Advanced and Specialist Healthcare is a flexible, part-time, multi-professional programme. It has been designed specifically for qualified, registered healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, GP Fellows, physiotherapists and therapists working in primary, secondary or community care, who wish to develop their academic skills alongside their professional role.
This part-time, flexible, multi-professional Master's-level qualification is suitable for all healthcare professionals and offers opportunities for Accreditation of Prior Experiential and /or Certificated Learning or Credit Transfer.
One to one academic support is also provided by the Kent Academic Primary Care Unit, who work alongside us for Professional Practice to deliver the teaching for GP Fellows.
You are encouraged to convert prior learning achievements into University of Kent academic credit via Accreditation of Prior Experiential and/or Certificated Learning. To be eligible for accreditation, prior learning must be at the appropriate level and relevant to the programme's learning outcomes. For further information, visit: https://www.kent.ac.uk/cpp/programmes/apecl.html
Taught by expert academics and clinicians, you broaden your expertise, deepen your knowledge and hone your research skills while gaining a recognised qualification to help progress your career. The programme is delivered through a variety of teaching methods, including taught sessions and work-based learning, self-study, case-study analysis, individual and group tutorials, projects and presentations. Online learning recourses are available on our virtual learning environment.
Teaching is structured around a series of extended taught weekends (on average four weekends a year at our Medway campus), Friday - Sunday, 9.00-17.00.
The programme has the following alternative exit awards, subject to credit numbers:
The programme is delivered by the University of Kent's Global and Lifelong Learning provision, based in Medway. Global and Lifelong Learning offers multi-professional, flexible, part-time, work-related studies and is founded on the belief that employers can benefit from the University of Kent’s academic and research excellence, quality teaching, design and development activities to create positive change and to forge new knowledge within their organisation.
We work with a wide range of external partners and employers to create distinct and original work-based and work-related developmental and educational solutions, which respond to the unique workforce challenges experienced by employees and organisations across the region and beyond.
Entry onto the programme is via professional qualification in a relevant field (healthcare or medical profession) with a minimum of two years post qualification experience within the relevant area of practice.
OR
The successful completion of a University of Kent PCert or PDip in a health related subject area, for example the PCert or PDip in Strategic Leadership and Multi-professional Education in Healthcare, subject to successful credit transfer or Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning Application, in accordance with Code of Practice Annex R.
PLUS
All applicants are considered on an individual basis, their professional qualifications and related work experience.
All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.
Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, students who require a student visa to study cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.
This course requires a Good level of English language, equivalent to B2 on CEFR.
Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on our English Language requirements webpage.
Examples:
IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
PTE Academic 63 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test
A degree from a UK university
A degree from a Majority English Speaking Country
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
We’ve created the most progressive approach to higher education, developing and modernising our curriculum. For 2025 our courses will be designed with you at their heart to deliver a top-class student experience and career outcomes.
The following modules are what students will typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.
Duration: 3 years part-time
This work-based programme provides the context for the critical appraisal and on-going development of professional practice where practitioners are able to engage creatively with the issues and concerns of their organisation in a conversant and research-minded way.
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This list is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year.
You take the following core modules:
WL830 - Evidence-Based Practice (30 credits)
Plus a module equalling 30 credits from across the CPP or University catalogue (subject to availability and student numbers).
Optional modules may include:
WL825 - Special Area of Study (30 credits)
You take the following core modules:
WL882 - Research Skills (30 credits)
Plus a module equalling 30 credits from across the CPP or University catalogue (subject to availability and student numbers).
Optional modules may include:
WL825 - Special Area of Study (30 credits)
WL838 - Professional Standard Setting for Professional Practice (Audit and Quality Improvement) (30 credits)
WL816 - Work-related Project and Dissertation (60 credits)
Taught sessions are delivered in a welcoming, supportive and flexible academic environment, by an academic team with extensive professional practitioner experience. They are experienced in delivering work-related programmes and understand the constraints of balancing a career with the demands of higher education.
Assessments will be made in the following ways: written assignments; project plan submission; oral presentations; coursework assignments; seminar contribution; dissertation; contribution to online activity i.e. via Moodle; student forums. In addition, in Stage 3 you complete a dissertation of 10,000-12,000 words.
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
You develop intellectual skills to:
You gain subject-specific skills to:
You gain transferable skills to:
We recognise and understand the individual needs of working professionals, who participate as non-traditional part-time learners, and the balance required between study and the specific areas within which they operate. Our flexible programmes of study provide inclusive and coherent educational and work-related opportunities, which provide you with the opportunity to study either individual modules or to work towards a Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or Master’s degree. Taught sessions are delivered in a welcoming, supportive and flexible academic environment, by an academic team with extensive professional practitioner experience.
Students will receive normal tutorial support in order to allow them to complete the programme, in addition, Programme Directors will be expected to ensure that support is in place for student’s work place managers where applicable; in order to help them understand the needs of the programme and the way in which the programme is able to enhance their employees everyday practice. Where required, students should ensure from the outset that they identify a work or practice-based co-supervisor or mentor for their dissertation project work.
Disability Statement: Where disabled students are due to undertake a work placement as part of this programme of study, a representative of the University will meet with the work placement provider in advance to ensure the provision of anticipatory and reasonable adjustments in line with legal requirements
Continuing professional development (CPD) courses
We offer a number of CPD courses in evidence-based practice, research skills, collaborative and interprofessional working. You can obtain further information by checking our Short courses page.
All students registered for a taught Master's programme are eligible to apply for a place on our Global Skills Award Programme. The programme is designed to broaden your understanding of global issues and current affairs as well as to develop personal skills which will enhance your employability.
Our staff have a wealth of experience and knowledge working in public, private, health and third sectors, providing valuable contributions to the design, development and delivery of current professional practice programmes. With strong links to local and national employers, we are able to ensure that its programmes are contemporary.
We are also responsible for developing and accrediting postgraduate training courses delivered by Health Education England (Kent, Surrey and Sussex), Kent Community Health NHS Trust and the New Horizons Teaching School Alliance, with whom the University of Kent has close working relationships.
Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books, both nationally and internationally. Among others, they have recently contributed to: Journal of Public Health, Advanced Journal of Professional Practice, Primary Dental Care; Dental Nursing; British Dental Journal and publications produced by the dental council.
The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk.
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk.
You'll need regular access to a desktop computer/laptop with an internet connection to use the University of Kent’s online resources and systems. We've listed some guidelines for the technology and software you'll need for your studies.
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, as well as general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Search our scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both:
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
Next steps
Learn more about the application process or begin your application by clicking on a link below.
You will be able to choose your preferred year of entry once you have started your application. You can also save and return to your application at any time.
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