This course is for 2023/24 entry.
Professional Practice PGCert Course overview
Benefits of this course
This course has now been suspended for 2023/24 entry.
You will develop your critical, analytical, research and communication skills and learn how to apply them effectively in an inter-professional workplace.
The flexible modular structure means you can study to postgraduate certificate or master's level.
At postgraduate certificate level you can choose to study the General Professional Practice route, or specialise in one of the following areas:
- neonatal
- midwifery
- intensive care
- cardiac care.
At MSc level, you will study the General Professional Practice route together with elective modules that reflect your own professional interests and area of specialism.
Award
You can select to apply for one of the available exit points for this course.
- Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)
Who is this course for?
If you are an experienced health and social care professional who wants to explore areas you are curious and passionate about then this course is for you.
Our flexible and work focused master's degree will give you critical insight into the evidence base surrounding your area of interest and enhance the skills you need to excel in professional practice.
Structure
Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)
Duration:
- Part-time: 1 year
Total credits: 60
Modules:
- 4 in total
- Core modules: 3
Modules
The programmes are made up of a number of core and elective modules. The Programme Director will be able to advise you in your choice of elective modules.
Contact hours and mode of delivery will vary, dependant on the module options chosen. Each 15-credit module has a total of 150 hours of study which is comprised of face to face contact, on- line activity, directed and self-directed study.
MSc
To be awarded the MSc Professional Practice you must complete the four programme core modules (Professional Leadership, Evidence Based Evaluation, Professional Practice Project, and SHPS MSc Dissertation Module) and additional elective modules to the value of 45 credits.
MSc Elective modules
The postgraduate level modules currently offered by the School (subject to change) can be found at the School of Health & Psychological Sciences home page. The list includes both clinical modules and non-clinical modules. The module list is not binding as new modules become available from time to time and will be offered if they are appropriate. Similarly, some modules may be withdrawn. Some modules may only run every second year so it is important to make your module choice in advance and in close consultation with your programme director.
Postgraduate Certificate
To be awarded the PG-Certificate Professional Practice you must successfully complete the programme core module (Professional Leadership) and additional elective modules to the value of 45 credits.
Some modules on this course are also available as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) short courses. Where this is available, links are provided within the module descriptions below.
PG Cert Core modules - Cardiac specialist route
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Professional Leadership (15 credits)
In this module you will develop your leadership qualities and have regard for the leadership qualities of others. The approach to the module is practical and straightforward yet enables you to critically explore leadership concepts in your own practice.
Also available as a CPD course: Personal and People Development. Course code APM032.
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Specialist Core Skills in Cardiac Care (15 credits)
This module will enable you to progress in becoming a proficient practitioner within the specialism of cardiac care. It will develop the knowledge and skills in order to participate in effective decision making and to rationalise your care provision.
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Cardiac Care Specialist Role Development (15 credits)
This module will allow you to critically evaluate knowledge and understanding on a variety of cardiac conditions. This will allow you to develop proactive decision making skills within cardiac care and to actively participate in clinical decision making.
Also available as a CPD course: Cardiac Care Specialist Role Development – Course 2. Course code APM035.
PG Cert Core modules - Intensive care specialist route
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Professional Leadership (15 credits)
In this module you will develop your leadership qualities and have regard for the leadership qualities of others. The approach to the module is practical and straightforward yet enables you to critically explore leadership concepts in your own practice.
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Intensive Care Core Skills (15 credits)
This module enables you to progress in becoming a proficient practitioner within the specialism of intensive care. It allows you to develop the knowledge and skills to participate in effective decision making and to rationalise your care provision.
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Intensive Care Role Development (15 credits)
This module enables you to progress and develop into a proficient practitioner within the specialism of intensive care nursing. It will develop your knowledge of haemodynamics and haemodynamic compromise on cardiac, renal and neurological function.
PG Cert Core modules - Leadership/generic route
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Professional Leadership (15 credits)
In this module you will develop your leadership qualities and have regard for the leadership qualities of others. The approach to the module is practical and straightforward yet enables you to critically explore leadership concepts in your own practice.
PG Cert Core modules - Midwifery specialist route
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Professional Leadership (15 credits)
In this module you will develop your leadership qualities and have regard for the leadership qualities of others. The approach to the module is practical and straightforward yet enables you to critically explore leadership concepts in your own practice.
Also available as a CPD course: Personal and People Development. Course code APM032.
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Advanced Physical Assessment of the New-born and Infant (15 credits)
The purpose of the module is to equip healthcare professions with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to competently undertake the physical examination of the newborn within the first 24 - 72 hours and at 6 - 8 weeks.
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Optimal Birth: Philosophy, Knowledge, Skills and Evidence (15 credits)
This module aims to enhance and extend your ability to support the physiological birth process for all women, regardless of their ‘risk’ level enabling you to provide intrapartum care at an advanced practitioner level.
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Midwifery Theory: Knowledge, Profession and Practice (15 credits)
The key aim of this module is for you to explore the nature of midwifery knowledge, to study and utilise relevant theoretical perspectives and engage in analysis of the context of maternity care, in order to critically analyse midwifery practice, the current role and status of midwifery, and to consider possible future directions for the profession and models of practice.
PG Cert Core modules - Neonatal specialist route
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Professional Leadership (15 credits)
In this module you will develop your leadership qualities and have regard for the leadership qualities of others. The approach to the module is practical and straightforward yet enables you to critically explore leadership concepts in your own practice.
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Neonatal Care Specialist Core Skills (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge required in order to provide holistic and evidence-based care intended for the sick and vulnerable neonate within a family centred setting.
Also available as a CPD course: Level 7 Neonatal Care: Specialist Core Skills (Course 1). Course code APM036.
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Neonatal Care Specialist Role Development (15 credits)
This module focuses on the acquisition and application of essential evidence-based knowledge and skills to neonatal specialist practice. It will teach you about the complexities of neonatal practice within the intensive care setting.
Also available as a CPD course: Level 7 Neonatal Care: Specialist Role Development (Course 2). Course code APM037.
Elective modules
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Personal and People Development (15 credits)
The module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the factors facilitating the development of self and the learning of others with a view to influencing work-based practice.
Also available as a CPD course: Personal and People Development. Course code APM041.
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Work Based Project (15 credits)
This work-based/work-focused project module is designed to allow you to develop the skills, aptitudes, abilities and attitudes needed to become a reflective and enquiring practitioner. You will focus on the enhancement of one aspect of practice relevant to your role.
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Leading Change (15 credits)
This module will develop the skills to implement a change plan and lead a team through and beyond the transition. You will prepare a change plan for leading a change initiative, and supporting and sustaining the change following implementation.
Also available as a CPD course: Leading Change. Course code APM034.
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Advanced Physical Assessment of the New-born and Infant (15 credits)
The purpose of the module is to equip healthcare professions with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to competently undertake the physical examination of the newborn within the first 24-72 hours and at 6-8 weeks.
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Optimum Birth (15 credits)
This module aims to enhance and extend your ability to support the physiological birth process for all women, regardless of their ‘risk’ level enabling you to provide intrapartum care at an advanced practitioner level.
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Risk and Midwifery Practice (15 credits)
The module will enable you to a) Critically evaluate current clinical practice management arrangements and inter- professional practices during critical situations b) critically examine the care provided in or giving rise to adverse care situations and propose improvements.
Also available as a CPD course: Risk and Midwifery Practice. Course code NMM039.
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Advancing Maternity Practice: Facilitating Group Antenatal Care (15 credits)
The module provides a grounding in the latest theoretical and clinical developments in antenatal care provision. It will develop your skills as a qualified midwife in working with groups in order to enhance the quality of practice and to develop facilitation capacities.
Also available as a CPD course: Advancing Midwifery Practice: Facilitating Group Antenatal Care. Course code APM043.
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Midwifery Theory: Knowledge, Profession and Practice (online) (15 credits)
This module introduces you to the concept and uses of theory in relation to midwifery; explores the basis of contemporary midwifery theory and practice using a range of academic theoretical perspectives and explores current challenges and opportunities in the organisation and delivery of midwifery care.
Also available as a CPD course: Midwifery Theory and Professionalism. Course code APM019.
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Major Trauma: critical care patient management (15 credits)
The purpose of this module is to enable you to effectively apply, evaluate and synthesise principles of care to the person who has been admitted to a critical care setting following a traumatic injury.
Also available as a CPD course: Level 7 Major Trauma: critical care patient management. Course code APM046.
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Pathophysiological Principles for Advanced Practice (15 credits)
This module will enable you to demonstrate an appreciation of underlying pathological processes, and to approach complex issues systematically and creatively, make informed judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate your conclusions clearly.
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Neonatal Surgical Care (15 credits)
This module will prepare nurses working with neonates within the neonatal unit, hospital or community setting, to safely care for neonates who require, or have undergone, surgery.
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Leading and Evaluating Learning in Healthcare Practice (15 credits)
The module takes a critically reflective approach to evaluating your own practice and learning needs, whilst exploring evidence-based approaches to teaching, coaching and facilitation of others
Also available as a CPD course: Leading and Evaluating Learning in Practice (Online). Course code APM058.
MSc Core modules
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Professional Leadership (15 credits)
In this module you will develop your leadership qualities and have regard for the leadership qualities of others. The approach to the module is practical and straightforward yet enables you to critically explore leadership concepts in your own practice.
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Evidence Based Evaluation (30 credits)
This module will provide you with a thorough grounding in the main approaches and methodologies used in the evaluation of interventions (qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods), and in evidence appraisal and synthesis skills.
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Professional Practice Project (30 credits)
In this module you will have the flexibility to design your own project and area of study related to an innovation, policy or practice issue.
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MSc Dissertation Module (60 credits)
This module will allow you to take ownership of an individual, original piece of work under the guidance of an allocated individual supervisor.
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
You will learn through a dynamic mix of direct and interactive methods, e-learning and work-based learning, including:
- lectures
- seminars
- self-directed study
- workshops
- tutorials.
Your modules will be led by leading researchers and experienced practitioners, ensuring that your studies are informed by the latest developments in the field.
There is a strong focus on inter-disciplinary working, designed to reflect current health and social care practice.
Assessment methods vary depending on the module but can include:
- project work
- practice assessment
- examinations
- coursework
- essays
- reflective practice
- presentations.
Fees and funding
Fees for academic year 2023/24
Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)
PGCert PG Cert Cardiac Care
Part-time per year
UK: £4,500
PGCert PG Cert Intensive Care
Part-time per year
UK: £4,500
PGCert PG Cert Midwifery
Part-time per year
UK: £4,500
PGCert PG Cert Neonatal
Part-time per year
UK: £4,500
PGCert PG Cert Professional Practice
Part-time per year
UK: £4,500
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.
Funding
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 the PGCert or MSc programme demonstrates your commitment to professional practice and lifelong learning in the continually evolving health and social care sector.
You will be ideally placed to progress in your career, taking on greater responsibility in administration, management, research, education, and clinical practice in a range of public and private settings.
How to apply
Entry requirements
UK
English language requirements
For students whose first language is not English, the following qualifications will meet the English language requirement for entry:
- 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 in Australia, Canada or the USA
- International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) with a minimum score of 7
- Pearson Test of English (Academic): a score of 72 required
- TOEFL 100 overall.
Application process
As part of your application you will be expected to provide the following:
- Personal statement
- Summary CV.
This course is not currently open for applications.
September 2023 entry
- Apply online for PGCert Professional Practice (PG Cert Cardiac Care) with part-time study in
- Apply online for PGCert Professional Practice (PG Cert Intensive Care) with part-time study in
- Apply online for PGCert Professional Practice (PG Cert Neonatal) with part-time study in
- Apply online for PGCert Professional Practice (PG Cert Midwifery) with part-time study in
- Apply online for PGCert Professional Practice (PG Cert Professional Practice) with part-time study in
January 2024 entry
- Apply online for PGCert Professional Practice (PG Cert Professional Practice) with part-time study in
- Apply online for PGCert Professional Practice (PG Cert Cardiac Care) with part-time study in
- Apply online for PGCert Professional Practice (PG Cert Intensive Care) with part-time study in
- Apply online for PGCert Professional Practice (PG Cert Neonatal) with part-time study in
- Apply online for PGCert Professional Practice (PG Cert Midwifery) with part-time study in
Contact the postgraduate team
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7040 5000
Email: [email protected]
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.
Our students
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Housing and student life
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Accommodation and housing
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Student wellbeing
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Living in London
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