CPD | Nursing
Specialist Practice
LEVEL OF STUDY - Level 7 - postgraduate level
This programme aims to enable nurses not only to attain the competency and expertise to provide care as specialist practitioners, but also, by virtue of their participation in more advanced professional and academic study, to develop their capabilities as leaders, innovators and clinical supervisors.
| Duration | 2 years |
| Delivery | Blended |
| Fees from | No Fee |
| Start date | To be confirmed |
The programme is two years part-time, with students normally completing 3 academic modules each year. The clinical module has a two year duration and incorporates evidence of proficiency in specialist practice through the completion of 75 days of practice and recorded and evidenced in the Northern Ireland Practice Assessment Document (ePAD).
Programme Pathways
The following specialist practice pathways, some of which may contain optional modules, are offered:
- Anaesthetic Nursing (not running in academic year 25/26)
- Cancer Care - Oncology
- Cardiology Nursing (not running in academic year 25/26)
- Dermatology (not running in academic year 25/26)
- Nursing Care for Older People
- Respiratory Nursing (not running in academic year 25/26)
- Tissue Viability (not running in academic year 25/26)
Fees
| Commissioned by Health Trust | No Fee |
| Self Funding / Fee Paying - 2025/26 | £4,868 |
Tuition fees and other charges are set by the University and are subject to change. | |
Entry Requirements
Candidates must hold a current and recognised professional qualification in nursing and have a minimum of one year’s current post registration experience specific to the area of specialist practice prior to the commencement of the programme. See Selection Criteria for full requirements.
The Programme
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Course Content
The specialist practice programme is 50% theory and 50% practice available at level 7 study. It consists of 6 modules (3 core and 3 specialist specific) completed in two years underpinned by a two-year clinical module.
Practice Placements
The student must be scheduled to work a minimum of 75 days practice in the appropriate area supervised by a practice supervisor/practice assessor. In the event of students working in developing specialist units, it may be necessary for them to have placements out with their Trust, in order to enable achievement of the learning outcomes. The duration of such external placements will be dependent upon the clinical experience currently available and that which they have already attained in their employing Trust.
Practice Supervisor/Practice Assessor
The student must have identified and agreed a Practice Supervisor/Practice Assessor prior to commencing the programme, who will be required to undertake a half-day study course in preparation for the role. The Practice Supervisor/Practice Assessor will be selected by the Practice Educator within the Trust, following discussions with their nurse manager and the link lecturer or course director.
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Selection Criteria
Applicants must hold a 1st or 2nd class degree to undertake the programme at postgraduate level - MSc - Level 7. Also one year’s experience in the relevant area of practice before commencing the programme.
Applicants who do not meet the entry requirements should contact the School for advice.
International Trained Nurses/Midwives: If you hold an international qualification you will need to provide a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability. This should be obtained prior to submitting your application. You can apply for a statement through the ENIC website: Statement of Comparability (enic.org.uk)
Please note that these courses are not open to international applicants living outside the UK/ROI.
IMPORTANT: Those seeking a programme place must ensure they have written agreement with relevant employer/placement providers to enable them to attain the required 75 practice days with relevant Practice Assessor and Practice Supervision arrangements in place.
How to apply
Applications for Academic Year 24/25 are now closed.
We will advertise again in June 2025 for September 2025 entry.
For any queries, please email cpadsnam@qub.ac.uk
Please note that our CPAD programmes are not open to international applicants living outside the UK/ROI.