Critical Care Practice - PgCert
This course offers an exciting opportunity for nurses working in a critical care environment to achieve a nationally recognised transferable Award in Critical Care Practice at academic Level 7 and aligns with the National Standards for Critical Care Education and Competency Framework (CC3N, 2023).
Month of entry
- September
Mode of study
- Part time
Fees for 2026/27 academic year
-
UK - Part time £4,400 per year
Duration of study
- 1 year
This course is no longer accepting applications from international students for the 2025/26 academic year.
Why study Critical Care Practice at Keele University?
Course summary
The aim of the Critical Care course is to develop a systematic understanding of knowledge and critical awareness of current problems and new insights in your area of specialist practice. In addition, you will develop analytical skills in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of critical care practice for patients and their families.
You will be provided with the appropriate underpinning knowledge and understanding to inform your practice to align with 'Step 2 & 3' of the National Competency Framework for Adult Critical Care Nurses (CC3N, 2015) which will enable you to demonstrate competent performance in all the course content activities. CC3N have for many years been driving work to underpin critical care nurse education. It recognised that to be able to deliver high quality care to patients, staff need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills that allow them to perform at the highest level and this should be standardised across all critical care units. This programme aligns to those standards.
On successful completion of the PG Certificate (60 credits) you will have achieved the Critical Care Qualification in Specialism.
Course structure
This course is delivered on a modular basis, normally completed within 1 year. The course comprises three modules totalling 60 Credits; 45 of these credits are at Level 7 (Masters level) and 15 credits are at Level 6 (Degree level).
The first two modules run concurrently: 'Critical Care Practice' and 'Clinical Practice', concluding with 'Research Application in Clinical Practice'. 'Clinical Practice' is a work-based learning module where you will undertake the critical care competencies within the clinical area under supervision of a Clinical Assessor.
Modules
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Year 1 Modules
Critical Care Practice
This is an opportunity for you to achieve a nationally recognised transferable Award in Critical Care Nursing; at academic level 7 (National Standards for Adult Nurse Critical Care Education). It provides you with the appropriate knowledge and understanding to inform your practice in alignment with Step 2 and 3 of the National Competency Framework for Adult Critical Care Nurses (2015). Enabling the practitioner to demonstrate competent performance in all the activities specified without direct supervision based upon relevant evidence-based knowledge, intuition and established practice.
Clinical Practice
It aims to create and provide learning that is responsive, flexible and relevant to current social and health care needs in a wide variety of clinical care settings. The module is delivered utilising a work based learning approach, and requires you to achieve clinical competencies, including the development of some competencies which reflect your individual learning needs. This will enable you to consolidate and further progress your knowledge and skills within your chosen pathway and encourage you to be evidence based when caring for individuals/ service users.
Research Application in Clinical Practice, Level 7
This module will allow you to understand the importance of best evidence in contemporary nursing and healthcare practice, and the ability to locate, evaluate, and use best evidence in developing aspects of the healthcare you deliver. The module also provides you with the ability to critically reflect upon clinical effectiveness while demonstrating creativity, reasoning, and evaluative reflection. It combines a mixture of lecture presentations, small group tutorials, personal reading, and personal reflective exercises to increase your research-mindedness and confidence in your skills to improve clinical practice.
Entry requirements
The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.
Academic entry requirements
Normally hold a professional registration with an appropriate body and with a minimum of 12 months current clinical experience in an appropriate Critical Care location. The applicant will have typically completed Step 1 Competencies for Adult Critical Care.
Evidence of Level 6 study or recognition of experiential learning.
English Language Entry Requirement for International Students
This programme is available to international students working in the UK. As an international student, you should have appropriate professional registration and meet the following NMC IELTS criteria.
English language requirements
All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from .
References
Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.
Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose
Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.
RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.
General information
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application. For international students, find out how we work with approved agents as part of our admissions process.
Social life, societies and sports
Find out moreAccommodation
Find out moreLocal area and travel
Find out moreBoost your employability
Find out more
Postgraduate funding and scholarships
Fees
Charged on a modular basis (1 year) and prices can be found here.
Funding
Whether you're continuing from undergraduate study or returning to education, our dedicated financial support team is here to help.
Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2026 start date falls in the 2025/26 academic year. Please see the tuition fees archive for the 2025/26 fees.
Planning your funding
It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our financial support team.
Scholarships
We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our bursaries and scholarships webpage for more information.
For continuing students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
Additional costs
Teaching, learning and assessment
In your programme you will sometimes be expected to role play and engage in simulated clinical scenarios with other students, such as the practice and observation of practical skills in physical contact with other students. For some specific practices, this may necessitate modification of dress - e.g., to shorts and t-shirt. These activities will be conducted in a professional, safe, respectful and culturally sensitive way, under the supervision of academic staff, according to a defined protocol.
Assessment
Each module on the programme is formally assessed. A range of assessment techniques [summative and formative] will be used in the programme including essays, poster presentations, online practical sheets and simulated clinical scenarios. Each method of assessment is supported by clear criteria for marking. The pass mark for the Level 7 modules is 50% for all elements of assessment and the pass mark for the Level 6 module is 40%.
