Intro

This is a part-time top-up course for healthcare practitioners wanting to obtain an academic and professional qualification in a clinical speciality.

There are five clinical speciality awards reflecting contemporary clinical practice.

Acute Care
Cardiac Care
Emergency Care
Intensive Care
Neonatal Care

A wide range of modules means you can create your own study programme to suit your professional and personal aspirations. The clinical practice modules are either 20 or 30 credits and are all offered as shared delivery at level 6 and level 7.

We are known for our flexible approaches to practice-based learning, with course durations and intensities that can be adapted to your individual needs and outside commitments.

Our high quality teaching and research are renowned, and have an applied focus. We have established strong links with our clinical partners to ensure the provision of support and guidance for students both within the university and in clinical practice.

If you are interested in combining clinical and non-clinical modules you may be interested in our Professional Practice BSc(Hons) top-up degree.

Recognising that patients come first in everything the NHS does, and the values of the NHS constitution – respect, dignity, compassion and working together for patients – are embedded in our curriculum.

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Key facts

Location Brighton: Falmer

UCAS code Not applicable. Apply direct to the university.

Part-time up to 4 years

how to apply

Scroll down to the entry criteria information for guidance on the application process for this course, and links to the module list and timetable.

Apply now for your place

Course content

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

Research Approaches: Methods, Critical Appraisal and Utility (20 credits)
Dissertation (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
Child: Care of the Critically Ill Child
Child Physical Assessment
End of Life Care for People with Long-term Conditions
End of Life: Principles of Care
Emergency Care
Minor Injuries and Illnesses
Operating Theatre Practice

Ophthalmic Outpatient Practice
Ophthalmic Surgical Practice
Ophthalmic Emergency Practice
Physical Assessment of Adults
Renal: Dialysis and Enhanced Renal Care
Renal: Acute Kidney Injury
Respiratory Care
Work-based Learning
Independent Prescribing for Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals
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
Acute Coronary Syndrome
Cardiac Arrhythmias
Heart Failure
Physical Assessment Cardiac and Respiratory Conditions

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.

Nurse and doctor using diagnostic equipment

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.

Choose two emergency care specific modules from this list plus a clinical module of your choice.

Emergency Care Trauma
Emergency Care Admissions
Emergency Care
Minor Injuries and Illness

Choice clinical modules include Care of the Acutely Ill Adult and Physical Assessment of Adults.

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
Intensive Care: Enhancing Practice

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:

Work-based Learning
Neonatal Intensive Care and QIS

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.

Careers

The course educates practitioners with at least one year of post-registration experience and facilitates career progression in a clinical speciality.

Healthcare practitioners who do not yet have a level 6 degree qualification can take this Clinical Practice BSc(Hons) or our Professional Practice BSc(Hons) as a ‘top-up’ degree to meet the entry requirements for postgraduate studies in health.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

Qualifications and experience

Applicants to the course are normally expected to:

Have the equivalent of a health or social care related qualification to minimum of 120 level 5 credits.
Hold a current registration with a Professional Statutory and Regulatory Body.
Be employed in the UK and working a minimum of 2 days per week in a relevant clinical practice area (but module specific rules apply) supported by a designated clinical practitioner providing mentorship.
Have a minimum of one year of post-qualified experience.

How to apply

Online application guidance notes (pdf)
2021-22 Module timetable (pdf)
2022-23 Module timetable (pdf)
Includes module dates and costs
Module withdrawal policy, with change/withdrawal form (pdf)
Sponsor form (other sponsors) (pdf)

Flexible admissions

When you apply to Brighton we want to hear about who you are. Grades are never the whole picture; we're interested in things like creativity, resourcefulness, persistence and the capacity to think big and find new ways of doing things. And we recognise that not everyone has the same background. That's why we treat everyone who applies as an individual. We recognise many qualifications and we care about all of your achievements and the experiences you've had that set you apart.

Find out more

Graphic with the text 'Potential + possibility'

Fees and costs

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.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Sport and Health Sciences in the 2022–23 academic year are listed here.

Where health course includes a placement
- UK students – travel costs which are over and above your daily journey to university and dual accommodation costs may be reimbursed by the NHS learning support fund.
- Overseas students are not covered by the NHS scheme, this means that any additional travel or accommodation costs for this course will be your responsibility. Travel to placement may be up to 90 mins each way/ travel on public transport at peak time cost, and you may incur additional accommodation and living costs if staying away from your usual home base for the length of your placement.
An initial set of specialist clothing and uniforms, where required, are included in the course fees.
DBS checks and occupational health checks, where required, are included in the fees.
Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £100 if buying your own copies.
In sport courses, UK-based field trips are available in some option modules in the final year. You do not have to take these option modules to complete the degree programme. Where a field trip is present costs are covered but you are expected to make a contribution towards food. Typically this is £50.
For sports courses which require a placement, you’ll be expected to pay for your living costs and travel. Physical Education (QTS teacher training) students can claim travel costs to their school placement.
The school runs a number of day trips which students do not pay for. There may be some food and drink costs and you should budget around £30 per year.

You can chat with our enquiries team if you have a question or need more information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

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 – from 2024 these will include education studies, teaching, sport and exercise, nursing and midwifery, allied health professions and medicine. Brighton and 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 sports centre has a fitness suite, activity studios and a sports hall. There is also a floodlit astroturf football pitch, netball and tennis courts.

Specialist learning facilities at Falmer include the curriculum centre used by teaching and education students, which houses over 30,000 teaching resources, and clinical skills and simulation suites used by health students. New facilities are being developed ready for September 2024 when all of our sport and health students will be based here. Learn more about the changes at Falmer.

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 a nine minute journey to central Brighton.

Newly refurbished atrium in the Checkland Building

Accommodation

Brighton: Falmer

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students.

Halls of residence
We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:
- Paddock Field and Great Wilkins halls offer a range of rooms on our Falmer campus, minutes from your classes, and on the edge of the South Downs.
- Varley Park is a popular dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices. It is around two miles from Falmer campus and four miles from the city centre, and is easy to get to by bus.

Want to live independently? We can help – find out more about private renting.

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Students dining at Westlain

Local area

About Brighton

The University of Brighton is at the heart of our city's reputation as a welcoming, forward-thinking place which leads the way when it comes to the arts, music, sustainability and creative technology. Brighton is home to a thriving creative community and a digital sector worth £1bn a year to the local economy, as much as tourism.

Many of the work-based learning opportunities offered on our courses such as placements and guest lectures are provided by businesses and organisations based in the city.

You can also get involved with city festivals and events such as the Brighton Festival, the Fringe, Brighton Digital Festival, Brighton Science Festival, the London to Brighton bike ride, and the Great Escape festival of new music to name but a few. Other annual highlights include Pride, the Brighton Marathon, and Burning the Clocks which marks the winter solstice.

You'll find living in Brighton enriches your learning experience and by the end of your course you will still be finding new things to explore and inspire you.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Maps

Falmer campus

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more.

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition.

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.