Bournemouth University

What you'll study

This integrated degree apprenticeship focuses on the four pillars of advanced clinical practice: clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research. Teaching combines taught modules, practice-based assessment, simulated clinical skills, and an applied Masters project or portfolio demonstrating capability in advanced practice.

• Advanced Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning — advanced history-taking, clinical examination, differential diagnosis and use of diagnostic tests and imaging.
• Pharmacology and Medicines Management — clinical pharmacology, safe prescribing principles, polypharmacy and medicines optimisation. (Non-medical prescribing preparation may be available as an optional route where regulatory and prior qualification requirements are met.)
• Clinical Skills and Procedures — practical skills relevant to your area of practice supported by simulated environments and supervised workplace practice.
• Long-term Conditions and Complex Case Management — pathways, multi-morbidity, frailty, chronic disease management and care coordination.
• Leadership, Service Improvement and Professional Issues — leadership theory, governance, quality improvement and service redesign in healthcare settings.
• Applied Research Methods and Evidence-based Practice — quantitative and qualitative methods, critical appraisal and translation of evidence into practice.
• Work-based Learning and Portfolio — documented workplace supervision, reflective practice and assessment of capability against multi-professional ACP standards.

Learning is delivered through blended methods: block teaching, online study, seminars and protected learning time negotiated with your employer. Assessment includes assignments, observed clinical assessments in practice, simulation-based assessments and a substantive master's-level dissertation or applied practice project aligned to workplace priorities.

Entry requirements

Applicants must be registered health or social care professionals (for example nurses, midwives, paramedics, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers, pharmacists or allied roles) with current professional registration. Applicants need employer sponsorship and evidence of protected learning time and workplace supervision throughout the programme.

Typical academic entry expectations include a UK honours degree (or recognised equivalent) or relevant prior learning and experience at degree level; many employers recruit colleagues who have achieved at least a second-class degree (2:2) or equivalent professional experience. Applicants whose first language is not English will need to meet Bournemouth University's English language requirements. Admission may also require an interview and submission of a workplace-based learning plan agreed by the employer and university.

Career prospects

Graduates progress into advanced clinical roles across primary, secondary and community care. Job titles frequently held by alumni include Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP), Advanced Practitioner, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner, and Clinical Team Lead. Advanced practitioners work in urgent and emergency care, primary care (including GP-based roles), hospital specialties, community teams and ambulance services.

The programme prepares practitioners to take on expanded clinical responsibilities, contribute to service redesign, lead quality improvement projects, teach and supervise others, and engage in research. Where the programme includes non-medical prescribing preparation and students meet regulatory requirements, graduates may gain prescribing rights, increasing autonomy in patient management.

Why study at Bournemouth University

Bournemouth University offers a practice-focused approach with strong partnerships across regional NHS trusts, primary care networks and other employers to support workplace learning. Students benefit from modern simulation facilities, dedicated clinical skills teaching, and a faculty with multi-professional expertise in advanced practice, diagnostics and workforce development.

The integrated apprenticeship route enables you to remain in employment while achieving a master's qualification, with curriculum aligned to real-world practice and the competency frameworks used by employers and regulatory bodies. The university provides structured support for apprentices, including academic supervision, practice assessor preparation, and guidance through the end-point assessment and portfolio development.