Advanced Clinical Practice MSc - 2027/8
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Final award and programme/pathway title
MSc Advanced Clinical Practice
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| PGDip | Enhanced Professional Practice |
| PGCert | Professional Practice |
Professional recognition
NHS England
This programme is accredited by the Centre of Advancing Practice, NHS England. The Centre for Advancing Practice (the Centre) accredits education programmes that result in the award of a full masters degree and that demonstrate the ability to meet the Multi-professional framework for advanced practice in England and the Standards for Education and Training (SET).
Programme accreditation facilitates the process of recognising those programmes that meet the Multi-professional framework and SET requirements and subsequently those individual practitioners that have successfully complete an accredited programme.
NHS England accredited advanced practice programmes are one of the benchmarked routes to recognition for practitioners and aim to ensure a consistent level of quality in advanced level practice education across England, as outlined on the Centre's website: https://advanced-practice.hee.nhs.uk.
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Part-time | PTA61115 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Health Studies
Other internal and / or external reference points
Hardy, M. (2021) Advanced Practice: Final Research Report. Available at: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/resources/policy/advanced-practice-full-research-report/ Health Education England (2017) Multiprofessional Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice in England. Available at https://advanced-practice.hee.nhs.uk/multi-professional-framework-for-advanced-clinical-practice-in-england/ Health Education England. The Centre for Advancing Practice (n.d) Advanced practice workplace supervision: minimum standards of supervision. Available at https://heeoe.hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/advanced_practice_workplace_supervision-_minimum_standards_for_supervision.pdf : Health Education England (2021) The Centre for Advancing Practice Standards for Education and Training https://www.hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/documents/June%202020%20SET%20Existing%20programmes%20%282%29.pdf NHS England (2023) NHS Long Term Workforce plan. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/nhs-long-term-workforce-plan-v1.2.pdf Royal Pharmaceutical Society (2021) Prescribing competency framework. Available at: https://www.rpharms.com/resources/frameworks/prescribers-competency-framework
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences - School of Health Sciences
Programme Leader
STOBBART Mark (Health Sci.)
Date of production/revision of spec
04/11/2026
Educational aims of the programme
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Part-time
This Master's Degree programme is studied part-time over two to five years, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 6/7. All modules are worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
Parts of this programme may be studied outside of the standard University structure and may be subject to professional body requirements
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Unstructured (2-5 years) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
Module Selection for Unstructured (2-5 years) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
This programme is studied part-time over two-five years, all students will be registered Health Professionals, working within a clinical role appropriate for advanced practice development within UK healthcare. For the duration of the programme students will have a named Co-ordinating Education Supervisor, along with Associate Workplace Supervisors, within the workplace, and who meet the requirements of The Centre for Advancing Practice Advanced practice workplace supervision: minimum standards of supervision.
MSc Advanced Clinical Practice
To achieve the principal award of MSc Advanced Clinical Practice a student must complete 180 credits, with a minimum of 150 credits at FHEQ level 7 with the remainder at FHEQ level 6. Core modules and choices for this MSc principal award are:
Transforming Services for Quality 15 credits OR Leading People in Health and Social Care 15 credits.
Health Assessment Adult* 15 credits OR Health Assessment Child* 15 credits.
Educating Health Professionals 15 credits.
Application of Decision Making 15 credits.
Independent/Supplementary prescribing (V300)* 30 credits OR Advanced Medicines Management 15 credits and Choice module 1 15 credits (selected from the School's CPD catalogue, subject to availability).
Research Design and Methodology 15 credits.
Advanced Assessment and Clinical Reasoning* 15 credits.
Dissertation 60 credits.
The MSc Advanced Clinical Practice, 180 credits, is the only award provided by the university that will be considered by the Centre for Advancing Practice for their recognition as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner.
Two subsidiary awards are available within this programme. These subsidiary awards are not considered by the Centre for Advancing Practice for their recognition as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner.
Postgraduate Diploma Enhanced Professional Practice
To achieve the subsidiary award of PG Diploma Enhanced Professional Practice a student must complete 120 credits, a minimum of 90 credits at FHEQ level 7 with the remainder at FHEQ level 6. Core modules and choices for this subsidiary aware are:
Transforming Services for Quality 15 credits OR Leading People in Health and Social Care 15 credits.
Health Assessment Adult* 15 credits OR Health Assessment Child* 15 credits.
Educating Health Professionals 15 credits.
Application of Decision Making 15 credits.
Independent/Supplementary prescribing (V300)* 30 credits OR Advanced Medicines Management 15 credits and Choice module 1 15 credits (selected from the School's CPD catalogue, subject to availability).
Research Design and Methodology 15 credits.
Advanced Assessment and Clinical Reasoning* 15 credits.
Postgraduate Certificate Professional Practice
To achieve the subsidiary award of PG Certificate Professional Practice a student must complete 60 credits from the programme core modules list, a minimum of 45 credits at FHEQ level 7 with the remainder at FHEQ level 6.
*These modules contain assessment tasks where assessment of learning will be completed in the workplace by an appropriate supervisor.
Information on CPD modules can be found at: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/healthsciences/professional-development/cpd-modules.htm
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | Y | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | N | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | Y | Students undertake practice in their practice area |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
"Students are experienced healthcare professionals in developing advanced practice roles. The programme supports career progression and eligibility for Advanced Clinical Practitioner recognition.
Students develop digital skills through critical use of information, problem solving and innovation. Research modules utilise technology to access, analyse and apply data, whilst Advanced Assessment and Clinical Reasoning explores digital health technologies. Flexible learning promotes engagement with digital resources.
The programme adopts and interprofessional, person centres approach, drawing on diverse experiences. Health Assessment and Advanced Assessment and Clinical Reasoning use inclusive resources and case studies reflecting varied cultural, social and clinical perspectives.
Students develop understanding of sustainable healthcare, including workforce sustainability, resource management and societal wellbeing. Leadership modules explore the ethical and sustainable use of healthcare resources.
Students develop the ability to reflect, evaluate, adapt and respond to the demands of advanced practice. Self-awareness, professional judgment and understanding of scope of practice support safe decision making, reinforced through reflective clinical logs and tripartite reviews.
The programme has exemptions from University A1 regulations. Compensation is not permitted. The Independent and Supplementary Prescribing (V300) module may be taken where eligible. RPL/C is normally capped at 60 credits, although up to 90 credits may be recognised where prior student meets Centre for Advancing Practice requirements. Students receiving external funding may have additional restrictions. RPL against Advanced Assessment and Clinical Reasoning requires prior Level 7 study including advanced practice supervision. Students must remain employed in an appropriate developing advanced practice role and engage with supervision throughout the programme."
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2027/8 academic year.