Overview
This advancing practice course focuses on how to deliver complex, person-centred, evidence-based healthcare. It is tailored for health and social care professionals in clinical, educational, managerial, or research roles.
You’ll learn how to advance your practice through leadership and multi-disciplinary collaboration. You’ll gain in-demand skills and knowledge that can be used worldwide. The course is designed to help you progress to advanced leadership roles across global healthcare.
This course is also helpful for:
- revalidating your professional registration;
- providing evidence of patient care;
- top-up credits – you can take specific modules to gain credits as you move towards graduating with a Masters.
We welcome applications from:
- those about to complete pre-registration degree courses;
- post-registration health care professionals working in practice including:
- nurses
- paramedics
- physiotherapists
- pharmacists
- occupational therapists
Develop the skills to advance your practice
We will equip you with the knowledge and competencies needed for your role. Our teaching is practice-focused, with an emphasis on employability and transforming careers. The evidence-based practice project enables you to identify and resolve a practice-related problem.
Throughout the course, you'll develop skills such as:
- communication
- project management
- leadership
- confidence
- time management.
Designed and delivered with partners and clinical experts
We’ve designed this course with clinical experts, patients, and health care providers. You will have opportunities to network with professionals and industry practitioners.
Choose from two pathway awards for your career
Pathway A: Advancing Practice
- Gain advanced expertise in contemporary healthcare within your role.
- Delivered online.
- For health care professionals practising worldwide.
Pathway B: Advancing Practice (Clinical Practice)
- Delivered on campus.
- For clinical-focused health professionals practising in the UK.
- For those working towards an advanced practice role.
The Prescribing for Healthcare Professionals module leads to a recordable qualification with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
You can study any of our modules on a standalone basis as part of your continuing professional development.
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
If you’re a health care professional, this course aims to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to advance both your career and your field of contemporary care.
After graduating you’ll be able to:
- use your knowledge and skills to inform the organisation and delivery of care;
- demonstrate advanced decision-making skills;
- display an extensive understanding of advanced practice central themes, including leadership, facilitation of learning, research/development and advanced professional practice, and the underpinning principles;
- apply critical reasoning and argument skills to support evidence-based practice as part of health and social care delivery;
- evaluate theoretical models as a basis for informing advanced practice developments and innovation.
Professional accreditation
All modules place a strong emphasis on your practice, aligning course content with clinical scenarios and professional requirements at Masters level.
Our Prescribing for Healthcare Professionals module meets the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Flexible learning
Our flexible degree structure means you can study the following modules from the MSc Advancing Practice individually as stand-alone continuing professional development (CPD) short courses:
- Advanced Clinical Assessment and Examination
- Advanced Practice
- Advancing Professional Practice
- An Integrated Approach to Frailty
- Diagnosis and Decision Making in Advanced Practice
- Evidence Based Practice
- Exploring the Theory and Practice of Psychological Trauma
- Focused Advanced Clinical Assessment and Examination
- Living Well and Managing Long Term Conditions
- Prescribing for Healthcare Professionals (Advancing Practice)
These modules can link into appraisal systems such as the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework to help you record your professional development as you study.
Most modules are delivered online, however face-to-face attendance is required for MSc Advancing Practice (Clinical Practice) clinical modules.
You can complete this course part-time over 3 or 3.5 years. We currently don't offer a full-time route.
You can exit the course with a:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Advancing Practice.
- Postgraduate Diploma in Advancing Practice.
- Masters in Advancing Practice.
- Postgraduate Certificate in Advancing Practice (Clinical Practice).
- Postgraduate Diploma in Advancing Practice (Clinical Practice).
- Masters in Advancing Practice (Clinical Practice).
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Research overview
You'll be taught by researchers in the field of nursing and healthcare. 100% of our research environment, 80% of our research impact and 83% of our overall research in Allied Health Professions and Nursing is classed as world leading or internationally excellent.
The Faculty is committed to ongoing excellence in research and teaching, and we take pride in the difference our work and our students can make in the world.
Find out more about the Faculty's research.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
Current professional registration as a Nurse or Allied Health Professional is required for entry to this Masters. Applicants are also usually required to have a degree qualification.
You do not have to be considering an Advanced Practitioner role to apply for this course, although as part of the MSc in Advancing Practice we do offer a clinical pathway, which would support you if you are either in a trainee or substantive Advanced Practitioner role. If you are not in one of these roles, we have a wide range of modules to suit your practice area.
This MSc advanced clinical practice welcomes applications from:
- health care professionals such as nurse practitioners, paramedics, physiotherapists, pharmacists and occupational therapists;
- those about to complete pre-registration degree courses;
- post-registration health care professionals working in practice.
MSc Advancing Practice
We welcome international applications for the MSc Advancing Practice as this is delivered completely online.
We accept applicants that have an ordinary degree and are currently working in practice or students in their final year of study will also be considered but this will be conditional on you obtaining registration and gaining employment (full or part-time, even if it is on the bank).
MSc Advancing Practice (Clinical Practice) Pathway
Only UK applicants are eligible for the MSc Advancing Practice (Clinical Practice) pathway.
Current professional registration as nurse,or Allied Health Professional plus a minimum of an ordinary degree with at least 12 months clinical experience. You must also have the support of your line manager, as this is essential to undertake the clinical modules.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 88 overall with 20 in reading, 19 in writing, 19 in listening and 22 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
If you have completed Masters Level modules previously you can apply at point of entry for credits from another university to be applied. We have regulations around how much credit can be applied but you will be signposted to these on application to the course.
The course is flexible and it does not matter which module you start with.
MSc Advancing Practice degree awards
Pathway A: Advancing Practice
This award is suitable for all registered health care professionals within and outside of the UK. It’s for those who want to gain advanced expertise in contemporary healthcare issues to lead and influence within their role.
The modules are delivered online so this can be completed by professionals practising anywhere in the world.
Pathway B: Advancing Practice (Clinical Practice)
This award is only suitable for those practising and registered within the UK. You must be working towards an advanced practice role or require advanced skills to meet the demands of your current role. Your work will be primarily clinically focused.
To gain this award, you must undertake two compulsory standalone modules:
- Advanced Clinical Assessment and Examination
- Prescribing for Healthcare Professionals
Both these modules require face-to-face on campus attendance.
Modules
Teaching
The MSc Advancing Practice is delivered entirely online. For the MSc Advancing Practice (Clinical Practice) pathway you are required to undertake two compulsory clinical modules, which require face-to-face attendance.
Online resources and interactive teaching sessions are designed to engage and challenge your thinking as you acquire new knowledge, skills and competencies. You’re also encouraged to embed your learning within your practice, advancing your critical understanding and application by completing directed activities, reading, seminars and tutorials.
How you'll learn online
We use the Canvas virtual learning platform to deliver elements of teaching online, such as online seminars, podcasts, videos and other interactive materials.
Assessment
Assessments will reflect the specific requirements of the modules undertaken, and could include essays, portfolios and examinations.
Course director
Key staff
Lecturing team
- Julia Scott (Senior Lecturer)
- Lorna Stoppard (Lecturer)
- Gillian Beattie (Lecturer)
- Dr Nicola Cunningham (Lecturer)
- Agnieszka Burns
- Professor Karen Watchman
- Dr Gwenne McIntosh
- Dr Jessica McLaren
Administration Team
For enquiries please contact:
Viktoria Keil, Student Experience Administrator (fhss.pg.cpd.team@stir.ac.uk)
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
| UK and Republic of Ireland students | International (including EU) students | |
|---|---|---|
| Full course fee | £8,000 | £20,600 |
| 20-credit module | £889 | £2,289 |
| 40-credit module | £1,778 | £4,578 |
| 60-credit module | £2,667 | £6,867 |
| UK and Republic of Ireland students | International (including EU) students | |
|---|---|---|
| Full course fee | £8,500 | £21,800 |
| 20-credit module | £944 | £2,422 |
| 40-credit module | £1,889 | £4,844 |
| 60-credit module | £2,833 | £7,267 |
You will be liable to pay tuition fees for every module you enrol on.
Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course. If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees.
This fee is charged as a module fee. For more information on courses invoiced on a modular fee basis, please read our tuition fees policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
If you complete this course in 36 months or less, you may be eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £13,900 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,858 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £19,255 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
Scholarships
Eligible international students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
This MSc will enable healthcare practitioners to advance their career in areas such as:
- clinical practice
- leadership
- teaching and learning
- research
- evidence-based practice.
You may be able to progress to advanced roles within the healthcare industry. Roles include advanced nurse practitioner, advanced clinical nurse specialists or advance practitioners.
You can work as part of a multi-disciplinary team across a wide range of health and care settings, including:
- hospitals
- community
- primary care
- social care
Employability skills
After completing our MSc Advancing Practice or the individual modules, you’ll be able to:
- demonstrate extensive and critical knowledge of the central themes of advanced practice - leadership, facilitation of learning, research/development and advanced professional practice
- apply critical reasoning and argument skills to support evidence-based practice as part of health and social care delivery
- evaluate theoretical models as a basis for informing advanced practice developments and innovation
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