Adult Critical Care Nursing, PGCert

You will learn through a dynamic blended approach that combines high‑quality face‑to‑face teaching with flexible online learning. The programme has been designed in line with HEIW requirements and is mapped to the National Competency Framework for Registered Nurses in Adult Critical Care (Step 2 and Step 3).

Your learning experience will include a mix of synchronous and asynchronous activities such as lectures, workshops, discussion groups, guided online tasks and independent study. Student‑centred activities, including case studies, scenarios, small‑group work, podcasts, presentations and discussion boards, help you integrate theory with practice while developing your ability to critique evidence, synthesise ideas and apply knowledge to clinical decision‑making. These skills are essential for keeping pace with the evolving evidence base in critical care.

Blended learning is used throughout the programme to create a seamless flow between online preparation and face‑to‑face sessions, enabling deeper discussion, problem‑solving and reflective learning. This approach supports active engagement, provides regular formative feedback and guides your progression through a carefully scaffolded learning journey.

Simulation plays a key role in bringing critical care practice to life. You will have the opportunity to develop and refine essential clinical skills in a safe, immersive environment that mirrors real‑world scenarios, strengthening decision‑making, teamwork and communication.

Throughout the programme, you will be supported in practice by clinical mentors, practice development nurses and the wider multidisciplinary team, ensuring you can confidently apply your learning within your critical care environment.

No Provision

Unfortunately, there is currently no formal Welsh-medium provision on this course. If you would like to let us know that you are interested in pursuing an element of your course through the medium of Welsh, please email astudio@abertawe.ac.uk to indicate your interest along with your year of entry and we will do our best to see what is possible.

Whilst this course does not offer academic content delivered in Welsh, the University can provide you with the following, and Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you:

• An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
• Personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
• The opportunity to create and submit your coursework or sit your exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be assessed in Welsh.
• A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
• One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
• The opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
• Membership of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Visit the Welsh Language Rights webpage for further information about Students' Welsh Language Rights.

Our degrees are taught by experts, who have a wealth of knowledge to pass on to you.

You can find out more on our staff pages.

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

The Careers and Employability Team will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

• Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
• Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
• Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
• Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
• Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

As a Swansea University graduate, you can access lifelong careers and employability support.

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal tutor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

The Department of Nursing wants to support the development of your competence in using digital media, to enhance your learning, engage in technologies in clinical practice and protect yourself and the profession when you are online. Find out more about how we embed. 

Please apply directly via the 'Apply' button on this page.

For further guidance please visit our how to apply for postgraduate study pages.

Please note, unfortunately this course is not open to international students at this time.

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.