Overview
Are you a nurse or allied health professional that cares for critically ill patients? Perhaps you work in a critical care area and wish to learn more about the management of your patients? Or maybe you care for patients in step-down units (SDUs)? If so, this advanced clinical practice pathway in critical care, is designed to provide you with the solid academic foundation you’ll need to progress as an advanced clinician.
On this course, you’ll develop advanced assessment and clinical reasoning skills for the acute management and rehabilitation of critically ill patients from intensive care units through to their discharge. You will acquire a comprehensive knowledge of critical care, which will enable you to work at an advanced level of practice and apply your knowledge to the acute management and rehabilitation of critically ill patients.
By studying the latest practices, policy and research, you will then be able to contribute to practice development initiatives to help your patients and improve their quality of care and health outcomes.
At Brunel, we understand the challenges of fitting study around work and family life. For this reason, we have designed this course to be flexible so that it can fit around your current commitments. The full master's course can be studied 3 years part-time starting in September.
If you don’t want to commit to part-time study of the entire master's, you can develop your educational portfolio over a longer period of time by undertaking staged study that leads to the award of Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) after one year of study, Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) after two years of study and full Masters (MSc) after three years of study.
Please note that it is important you apply for the stage you will be studying in that year, i.e. to study for the PgDip you must have already completed the PgCert and you only apply for the staged MSc once you have completed the PgDip.
Each stage can be studied 1 year part-time starting in September. You could even just take one or more CPPD modules for your professional development and return to complete your course at a later date.
Accreditation
This programme is accredited by the Centre of Advancing Practice.
Health Education England’s Centre for Advancing Practice has been established to standardise post-registration education by accrediting advanced practice courses that achieve the standards outlined in the multi-professional Advanced Practice Framework.
Practitioners who have completed accredited education programmes will be eligible to be listed on the Centre’s Advanced Practice Directory.
Programme accreditation from the Centre for Advancing Practice will bring a new level of consistency to the workforce and help showcase advanced practice within health and social care.
Course content
This course is designed to incorporate a multidisciplinary perspective that follows the patient pathway from admission to hospital discharge, which is essential when entering leadership roles in today’s healthcare systems.
You’ll learn a holistic approach to patient care alongside clinical leadership skills and how to use evidence-based practice and research to make informed decisions that grow your knowledge and expertise in critical care.
Your learning will be underpinned by the national Advanced Clinical Practice framework as set out by Health Education England, encompassing the four pillars: clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research.
As well as studying key modules in advanced clinical leadership, teaching and learning, evidence-based practice and research, you’ll select modules to define your specialist pathway in critical care.
You will have the opportunity to explore anatomy and physiology at an advanced level, giving a strong foundation for the clinically-orientated modules. These explore acute care interventions, specialist patient populations, and rehabilitation for the critically unwell patient.
Compulsory
- PH5612 - Advanced Clinical Leadership
This module aims to develop advanced knowledge, skills, qualities and behaviours of leadership for clinical healthcare professionals working in a range of roles in healthcare settings in the NHS. This knowledge and skills literacy will nurture and enhance existing team-working skills and clinical leadership requirements in order to evidence advanced level skills.
Indicative content includes principles of clinical leadership, leadership theories and change management. Effective team working, partnership working and communication will be explored alongside service development tools including service co-design.
Click here to watch the video about this module
Process analysis will support your understanding of how to audit and measure systems and identify and track change.
Weds 0900-1200 face to face, 1300 - 1600 online
2025: Jan 29th, Feb 12th, Feb 26th, March 12th
- PH5603 - Quantitative Methods and Design for Health Science Research
In this module we aim to develop your critical understanding of quantitative clinical research methodology and the principles of how to use clinical evidence to constructively inform your practice. This means developing skills and knowledge of quantitative research methods and design, understanding data and how to analyse and interpret it and learning how to critically appraise published research.
Indicative content includes consideration of research ethics, governance and integrity alongside theoretical underpinnings of scientific method. Different research designs will be examined alongside common sampling and approaches to statistics.
- Study mode: Part-time.
- 0900-1200 online. 1300-1600 face-to-face
- Wednesdays (2024) - 9th October, 23rd October, 6th and 20th November and 4th December.
- Assessment MCQ Jan 2025
- Credits: 15
Fees 2024/25
UK: £960
International: £1,965
Optional
- PH5616 - Anatomy and Physiology
This module will allow students to develop advanced theoretical knowledge of the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology underpinning critical illness, in order to profile the critical care patient.
The module aims to develop students’ critical awareness of clinical evidence related to the critically ill patient through consideration of multiple systems including respiratory, cardiovascular, renal and brain failure and delirium.
- Optional face-to-face sessions (for full time students) 16.00-17.00: Tuesdays - October 8th, October 22nd, November 5th and November 19th
- Optional online sessions (for remote students) 17.30-18.30: Tuesdays - September 24th, October 1st, October 15th, October 29th and November 12th.
- Assessment MCQ Jan 2025
- PH5617 - Acute Management of the Critically Ill Patient
This module will allow students to develop skills in the advanced clinical assessment of the critically ill patient, as well as a critical understanding of the acute management of critically ill patients, advanced clinical reasoning skills, human factors and non-technical skills. The module aims to develop students’ critical awareness of clinical evidence related to the acute management of the critically ill patient.
Indicative content includes clinical assessment skills, respiratory and renal failure and support, pharmacology and measurement systems and consideration of ethics, end of life care and organ donation.
Tuesdays 0900-1700 online
2025 - Jan 28th, Feb 11th, Feb 25th, March 11th
Assessment viva April 2025
Compulsory
- PH5604 - Qualitative Research in Health and Social Care
This module aims to critically explore, reflect upon and develop qualitative research skills and knowledge in health, and to explore qualitative approaches in research in the context of their philosophical, societal, and cultural underpinnings and use in clinical settings.
In additional to theoretical perspectives, through online lectures and interactive workshops you will be introduced to and practice different methods of collecting data and data analysis.
You will learn how to evaluate the quality of qualitative research and consider aspects such as ethics, power, reflexivity and the role of co-construction. This is made relevant to research projects but also service evaluations, quality improvement projects and practice.
- Study mode: Part-time.
- 0900-1200 face-to-face. 1300-1600 online
- Wednesdays (2024) - 25th September, 9th October, 23rd October, 6th November and 20th November.
- MCQ Jan 2025
- PH5615 - Learning and Teaching in Advanced Clinical Practice
Click here to watch the video about this module
This module aims to provide practitioners with advanced knowledge and skills for the planning, organisation, delivering, teaching and evaluation of effective programmes for clinical training in specialist practice.
Current research and theory underpinning the educational process which support a challenging and supportive teaching and learning environment for clinical practice will be explored aiming to enhance practitioners’ individual ability to critically appraise and augment their skills, knowledge and actively contribute to the education awareness for members of their healthcare team, patients, service users and carers.
Note: Students must currently be in practice and have formally identified and entered an agreement with a mentor and/or supervisor for the learning-in-practice elements of this module, prior to commencing the module.
Mondays 0900-1200 face to face, 1300-1600 online
2025. Jan 20th, Feb 3rd, Feb 17th, March 3rd, March 17th
Optional
- PH5618 - Rehabilitation after Critical Illness
This module will allow students to develop theoretical knowledge and critical understanding of the physiological processes underpinning critical illness, including the neuromuscular effects of critical illness, the effect on the respiratory system and consequent impact on weaning, and the psychological consequences of critical illness.
In addition, students will develop a critical understanding of early mobilisation strategies, rehabilitation interventions, and outcome measurement in critical care; as well as the importance of inter-disciplinary working and long term follow up.
Tuesdays 0900-1600. Online but 1st session dual taught (ideally face to face)
Oct 1st, Oct 15th, Oct 29th, Nov 12th
- PH5619 - The Specialist Patient
This module will allow students to develop theoretical knowledge of specialist critical care populations.
They will gain knowledge and understanding of the specific pathophysiological processes and management of trauma, burns, neuromuscular disease, spinal cord injury , traumatic brain injury, liver disease and transplant, cardiothoracic surgery and the renal patient.
Tuesdays 0900 - 1700 online
2025 - Jan 21st, Feb 4th, Feb 18th, March 4th
Compulsory
- PH5611 - Dissertation
Term 1
Fridays 0900-1200 online
2024 - Sept 27th, Oct 18th, Nov 8th, Nov 29th
Term 2
Monday 0900-1200 dual delivery
2025 - Jan 27th, Feb 3rd, Feb 24th, March 3rd
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
Following successful completion of this programme, you’ll be prepared for senior clinical or leadership positions within critical care settings at Band 7 or 8a level in critical care.
You’ll graduate as a practitioner that makes a positive impact on patient care. You’ll gain a deep understanding of a range of clinical skills and knowledge that will allow you to manage critically ill patients. Alternatively, you could advance to a PhD or research degree and enter into a clinical academic pathway.
UK entry requirements
2025/6 entry
Hold a pre-registration degree in a relevant allied health profession, be currently employed in the clinical speciality you wish to apply for and have the following relevant experience as a minimum:
1. Students currently working in the UK - At least 1 year of post qualification clinical work experience in the specialism they have applied for. Typically this should be work experience from a ‘Band 6’ level role.
2. Students currently working outside of the UK – At least 2 years post qualification clinical work experience, ideally including at least 1 year in the specialism you have applied for.
You must have met the minimum work experience requirement at the point you apply for the programme. For example, if you submit your application in February 2025, you must have 2 years experience by February 2025 (depending on whether you are working in or outside the UK). This is to make sure that you will definitely have enough experience when you join the course. This does not include internships as they are supervised and therefore technically still part of your training. You should aim to provide documented evidence of your clinical work experience. All applicants should include a detailed CV as part of their application. Applicants who are working outside of the UK should could include letters of recommendations and/or confirmation of employment (we appreciate that what you can provide will vary from one person to another and be dependent on your specific background and employer, so please aim to provide as much documentary evidence when you apply).
EU and International entry requirements
English language requirements
- IELTS: 7 (min 6.5 in all areas)
- Pearson: 64 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 68% (63% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 98 (min 23 in all areas)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2024/25 entry
UK
£11,550 full-time
£5,775 part-time
International
£23,615 full-time
£12,000 part-time
UK Staged Master £3,850 per stage.
International Staged Master £7,870 per stage.
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
The course will be delivered using a variety of methods that have been chosen to optimise your learning of clinical theories and skills. They have been designed to maximise the level of interaction and engagement with your tutors and fellow students.
The following modules will be delivered through in-person on-campus teaching that requires mandatory attendance:
- PH5641 Working as an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner in Musculoskeletal Medicine: Advanced Assessment and Management Skills
- PH5642 Fundamentals of Pelvic Health
- PH5643 Management of the Pelvic Health Patient
- PH5652 Working as an Advanced Postnatal Practitioner (APP) in Pelvic Health
For all other modules you may choose whether to study through live, online interactive teaching that doesn't require attendance on campus, or you may choose to study through in-person campus-based teaching that'll require your attendance on campus.
Support
You'll have a personal tutor throughout your time at university. They'll be a source of support and will help you to make the most of your studies and time at University. You'll have scheduled tutor meetings and be able to access your tutor, as required, either online or via face-to-face meetings on campus.
Assessments
Coursework, such as portfolios and critical essays, will be submitted online via WISEflow and exams will be a mix of on-campus in-person OSCE exams and online open-book style assessments.
The schedule of teaching and assessment has been developed to make the programme as accessible and flexible as possible. Through the provision of both campus-based and online teaching, we'll provide an engaging and stimulating programme that helps you to maximise your learning and professional development in preparation for advanced clinical practice.
This course is designed to incorporate a multidisciplinary perspective that follows the patient pathway from admission to hospital discharge, which is essential when entering leadership roles in today’s healthcare systems.
You’ll learn a holistic approach to patient care alongside clinical leadership skills and how to use evidence-based practice and research to make informed decisions that grow your knowledge and expertise in critical care.
Your learning will be underpinned by the national Advanced Clinical Practice framework as set out by NHS England (formally HEE), encompassing the four pillars: clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research.
As well as studying key modules in advanced clinical leadership, teaching and learning, evidence-based practice and research, you’ll select modules to define your specialist pathway in critical care.
You will have the opportunity to explore anatomy and physiology at an advanced level, giving a strong foundation for the clinically-orientated modules. These explore acute care interventions, specialist patient populations, and rehabilitation for the critically unwell patient.
You’ll benefit from the expertise of academics across our well-established clinical sciences department, giving you a truly interdisciplinary perspective on important topics. Many of our academics currently work in hospitals and other clinical settings, so they'll be teaching you up-to-date scientific knowledge and patient-assessment skills.
Our lecturers are active in research and often contribute to the development of professional guidelines, so you know you’re being taught by practicing healthcare professionals with a high profile in the sector. You’ll also be able to benefit from studying alongside other healthcare professionals in similar fields, giving you the opportunity to network and share ideas.
Our teaching approach us diverse and you’ll benefit from lectures, tutorials, seminars, and workshops.
Assessment and feedback
The course uses a range of flexible and engaging approaches to assessment. You'll be assessed through exams, critical essays, portfolios, oral presentations, and your dissertation.
The choice of the specific type of assessment will be appropriate to the intended learning outcomes of the taught modules. The assessment strategies will balance the need to demonstrate knowledge and competencies with more in-depth and critical approaches to learning. Such assessment approaches will include examinations, presentations of relevant clinical case scenarios, and coursework, which will take the form of critical assessment of literature and research, critical essays, and the development of the selected portfolio of learning.
Finally, the dissertation provides demonstration of an ability to synthesise and critically evaluate current research underpinning clinical practice and to develop and undertake relevant research, as well as its dissemination.
