MSc Advanced Practice - Distance Learning
Course
options
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Course Overview
Our Advanced Practice (Distance Learning) programme offers a flexible pathway to earn an MSc in Advanced Practice entirely online, accommodating your existing professional and personal commitments.
This programme reflects national and international benchmarks for advanced level professional practice for the healthcare workforce, while supporting you to build a personalised qualification tailored to your specific needs.
On this course, you’ll attain the contemporary knowledge and skills for advanced level practice. You’ll have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of optional modules, allowing you to shape your studies to the context of your own professional practice and career ambitions. Our overarching philosophy is that advanced practice is all about reaching a level of practice, rather than a defined professional role.
The programme is built around the four pillars of advanced practice (Clinical, Research, Education and Management/ Leadership) and the five key principles: autonomous practice, critical thinking, values-based care, improving practice, and high levels of decision-making and problem-solving. Please note that this programme is not accredited by the NHS England Centre for Advancing Practice.
This course is suitable for all experienced health and care professionals, and open to both national and international applicants. This Master’s degree reflects professional, UK-wide government and international benchmarks for advanced level practice for the health and social care workforces.
Study and Modules
Structure
This full-time MSc in Advanced Practice (Distance Learning) is a one-year programme. It comprises a combination of core and optional modules. Core modules are compulsory, while optional modules are selected by you to develop your personal professional interests and to meet the organisational requirements of your professional role.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 100)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
All modules are taught fully online. Asynchronous learning (learning resources and activities which you engage with flexibly, on a day and time that is convenient to you) is supported by focused live seminars and tutorials, which you’re expected to attend.
Module organisers are experienced academics with a strong clinical background. Modules are further supported by teams of knowledgeable academics and practitioners with appropriate specialist expertise and the experience to help you to apply your academic learning to practice. The learners on the Advanced Professional Practice programme are also part of the module team, providing valuable multi-professional insight and perspectives to enrich learning.
Comprehensive personal advising and academic support systems are in place to enable you to receive additional support if required and optimise success in your studies.
Each module is assigned a specified number of ‘effort’ hours. The teaching and learning activities timetabled and any practice-based learning and assessment will account for many of the hours, but there is an expectation that you’ll undertake independent study in each module involving finding, appraising and applying evidence to inform your thinking and academic writing, as well as general notetaking and preparation for assessment. This will not only enhance your learning experience but will also help develop a sound evidence-base to support your academic preparedness for an advanced practice role.
Assessment
A range of assessment methods are used throughout the programme, which have been carefully considered enabling you to demonstrate effectively both the learning outcomes for each module and your progression in relation to the pillars and principles of advanced practice.
Formative and summative assessment strategies across the programme include written assignments, case study analysis and evaluation, group/individual poster/oral presentations, evaluative conversations, practice assessment documents and portfolios.
Employability
After the Course
Whether you’re looking for promotion or to improve your knowledge and abilities, completing the programme will arm you with the skills you require to support your individual advanced practice needs.
You’ll be able to demonstrate learning across the pillars and principles of advanced practice. The emphasis of learning within each of the four pillars will be dependent on the modules you have selected. Dependent on your role within practice and the modules selected, there is also potential for application for credentialing with external bodies.
Careers
Completing the MSc Advanced Practice (Distance Learning) will enable you to advance your level of practice across a wide range of healthcare professional roles, demonstrating advanced knowledge and understanding to underpin and inform high-level clinical reasoning and decision-making and supporting aspirations for career development and promotion.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Health Care subject
- Additional Entry Requirements
We can consider current Registered Healthcare professionals (including Nurses, Midwives, Paramedics, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists) with a minimum of 2 years post registration practice experience.
Memorandum of Understanding
You must submit a Memorandum of Understanding at the time of application. Your manager will need to confirm that you will be given the time and resources required for the programme.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Health Care subject
- Additional Entry Requirements
We can consider current Registered Healthcare professionals (including Nurses, Midwives, Paramedics, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists) with a minimum of 2 years post registration practice experience.
Memorandum of Understanding
You must submit a Memorandum of Understanding at the time of application. Your manager will need to confirm that you will be given the time and resources required for the programme.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
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UK Students: £10,675
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International Students: £22,700
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.