CPD | Nursing
BSc (Hons) / Graduate Diploma / Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Practice
LEVEL OF STUDY - 3/6 - degree 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 |
| Fee | No Fee |
| Start date | 16 Sep 2024 |
The programme is two year 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
- Cancer Care - Oncology
- Cardiology Nursing (not running in academic year 24/25)
- Dermatology (not running in academic year 24/25)
- Nursing Care for Older People (not running in academic year 24/25)
- Respiratory Nursing
- Tissue Viability (not running in academic year 24/25)
Fee
| Commissioned by Health Trust | No Fee |
This programme is only available through commissioned activity with the Department of Health in Northern Ireland. Applications need to be made through employers. | |
Entry Requirements
Candidates must hold a current and recognised professional qualification in nursing and have a minimum of one year’s 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 degree level 3/6 and post-graduate level 7 study. Both options consist 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 at least a Diploma in Higher Education or 120 CAT points at level 2 (diploma level) for entry to Level 3/6 (degree level) study.
Candidates who already hold a degree in nursing or other relevant subject can opt to undertake this programme at either Graduate Diploma (degree level study) or Post Graduate Diploma (Masters level study). This decision should be taken in consultation with the Programme Co-Ordinator as part of the application process.
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.
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.