Advanced Clinical Practice (MSc)

How will I be taught?

The programme will be delivered using a blended learning approach, in line with the Digital Learning Strategy employed by the University. Blended learning aims to provide a rich and engaging online experience, including a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning activities alongside traditional face to face teaching and learning.

The learning and teaching approaches employed will range from group and individual tutorials to student led seminars, dialogue, appreciative enquiry and problem- based learning, skills workshops, self-directed study, critical discussion /debate and expert led lectures.

Our programme and modules will facilitate effective inter-professional learning and the sharing of differing professional perspectives and expertise. As students you will enter the programme with a wide range of skills, and some of you may hold advanced practitioner roles. Your clinical and experiential experiences are valued and will be used to enhance the learning process in terms of independent and shared learning.

Learning at postgraduate degree level involves you taking responsibility for your own learning and we will encourage this throughout the programme. 

How will I be assessed?

The ways in which you are assessed relate to the measurement of your professional, academic and clinical development. You will be assessed in the following ways:

• Professional and statutory regulatory body examinations
• Assignments
• Evidence-based research protocol development
• OSCE’s
• Case study analysis
• Practical assessments
• Oral presentations
• Work based project and
• Clinical portfolios.

How will I be supported?

This programme gives you the opportunity to share ideas with health professionals. As well as developing your own intellectual abilities, this sharing of ideas enables you to learn and benefit from the experiences of others. Opportunity is given for discussion and exchange of ideas through seminars and tutorials.

You will have academic support and be assigned a designated personal tutor throughout your studies.

We offer you the opportunity to become a student representative and shape future educational provision and advise on key elements of your learning.

All modules within the programme make extensive use of Cardiff University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Learning Central, on which you will find course materials, links to related materials and assessment exemplars. All lectures are recorded via Panopto and are available for you to view throughout your programme.

The University offers a wide range of services and activities designed to support you. These include a student counselling service, a student advisory service, day care facilities, sport and exercise facilities, as well as campus information, library and IT services.

Further information about what the University can offer you ca be found in the following link:

Student life - Study - Cardiff University

Our student app also allows you to access Cardiff University services and personalised information in one place in a simple and convenient way from a smartphone via the app store. 

Features include:

• Campus maps
• Student library renewals, payments and available items
• Student timetable
• Find an available PC
• Access to help and student support
• Student news
• Receive important notifications

Links to launch other University apps such as Outlook (for email) and Blackboard (for Learning Central).

What skills will I practise and develop?

On successful completion of the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice programme, you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Critically appraise and synthesise advanced clinical practice theory within your specific area of practice.
• Critically evaluate approaches to the systematic and holistic assessment of patient needs and the interpretation of diagnostic indicators to achieve a differential diagnosis.
• Critically explore current available clinical pharmacological and pharmaceutical knowledge relevant to your own area of practice.
• Critically evaluate the dimensions of quality improvement theory and practice and be able to critically apply your advanced knowledge and skills to your area of practice.

Intellectual Skills:

• Demonstrate a critical and systematic approach to the appraisal of evidence and routes of enquiry.
• Critically appraise and apply evidence of new techniques to professional judgment and decision making within the field of advanced clinical practice.
• Demonstrate critical understanding of the complexities associated with advanced clinical practice and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrate the appropriate application of critical knowledge of drug actions in prescribing practice and the effective use of evidence-based decision support tools.
• Demonstrate a critical and independent reflective approach to practice, analysing situations resulting in a coherent and sustained argument to enable service and practice improvement and professional development.

Professional Practical Skills:

• Demonstrate a critical response to health and social care needs, and initiate, lead and manage service/ quality improvements, ensuring the safe and effective organization and provision of quality patient focused care.
• Demonstrate critical application of knowledge of the pathophysiological, ethical and cultural factors that underpin accurate assessment, examination, investigation, diagnosis and management of care of a range of patients within your own speciality.
• In line with professional and statutory regulatory body requirements you will demonstrate reflective critical appraisal of advanced clinical practice to advance personal and professional development.
• Effectively employ appropriate communication/ education strategies to communicate and disseminate knowledge to the patient, families and client groups.
• Demonstrate the effective use of appropriate educational strategies to support inter-professional team development as part of your advanced practice role.

Transferable/Key Skills:

• Integrate theory with professional practice.
• Synthesise information/ data from a variety of sources.
• Critical appraisal of research.
• Take responsibility for personal and professional learning and development.
• Independent project and time management skills.
• Work independently.
• Analysis, interpretation, synthesis and evaluation of data.
• Problem solve and reach realistic conclusions/ recommendations.
• Communicate ideas in a clear concise manner.
• Demonstrate digital literacy.