Clinical Practice (PGCert)

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)

Course structure 

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

The clinical practice modules are normally 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) Postgraduate Certificate, you will need to undertake three 20 credit modules. All 60 credits can be at level 7 or 40 credits can be taken at level 7 and 20 credits at level 6. Your choice of 20-credit modules will depend on your clinical practice focus and can include:

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

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) Postgraduate Certificate you will need to complete 60 credits. All 60 credits can be at level 7 or 40 credits can be taken at level 7 and 20 credits at level 6. All modules in this list are available at level 6 and level 7, enabling you to tailor your studies.

• Heart Failure
• Coronary Heart Disease
• Cardiac Arrhythmias
• 12-lead ECG Interpretation
• Physical Assessment of 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.

Emergency care 

To achieve the Clinical Practice (Emergency Care) Postgraduate Certificate you will need to complete 60 credits of modules. The 60 credits can all be at level 7 or 40 credits can be taken at level 7 and 20 credits at level 6.

Choose two from:

• Emergency Care (level 6)
• Emergency Care (level 7)
• Minor Injuries and Illnesses (at level 6)
• Minor Injuries and Illnesses (level 7)

plus

• A clinical module of your choice.

The choice of 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) Postgraduate Certificate you will need to achieve two 30 credit level 7 modules:

• 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) Postgraduate Certificate you will need to complete two 30 credit level 7 modules in the following order:

• Neonatal 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.

Module descriptions

Options*

• 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.

• Neonatal Work Based Learning (Level 7)

  During this module you will manage your own work-based learning and shape your learning experiences. You will be encouraged to develop negotiation skills, proactively work with other professional groups, act with initiative in decision-making and problem-solving, and critically reflect and self-evaluate in response to current practice. You will use literature and theories to examine your experiences.

• Independent Prescribing

  This module will teach you to prescribe safely, appropriately and cost-effectively as an independent prescriber within your own scope of practice, using a patient-centred approach. The module content includes consultation, decision-making and therapy, including referral; the influences on, and psychology of, prescribing; prescribing in a team context; clinical pharmacology; evidence-based practice and clinical governance in relation to nurse prescribing; legal, policy and ethical aspects; and professional accountability and responsibility.

• Advanced Health Assessment (Adult)

  This module is designed for health professionals (HPs) who practice at an advanced or specialist level (band 6+). The module allows HPs to carry out and interpret structured history taking and physical assessment, and to use data and clinical decision-making within the defined context of their professional practice to develop differential diagnoses.

• Respiratory Care (Level 7)

  In this module you will advance your knowledge and understanding of the assessment, pathophysiology, investigations and treatment of respiratory conditions. The psychosocial and ethical implications of chronic respiratory conditions and the role of self-management will be explored alongside issues relating to delivering sustainable healthcare to patients with respiratory disease.

• 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 multidisciplinary team using a structured, evidence-based approach. You will also learn how to effectively communicate and work within a team.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Care of the Acutely Ill Adult (Level 7)

  This module aims to equip you with the in-depth theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to care for acutely ill adult patients. Specifically, you will develop problem-solving skills to recognise deterioration, consider causes and escalate concerns using a structured, evidence-based approach. A critical awareness of how decisions are made and the role of human factors will also be explored.

• 12-lead ECG Interpretation (Level 7)

  During this module you will develop a systematic approach to interpreting complex 12-lead ECGs in clinical practice. You will gain confidence in using the ECG to support diagnosis and escalation of patient care in a range of complex and unpredictable clinical situations. Content will cover cardiac anatomy and physiology and the principles and laws of electrocardiography.

• Physical Assessment of Adults (Level 7)

  Increasingly, healthcare professionals are required to carry out physical assessments in clinical practice. In this module, you will develop skills in the physical assessment of adults across the range of body systems, interpret assessment findings and recognise abnormalities. This will form the basis for leading clinical decisions appropriate to your role to demonstrate enhanced practice.

• Renal: Dialysis and Enhanced Renal Care (Level 7)

  This module is aimed at expanding your in-depth knowledge and skills relating to chronic dialysis therapies and care of clients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney transplantation. The module will develop your expertise in the planning and delivery of evidence-based renal practice in line with current local and national policies.

• Renal: Acute Kidney Injury (Level 7)

  Despite advancement in medical technology, acute kidney injury (AKI) remains common within a primary and tertiary healthcare setting and is associated with high mortality and long-term complications. This module will enable you to develop your understanding of AKI disease process and explore the preventive and therapeutic management within your scope of practice.

• Minor Injuries and Illnesses (Level 7)

  During this module you will develop in-depth and complex theoretical knowledge and practical skills for the enhanced care of adults presenting with minor injuries and illnesses within a range of healthcare settings. The module promotes the synthesis of evidence-based practice in caring for adults with a range of minor injury and illness.

• Emergency Care (Level 7)

  The module enables you to gain in-depth and complex theoretical knowledge and practical skills for the enhanced care of adult patients with acute and/or chronic presentations and/or trauma injuries requiring emergency admission to hospital. The module promotes the synthesis of evidence-based practice in relation to emergency care clinical knowledge and skills.

• Intensive Care: Foundations of Practice (Level 7)

  You will develop in-depth and complex theoretical knowledge and practical skills for enhanced 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. Practitioners from disciplines other than nursing can take the module with the skills adapted to your professional responsibilities.

• Intensive Care: Enhancing Practice (Level 7)

  During this module you will develop in-depth and complex theoretical knowledge and practical skills for enhanced adult intensive care clinical practice. This includes caring for Level 2 and 3 patients with a focus on cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal and end-of-life topics. Practitioners from disciplines other than nursing can take the module with the skills adapted to your professional responsibilities.

• 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 Advanced Physical Assessment, Pathophysiology and Clinical Decision-Making (Level 7)

  This module enables you to develop and demonstrate the critical knowledge, clinical and interpersonal skills in undertaking a holistic, advanced physical health assessment of infants, children and young people. This includes history-taking, child development, clinical examination, interpreting assessment findings to formulate diagnoses and complex clinical decision-making.

• Coronary Heart Disease (level 7)

  Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the UK, and national and international guidance reflects the importance of primary prevention and rapid intervention for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). This module enables you to critically evaluate and synthesise the assessment, diagnosis, management and interventions required for patients with coronary heart disease and ACS and to critically appraise the evidence-based guidelines.

• Cardiac Arrhythmias (Level 7)

  Cardiac arrhythmias can be identified and treated in community or hospital settings in patients with cardiac and non-cardiac conditions. In this module you will gain in-depth knowledge and skills related to the management of complex patients with arrhythmias, including pharmacological therapies, devices and invasive and non-invasive interventions.

• Work Based Learning (Level 7)

  This module will enable you to manage your own work-based learning to actively shape your learning experiences within the workplace. This will develop your negotiation skills and teach you to proactively work with others, take initiative in decision-making and problem-solving, critically reflect and self-evaluate and develop critical responses to current practice. You will review literature and theories to gain a deeper understanding of your experiences.

• Neonatal Intensive Care and QIS (Level 7)

  This module will provide you with the in-depth knowledge and skills to care for the intensive care neonate in complex and unpredictable clinical situations. You’ll critically evaluate evidence-based practice and use relevant research and evidence to promote practice development initiatives for quality improvement. You will engage as a clinical leader in multidisciplinary team working.

• 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 7)

  Healthcare professionals are increasingly required to carry out in-depth physical assessments in clinical practice. In this module, you will develop skills in advanced cardio-respiratory physical assessment, interpret assessment findings, recognise cardio-respiratory abnormalities and formulate differential diagnosis. This will form the basis for clinical decision-making appropriate to your role and demonstrate safe practice.

• Heart Failure (Level 7)

  The number of people living with heart failure continues to rise in the UK and these individuals are supported by healthcare professionals working across integrated care systems. This module draws on the 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.

*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. See the module timetable for further information or contact us.

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

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international postgraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Local area

Maps

Support and wellbeing

Sport at Brighton