Advancing Practice

Overview

The School of Health Sciences aims to provide quality education for both the current and future healthcare workforce thereby improving the experience for people and their families who may now, and in the future, require help from Allied Health Professionals (AHPs).



We provide programmes of study and research opportunities by a diversity of means. This course offers Continual Professional Development (CPD) for AHPs and Clinical Physiologists.



The School’s innovative and highly reputable CPD provision responds to the needs of all stages of the UK and Ireland’s AHP career frameworks. Our postgraduate programme enables AHPs to focus on their chosen specialism (diagnostic radiography, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry, speech and language therapy, therapeutic radiography, dietetics and the course also caters for clinical physiology).



The content of the course is directly relevant to AHPs working in an ever-developing workforce. The material is produced and delivered by teaching staff, national and international experts in the subject areas.



The masters programme has been produced with clearly identified, efficient, processes for applicants to engage with short courses, and to facilitate students to move on to award programmes, using flexible but clear module opportunities to build up to the Postgraduate Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma/Masters awards.



Please note this is a Winter graduation programme. Whilst you may be awarded in June the graduation ceremony will normally be the Winter ceremony.



Work placement / study abroad

You must be practicing in your Professional area at the time of study.



Compulsory modules and course:

MSc

Project (60 points)



Postgraduate Diploma

Additional 60 credit points



To exit with Diploma:

One compulsory module (15 points each) - research evidence for health science



If progressing on to MSc level:

Must also take research project preparation (15 points) in addition to those above



Postgraduate Certificate

Free selection of modules from course list up to 60 credit points.

Year one

Research Project Preparation

Research Evidence in Health Science

Research Project



To view the Optional modules go to "Course Web Page" above.

Applicants must:

(a) have gained

(i) an Honours or non-Honours degree from a University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland or from a recognized national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or

(ii) an equivalent standard in a Postgraduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate or an approved alternative qualification; and

(iii) where applicable be eligible for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and

(iv) normally, currently in relevant employment or have access to the appropriate patient/client group, as approved by the course committee.



(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE

grade C or equivalent) and for non-native English speakers, IELTS 7.0 (with no contributing band at less than 6.5) or, as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) and/or (b)



(c) in exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.



• For English language requirements go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/english-language-requirements



• For Your country go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/country



Exemptions and transferability

Previous experiential learning or certificated learning may be eligible for exemption of modules/credit points within the Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and Master's. Advice should be sought from the course director.

Your Application

You can apply directly to Ulster at any time of year. We advise that you submit your application no later than two weeks prior to your course start date. This is to ensure there is sufficient time for your application to be reviewed and, should you be made an offer, time for you to complete all the necessary pre-enrolment tasks.



Some programmes will have specific deadlines as additional selection (e.g. interview, portfolio submission etc) is required, so please check the course page to ensure you have sufficient time to complete your application.

Start Date: September 2026 & January 2027.

Careers and Opportunities

Participation in the postgraduate framework may enhance the opportunities for AHPs within the health service and beyond. The development of the programme was as a direct consequence of the need for profession-specific and interdisciplinary modules to facilitate AHPs in their career progression. Participation in the postgraduate activity will provide the development opportunity for AHPs to progress to doctoral level activity.