| Admission |
| 1. |
Candidates must satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Programmes as specified in the General Regulations. In addition, the normal requirement for entry to all programmes is a good first degree (first or second class), or equivalent, in a relevant subject of an approved University or institution of higher education. |
| 2. |
Candidates without a good first degree may be admitted to the programme but will be expected to provide evidence of suitable professional experience and supportive qualifications. The MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice award requires candidates to have gained an approved professional qualification before admission. |
| 3. |
All candidates must satisfy the Award Leader that they are competent to pursue the programme. Candidates must also be approved by the School of Nursing and Midwifery. The right to refuse permission shall be reserved to the Award Leader. |
| 4. |
Candidates may apply for exemption from up to 60 credits of required units on the basis of prior certificated learning (APL) at Masters (HE4) level. The acceptance of such credit towards the award of a qualification shall be at the discretion of the Programme Director. No application for APL may be made towards the dissertation. |
| 5. |
Candidates may register for one of the following:
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| Approved Programme of Study |
| 6. |
The programme structure is as follows:
- 180 credits are HE4 level (120 taught credits plus an evidence-based dissertation of 60 credits)
- Individual units: specified credits at HE4 level.
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| 7. |
The programme may be of full-time or part-time study. The full-time period of study is two years and a maximum of five years for part-time study. |
| 8. |
Candidates may apply to suspend from the programme temporarily for a specified period which will not normally exceed 12 months. Save in exceptional circumstances, permission to suspend will only be granted where the candidate can still complete the programme within the time limit defined by the regulations. |
| 9. |
The programme may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, coursework, contract learning and projects as specified for individual units. Candidates will select their units in consultation with, and with the approval of, the Programme Director. |
| 10. |
Candidates will be required to undertake an evidence-based dissertation that will normally be between 15,000 and 20,000 words in length on a topic to be agreed with the Award Leader. Full-time candidates must submit their dissertation within a timescale agreed with the Unit Leader or Programme Director. Part-time candidates must submit their evidence-based dissertation within a maximum of 24 months of commencement. |
| 11. |
Academic staff within the Faculty, and other staff approved for the purpose, will supervise candidates for the MSc programme. The Programme Director will manage the appointment of supervisors. |
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| Assessment |
| 12. |
Each unit will be assessed according to the assessment guidelines within the unit description. Assessments may include written assignments, including case studies, critical reports and reflective assignments, and a dissertation. In addition, candidates may be required to attend a viva voce examination. |
| 13. |
The unit pass mark and overall pass mark for the award of MSc is 50%. |
| 14. |
Candidates who are referred in any taught unit at the first attempt (up to a maximum of two units) shall have the right to be re-assessed on one further occasion. Candidates who fail the dissertation shall have the right to submit a revised dissertation on one further occasion. |
| 15. |
Any further opportunity for re-assessment (in a taught unit or the dissertation) shall be at the discretion of the relevant Board of Examiners and shall only be granted in exceptional circumstances. |
| 16. |
A student who fails a third unit at the first attempt will normally be deemed to have failed the programme and will have their registration terminated. |
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| Award of Qualification |
| 17. |
Candidates who have satisfied the examiners and who have accumulated the requisite number of credits shall be awarded the qualification for which they have registered. |
| 18. |
Candidates who fail to achieve a pass mark in the dissertation (even after any permitted re-assessment) may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma. |
| 19. |
Candidates who decide to exit the programme after achieving 60 credits at HE4 level may normally be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Clinical Practice. To achieve this students must completed three* of the following: |
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| • |
EBP |
| • |
A decision-making unit (Decision Making for ACP, Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnosis or End-of-Life Decision Making). |
| • |
Transition to Advanced Practice |
| • |
A required 20-credit* unit within any MSc ACP pathway |
| • |
A second required 20-credit* unit within any MSc ACP pathway |
| • |
A third required 20-credit* unit within any MScv ACP pathway or a clinically focused optional unit. |
| * Students presenting a 40-credit required unit may do this and one other unit. |
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| 20. |
Candidates who decide to exit the programme having achieved 120 credits at HE4 level may normally be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Practice, Advanced Clinical Practice (Neonatal Studies), Advanced Clinical Practice (Child and Adolescent Mental Health), Advanced Clinical Practice (Cancer Care), Advanced Clinical Practice (Urgent Care), Advanced Clinical Practice (Critical Care), Advanced Clinical Practice (Long-term Conditions), Advanced Clinical Practice (Palliative Care), Advanced Clinical Practice (Midwifery), Advanced Clinical Practice (Specialist Practice - Community Nursing in the Home - District Nursing), Advanced Clinical Practice (Specialist Practice - Community Healthcare Nursing - Community Children's Nursing). |
| 21. |
Students who elect to leave the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma may normally rejoin the programme up to two years after the date of their exit with the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma. |
| 22. |
Candidates for the degree of MSc who achieve an overall average of at least 70%, and who have passed each unit at the first attempt, may be awarded the qualification with Distinction. |
