Clinical Practice BSc(Hons) top-up degree

How to apply

• Online application guidance notes (pdf)
• 2025-26 Module timetable
  Includes module dates and costs
• Module withdrawal policy, with change/withdrawal form (pdf)
• Sponsor form (other sponsors) (pdf)

Students normally enrol on the Clinical Practice BSc(Hons) top-up degree after they have completed one stand-alone module with us. Our course team will be happy to chat through the course, the modules and which of the five pathways are best for you. You can contact them at: SHS-CPE-Admissions@brighton.ac.uk.

Course structure

Students normally enrol on the Clinical Practice BSc(Hons) top-up degree after they have completed one stand-alone module with us. Our course team will be happy to chat through the course, the modules and which of the five pathways are best for you. You can contact them at: SHS-CPE-Admissions@brighton.ac.uk.

To achieve the full BSc(Hons) you will need to complete 120 credits: two core modules and clinical modules as specified for each pathway (Acute Care, Cardiac Care, Emergency Care, Intensive Care, Neonatal Care).

Core modules

• Evidence-based Practice (20 credits)
• Quality Improvement Proposal (40 credits)

You are also able to study for a non-honours degree by completing just the 60 credits of clinical modules. If you already have a BSc degree, with or without honours, you may be interested in our Clinical Practice PGCert.

Due to the clinical nature of the modules, there is an expected 80% attendance requirement for the clinical practice modules.

You should expect 12 taught study days for 30-credit modules and eight taught study days for 20-credit modules, attended as one day per week during the semester of study.

Modules are delivered in extensive mode over a semester. The course is delivered in a variety of ways and is flexible enough to meet the needs of part-time students. Delivery is typically via e-learning, lectures, seminars, work-based learning, problem-based learning and simulation in our Clinical Skills and Simulation Suite.

You should be working a minimum of two days per week in a relevant clinical practice area so that you can integrate theory and practice and complete practice assessments. Assessments include clinical skills assessed by an appropriate practitioner in clinical practice.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through Student View.

Acute Care

To be awarded the Clinical Practice (Acute Care) BSc(Hons), you will need to undertake three 20-credit clinical modules and the research and dissertation module. Your choice of 20-credit modules will depend on your clinical practice focus and can include:

• Care of the Acutely Ill Adult (Level 6)
• Child Physical Assessment (Level 6)
• Physical Assessment of Adults (Level 6)
• Renal: Acute Kidney Injury (Level 6)
• Renal: Dialysis and Enhanced Renal Care (Level 6)
• Respiratory Care (Level 6)
• Work-based Learning (Level 6)
• Child Protection

You may also choose modules from the other clinical pathways.

These modules are available to study individually as part of our CPD programme. You can find more about each on our Health CPD modules website.

Cardiac Care 

To achieve the Clinical Practice (Cardiac Care) BSc(Hons), you will need to undertake three 20-credit clinical modules from the following list and the research and dissertation module.

• 12-lead ECG Interpretation (Level 6)
• Coronary Heart Disease (Level 6)
• Cardiac Arrhythmias (Level 6)
• Heart Failure (Level 6)
• Physical Assessment Cardiac and Respiratory Conditions (Level 6)
• 12-lead ECG (Level 6)

These modules are available to study individually as part of our CPD programme. You can find more about each on our Health CPD modules website.

Emergency Care

To achieve the Clinical Practice (Emergency Care) BSc(Hons), you will need to undertake three 20-credit clinical modules and the research and dissertation module. 

You’ll take two emergency care-specific modules plus a clinical module of your choice.

• Emergency Care (Level 6)
• Minor Injuries and Illness (Level 6)

Choice clinical modules include Care of the Acutely Ill Adult (Level 6) and Physical Assessment of Adults (Level 6).

These modules are available to study individually as part of our CPD programme. You can find more about each on our Health CPD modules website.

Intensive Care

To achieve the Clinical Practice (Intensive Care) BSc(Hons), you will need to undertake two 30-credit clinical modules and the research and dissertation module.

The two clinical modules are:

• Intensive Care: Foundations of Practice (Level 6)
• Intensive Care: Enhancing Practice (Level 6)

These modules are available to study individually as part of our CPD programme. You can find more about each on our Health CPD modules website.

Neonatal Care

To achieve the Clinical Practice (Neonatal Care) degree, you will need to undertake two 30-credit clinical modules and the research and dissertation module. 

The two clinical modules should be taken in the following order:

• Neonatal Work-based Learning (Level 6)
• Neonatal Intensive Care and QIS (Level 6)

These modules are available to study individually as part of our CPD programme. You can find more about each on our Health CPD modules website.

Module descriptions

To achieve the full BSc(Hons), all students need to complete the two core modules Evidence-based Practice and Quality Improvement Proposal. The other core and optional modules are dependent upon which pathway (Acute Care, Cardiac Care, Emergency Care, Intensive Care, Neonatal Care) you choose to follow.

Modules

Core modules

• Evidence-based Practice

  This module will enhance your critical understanding of evidence-based practice in health and social care. You will develop the knowledge and skills to search for and critically appraise different forms of published evidence and make recommendations for using research, quality improvement, audit, service evaluation and grey literature in academic assignments and health and social care practice.

• Quality Improvement Proposal

  In this module you will prepare a quality improvement proposal around a topic linked to your expertise and area of practice. You will connect the themes and perspectives covered in your course to real-world contexts and develop strategies to effectively organise, analyse and evaluate information and data.

• Intensive Care: Foundations of Practice (Level 6)

  You will develop the knowledge and skills for the foundations of adult intensive care clinical practice during this module. This includes caring for level 2 and 3 patients, with a focus on respiratory, neurological, rehabilitation and transfer topics. Cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal and end-of-life care are also covered in relation to how they influence the aforementioned aspects of intensive care.

• Intensive Care: Enhancing Practice (Level 6)

  This module will teach you the specialist knowledge and skills required to assess and manage critically ill adult patients in relation to enhanced intensive care clinical practice. There will be a focus on cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal and end-of-life topics, with respiratory, neurological, rehabilitation and transfer also covered with regard to how they influence the aforementioned aspects of intensive care.

• Neonatal Work-based Learning (Level 6)

  In this module you will manage your own work-based learning so you can actively shape your learning experiences within the workplace. This approach will enhance your ability to negotiate, work collaboratively with other professional groups involved in healthcare, problem-solve and critical reflect and self-evaluate. You will use literature and theories to analyse your experiences.

• Neonatal Intensive Care and QIS (Level 6)

  This module will provide you with the knowledge and skills to care for the sick neonate requiring intensive care. You will critically evaluate current neonatal clinical practice referring to relevant research and evidence and contribute to and participate in the provision of multidisciplinary neonatal care.

Options*

• Care of the Acutely Ill Adult (Level 6)

  This module equips you with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to care for acutely ill adult patients. Specifically, you will develop the ability to assess patients, recognise deterioration and escalate concerns with the multi-disciplinary team using a structured, evidence-based approach. You will also learn how to effectively communicate and work within a team.

• Child Physical Assessment (Level 6)

  During this module you will develop and demonstrate the critical knowledge and clinical and interpersonal skills needed to undertake a holistic physical health assessment of infants, children and young people for a range of body systems. This includes taking a health history, clinical examination, interpreting assessment findings and clinical decision-making.

• Physical Assessment of Adults (Level 6)

  Increasingly, health care professionals are required to carry out in-depth physical assessments for their roles in clinical practice. In this module, you will develop the skills to conduct a holistic health history and physical assessment across the range of body systems, interpret assessment findings, recognise abnormalities and plan clinical decisions.

• Renal: Acute Kidney Injury (Level 6)

  Despite advancements in medical technology, acute kidney injury (AKI) remains common within primary and tertiary healthcare settings and is associated with high death rates and long-term complications. In this module you will explore areas including renal anatomy and physiology, electrolyte and fluid balance; haematology, blood biochemistry, AKI biomarkers, acute screening and acid-base balance; dietary management of AKI; and how to support patients with AKI.

• Renal: Dialysis and Enhanced Renal Care (Level 6)

  This module will broaden your knowledge of chronic dialysis therapies and expand your skills in caring for clients with chronic kidney disease and kidney transplantation. It will assist you in effectively planning and delivering evidence-based renal practice in line with current local and national policies.

• Respiratory Care (Level 6)

  Many patients in both acute and community care have respiratory problems as a primary reason for healthcare intervention or as a complication of another condition. This module will advance your practice in respiratory care by increasing your knowledge and understanding of the assessment, pathophysiology, investigations and treatment of some of the most common respiratory conditions.

• Work-based Learning (Level 6)

  This module gives you the opportunity to manage your own work-based learning, enabling you to actively shape your learning experiences within the workplace. This learning approach will help develop your skills in negotiation, collaborative working, problem-solving, critical reflection and fitness for purpose. You will use literature and theories to help understand and analyse your experiences.

• Child Protection

  This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of child protection and safeguarding towards the protection of children and the promotion of the welfare of children, families and communities. You’ll look at policy, research and legislation around child protection; theories of child abuse and neglect; recognising and responding to suspected abuse and neglect; and strategies for the promotion of wellbeing and prevention of harm.

• 12-lead ECG Interpretation (Level 6)

  This module will enable you to develop a systematic method of 12-lead ECG interpretation in clinical practice and understand the significance of these findings for patient care, including the differences associated with gender and race. You will also look at the psychosocial care of patients with a cardiac diagnosis from a 12-lead ECG and their families.

• Coronary Heart Disease (Level 6)

  Coronary heart disease remains a major cause of illness and death in the UK and the importance of primary prevention and rapid intervention for patients with acute coronary syndromes is crucial. This module enables you to explore the assessment, diagnosis, management and interventions required for patients with coronary heart disease and acute coronary syndromes and study the evidence-based guidelines for these patients.

• Cardiac Arrhythmias (Level 6)

  This module will develop your knowledge of the causes and management of patients with cardiac arrhythmias, including drug therapies, devices and invasive and non-invasive interventions. Topics include anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology related to cardiac rhythms; principles of electrocardiography; the psychosocial care of patients and families; and sudden cardiac arrhythmic death syndromes.

• Heart Failure (Level 6)

  The number of people living with heart failure continues to rise in the UK and they are supported by healthcare professionals working across integrated care systems. This module draws on content from the Heart Failure Specialist Nurse Competency Framework and explores the theory and practice underpinning the assessment and management of patients with heart failure, from diagnosis through to end of life.

• Physical Assessment of Cardiac and Respiratory Conditions (Level 6)

  In this module, you will learn to take a focused health history of the cardiac and respiratory body systems and become familiar with the tools, techniques and equipment required for physical assessment of these systems. You will learn how to interpret assessment findings, recognise cardio-respiratory abnormalities and study the clinical presentation and management of common cardiac and respiratory conditions.

• 12-lead ECG (Level 6)

  During this module you will develop a systematic method of 12-lead ECG interpretation in clinical practice and an appreciation of the significance these findings have for patient care, including the differences associated with gender and race. You will also consider the psychosocial care of patients with a cardiac diagnosis from a 12-lead ECG and their families.

• Emergency Care (Level 6)

  This module prepares you to extend and develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to care for adult patients with acute and/or chronic presentations and/or trauma injuries who require emergency admission to hospital. The module promotes the use of evidence-based practice in relation to emergency care clinical knowledge and skills.

• Minor Injuries and Illnesses (Level 6)

  During this module you will develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to care for adults presenting with minor injuries and illnesses within a range of healthcare settings. The module promotes evidence-based practice for the prioritisation, planning, implementation and evaluation of healthcare for these patients.

• Care of the Acutely Ill Adult (Level 6)

  This module equips you with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to care for acutely ill adult patients. Specifically, you will develop the ability to assess patients, recognise deterioration and escalate concerns with the multi-disciplinary team using a structured, evidence-based approach. You will also learn how to effectively communicate and work within a team.

• Physical Assessment of Adults (Level 6)

  Increasingly, health care professionals are required to carry out in-depth physical assessments for their roles in clinical practice. In this module, you will develop the skills to conduct a holistic health history and physical assessment across the range of body systems, interpret assessment findings, recognise abnormalities and plan clinical decisions.

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

Course fees

The cost of the course will vary according to which modules you decide to take. You can find out about module fees on our Health CPD modules website or contact us.

Most students obtain funding through their employer; some choose to self-fund and others secure funding through scholarships or bursaries.

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Local area

Maps

Support and wellbeing

Sport at Brighton