Taught course

Flexible CPD Advancing Healthcare Practice (Modular/PGDip/MSc)

Institution
University of Reading · Reading School of Pharmacy
Qualifications
MSc

Entry requirements

Please note that entry requirements for 2024/25 have not yet been confirmed. The entry requirements for 2023/24 were:

You are required to have:

  • an undergraduate honours degree in the first- or second-class range, or international equivalent, in a relevant healthcare subject
  • a current role working in, or sufficiently linked to, healthcare in the United Kingdom
  • evidence of being able to study at level 7 (master's level)
  • the ability to meet any module specific entry requirements (e.g. Independent Prescribing); you will need to meet these requirements to be eligible to study these modules
  • a minimum of one year of relevant work experience, or sufficient evidence of how you will be supported if you do not have this existing workplace-based experience (this does not apply to modules that are designed to be studied in the first year of qualified practice)
  • a discussion with the admissions tutor prior to submitting an application if you wish to have previous academic credits recognised.

Before you apply

1. If you are applying for the full MSc or to RPL/RPEL academic credits you should email the admissions tutor at cippet@reading.ac.uk to discuss the modular structure you are interested in applying for. If you are applying for a specific CPD module you can submit an application following the instructions below as per the information provided by the admissions team via cippet@reading.ac.uk.

How to apply:

You should complete the following:

2. Write a statement of purpose that includes information on these points:

  • A brief outline of your current clinical work
  • How you will be supported in the workplace to undertake the programme
  • Any information on your readiness for the module, for example for the MSc top-up this might include a brief outline of your research experience and an outline of your project proposal (the project idea could be an audit, service evaluation, quality improvement, quantitative research or qualitative research in design). For the advanced history taking and physical skills or diagnostic reasoning modules this might include your existing experience in clinical skills/diagnosis and how you will use the qualification.

3. Prepare the following documents:

4. To apply to the programme, you need to use the University's online application portal.

All communication from the application system is via automated email. Some National Health Service (NHS) email servers flag these email addresses as spam, so we recommend using a personal email address to ensure you receive all communications at this stage.

Once you have started an application, the system will email you to remind you to start, and/or complete, your application at regular intervals. If your account is flagged as dormant for three or more weeks, your application may be automatically removed.

5. Once you have created an account, select your programme choice from the drop-down menu:

  • CPD course Advancing Healthcare Practice (part-time flexible)
  • N.B. all students are enrolled and billed on a modular basis but they sit under this generic programme. The CPD application checklist (see step 3) will indicate to the admissions tutor which modules you want to study.

6. Complete all the required fields (marked with an asterix *) and upload all of the documents stated above (step 2 and 3).

  • Make sure you upload your statement of purpose to the 'statement of purpose' field in the application portal.
  • Upload your degree certificates and transcripts.
  • The application portal cannot accept multiple uploads therefore, you may need to scan the documents from step 3 into one document.

7. References

Once you have submitted an application, an automatic email will be sent to your referees (if you have provided an email address for them). It is your responsibility to make sure that your referee supplies a reference. We would therefore advise that you contact them in advance of submitting an application so that they have time to prepare a reference. They can use our template to prepare their reference in advance. Please also note that emails from the application system may be sent to their 'spam' folder, which they should check if they have not received the email when expected.

You should provide the email address of one academic and one non-academic referee; a suitable non-academic referee is typically a past or current employer, or a workplace-based supervisor.

8. Attending an interview

As part of the application process, students may be asked to attend an interview. This enables us to determine your suitability for the programme against the entry criteria and find out further information about your experience. Interviews will usually take place online via MS Teams.

9. The outcome of your application

Applications are reviewed throughout the year. However, the greater the number of applications we receive, the longer it may take to inform you of the outcome.

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score, you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Enhance your knowledge and skills as a healthcare professional with our MSc Advancing Healthcare Practice.

Practising healthcare professionals can apply to either study individual modules from the CPD programme or to study this flexible, taught, workplace-based master's degree, which combines a range of optional and compulsory modules to suit their learning needs.

If you already have postgraduate academic credits from other healthcare-based courses — such as PGCert/Dip in Pharmacy Practice, PGDip in Physician Associate Studies, PGCert in Independent Prescribing, or another healthcare-related subject — you may be able to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to join the programme partway through.


Full MSc programme

If you are interested in studying the flexible MSc, the module options you choose will determine when you will be able to apply for the programme. For information on the other modules please see the programme structure tab at the top of this page or contact the admissions tutor at cippet@reading.ac.uk to discuss an appropriate modular learning plan. If you are interested in studying for an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice, please visit the Department website.

MSc top-up programme only

For applicants who have 120 credits at level 7 in relevant subjects aligned to the programme learning outcomes, you can apply to join for our 60 credit MSc top-up programme. For more information on the MSc Top-up programme and upcoming enrolment options, please see our Department website.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applicants can apply for the programme via different routes of entry. For students who wish to study at level 6, routes to a Graduate Certificate/Diploma may be available and the admissions tutors should be contacted for available options.

Experienced healthcare practitioners who are not able to apply for RPL may be able to apply for Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) to recognise prior learning experiences.

If you wish to apply for RPL or RPEL, please contact the MSc in Advancing Healthcare Practice admissions tutor at cippet@reading.ac.uk for further information.

Fees and funding

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £5,650

New international students: £ *Not applicable - this course is only open to UK applicants*

Fees for 2024/25 have not yet been set. For your reference, fees for 2023/24 are listed on this page.

Students are able to self-fund their fees, or to nominate a full or part sponsor.

Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

Additional costs

These course fees cover the cost of your tuition for the MSc top-up only. For the cost of other modules contact cippet@reading.ac.uk for more information.

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

Students are able to self-fund their fees, or to nominate a full or part sponsor. Information on how to access funded modules commissioned by Health Education England will be made available in the module list in the Structure section of this page.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • MSc
    flexible
    36-72 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
    • Distance learningis available for this qualification

Or with prior learning typically 9-12 months

Course contact details

Name
Global Recruitment Team
Email
student.recruitment@reading.ac.uk