Adult Critical Care BSc (Hons); Postgraduate Certificate in; Postgraduate Diploma in; MSc; Professional Certificate in

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Level of study:
Professional
Entry Requirements:
More information
Start date:
Certificates: February/March
PGDip: September
BSc: September and March
MSc: September
Duration:
Certificate: 1 year part time; BSc: 18 months part-time; MSc: 2-5 years part-time
Attendance:
Part-time
Course delivery:
On-campus (Clifton Campus)

About this course

The Institute of Health and Allied Professions at NTU offers a comprehensive suite of continuous professional development (CPD) courses that have been designed and developed to meet the needs of the local health sector workforce.

The Adult Critical Care (Post-Registration) courses have been developed with Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust critical care leads, alongside NTU colleagues from the Institute of Health and Allied Professions.

The principle aims for this course is to provide post-qualification continuing professional development pertinent to the students’ area of work and enhance the knowledge skills and values of staff within critical care. These are core attributes required to develop and deliver a workforce, with the capabilities to deliver a safe and world-class service to Adult Critical Care patients.

Why do this course?

Tailor your learning experience

to suit your professional development needs, with a range of qualifications available at different levels.
Benefit from collaborative course design

with specialist colleagues from Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust.
Learn from the experts

at a university rated TEF ‘Gold’ for teaching and learning.

The curriculum is directly based on the National Standards for Adult Critical Care Nurse Education (2016), the National Critical Care Competencies (CC3N 2015) together with other relevant elements from National guidelines, such as Obstetric and National Trauma Competencies (2017).

The content will include theory on the physiology and treatment techniques of various critical care practices based on a system based approach. The taught elements of the course will be via a variety of facilitative teaching techniques in order to address the differing learning styles of the students. These include, evidence based lecture style, scenario based learning and the inclusion of clinical skills simulation. The evidence base for the Critical Care practices and research will be critically analysed by the student and incorporated into the taught elements together with the assessment process and as a self -directed process in order to complete elements of the National Competencies. The learning environment and level of teaching will be the same for each level of study (post registration certificate, (level 6) or post graduate (level 7) The level of study and therefore attainment will be differentiated at assessment only, students will be assessed at either Level 6 or 7.

Module information

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll be studying throughout the course:

We regularly review our course content based on student and employer feedback to ensure they remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or availability in future years. Optional modules will only run where there is sufficient demand. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis to protect the academic and student experience.

Delivery Mode

The teaching strategy is multi-modal and adopts a blended approach, with a clear commitment to face-to-face teaching and learning supported by online learning materials, small group discussions, presentations and practical exercises. Lectures will develop students’ subject knowledge and understanding and will aim to build on previous learning.

Throughout the course, each module will encourage students to not only examine the knowledge and skills requirements for advanced and competent practice, it will also explore specific themes, based upon experiences in practice. In this way students will be able to integrate learning across the “theory and practice” divide and to emphasise the importance of the practice component. Where appropriate, learning on the course will be led and enhanced by the contributions of external professional staff with specialist expertise. This co-delivery of education will enable learners to benefit from both clinical and academic expertise to augment their learning and provides a symbiotic approach to professional development.

Clinical Area

Working in an Adult Critical Care areas is a compulsory component of the course to enable you to develop the necessary competencies required for the course. You will spend time in your clinical areas working with your dedicated Clinical supervisor who will guide and develop your skills and knowledge and assess you in practice alongside other competent critical care staff .

You will continue to work your standard shift patterns this will include unsociable hours including days, nights, weekends and bank holidays.

How you're assessed

Written assignment
Observations of practice - observations may be carried out by mentors, managers or peers depending on the level and context of the module
Multi Choice Questions (MCQ)
Clinical Competency assessed against the step 2/3 National Competencies for Adult Critical Care – via portfolio.
Observed structured clinical examination (OSCE)
Viva - an academic oral assessment which looks for an understanding of caring for the critically ill.

Entry requirements

UK students

Applicants will be registered nurses or healthcare professionals currently working in a Adult critical care healthcare environment (if any doubt exists as to whether the clinical area will meet the clinical competency requirements a discussion should be held with the course lead regarding the possibility of a clinical placement).

Applicants for the Professional certificate or BSc must have a level 5 qualification, applicants for the Post graduate certificate or MSc must have a level 6 qualification or evidence of the ability to study at Level 6
Applicants should have at least 1 years critical care experience
Applicants must be supported by the managers and have an appropriate clinical supervisor to assess their competencies.

Additional requirements for UK students

There are no additional requirements for this course.

International students

Unfortunately this course is not available for international students.

Additional requirements for international students

There are no additional requirements for this course.

Fees and funding

UK students

- see the fees for this course, as well as information about funding and support.

Fees for courses starting between September 2025 and March 2026.

ProfCert and PGCert - £2,700
BSc - £5,000
Postgraduate Diploma - £5,400
MSc - £8,100

Fees for courses starting between September 2026 and March 2027.

ProfCert and PGCert - £2,750
BSc - £5,100
Postgraduate Diploma - £5,530
MSc - £8,300

International students

- see the fees for this course, as well as payment advice and scholarships.

This course is not suitable for applicants who require a student visa.

However, we do accept qualifications from schools, colleges and universities all over the world for entry onto our Bachelors and Masters degrees. If you’re not sure how your international qualification matches our course requirements please see our information about international qualifications.

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are just a few additional things you may need to budget for:

Textbooks and library books

Your modules will point you to key textbooks and recommended reading. Many are available online, and in our libraries, but some students choose to buy their own copies. You’ll receive resource lists showing where to access eBooks, digital resources and physical copies. Our friendly Library team is always on hand to help you find what you need.

Printing and photocopying costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the printing and photocopying information on the Library website.

Campus and facilities

The purpose-built Health & Allied Professions (HAP) Centre is home to our world-class teaching, practice, research and scholarship in the Institute of Health and Allied Professions (IHAP).

Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep our students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your coursemates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!

You’re also right next to the bright lights of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. All through termtime, a dedicated on-campus bus service will get you to the heart of the action (and back) in under 25 minutes. You’ll find a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.

Applying

UK students

Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can.

Download and complete our application form and return it to SOC.cpd@ntu.ac.uk. Please make sure you have read through the above course entry requirements carefully before you do.

This course is not open to international students.

Keeping up to date

After you've applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder. You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU in our postgraduates’ guide.

Good luck with your application!

Please read our notes on the University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.

Apply now

International students

This course is not open to international students.

Application support

If you have any questions, just drop us a line – we’re here to help every step of the way. You can fill in our online form or give us a call on +44 (0)115 848 2999.