 3 transfers

  • Undertake a course that promotes and fosters a multidisciplinary approach to patient care
  • Gain a clear understanding of the concepts and theories surrounding the issues of emergency practice
  • The teaching and learning style is interactive, drawing on both the expert teachers and the experience of the students

Special Incident Management

Gain a theoretical framework for the acquisition of a range of clinical skills relevant to the primary emergency clinical setting.

The aim of this module is to provide you with a theoretical framework for the acquisition of knowledge in the provision of healthcare in a range of challenging and unusual situations. These skills will support you in the safe identification and management of a range of clinical and non-clinical situations where specific interventions are required in order to maximise the clinical outcome. The skills will be supported by the relevant theoretical concepts and knowledge.

Please note: Teaching may be facilitated off-site on one of the study days, if required.

Teaching

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 practice the skills you have learnt during the sessions.

On completion of the three mandatory modules you will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate. If you decide you would like to pursue further study you can put your certificate towards a Master's qualification.

Class sizes

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

Assessment

Critical Care Transfer

  • 2 x 1,000-word written clinical reflections
  • 4 x 15-minute Case Base Examination

Advanced Emergency Practice

  • 4 x 15-minute Case Based Examination
  • 2 x 1,000-word written assignment

Special Incident Management

  • 2,000-word case study
  • 1 x poster/ infographic

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, listing your allocated lectures, seminars, and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you when you join us.

Your career

Our department has a dedicated careers consultant to help boost your employability and prepare for a career. There are workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples include:

  • Career Society at Medical School Event
  • AFP Interview Preparation
  • Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
  • Foundation Programme (UKFPO) Information evening

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. This course is part of Warwick Medical School which follows a non-standard fee structure. Full fee details are listed via the 'find your course fees' button. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your course fees

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

  • Core text books
  • Printer credits
  • Dissertation binding
  • Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.

Applications will close on 2 August 2024 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.

How to apply for a postgraduate taught course  

After you’ve applied

Find out how we process your application.

Applicant Portal

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Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

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Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in-person around the UK. These events give you the chance to explore our range of postgraduate courses, and find out what it’s like studying at Warwick. You’ll also be able to speak directly with our student recruitment team, who will be able to help answer your questions.

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Join a live chat with our staff and students, who are here to answer your questions and help you learn more about postgraduate life at Warwick. You can join our general drop-in sessions or talk to your prospective department and student services.

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A Warwick talk and tour lasts around two hours and consists of an overview presentation from one of our Recruitment Officers covering the key features, facilities and activities that make Warwick a leading institution. The talk is followed by a campus tour which is the perfect way to view campus, with a current student guiding you around the key areas on campus.

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About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2024 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.