University of Gloucestershire

The MSc Advanced Professional Practice at the University of Gloucestershire helps experienced healthcare practitioners strengthen advanced practice through critical inquiry, evidence-based decision-making, and reflective leadership. You’ll explore how professional practice is shaped by wider social, ethical, psychological, and legal contexts, while developing an independent advanced practice project.

The programme is designed for clinicians who are already working in relevant roles and may be able to transfer credit from prior Level 7 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to support a coherent route to the full Master’s award.

• Award: MSc Advanced Professional Practice
• Level: Master’s (Level 7)
• Delivery: Typically delivered part-time alongside employment (confirm with the programme team)
• Study mode: Designed for working professionals
• Credits: Master’s-level credit structure (confirm total credits/ECTS with the programme team)
• Language of instruction: English
• Entry route: For registered UK healthcare professionals in a relevant role with employer support and a workplace clinical mentor
• Start dates: Check the programme website for the next intake
• Tuition fees: Fees vary by applicant circumstances—check the programme website for the latest figures

Programme Structure

The MSc is built around advanced practice learning, research capability, and an independent project applied to your workplace context. Module availability and sequencing may vary by intake.

• Research, audit and service evaluation methods
• Personal impact and professional development for advanced practice
• Individual learning contract
• Advanced professional practice Independent project
• Specialist clinical practice: Primary care (specialist pathway/module)

Independent project: You will complete a workplace-focused project that demonstrates advanced professional practice and applies appropriate research, audit, or evaluation approaches.

Optional learning: The programme includes compulsory and optional elements to support your professional goals and learning needs (confirm options with the programme team).

Admission requirements

Academic requirements

• Minimum academic standard: Lower Second Class honours (2:2) or equivalent (as assessed by the university).
• Professional background: You must be a registered UK healthcare professional from any discipline.

English requirements

• IELTS (Academic): overall score of 6.0 (minimum requirements may apply for each component).
• TOEFL iBT: 80 (minimum requirements may apply for each component).
• PTE Academic: 64 (minimum requirements may apply for each component).

Other requirements

• You should have a track record of delivering high-quality healthcare and having a positive impact on clinical practice.
• Employment and mentoring: You must be employed in a relevant professional role with full employer support. You will need agreement from a suitable UK workplace clinical mentor for the duration of the course.
• Clinical role: Ideally, you will be working in a band 7 level clinical post; band 6 posts may be considered where you can demonstrate appropriate experience and clinical impact.
• You should be able to evidence robust, significant, and appropriately varied clinical practice experience.
• You should demonstrate aspiration and a clear commitment to developing advanced practice.
• Application documents: Typically include your application form, evidence of professional registration, academic transcripts, CV, and supporting statements (confirm exact document list with the programme team).

Note: Final eligibility is subject to assessment by the university.

Work Permits

Work permit and visa rules depend on your nationality, current immigration status, and the UK immigration route you use. The information below is general guidance for graduates of UK programmes—always check the latest UK Government guidance or speak to the university’s international student team.

Post-study work options (UK)

• Graduates may be eligible to apply for the UK Graduate Route after completing an eligible UK degree.
• The Graduate Route allows eligible international students to work (including switching employers) or look for work in the UK.
• Duration: typically 2 years after a Master’s degree (and 3 years for PhD-level study), subject to eligibility.
• You must apply within the required timeframe after course completion and meet the Graduate Route eligibility conditions.

Key eligibility points

• You must have completed the programme successfully and hold the correct student visa status at the time of application.
• Eligibility depends on whether your course is eligible for the Graduate Route and whether you meet attendance and compliance requirements.
• Some applicants may need to consider alternative routes depending on their circumstances (for example, if they do not meet Graduate Route criteria).

Important: Visa regulations can change. Confirm your specific eligibility with the university before applying.