Advanced Clinical Practitioner (masters)

Delivered in line with the Multi-Professional Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice (HEE, 2017), the apprenticeship emphasises research methodology and quality improvement.

Apprentices will research, develop, implement and evaluate a quality improvement project within their area of practice – improving an existing service or building an effective new one.

The flexibility of the programme allows the employer to tailor it to meet their individual service needs. Apprentices will study six core units and choose two of eight optional units.

The programme includes the opportunity for eligible apprentices to undertake Non-Medical Prescribing (V300) - developing an understanding of pharmacology and governance, the prescribing consultation, including clinical assessment, shared decision making, and rationale for prescribing decisions.

Three-year programme

Year one

• Clinical Examination and Decision Making
• Education in Advance Practice
• Flexible clinical option 1

Year two

• Leadership for Integrated Care
• Flexible clinical option 2
• Research Methodology for Quality Improvement

Year three

• Research for Quality Improvement Practice Project
• Advance Clinical Portfolio
• End-Point Assessment

Two-year programme

Year one

• Clinical Examination and Decision Making
• Education in Advance Practice
• Flexible clinical option 1
• Research Methodology for Quality Improvement

Year two

• Flexible clinical option 2
• Research for Quality Improvement Practice Project
• Leadership for Integrated Care
• Advance Clinical Portfolio
• End-Point Assessment

Flexible clinical optional units

• Advanced Musculoskeletal Practice
• Non-Medical Prescribing
• Advanced Care of the Frail and Older Adult
• Advanced Diagnostics and Management of the Acutely Ill Patient
• Radiology in Musculoskeletal
• Injection Therapy
• Advanced Practice Independent Study

The programme is taught part-time over either two or three years at our campus in central Manchester.

Alongside the university study and with the support of their mentor, apprentices will further develop their advanced clinical practice skills by completing a technical and clinical skills portfolio. It will collect evidence of their competence in four aspects of advanced practice:

• clinical practice
• clinical leadership
• education
• research

Two year programme

Apprentices will spend two days a week studying and developing new skills.

This option suits learners who:

• work well at a faster pace and may have studied previously at postgraduate level
• have previously completed clinically-focused study, such as non-medical prescribing
• can be released from their normal duties two days per week

Three year programme

Apprentices will spend one day a week studying and developing new skills.

This option suits learners who:

• prefer a steadier pace and may not have previously studied at postgraduate level
• cannot be released from their normal duties for more than a day a week

All successful graduates are awarded an MSc Advanced Clinical Practice degree from Manchester Metropolitan University as well as a level 7 degree apprenticeship.

Applicants must:

• be registered with a statutory or regulatory body: either the General Pharmaceutical Council, Health and Care Professionals Council or Nursing and Midwifery Council
• meet the essential criteria for trainee advanced clinical practitioner, as specified by their employer
• have the right of abode and right to work in the UK to qualify for funding 

Apprentices aged 16-18 who do not hold Level 2 / GCSE Maths and English Qualifications will be required to complete Functional Skills alongside the apprenticeship.

Apprentices aged 19+ who do not hold or are unable to evidence achievement of Level 2 / GCSE Maths and English Qualifications will be required to undertake an initial assessment to assess their current working level. The outcome of this will be shared with the employer to inform the decision as to whether the apprentice will study Functional Skills alongside the apprenticeship.

There are no additional costs for these qualifications.

Degree apprenticeships are paid for by employers, not apprentices.

Employers with a payroll of more than £3 million can use their apprenticeship levy contributions to pay for places on apprenticeship programmes.

Any business with a payroll below £3 million is eligible for government funding that will cover at least 95% of the cost of an apprenticeship programme.

Additional incentives are also available to employers who recruit new apprentices into their business.

Find out more about funding

If you are an employer

We will support you every step of the way to offer apprenticeships at your organisation, whether you intend to upskill current employees or attract new recruits.

You can speak to us via our contact form, by emailing [email protected] or by calling 0161 247 3720 (9:30am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday).

If you are an employee

If you are already employed, encourage your employer to contact us to discuss offering an apprenticeship.

If you are an applicant

Places on this programme are available to those already employed in a relevant position and where their employer will support them to take part.