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Advanced Clinical Practice (Advanced Critical Care Practitioner) Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship MSc
- Delivery formatOnline and in person
- Start dateSeptember, JanuaryDuration3 years part-time
- AwardMaster of Science
- Entry requirements2:2 Honours degree in your clinical field of practice
- Fees (UK/Ireland)This course is fully funded via the employer Apprenticeship Levy.
Course overview
If you're looking to advance your career without taking a break from work, this Degree Apprenticeship is an ideal choice. The Advanced Clinical Practice (Advanced Critical Care Practitioner) provides a structured pathway to becoming an Advanced Critical Care Practitioner, equipping you with the expert knowledge and specialist skills needed to progress to the next level in your profession.
This degree apprenticeship equips you with the critical care-specific skills defined by the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM) curriculum and the Multi-professional Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice in England. It prepares you to confidently take on the Advanced Critical Care Practitioner role and lead within critical care services.
Driven by research and patient-focused care, the programme empowers you to drive innovation, improve clinical practice, and advance both your career and patient outcomes.
Course Structure
This course will run over three years in a part-time mode. While the exact content may change, here’s what you can expect to study throughout this programme and the routes you can take.
Year One
Year One
In year one you'll complete three core modules as well as work on your portfolio. This modular course is designed to provide you with the necessary clinical, leadership and management, education and research skills and knowledge to become an accredited Advanced Clinical Practitioner. You'll positively impact health outcomes for the patients and their families within your locality.
Year Two
Year Two
In year two you'll complete another three core modules and continue to work on your portfolio. Two of the core modules incorporates the Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing (for those eligible to undertake independent prescribing qualification). You must complete and pass both to record your prescribing qualifications with your regulatory body.
Year Three
Year Three
In your final year you'll undertake service evaluations with close academic support. Topics have included sickle cell anaemia, pain management, MRI in metastatic disease, frailty, and co-morbidity management.
Course highlights
What makes this course different?
The Advanced Clinical Practice (ACCP) Degree Apprenticeship prepares you for a role as an ACCP and supports your application for Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM) accreditation after graduation.
The programme has been designed to align with the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine Curriculum, through embedding critical care components throughout core modules, a bespoke critical care focused module (Advanced Critical Care Practice), and a clinical portfolio that integrates the curriculum requirements of the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine Curriculum and Multi-professional framework for advanced practice 2025 - Advanced Practice.
Co-designed with healthcare professionals, this programme equips you to meet the demands of modern critical care and deliver high-quality care to patients with complex needs.
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Flexible delivery with a mix of online and on-campus learning.
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Boosts career growth by developing research-led, advanced clinical skills.
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On-campus sessions run in two-day blocks every two weeks in Years 1 and 2.
- 1st
choice for leading graduate employers
The Graduate Market Report 2024 by High Fliers
- 59th
in the world for Life Sciences and Medicine
QS World Rankings, 2025
- Top 100
Global university
QS World University Rankings, 2026
Course delivery
This part-time, three-year apprenticeship is designed for healthcare professionals working in critical care. It combines core advanced practice modules—like Advanced Physical Assessment, Clinical Decision Making, and Independent Prescribing*—with specialist training in Advanced Critical Care Practice and a work-based learning portfolio.
You’ll develop key skills in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, organ support, critical care pathophysiology, and advanced patient assessment. On-the-job learning reinforces clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice.
Important Note: Independent Prescribing is required for FICM accreditation and depends on your professional registration.
You must complete supervised clinical practice, supported by supervisors and assessors, and maintain a portfolio aligned with the four pillars of advanced clinical practice.
The University works closely with clinical sites to ensure a supportive, inclusive learning environment throughout the course.
During clinical placements, you’ll be supervised directly or indirectly to complete competency-based assessments and build an evidence-based portfolio, demonstrating progress across all four practice pillars over the three years.
You’re also encouraged to engage with the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine ACCP Curriculum to enhance your portfolio
Learn more about the Multi-professional Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice in England.
Module information
This course consists of six core modules plus a stand-alone module portfolio. There is also a research project where you can tailor your degree to your specific career needs.
The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.
As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.
Year: 1
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Clinical Decision making | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Advanced Clinical Practice Portfolio (Year 1) | 0 | Full Term |
| Advanced Physical Health Assessment | 20 | Semester 2 |
| The Reflective Advanced Practitioner | 20 | Semester 1 |
Year: 2
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Clinical Practice Portfolio (Year 2) | 0 | Full Term |
| Advanced Critical Care Practice | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Prescribing: Safe Effective Practice | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Prescribing: Scientific Principles and Practice | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Prescribing: Structured Reflective Portfolio | 0 | Full Term |
Year: 3
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Clinical Practice Portfolio (Year 3) | 0 | Full Term |
| Advanced Practice Research Project | 40 | Full Term |
| Consolidation of Advanced Clinical Practice: End Point Assessment | 20 | Full Term |
Teaching staff
Jason Pritchard
Programme Director MSc Advanced Clinical Practice
Jason Pritchard is the Director of the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice/MSc ACP Degree Apprenticeship (DA) and the MSc ACP MSK (DA) programmes.
Dr Dhruv Parekh
Associate Professor in Critical Care and Respiratory Medicine
Staff profile for Dr Dhruv Parekh, Associate Professor in Critical Care and Respiratory Medicine, Department of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medicine and Health, The University of Birmingham.
David Nice
Associate Clinical Professor
Staff profile page for David Nice, Associate Clinical Professor in the School of Nursing and Midwifery in the School of Health Sciences, University of Birmingham.
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2:2 Honours degree
You should have a 2:2 Honours degree in your clinical field of practice.
Standard entry requirements:
- You must be employed by a health or social care organisation.
- Current registration with one of the statutory regulators of health and care professions i.e. NMC or HCPC or GPhC.
- At least 36 months of clinical experience post qualification.
- You should normally hold an honours degree in your clinical field of practice.
- You'll need to demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development that shows an ability to study at Masters level.
Programme specific requirements:
- You must be employed as a Trainee ACCP within a critical care unit environment, due to the work-based learning element of the programme.
- The critical care unit must meet the criteria for ACCP training units as set out by the FICM (2021) ACCP Training | The Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (ficm.ac.uk)
All routes require current registration with relevant professional/regulatory organisations and a full support from their employing organisation to facilitate the requirements of the clinical supervision.
The ability to offer the independent prescribing route is subject to final approval by professional bodies. For this route, you will need to provide evidence of current professional registration and current DBS clearance.
Fees and scholarships
This course is fully funded via the employer Apprenticeship Levy, there will be no costs incurred by you.
All employers who have a payroll over £3 million pay an Apprenticeship Levy. They can use this levy to fund your enrolment on the programme.
Application process
You'll need to apply for the Apprenticeship programme through your employer, who will have their own selection criteria.
For all enquiries relating to this Degree Apprenticeship programme please contact our Apprenticeships Team via the apprenticeship enquiry form.
Career opportunities
This dynamic apprenticeship programme will equip you with the skills and knowledge to excel as an Advanced Critical Care Practitioner.
Upon completion, you'll be ready to apply for accreditation by the prestigious Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, setting you on a path to make a significant impact in critical care.
Please note: this programme doesn't offer a route to NMC registration/employment in the UK.
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
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