Advanced Practice PGDip

Advanced Practice in healthcare is a level of practice rather than a specific area of speciality. The PGDip Advanced Practice is especially designed for those wishing to progress their skills in clinical assessment and care beyond the level of a registrant.

This course has a focus on the core skills of advanced clinical assessment and decision making. Throughout the course you can tailor your learning to best meet the needs of your professional role. This PGDip is often used as a stepping stone for further study or to enhance your current role.

To study this course, you must have a clinical supervisor and manager support agreed at the time of commencement. This will enable you to access appropriate clinical support and supervision. We will ask you to show this support when you apply for the course. This is by providing a signed supervisor and manager form.

During the course, you will have the opportunity to develop a well-rounded skills set. This will support clinical excellence and leadership in contemporary healthcare. You will develop skills in advanced clinical assessment, building on your existing knowledge and enhancing your ability to formulate person-centred treatment plans.  

The course was developed in collaboration with NHS partners and expert clinical practitioners, with the aim of enabling you to develop expertise in your scope of practice. This will prepare you to make the most of any future career opportunities.

During the course you’ll study a range of topics. You will study one core module. You will then choose two optional modules, covering topics including:

• Non-medical prescribing
• Pharmacology
• Evaluating evidence
• Advanced assessment
• Work based skills and innovative practice

You will have a wide range of transformative learning opportunities throughout the course. This includes innovative simulation and cased-based scenarios from expert clinicians within Scotland and through guest collaborations with international colleagues.

The course has strong links to our clinical partners. This helps to foster a supportive and collaborative community of practice.

You’ll learn in a hybrid and flexible way, helping with your work-life-study balance. Our academics work together to ensure you will feel fully supported throughout your learning. You will be allocated an Advisor of Studies, who will be there to provide support throughout your course. For each module you will also be allocated an academic supervisor who can provide expert guidance on the module topics.