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STUDY

Postgraduate

PgC/PgD Enhanced Clinical Practice

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Institution code: S82
UCAS code: N/A
Start date: September 2024
Duration: Three to five years part-time.
Location: Ipswich
Typical Offer: Qualifications and management experience will be considered on an individual basis.
Institution code: S82
UCAS code: N/A
Start date: September 2024
Duration: Three to five years part-time.
Location: Ipswich
Typical Offer: Qualifications and management experience will be considered on an individual basis.
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Apply Directly Ask us a question Get a Prospectus

Overview

These programs have been designed to facilitate your development and the demonstration of knowledge, skills, and competencies required to work at an advanced level within your own professional setting.

You will receive support to cultivate a critical awareness of current challenges and emerging insights at the forefront of your professional practice. You will analyze care development and delivery from your professional perspective and consider how other disciplines both challenge and contribute to the quality of care delivery.

The PgC Enhanced Clinical Practice offers you the opportunity to critically explore the Advanced Practice agenda in healthcare. There will be a particular emphasis on leadership skills, complemented by modules designed to enhance knowledge and skills in assessment/examination, clinical reasoning, and decision-making.

The PgD Enhanced Clinical Practice offers all of the above. In the second year, it includes the Non-Medical Prescribing module, which is typically considered essential, unless you have already completed a Prescribing qualification or work in a profession where Non-Medical Prescribing is not supported. In such cases, the course team will assist you in selecting two optional modules of study.

The University of Suffolk is world-class and committed to our region. We are proudly modern and innovative and we believe in transformative education. We are on the rise with a focus on student satisfaction, graduate prospects, spending on academic services and student facilities.

5th

in the UK for graduates in career 15 months after graduation for health professions

(Guardian University Guide 2023)

3rd

for Postgraduate Study

(WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2023)

2nd

in the East of England for graduate prospects

(Complete University Guide 2024)

Course Modules

Downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Records. 

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  • Effective Leadership for Advanced Practice (20 credits) (Mandatory)
  • Holistic Assessment 20 M Clinical Reasoning and Decision Making (20 credits) (Mandatory)
  • Clinical Reasoning and Decision Making (20 credits) (Mandatory)

  • Effective Leadership for Advanced Practice (20 credits) (Mandatory)
  • Holistic Assessment 20 M Clinical Reasoning and Decision Making (20 credits) (Mandatory)
  • Independent and Supplementary Non-Medical Prescribing (40 credits) (Optional)
    NB: This module is advised for those in ACP roles, where the student’s profession or employer requires it. For students that have already completed the prescribing qualification at Level 6 or for whom prescribing is not available to their registered profession, optional modules will be available for study. Academic advice and guidance will be offered to these students to facilitate the choice of relevant and appropriate modules from the options listed below 
  • Research Methods (20 credits) (Mandatory)
  • Optional Modules: Reflexivity in Contemporary Healthcare Practice (20 credits) (Optional)
  • Coaching within Healthcare (20 credits) (Optional)
  • Dementia Care (20 credits) (Optional)
  • Applied Pharmacology for Advanced Practice (20 credits) (Optional)
  • Critical Care 40 credits
  • Living Well with Cancer 20 credits
  • Public Health and Epidemiology 20 credits
  • Mental Health Foundations: Emotional Needs & Resources (20 credits)

Course Modules 2024

Downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Records. 

Surgical lamp

  • Effective Leadership for Advanced Practice (20 credits) (Mandatory)
  • Holistic Assessment 20 M Clinical Reasoning and Decision Making (20 credits) (Mandatory)
  • Clinical Reasoning and Decision Making (20 credits) (Mandatory)

  • Effective Leadership for Advanced Practice (20 credits) (Mandatory)
  • Holistic Assessment 20 M Clinical Reasoning and Decision Making (20 credits) (Mandatory)
  • Independent and Supplementary Non-Medical Prescribing (40 credits) (Optional)
    NB: This module is advised for those in ACP roles, where the student’s profession or employer requires it. For students that have already completed the prescribing qualification at Level 6 or for whom prescribing is not available to their registered profession, optional modules will be available for study. Academic advice and guidance will be offered to these students to facilitate the choice of relevant and appropriate modules from the options listed below 
  • Research Methods (20 credits) (Mandatory)
  • Optional Modules: Reflexivity in Contemporary Healthcare Practice (20 credits) (Optional)
  • Coaching within Healthcare (20 credits) (Optional)
  • Dementia Care (20 credits) (Optional)
  • Applied Pharmacology for Advanced Practice (20 credits) (Optional)
  • Critical Care 40 credits
  • Living Well with Cancer 20 credits
  • Public Health and Epidemiology 20 credits
  • Mental Health Foundations: Emotional Needs & Resources (20 credits)
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WHY SUFFOLK

2nd in the UK for Career Prospects

WUSCA 2024

3rd in the UK for spend on academic services

Complete University Guide 2025

4th in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction

Guardian University Guide 2024
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Lecturer in class
Tablet displaying vital signs
Medical equipment in the Health and Wellbeing Building
Students at a bedside in a stimulation ward
Students in the Health and Wellbeing building
Students at a bedside in a stimulation ward
Health and Wellbeing building facilities

Entry Requirements

120 credits at Honours academic level, or show an ability to work successfully at Masters level.

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  • No less than two years post registration experience, with no less than six months experience in the relevant clinical speciality.
  • Access to relevant area of clinical practice with support of your organisation on their advancing role.
  • Current registration with the relevant regulatory body e.g. NMC, HCPC.

If you have previously studied at higher education level before you may be able to transfer credits to a related course at the University of Suffolk and reduce the period of study time necessary to achieve your degree.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING
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Career Opportunities

Completing the PgC Enhanced Clinical Practice course can open up a variety of career opportunities in healthcare, including but not limited to:

  • Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP)

  • Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

  • Nurse Practitioner (NP)

  • Healthcare Manager/Administrator

  • Clinical Educator

  • Researcher

  • Quality Improvement Specialist

  • Health Policy Analyst

  • Consultant

  • Healthcare Innovator/Entrepreneur

  • Allied Health Professional Specialist

  • Clinical Liaison Officer

Your Course Team

Joanne Learney

Joanne is a Senior Lecturer in Nursing and is a registered Adult and Children’s nurse, with experience in adult and paediatric intensive care.

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Dr Rachel Heathershaw

Rachel is an Associate Professor. After completing her registered nurse training she worked predominantly in acute medicine and rehabilitation.

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Mel Deal

Mel is a Senior Lecturer and Co-course Leader for BSc Adult Nursing and has worked within coronary care, cardiology, and cardiology research.

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Sarah Watkin

Sarah is Senior Lecturer in Non-Medical Prescribing.

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Carlos Gonzalez

Carlos teaches on the Non-Medical Prescribing course and supports other courses and projects across the School of Allied Health Sciences. 

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Dr Gavin Devereux

Dr Gavin Devereux teaches across a number of degrees in the sport and health sciences, publishes research in the sport and exercise sciences.

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Dr Noreen Cushen-Brewster

Noreen is Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange and has extensive experience in  senior leadership and management nursing roles.

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Zoe Grant

Zoe is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Allied Health Sciences, Zoe teaches across programmes both undergraduate and postgraduate.

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Gillian Heard

Gill is Head of Nursing with a career in cancer and palliative/end of life care and was matron in this area for 20+ years

Gillian Heard staff profile photo

Mel Deal

Mel is a Senior Lecturer and Co-course Leader for BSc Adult Nursing and has worked within coronary care, cardiology, and cardiology research.

Mel Deal staff profile photo

Fees and Funding

UK Part-time Tuition Fee

£1,010

per 20 credit module

*Please contact the Student Centre for further details

Further Information

Postgraduate Loans are available for this course, we also offer University of Suffolk Alumni a 25% reduction on fees, find out more below.

Postgraduate Funding Alumni Loyalty Scheme International Students

Facilities and Resources

The Health and Wellbeing building provides students with a variety of state-of-the-art clinical simulation facilities, including two simulated hospital wards, a midwifery birthing unit, physiotherapy teaching spaces, a sports and exercise facility and a working radiography imaging suite.  The building also hosts the Institute of Health and Wellbeing Research and the Integrated Care Academy. 

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A nursing student and lecturer using a manual resuscitator bag
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How to apply

Applying for a postgraduate programme is simple, you can apply using the link below. You can also find out more about what to include on your application and how to contact us for support during the process on the Postgraduate Study link.

Apply Now Postgraduate Study
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"The University of Suffolk empowered me to be better, to aim high and to make positive changes. I found people here that inspired me and supported me through my journey."

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NEXT STEPS

Now you know more about the course, we can guide you through the next steps.

HOW TO APPLY
ACCOMMODATION
FUNDING YOUR COURSE
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