Advanced Physical Health Assessment 20 credits

The course aims to develop your knowledge and skills in relation to the physical health assessment of patients specific to your specialist area of clinical practice. At the end of the course, you will have advanced their practice in performing a problem-focused, age appropriate health assessment. 

On completion, students should be able to

• Perform a comprehensive problem-focused age appropriate health assessment (OSCE/Simulation).
• Demonstrate knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology of the common disorders or diseases associated with their specialist area of practice (OSCE).
• Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacological interventions and an ability to conduct an appropriate medication assessment (OSCE/Simulation).
• Demonstrate ability to competently produce high quality clinical records reflecting critical thinking and decision making (Clinical component).

Attendance required

Over 1 semester – you will attend university twice a month.

Course dates

Teaching will take place on:

• 5 January 2027
• 19 January 2027
• 20 January 2027
• 2 February 2027
• 3 February 2027
• 16 February 2027
• 17 February 2027
• 2 March 2027
• 3 March 2027
• 17 March 2027

Mock and Summative OSCEs will take place in April: 

• Mock OSCE - 20 and 21 April 2027
• Summative OSCE - 27 and 28 April 2027

Assessment

• Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) (100%) - Pass/Fail.
• Clinical component of 37 hours to be signed-off by Medical Practitioner (Pass/Fail).

Credits 

20 credits

Advanced Physical Health Assessment is a core module on MSc Advanced Clinical Practice and can be counted at a later date.

Professional qualification in healthcare.

Please note this microcredential is only available for international applicants who have a skilled worker visa and are sponsored by their employer.

Fees for 2026/27 entry

Microcredential (Home): £1,250

 Microcredential (International): £1,250

Please note this microcredential is only available for international applicants who have a skilled worker visa and are sponsored by their employer.

Applications closed

Applications for this short course are now closed. Please check back for any updates.

Applicants may be required to submit additional information, such as completing a Practice Assessor Form and a Personal Statement. These forms will be provided by the programme team. For further details, please contact the Programme Administrator: acp@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Why choose a Postgraduate Microcredential short course?

• Microcredentials offer the perfect opportunity to boost your CV without the commitment of a full degree
• Usually taken from existing modules within a Masters, they can be used as standalone credentials with some also counting as academic credits at postgraduate level
• Add a postgraduate level qualification to your CV
• Develop the specialist skills you need for your career goals
• Alumni status with the University of Birmingham
• Learners will have the same access to our student support and campus facilities as our students on full degree programmes.

Please note the deadline for submitting an application:

• Applicants eligible for Home fees are to apply a minimum of 6 weeks before the module start date.
• Applicants eligible for Overseas fees are to apply a minimum of 3 months before the module start date.

Please note that once registered for the microcredential you cannot swap for the non-credit short course version.