Advanced Practice in Health Care, MSc / PGDip

Due to the nature of this MSc programme, there are specific requirements set by the Health Boards regards funding and applications for this MSc. For those applicants from:

• Swansea Bay Health Board - nursing applicants will need to speak to the lead nurse for education prior to applying to the University to assess suitability. Likewise, allied health applicants would need to speak to their respective education / professional leads.  Please note that Swansea Bay Health Board do not support any applications from a health care registrant at band 5.
• Hywel Dda Health Board – all applicants need to seek line manager approval and apply for higher awards funding prior applying to the University.
• Welsh Ambulance Service Trust – all applicants will need to speak to the advanced practice lead for their locality and apply for advanced practice funding within WAST.
• Other Health Boards – you would need to discuss and seek approval for the application from your line manager.  You will also need to identify your funding avenue prior to application.
• Self-Funding Applicants – any applicant wishing to self-fund their studies will need to speak to the programme director for the MSc prior to application.

Upon applying to the University, a decision will be made to offer an interview.  Interviews are held jointly by the respected health boards and acceptance onto the course is made collaboratively between the University and Health Board.   Self-funding applicants will be interviewed by the academic team.

In addition to Health Board requirements, the MSc has specific requirements.

To apply for this course you need to be qualified for a minimum of three years and have a 2.2 degree or its equivalent in a relevant subject.

You may be able to enrol without an initial degree and /or may be required to undertake pre-requisite studies at level 6.

This prerequisite study ensures that you have adequate academic skills for Master’s level study and could be used towards getting a first level degree.

The course adopts a blended learning approach with face-to-face teaching at the St. David’s Park site in Carmarthen. There are two part time student intakes per year, one in September and another in March.  Please note the full-time route only runs at Health Board request, this is not open self-funding students.

You will also have access to the extensive facilities at the Singleton Park campus in Swansea.

Part one of the programme is the Post Graduate Diploma Award and consists of six core modules. For part two of the programme (MSc award) students have various options, however, it should be noted that any applicant wishing to undertake non-medical prescribing as part two of the programme will need to undergo a selection process as per professional body requirements.   Enrolment on to the MSc programme does not give you automatic admission on to the non-medical prescribing programme. You would need to successfully complete part one of the programme before progressing on to part two of the programme.

We assess your learning using a variety of methods including essays, presentations and objective structured clinical examinations. The assessment for each module must be successfully completed.

You’re face-to-face, on campus sessions will be a mixture of:

Module tutorials

Personal tutoring

Clinical skills and practical sessions

OSCE assessment

Action learning sets

Clinical competency outcomes

Student welfare support

Library research

Your online learning and teaching may include:

Webinars

Peer Group Work

Academic consultation office hours

Virtual OSCE practice/assessment

Hot topic debates and discussions

Revision sessions

Q&A time

On-demand e-lectures

Self-paced module content

Learning packs

Guided reading

At least 40 credits

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study at least 40 credits of this postgraduate course through the medium of Welsh. Many University departments develop and offer Welsh medium or bilingual modules as part of their courses so you will need to discuss the possibilities with the relevant Programme Director. You can study a module or modules through the medium of Welsh where possible or submit your dissertation in Welsh with guidance from a subject specialist through the medium of Welsh.

Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We can offer you:

• Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
• Access to modules taught wholly or partly in Welsh.
• Access to the Arwain mobile app for the latest information about Welsh-medium courses and modules available to download free on the App Store and Google Play.
• An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
• Personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
• The option to create and submit your coursework or sit 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.
• An 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.

Continuing to study through the medium of Welsh will be:

• a natural step for you if you have studied through the medium of Welsh at undergraduate level.
• a way of maximizing your chances of getting the best education.
• a way of receiving a high level of support as the study groups are smaller.
• a valuable addition to your CV and career development.

The Academic Lead for the Advanced Practice in Health Care team works on a national basis with the Welsh Government on advanced practice policy.

Several members of the teaching team have published books and papers on the subject of Advanced Practice. 

Links with practice

Practitioner teachers are employed within the local NHS.

Several members of the teaching team work on committees with Hywel Dda Health Board and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board. Clinical mentors support students in practice.

Staff list:

• Jonathan Thomas
• Beth Griffiths
• Mary Hoptroff
• Ann Paynter
• Jayne Cutter
• Angharad Jones

• Zubeyde Bayram-Weston
• Beryl Mansel
• Sarah Tait

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.

International students and part-time study: It may be possible for some students to study part-time under the Student Visa route. However, this is dependent on factors relating to the course and your individual situation. It may also be possible to study with us if you are already in the UK under a different visa category (e.g. Tier 1 or 2, PBS Dependant, ILR etc.). Please visit the University information on Visas and Immigration for further guidance and support.

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

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) 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.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

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.

For more information about preparing for your MSc Advance Practice interview, visit:

Preparing for your ACP Interview (swansea.ac.uk)

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.