Critical Care PGCert/GradCert

Name: Critical Care PGCert/GradCert
Price: 1680 GBP

Postgraduate taught degree

This course is for 2024/25 entry.

Details for 2025/26 entry are also available.

Key information

This programme is designed to facilitate your development as a critical care nurse. It will enable you to become a proficient practitioner within the specialism of critical care nursing. This programme has been designed to incorporate The National Competency Framework for Registered Nurses in Adult Critical Care (CC3N Steps 2 & 3).

Start date

January 2025

Institution

City, University of London

Course code

PSCRCA

Location

Northampton Square

Course overview
Structure
Teaching and assessment
Fees and funding
Career
How to apply

Critical Care PGCert/GradCert Course overview

Benefits of this course

By the end of this critical care course you’ll have an in-depth understanding of bioscience underpinning patient management and advanced organ support.

You will have also explored co-ordination of care, quality issues, patient safety and leadership.

You will be able to:

Promote evidence-based practice
Demonstrate a range of skills related to caring for a critical care patient
Evaluate current practice to be a proficient practitioner.

Your expertise in critical care will be recognised by employers and help you take the next step in your nursing career.

Blended Learning

The programme will be delivered via a blended learning approach.

This approach allows you to learn in a manner that is convenient to you with a mix of face-to-face, online synchronous (participants are engaged at the same time online), and asynchronous lectures (not in real time) and tutorials to optimise flexibility and accessibility.

This approach will enable you to work around clinical commitments, family commitments and preferred styles of learning to progress on an academic pathway.

Awards

You can select to apply for one of the available exit points for this course.

Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)

Graduate Certificate (GradCert)

Who is this course for?

If you are a registered nurse or allied health professional working in critical care (level 3) this programme will enable you to develop your knowledge and professional skills supported by the latest research and evidence-based practice.

Structure

Awards

You can select to apply for one of the two available exit points for this course.

Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)

Duration:

Part-time: 40 weeks

Total credits: 60

Modules:

2 in total

The duration of each module is 10 weeks. The full programme duration is up to 40 weeks, allowing for the completion of 'The National Competency Framework for Registered Nurse in Adult Critical Care (CC3N)'.

The PGCert programme is Postgraduate (Level 7).

Graduate Certificate (GradCert)

Duration:

Part-time: 40 weeks

Total credits: 60

Modules:

2 in total

The GradCert programme is Undergraduate (Level 6).

Modules

Core Modules

Through all core modules you will develop the Graduate Attributes, five core skillsets that will help you launch a successful, fulfilling career. Find out more about the Graduate Attributes.

Programme specification

The programme specification contains more information on how the course is organised, the requirements for progression for each part and credits required for awards.

Download course specifications:

Teaching and assessment

The programme offers you the opportunity to study at an advanced level, in a way that works for you. The blended learning approach is structured to deliver 80% of the module online and 20% face-to-face.

You will learn through a dynamic mix of direct and interactive methods, including:

lectures
self-directed study
guided independent study
workshops
tutorials
e-learning.

Each module is delivered over 10 weeks. You’ll receive regular contact from your lecturers via fortnightly online recorded seminars which address key areas of knowledge.

You will also attend the university for two separate classroom days within each 10-week term.

Your modules will be led by a clinically credible faculty including clinical academics and experience practitioners with current practice in critical care environments, ensuring that your studies are informed by the latest developments in the field.

You will also benefit from contributions from external visiting lecturers and guest speakers, including experts from the School’s extensive network of practice partners.

Assessment

Core Concepts in Critical Care module – Viva Voce (oral) examination based on a patient scenario
Dimensions of Critical Care module - E-poster with a voice over on your chosen area of interest within critical care.

You are also required to complete the ‘National Competency Framework for Registered Nurses in Adult Critical Care’ (CC3N) (Steps 2 & 3).

PG Certificate (Level 7) – the pass mark is 50% for academic assessments
Graduate Certificate (Level 6) - the pass mark is 40% for academic assessments
The ‘National Competency Framework for Registered Nurses in Adult Critical Care’ (CC3N) (Steps 2 & 3) is a pass/fail assessment.

Fees and funding

Fees for academic year 2024/25

Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)

Part-time per year
Home/UK: £1,680

Graduate Certificate (GradCert)

Part-time per year
Home/UK: £1,680

Where applicable, tuition fees for City's programmes will be subject to inflationary increases in each year of study. Our policy for these increases is set out in our terms and conditions of study.

For further information, please contact the Programme Director, Maria Bliss: maria.bliss.1@city.ac.uk

Funding

Explore up-to-date information about funding options, available financial support and typical living costs.

Additional expenses

Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees. Find out more about additional expenses.

Career

Successful completion of this programme will equip you with additional specialist knowledge that will enhance your clinical practice and demonstrate your commitment to your profession.

You will be well placed to progress your career in critical care.

How to apply

Entry requirements

UK

You must be a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or Allied Health Care Professional (HCPC) registrant and meet the criteria to undertake the programme.

You will need:

Postgraduate Certificate - Level 7 Postgraduate

First Degree (minimum 2:2) and above OR evidence of higher-level study undertaken within the last five years
You must have completed Step 1 of The National Competency Framework for Registered Nurse in Adult Critical Care (CC3N)
You must be working currently in a critical care setting (providing Level 2 & 3 care), with 12 months experience in critical care
Confirmation of managerial support from your current clinical area.

Graduate Certificate - Level 6 Undergraduate

You must have completed Step 1 of The National Competency Framework for Registered Nurse in Adult Critical Care (CC3N)
You must be working currently in a critical care setting (providing Level 2 & 3 care), with 12 months experience in critical care
Confirmation of managerial support from your current clinical area.

To undertake this course you must identify, negotiate, and access relevant opportunities and experiences to demonstrate skills and competencies in Critical Care, under the supervision of an appropriately experienced/qualified assessor.

English language requirements

For students whose first language is not English, the following qualifications will meet the English language requirement for entry to a postgraduate course of study:

A first degree from a UK University
A first degree from an overseas institution recognised by City, University of London as providing adequate evidence of proficiency in the English language, for example, from institutions from Australia, Canada or the United States of America
International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) with a minimum score of 7.0 with no subtest below 7.0
Pearson Test of English (Academic) score 72
TOEFL 100 overall with 24 in Writing, 20 in Listening, 19 in Reading and 20 in Speaking
Other evidence of proficiency in the English language which satisfies the Board of Studies concerned, including registration with your professional regulator.

English language programmes

Don't meet the English language requirements? INTO City, University of London offers English language programmes to help prepare you for study at university. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to degree courses.

Application process

Applicants will apply through the online registration process and must meet the criteria to enter the programme.

Please download and complete this form, and attach it to your application. Please note this is not the application itself.

There are two intakes during the year for this programme: January and September.

Please make sure you apply for the correct level; PG Cert (Level 7) or Graduate Diploma (Level 6).

This course is not currently open for applications.

January 2025 entry

Contact the postgraduate team

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7040 5000

Email: pghealth@city.ac.uk

Our academics

Your studies are supported by a team of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field. On occasion we also work with external professionals to enhance your learning and appreciation of the wider subject.