Develop your professional skills and knowledge to a high level of competence on this Advanced Critical Care Practitioner MSc at the University of Southampton. Successfully completing this Level 7 training course will allow you to apply for membership with The Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM) as an advanced critical care practitioner.
This pathway is accredited by Health Education England's Centre for Advancing Practice. Completion of HEE accredited programmes/pathways is set to become one of the benchmark routes to recognition for Advanced Clinical Practitioners, and accreditation is also designed to ensure a consistent level of programme quality across England
You’ll study within the School of Health Sciences: ranked 2nd in the UK and 6th in the World for Nursing (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023).
This Advanced Clinical Practice (Advanced Critical Care Practitioner) master’s course is for experienced registered practitioners currently working within a UK healthcare setting.
The course will support your ongoing development in your chosen specialist area. It will allow you to take a leading role in the provision of high-quality, evidence-based critical care, helping to monitor and treat patients with life-threatening conditions.
Led by our expert academics you’ll:
examine role development in relation to advanced critical care practitioner
explore how to apply evidence to your field of practice
examine the use of advanced practice, communication and decision-making skills
develop new or enhanced clinical skills relevant to your professional role within advanced critical care
build on your knowledge, skills and competence to become an expert or leader in your specialism
The course is built around the 4 pillars of advanced practice:
advanced clinical practice
leadership
education
research
Flexible study
If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:
a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) - you'll usually study for about 2 years and will not need to write a dissertation
Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
a 2:2 degree in a clinical, health or science subject
current registration with a relevant UK professional body
a minimum of 2 years’ post registration critical care experience needed (3 years before commencing the non-medical prescribing module)
a current job contract in an appropriate critical care clinical setting
up to 2 references that include one from your current employer that assures appropriate supervision arrangements
Students following the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM) ACCP curriculum must have overall supervision provided by a Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine, with elements of additional supervision provided by other senior medical practitioners deemed appropriate by the local clinical lead. It is also recommended to have a mentor in practice, which can be an experienced ACCP or a senior critical care medic.
Students not following the FICM ACCP curriculum require an appropriately experienced supervisor who could be a middle grade or senior Medical Consultant, or an Advanced Critical Care Practitioner with a minimum of three years post qualification experience.
Additional criteria in terms of employer support and agreed pace of study will apply if you are seeking associate membership of The Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM) as part of your training. For more information, please contact us.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with ONCAMPUS. Learn more about the programmes available.
Recognition of professional experience
If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.
Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
If you’re taking the full MSc, you’ll research and write a dissertation on a subject relevant to your current or future area of practice. You can submit your final dissertation in one of the following formats:
a literature review
a service improvement project (including audit)
an empirical project
Academic Support
We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor.
You'll be able to work as an advanced critical care practitioner in a critical care unit or similar environment.
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
work experience schemes
CV/resume and interview skills workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
NHS Learning Support Fund
As a student on this course you may be entitled to help from the NHS Learning Support Fund.
This can include a training grant of £5,000 per academic year, parental support of £2,000 for students with at least one dependent child under 15 years, or under 17 years if registered with special educational needs, and help with travel and temporary accommodation costs for placements.
The deadline to apply for this course is Monday 11 September 2024.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
your knowledge of the subject area
why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
how you intend to use your qualification
You’ll need to submit two professional references.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.
If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
We may invite you to an interview, which will take place by phone if you live abroad. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.
Advanced Clinical Practice (Advanced Critical Care Practitioner) (MSc) is a course in the
Nursing, midwifery and healthcare
subject area.
Here are some other courses within
this subject area:
