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  • Advanced Clinical Practice

Advanced Clinical Practitioner Masters Degree Apprenticeship

The Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) Masters Degree Apprenticeship is a multi-professional programme, open to experienced registered healthcare professionals wishing to develop their career at the forefront of their field.

The programme offers an opportunity for health and social care employers to develop expertise and talent throughout their organisation. It is designed to support health professionals from multi-professional backgrounds such as physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, paramedic science, midwifery and nursing in both primary and secondary settings. 

Advanced clinical practice is an evolving level of practice aimed at experienced senior staff working in the NHS and other healthcare organisations.

Make sure that you’ve read the FAQs, and that you meet the eligibility criteria, before you submit an application.

Key information

University of Brighton award Advanced Clinical Practice MSc

Apprenticeship standard Advanced Clinical Practitioner (integrated degree)

Level 7

Start date September 2025

Application close date
End of June 2025

Duration 36 months

Location Falmer

Accredited by Centre of Advancing Practice

Ask us about apprenticeships

Programme details

Accreditation

Centre for Advancing Practice

This programme is accredited by the Centre for Advancing Practice.

Health Education England’s Centre for Advancing Practice has been established to standardise post-registration education by accrediting advanced practice courses that achieve the standards outlined in the multi-professional Advanced Practice Framework.

Practitioners who have completed accredited education programmes will be eligible to be listed on the Centre’s Advanced Practice Directory.

Centre for Advancing Practice Logo

Programme structure

The three-year programme is made up of two 31-week years and one 30-week year, totalling 92 weeks. Attendance pattern may vary dependent on modules undertaken.

We are a member of the Association of Advanced Practice Educators UK (AAPE UK) which provides national guidance on ACP education. This relationship will aid in future-proofing the contemporary value and quality of the programme. 

With support from the employer, apprentices are required to spend 20% of paid working hours on studies and be able to evidence this. This is a statutory requirement for apprenticeships and the funding is conditional on this being met. Off-the-job learning includes activities which have not previously been a part of the role or furthers apprentices development into new areas.

Modules and core skills

Year 1

  • Managing Complexity in Advanced Clinical Practice
  • Research Theory and Application for Health Professionals
  • Advanced Physical Assessment, Pathophysiology and Clinical Decision Making (Adult/Child) OR Advanced Physical Assessment of Cardiac and Respiratory systems

Year 2

  • Independent Prescribing AND one of these modules: 
  • Health Professional as Educator
  • Advanced Therapeutic Interventions through Work-based Learning
  • Advancing Competency in Specialism Through Work-based Learning

OR

  • Advancing Competency in Specialism Through Work-based Learning
  • Health Professional as Educator
  • Advanced Therapeutic Interventions through Work-based Learning

Year 3

  • Leading Service Improvement Project (LSIP) in Advanced Clinical Practice
  • ACP End Point Assessment

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Upon completion of the programme, apprentices will be equipped to: 

  • develop and apply advanced technical proficiency and knowledge in order to provide advanced specialist care and treatment
  • proactively utilise systematic knowledge to critically evaluate and challenge professional, ethical and legal requirements inherent in advanced clinical practice
  • demonstrate critical synthesis as a strategic leader/ team member supporting continuous learning communities and developing others
  • demonstrate an ability to critically reflect upon and challenge own clinical decision-making to respond systematically and creatively to complex situations
  • Critically evaluate current policy and research in the four domains of advances practice
  • proactively evaluate and develop methodologies to constantly monitor service user experience and improve the effectiveness of their own and others' practice.

Teaching and assessment

The programme is based on multi-professional teaching and learning within a spirit of enquiry and the active co-production of knowledge amongst staff, apprentices and students, in learning, teaching and research. Learners on the programme are partners with lecturers facilitating an interactive learning community. 

A blended learning approach will be facilitated through My Studies which provides learning resources specific to individual modules, and access to the Brighton Skills Hub and the online library.

The development of the electronic portfolio over approximately two years, provides apprentices the space to explore their role and discover how they are meeting the apprenticeship standard.

Summative assessment methods are used throughout the programme including:

  • ePortfolio
  • case studies
  • OSCE and practice skills
  • multiple choice question exams
  • written exam
  • written assignments
  • oral assessment and presentation
  • practice business proposal and implementation plan.

The Managing Complexity in Advanced Clinical Practice core module provides an e-Portfolio framework for the mapping of the Institute For Apprenticeships for Advanced Clinical Practice standards. These capabilities are assessed over approximately a two-year period.

Facilities

Clinical Skills and Simulation Suite

Clinical skills and simulation rooms provide an invaluable tool for assessment and monitoring apprentices' progress throughout the course.

Apprentices benefit from practising skills in an environment that simulates real-life professional experiences. Learning by simulation with state-of -the-art mannequins enables apprentices to practice in a safe environment under supervision, so they can apply their knowledge and skills in professional practice with confidence.

Flexible Learning Environment

The Flexible Learning Environment is an adapted home environment in a residential location where apprentices are able to practise skills and learn from others while taking part in realistic training scenarios.

Every room is fitted with cameras and microphones, so that apprentices can be directed and mentored from the control room while the observation room provides the opportunity to review, playback and debrief.

Two apprentices looking at a mock patient ward from behind a screen.

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Employer and apprentice commitments

In order to deliver the programme, the employer undertakes to:

  • conduct a workplace induction and set out a contract of employment
  • provide an appropriately qualified workplace mentor to support the apprentice
  • attend apprentice's progress review (twice a year) 
  • release apprentice for scheduled off-the-job training
  • have an Apprenticeship Agreement in place from the start of the programme.

Throughout the programme, apprentices will:

  • attend the workplace for the agreed pattern as set out in the employment contract 
  • record all training sessions and off-the-job learning 
  • attend scheduled university learning sessions and complete all assessments as required by the university and End Point Assessment Organisation
  • behave in a safe and responsible manner at the workplace and university
  • engage with regular progress reviews 
  • complete, throughout the apprenticeship, a professional development portfolio.

Staff profile

Daren Briscoe

Daren qualified as a Registered Nurse (RN) in 1996 at the University of Brighton. He has worked at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in both Intensive Care and Critical Care Outreach. 

Daren is Senior Lecturer in Advanced Nursing Practice and Acute Care, leading the  Advanced Clinical Practice MSc and  Advanced Clinical Practice MSc apprenticeship courses.

Fees and funding information for apprentices 

Course fees

As an apprentice, the cost of your learning programme is covered by your employer through their Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account.

Student finance

Higher and degree level apprentices are not eligible for any element of student finance. This is because they receive a salary instead of the student loan package. However, if you are experiencing any financial difficulties, please contact the Student Advice Service on 01273 642 888.

Learning support

Apprentices studying at Higher and degree level may be able to access funding in relation to additional support, but this is available through the university and not Disabled Students Allowance. Apprentices may also be able to apply for Access to Work funding for work-based equipment and software. Please contact the Disability and Learning Support team on 01273 643 799.

Living costs and benefits

Higher and degree level apprentices must fulfil the standard eligibility criteria in order to apply for means tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit. If you have any questions about entitlement to benefits, please contact the Student Advice Service on 01273 642888.

Higher and degree level apprentices who are undertaking a full-time mode of study can be treated as being exempt from paying Council Tax. Although some programmes require study on a day-release arrangement, this can still be classed as full-time study. You will need to obtain a letter from the Student Support Desk at any campus and send this to your Council Tax department when you enrol on the programme.

Other

Brighton and Hove bus discount

NUS card

Entry requirements

Applicants should:

  • be registered with an appropriate professional healthcare body in the UK (for example, HCPC, NMC) and normally have a minimum of three years' post-registration experience.
  • be working for a minimum of 30 hours a week in a trainee ACP or ACP role or as part of an apprenticeship, with the backing of their employer or manager. The employer/line manager will liaise closely with the university and apprentice to ensure compliance with the 36-month apprenticeship pathway.  
  • normally hold a first degree. Graduates who have not studied within five years of entry to the course and non-graduates will have entry or a study plan agreed with the course leader.
  • the applicant requires the support of a workplace supervisor educated at Masters level or beyond and should normally work at an advanced level of practice, preferably as an ACP or consultant.
  • have English and mathematics qualifications at a minimum of level 2. Qualifications must be regulated by Ofqual, CCEA and Qualifications Wales. Find out more about the other qualifications that we accept.

Further info about health apprenticeships

Location

Falmer campus

Set in the South Downs, our Falmer campus is around four miles from Brighton city centre. Students based here study a range of subjects including education studies, teaching, sport and exercise, nursing and midwifery, allied health professions and medicine. Brighton & Hove Albion’s Amex stadium and beautiful Stanmer Park are right next door.

Falmer campus has two halls of residence on site, as well as a library, restaurant, cafes and the Students’ Union shop and bar.

The campus has extensive sport and leisure facilities including a fitness suite, swimming pool, outdoor grass football and rugby pitches, sports hall, tennis and badminton courts, and dance and spin studios.

Specialist learning facilities at Falmer include the curriculum centre used by teaching and education students, which houses over 30,000 teaching resources, clinical skills and simulation suites used by health students, and labs and a strength and conditioning suite used by sport students. We’ve recently redeveloped the Falmer campus – learn more about the many facilities our students have access to.

Cycle lanes link Falmer with our other campuses and the city centre. There are regular bus services to the city centre and other campuses. Falmer train station is right next to campus and it’s a nine-minute journey to central Brighton.

Checkland Building on Falmer campus

Why choose us?

Logos of four accreditation bodies: NHS SBS Approved Framework Supplier, AAPE, The Centre for Advancing Practice and Ofsted
  • We are a trusted partner to the health and social care sector, working with local providers
  • We are at the forefront of universities delivering apprenticeships in health
  • Apprenticeships rated 'Good' by Ofsted.

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