Advanced Clinical Practice is a multi-professional level of practice carried out by experienced clinicians who independently manage the clinical care process from start to finish in partnership with individuals, families, and carers. By working across traditional health and social care boundaries, they combine expert clinical skills with research, education, and leadership, to create innovative solutions which enhance patient experience and improve outcomes.
This programme is designed to fully integrate the Health Education England (2017) Multidisciplinary Capability Framework. This framework enables registered healthcare practitioners to acquire an expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills, and clinical competencies for expanded scope of practice. This is underpinned by the four Advanced Clinical Practice pillars of Clinical Skills, Management and Leadership, Education, and Research.
On this course, students can explore advanced practice on a personal, local, and national level. They may be opportunities to develop a substantial portfolio of evidence which illustrates a breadth of practice, while exploring relevant research and developing their own skill set. Across the course, students will be required to demonstrate core capabilities and area specific clinical competence.
The MSc Advanced Clinical Practice offers registered practitioners a student-centred programme of study that aims to meet their personal and professional development needs as they progress within their role towards advanced expert practice.
Students will explore advanced practice on both a personal, local, and national level. They will be encouraged to develop a substantial portfolio of evidence illustrating a breadth of practice, while exploring relevant research and developing their own skill set.
The programme is designed to fully integrate the Health Education England (2017) Multidisciplinary Capability Framework enabling registered healthcare practitioners to acquire an expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills, and clinical competences for expanded scope of practice, underpinned by the four Advanced Clinical Practice pillars of Clinical Skills, Management and Leadership, Education, and Research.
Within the award the combination of modules aims to continuously promote the core principles of Advanced Clinical Practice; Autonomous practice, critical thinking, high levels of decision making and problem solving, values based care and improving practice.
Teaching and learning contextualises the University's 'Student as Producer', promoting a coherent approach to andragogic practice via discovery, collaboration, engagement, and the production of new knowledge and new ways of working.
You will be able to develop your abilities across all pillars, evidencing competencies relevant to your area of practice using work-based supervision and tripartite assessment.
The course is open to registered healthcare professionals who meet the entry criteria, through self-funding and the Health Education England funded route. There is also an option for students to undertake an apprenticeship. For further information please contact Programme Leader, Helen Chilvers: hchilvers@lincoln.ac.uk
Multi-professional approach to teaching and learning
A focus on theoretical knowledge, understanding, and practical experience
Student support network involving programme lead and stakeholder NHS trust
Emphasis on the development of professional and research skills
Complete a research project in a specialist area
Teaching is delivered over one day a week, with additional student learning activity in the workplace. Learning combines clinical skills sessions, workshops, and seminars with online live and directed study. Student learning is managed via a tripartite agreement between the student, the academic assessor, and the clinical supervisor.
In the context of this course, high-quality learning and teaching is characterised by the clear relationship between the programme learning outcomes, the professional application of the learning outputs and the innovative learning methods employed to achieve them.
Students will benefit from a blended teaching and learning experience in recognition that students on this programme are working professionals and that the nature of their engagement with this programme requires the student to take responsibility for their own learning.
Teaching is delivered over one day a week, with additional student learning activity in the workplace. Student learning is managed via a tripartite agreement between the student, the academic assessor, and the clinical supervisor.
In the context of this course, high-quality learning and teaching is characterised by the clear relationship between the programme learning outcomes, the professional application of the learning outputs and the innovative learning methods employed to achieve them.
Students will benefit from a blended teaching and learning experience in recognition that students on this programme are working professionals and that the nature of their engagement with this programme requires the student to take responsibility for their own learning.
The University of Lincoln has designed this programme in partnership with employers to prepare the workforce for working in primary and secondary care and integrated systems. This programme may suit registered clinicians currently employed in health or social care and third sector organisations working in the healthcare space.
This course is accredited by NHS England's Centre for Advanced Practice. All programmes successfully accredited by the Centre for Advanced Practice have been deemed to meet the capabilities and standards set out in Higher Education England's multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice in England and Higher Education England's Standards for Education and Training (SET).
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, contact hours, and our return to face-to-face teaching.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, contact hours, and our return to face-to-face teaching.
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Prior to coming to the University of Lincoln, Adele worked in the NHS for 29 years undertaking a variety of clinical roles in several settings.
Wanting to consolidate the learning she had gained from her various clinical roles and to expand her skills, Adele embarked on the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice. In doing this she found herself in a ‘community of practice’ which enabled her to reflect, learn, and develop.
Adele feels that the course gave her the confidence to explore and be successful in securing new opportunities such as a leadership role working for a Community Trust overseeing Clinical Governance and Quality for GP practices.
In 2020 Adele was also awarded the title of Queen’s Nurse something she is exceptionally proud of.
At Lincoln, we constantly invest in our campus as we aim to provide the best learning environment for our students. Whatever the area of study, the University strives to ensure students have access to specialist equipment and resources, to develop the skills, which they may need in their future career.
The Sarah Swift Building, is a £19m investment into a dedicated facility for the Schools of Health and Social Care and Psychology. The building houses high-quality teaching, research, social and learning spaces for both Schools. The building also includes advanced clinical simulation facilities for the School’s nursing courses.
Students can study and research in the University's Great Central Warehouse Library, which provides more than 250,000 printed books and approximately 400,000 electronic books and journals, as well as databases and specialist collections. The Library has a range of different spaces for shared and individual learning.
Students will be assessed through a variety of methods including clinical examinations, written assignments, reflective writing, critical thinking, short format examinations, presentation of work to peers, and the University's 'Student as Producer' initiative.
Students will be assessed through a variety of methods including clinical examinations, written assignments, reflective writing, critical thinking, short format examinations, presentation of work to peers, and the University's 'Student as Producer' initiative.
Postgraduate Application Support
Applying for a postgraduate programme at Lincoln is easy. Find out more about the application process and what you'll need to complete on our How to Apply page. Here, you'll also be able to find out more about the entry requirements we accept and how to contact us for dedicated support during the process.
How to Apply
Applicants require current registration with relevant professional/regulatory organisations and a full support from their employing organisation to facilitate the requirements of the clinical supervision.
This means that:
• Must be a registered healthcare practitioner with one of the statutory regulators of health and care professions, i.e. NMC, HCPC or GPhC
• Normally qualified for a minimum of three years, with a minimum of one years' experience in your current speciality
• Must be working for a minimum of 30 hours per week, employed as a Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner / Advanced Clinical Practitioner
• Must have full support and engagement of your line manager
• Must have an identified senior clinical mentor and supervisor.
• Normally hold an honour's degree in a health-related discipline and evidence of continuing professional development that shows an ability to study at master's level.
• Applicants must provide, on application, two references, one should be academic and the other from your clinical/employer.
Please note, supervision is an essential element of training to be an advanced practitioner and students will only be able to commence study with a named and allocated co-ordinating education supervisor.
Health Education England and the Centre for Advancing Practice have published Minimum Standards for Advanced Practice Workplace Supervision. These can be found in full on the CFAP website under Reports and Publications. The minimum standards are to ensure high quality supervision for the trainee and for more details, please visit the Health Education England website for minimum standards for ACP supervision.
Please note, supervision for the trainee advanced practitioner is a mandatory element and:
- Trainees must have a named, allocated co-ordinating education supervisor before commencing training in advanced practice,
-Throughout the period of training, there must be a minimum of one hour of scheduled supervision every week, of which one in four (once a month) is a scheduled hour with the co-ordinating education supervisor,
-In certain practice context, where there may be high risk, it will be necessary to debrief/provide daily supervision to ensure patient and practitioner safety (Health Education England, 2022).
Co-ordinating education supervisors must:
-Be an experienced practitioner
-Have completed some formal supervisor development. Examples include clinical educator programmes, PG Cert Clinical Education, practice educator programmes and local supervisor training courses.
Additional Requirements: Integrated Apprenticeship
• Evidence for selection is gained from applicant's personal statement, academic qualifications and employer's recommendation.
• Applicants must be registered with a statutory health and/or social care regulator with proof of current registration.
• Applicants must demonstrate achievement of English and Mathematics qualifications at a minimum of Level 2, as per general apprenticeship requirements.
• Students must remain in continuous appropriate employment throughout the life of the course.
In relation to entry requirements, applicants must meet the conditions laid out by their respective professional, statutory and regulatory bodies.
Applicants require current registration with relevant professional/regulatory organisations and a full support from their employing organisation to facilitate the requirements of the clinical supervision.
This means that:
• Must be a registered healthcare practitioner with one of the statutory regulators of health and care professions, i.e. NMC, HCPC or GPhC
• Normally qualified for a minimum of three years, with a minimum of one years' experience in your current speciality
• Must be working for a minimum of 30 hours per week, employed as a Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner / Advanced Clinical Practitioner
• Must have full support and engagement of your line manager
• Must have an identified senior clinical mentor and supervisor.
• Normally hold an honour's degree in a health-related discipline and evidence of continuing professional development that shows an ability to study at master's level.
• Applicants must provide, on application, two references, one should be academic and the other from your clinical/employer.
Please note, supervision is an essential element of training to be an advanced practitioner and students will only be able to commence study with a named and allocated co-ordinating education supervisor.
Health Education England and the Centre for Advancing Practice have published Minimum Standards for Advanced Practice Workplace Supervision. These can be found in full on the CFAP website under Reports and Publications. The minimum standards are to ensure high quality supervision for the trainee and for more details, please visit the Health Education England website for minimum standards for ACP supervision.
Please note, supervision for the trainee advanced practitioner is a mandatory element and:
- Trainees must have a named, allocated co-ordinating education supervisor before commencing training in advanced practice,
-Throughout the period of training, there must be a minimum of one hour of scheduled supervision every week, of which one in four (once a month) is a scheduled hour with the co-ordinating education supervisor,
-In certain practice context, where there may be high risk, it will be necessary to debrief/provide daily supervision to ensure patient and practitioner safety (Health Education England, 2022).
Co-ordinating education supervisors must:
-Be an experienced practitioner
-Have completed some formal supervisor development. Examples include clinical educator programmes, PG Cert Clinical Education, practice educator programmes and local supervisor training courses.
Additional Requirements: Integrated Apprenticeship
• Evidence for selection is gained from applicant's personal statement, academic qualifications and employer's recommendation.
• Applicants must be registered with a statutory health and/or social care regulator with proof of current registration.
• Applicants must demonstrate achievement of English and Mathematics qualifications at a minimum of Level 2, as per general apprenticeship requirements.
• Students must remain in continuous appropriate employment throughout the life of the course.
In relation to entry requirements, applicants must meet the conditions laid out by their respective professional, statutory and regulatory bodies.
Eligible students applying to this course will not be interviewed formally, however, there will be a pre-start informal interview with an academic before this takes place if candidates have alternative entry qualifications.
You will need to have funding in place for your studies before you arrive at the University. Our fees vary depending on the course, mode of study, and whether you are a UK or international student. You can view the breakdown of fees for this programme below.
For each course you may find that there are additional costs. These may be with regard to the specific clothing, materials or equipment required.
With regards to text books, the University provides students who enrol with a comprehensive reading list and you will find that our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts that you are required to read. However, you may prefer to purchase some of these for yourself and you will be responsible for this cost.
You will need to have funding in place for your studies before you arrive at the University. Our fees vary depending on the course, mode of study, and whether you are a UK or international student. You can view the breakdown of fees for this programme below.
For each course you may find that there are additional costs. These may be with regard to the specific clothing, materials or equipment required.
With regards to text books, the University provides students who enrol with a comprehensive reading list and you will find that our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts that you are required to read. However, you may prefer to purchase some of these for yourself and you will be responsible for this cost.
Postgraduate Funding Options
Find out more about the optional available to support your postgraduate study, from Master's Loans to scholarship opportunities. You can also find out more about how to pay your fees and access support from our helpful advisors.
Explore Funding Options
Postgraduate study is an investment in yourself and your future. It can help you to further or completely change your career, develop your knowledge, enhance your salary, or even prepare you to start your own business. Postgraduate students at the University of Lincoln benefit from inspirational teaching combined with high-quality facilities and learning spaces, great industry links, and unique research opportunities, all of which are designed to help you stand out from the crowd and make the most of your time with us.
For more information about this course, please contact the Programme Leader.
Helen Chilvers
hchilvers@lincoln.ac.uk
To get a real feel for what it is like to study at the University of Lincoln, we hold a number of dedicated postgraduate events and activities throughout the year for you to take part in.
Upcoming Postgraduate Events