Advanced Clinical Practice (Advanced Critical Care Practitioner) (MSc)

You’ll need: 

• a 2:2 degree in a clinical, health or science subject
• current registration with a relevant UK professional body
• a minimum of 2 years’ post registration critical care experience needed (3 years before commencing the non-medical prescribing module)
• a current job contract in an advanced critical care practitioner trainee role
• up to 2 references that include one from your current employer that assures appropriate supervision arrangements

Students following the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM) ACCP curriculum must have overall supervision provided by a Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine, with elements of additional supervision provided by other senior medical practitioners deemed appropriate by the local clinical lead. It is also recommended to have a mentor in practice, which can be an experienced ACCP or a senior critical care medic.   

Students not following the FICM ACCP curriculum require an appropriately experienced supervisor who could be a middle grade or senior Medical Consultant, or an Advanced Critical Care Practitioner with a minimum of three years post qualification experience. 

Additional criteria in terms of employer support and agreed pace of study will apply if you are seeking associate membership of The Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM) as part of your training. For more information, please contact us.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This part-time-only master’s course runs for 2 to 5 years, allowing you the flexibility to continue working alongside your studies.  

If you apply for the PGDip, you’ll study 6 taught modules. If you apply for the full MSc, you’ll study 6 taught modules and complete a dissertation. 

Most taught modules require you to be at the University for 5 to 6 days, typically for 1 day a week. Some modules require up to 10 days’ attendance. 

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

The learning activities for this course include: 

• lectures and seminars 
• group activities 
• workplace-based learning 
• facilitated clinical skills practice 
• supervised study 
• independent learning 

Assessment

We’ll assess you through: 

• essays 
• case studies 
• written exams 
• simulated assessments 
• practice-based assessment 
• clinical portfolio 
• a dissertation 

Dissertation

If you’re taking the full MSc, you’ll research and write a dissertation on a subject relevant to your current or future area of practice. You can submit your final dissertation in one of the following formats: 

• a literature review 
• a service improvement project (including audit) 
• an empirical project 

Academic Support

We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor.

This qualification will allow you to apply for membership of the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM) as an advanced critical care practitioner. 

You'll be able to work as an advanced critical care practitioner in a critical care unit or similar environment.

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

On this course you pay for each module as you study it. There is no overall fee.

Read the latest module fees and dates on our CPD course page.

What your fees pay for

On this course you'll pay for each module as you study it.

See the latest module fees and dates.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

NHS Learning Support Fund

As a student on this course you may be entitled to help from the NHS Learning Support Fund.

This can include a training grant of £5,000 per academic year, parental support of £2,000 for students with at least one dependent child under 15 years, or under 17 years if registered with special educational needs, and help with travel and temporary accommodation costs for placements.  

Find out more on the NHS Learning Support Fund website. 

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. . 
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

There are different application deadlines for this course. Applications are expected to close:

• International students: Tuesday 29 July 2025, midday UK time
• UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You’ll need to submit two professional references. 

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

We may invite you to an interview, which will take place by phone if you live abroad. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000