Advanced Professional Practice

This taught Masters programme nurtures talented and innovative nurses, midwives and other professional practitioners, placing practice at the forefront. The programme is delivered through 15 specialist pathways, enabling students from different professional backgrounds to review and update their practice and benefit from shared learning and then contribute to improving the quality and effectiveness of health and social care provision globally.



This programme produces exceptional practitioners who have:

• Skills necessary to promote and enhance innovative and emerging practice

• Intellectual and transferable skills necessary in positions of leadership

• Skills enabling the review and application of contemporary evidence to practice



The programme and pathways will appeal to practitioners working in a wide range of practice areas who are committed to their own personal and professional development. Graduates of this programme move into senior practice roles, management and leadership positions, or progress onto a career in research or education.



The specialist pathways are:



MSc (Critical and Acute Care)

MSc (Cancer Care)

MSc (Leadership and Management)

MSc (Mental Health Care)

MSc (Older People's Care)

MSc (Midwifery Care)

MSc (Children & Young People's Care)

MSc (Intellectual Disabilities)

MSc (Practice Education)

MSc (Applied Research)

MSc (Cardiology)

MSc (Population Health)

MSc (Respiratory Care)

MSc (Women's Health)

MSc (Maternal and Family Health)



Admission to a specialist pathway may require applicants to have current or recent practice experience in the related area. The Programme Co-ordinator will provide individual advice on module choices at enrolment.



The programme is offered on a full-time or part time basis and combines face-to-face teaching with online delivery.



Please note: Completion of this course does not qualify graduates for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).



The Master of Science in Advanced Healthcare Practice consists of two discrete Stages, 1 & 2, that comprise taught modules and a dissertation. Students must successfully take and pass six taught modules (120 CATS points – stage 1), including: one compulsory research module (NUR7002 or NUR7010); two pathway specific modules and three optional modules that may be selected from those available across the specialist pathways or the wider general options modules and a dissertation (60 CATS points–stage 2).



Alternatively, students may opt for the Master of Science in Advanced Healthcare Practice with one of the 14 specialist pathways, please see pathway specific programme specifications. This option consists of two discreet stages,1 & 2 that comprises taught modules and a dissertation (120 CATS points – stage 1), including one compulsory research module (HSN7076, NUR7002 or NUR7010); and five optional modules that may be selected from those available across the specialist pathways or the wider general options modules (see list of modules) and complete a dissertation (60 CATS points – Stage 2).



Please note: - The MSc in Advanced Healthcare Practice is open to Registered Nurses, Registered Midwives, Allied Health Professionals, paramedics and other professions from a range of backgrounds.

• * Some modules may have restrictions and students must hold the relevant professional registration or be working in the practice area.

Advanced Healthcare Practice Specialist Pathways:

Students may complete a broad-based award or choose one of 14 specialist pathways. Each pathway enables students to develop advanced knowledge, critical thinking and applied skills in an area of professional interest, while engaging with contemporary evidence, interprofessional practice and global health and social care challenges. Some pathways may require current or recent practice experience in a relevant area.



Pathway 01: Leadership and Management

This pathway is designed for practitioners who wish to develop their leadership capability and contribute to service improvement, workforce development and positive organisational culture. It is relevant to those in formal leadership roles, as well as practitioners who lead teams, projects, change initiatives or improvements in care delivery.



Pathway 02: Midwifery Care

This care pathway, open to Registered Midwives or those eligible for registration as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, offers students the opportunity to develop their knowledge, critical thinking and skills in the contemporary advances and developments in midwifery care and support. The pathway develops the knowledge of midwives to enable the provision of infant, women, and birthing people centred care, and the support of their families. The pathway modules focus on advances and developments in midwifery practice and the provision of evidence based, safe, effective care within maternity services and in the context of inter-disciplinary team collaboration.



Pathway 03: Critical and Acute Care

This pathway is designed for practitioners working in or aspiring to work in acute, high-dependency, emergency or critical care environments. It supports development in assessment, clinical reasoning, management of deterioration, patient safety, communication and collaborative decision-making in complex and fast-paced care settings..



Pathway 04: Mental Health Care

This pathway supports practitioners to develop advanced understanding of mental health, wellbeing, recovery and trauma-informed care. It is relevant to those working in specialist mental health services and to practitioners in wider health and social care settings who regularly support people experiencing psychological distress.



Pathway 05: Cancer Care

This pathway supports practitioners to develop advanced understanding of cancer care across the patient journey, including diagnosis, treatment, supportive care, survivorship and palliative approaches. It is relevant to those working with people affected by cancer across hospital, community, specialist and integrated care settings.



Pathway 06: Older People's Care

This pathway enables practitioners to develop advanced knowledge in the care of older adults, including frailty, ageing, dementia, rehabilitation, multimorbidity and long-term conditions. It is relevant to those working across acute, community, primary care, intermediate care, care home and specialist older people’s services.



Pathway 07: Intellectual Disabilities

This pathway supports practitioners to develop knowledge and confidence in caring for people with intellectual disabilities, also referred to in some countries as learning disabilities. It considers health inequalities, complex needs, communication, rights-based care, person-centred support and the role of practitioners across health, social care and independent sector settings.



Pathway 08: Children & Young People's Care

This pathway supports practitioners to develop advanced knowledge and critical understanding of care for infants, children, young people and families. It considers contemporary issues in child health, family-centred care, early recognition of deterioration, safeguarding, communication and interprofessional working across a range of care settings.



Pathway 09: Practice Education

This pathway supports practitioners who have formal or informal responsibilities for education, supervision, assessment or workforce development. It enables students to strengthen their understanding of teaching, learning, assessment, simulation, clinical supervision and the facilitation of high-quality learning in practice settings.



Pathway 10: Applied Research

This pathway is designed for practitioners who wish to develop their confidence and capability in using research to inform practice, evaluate services and support evidence-based improvement. It is particularly relevant to those interested in research delivery, quality improvement, implementation, audit, evaluation or future doctoral study.



Pathway 11: Cardiology

This pathway enables practitioners to strengthen their knowledge of cardiovascular care, including acute and long-term cardiac conditions, assessment, management, rehabilitation and service improvement. It is suited to those working in cardiology, coronary care, cardiac rehabilitation, community cardiac services or related areas of practice.



Pathway 12: Population Health

This pathway is designed for practitioners interested in improving health outcomes at population, community and system level. It explores public health, prevention, health promotion, health inequalities, global health, sustainability and the wider social, political, economic and environmental determinants of health.



Pathway 13: Respiratory Care

This pathway enables practitioners to develop specialist understanding of acute and chronic respiratory conditions across hospital, community and primary care settings. It is relevant to those involved in respiratory assessment, long-term condition management, rehabilitation, symptom management, self-management support and service improvement.



Pathway 14: Women's Health

This pathway supports practitioners to develop advanced understanding of women’s health across the lifespan, including reproductive, sexual, gynaecological, maternal, menopausal and psychosocial aspects of care. It is relevant to nurses, midwives and other practitioners working across acute, community, primary care and specialist services.



Pathway 15: Maternal and Family Health

This pathway supports practitioners to develop advanced knowledge of maternal and family health across the continuum of preconception, pregnancy, childbirth, the postnatal period and early parenthood. It explores evidence-based, woman-centred and family-focused care, considering contemporary maternity services, public health, complex pregnancy, perinatal mental health, newborn care and multidisciplinary working across hospital, community and primary care settings.



Research Modules and Dissertation

All students must undertake at least one of these modules:



Applied Research Methods and Statistics in Nursing;

OR

Qualitative Research Methods



All students must complete a dissertation. This enables students to demonstrate Master’s-level critical appraisal, analytical thinking and synthesis of evidence, while developing a coherent argument that is relevant to professional practice.



Specialist Optional Modules

Students will combine modules from their chosen specialist pathway with a broader selection of modules that support advanced professional development. These modules may address themes such as research, evidence-based practice, implementation, leadership, health assessment, interprofessional working, education, public health, service improvement and person-centred care. This flexible structure enables students to tailor their learning to their professional background, career aspirations and area of practice.



Please note that modules are subject to viable numbers and availability, and the range of modules offered may vary. Applicants or students with a specific area of interest are encouraged to contact the School for advice.

Graduate

Applicants must have a professional qualification in Nursing, Midwifery or Allied Health and Social Care Services. They shall normally hold a relevant 2.2 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.



Applicants with a 3rd Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) plus level 7 Post Graduate study will be considered on a case-by-case basis.



Students can elect to join a pathway or remain on the general Master’s programme. Admission to a specialist pathway often requires students to be working or have experience in a related area and may be dependent on viable numbers. Further details on the pathways and any professional prerequisites are available under Course Content on the course webpage here Advanced Professional Practice (MSc) | Courses | Queen's University Belfast (qub.ac.uk)



Applicants who do not meet the entry requirements should contact the Programme Co-ordinator for advice.

*CLOSING DATE FOR JANUARY 2027 INTAKE IS 20th NOVEMBER 2026 at 12pm*



MSc Advanced Healthcare Practice is not open to international applicants. Eligible international applicants should instead apply for MSc Global Advanced Professional Practice.

1 year (Full Time), 3 years (Part Time)

Entry year Academic Year 2026/27

Career Prospects

Introduction

This Masters in Advanced Healthcare Practice offers an opportunity for students to develop skills of analytical thinking within a clinical context. Alongside this, the programme facilitates the student's continued professional development. Graduates of this programme progress into management and leadership roles, or continue into a research or education capacity.



Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Future Ready Awards bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with our local world-class healthcare providers helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.



Prizes and Awards

Applicants are welcome to apply for the Patricia Napier Scholarship. Details on this and other scholarships can be found here: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofNursingandMidwifery/Study/Scholarships/



Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.