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Applied Cancer Practice - BSc [Top-up] / Module Level 6 / Module Level 7 / MSc / PgCert / PgDip

Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.

The Applied Cancer Practice Course is aimed at post qualification healthcare professionals working with people effected by cancer. It is designed to be aligned to the national ACCEND (Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development) framework to meet the educational needs of the modern cancer healthcare workforce. It is flexible, practice-led, responsive and aims to foster excellence....

  • Level Postgraduate Taught
  • Study mode Part Time
  • Award BSc [Top-up] / Module Level 6 / Module Level 7 / MSc / PgCert / PgDip
  • Start date September 2025, January 2026, April 2026
  • Fees View course fees

This course is:

Open to International Students

Overview

The Applied Cancer Practice Course is aimed at post qualification healthcare professionals working with people effected by cancer. It is designed to be aligned to the national ACCEND (Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development) framework to meet the educational needs of the modern cancer healthcare workforce. It is flexible, practice-led, responsive and aims to foster excellence.

The course will develop you as a knowledgeable, critical thinking, proactive, professional cancer practitioner who is fit to meet the changing demands of the cancer workforce.

What's covered in this course?

We recognise that training needs vary according to your role and previous training, so have developed a range of exit awards and specialist options so that you can find the qualification which best meets your needs – whether you want to complete a single module or a full pathway to achieve an undergraduate BSc award or postgraduate PG Cert/PG Dip/MSc award.  

The Applied Cancer Practice Course offers the following exit awards:

  • Module only Level 6/Module only Level 7
  • BSc Applied Cancer Practice (Cancer)
  • BSc Applied Cancer Practice (Haematological Cancer)
  • BSc Applied Cancer Practice (Cancer & Haematological cancer)
  • BSc Applied Cancer Practice (Acute Oncology)
  • BSc Applied Cancer Practice (Acute Oncology and Cancer)
  • BSc Applied Cancer Practice (Acute Oncology and Haematological Cancer
  • MSc/PGCert/PGDip Applied Cancer Practice (Cancer) 
  • MSc/PGCert/PGDip Applied Cancer Practice (Haematological Cancer)
  • MSc/PGCert/PGDip MSc Applied Cancer Practice (Cancer & Haematological Cancer)
  • MSc/PGCert/PGDip Applied Cancer Practice (Acute Oncology)
  • MSc/PGCert/PGDip Applied Cancer Practice (Cancer & Acute Oncology)
  • MSc/PGCert/PGDip Applied Cancer Practice (Haematological Cancer & Acute Oncology)
  • MSc/PGCert/PGDip Applied Cancer Practice (Cancer, Haematological Cancer & Acute Oncology)

For help in deciding which modules to study or your outcome award please contact the course team on appliedcancerpractice@bcu.ac.uk or our Professional Navigators on navigator@bcu.ac.uk  

Why Choose Us?

  • The range of module and award options mean that you can build the course to suit your needs – from a single module to a full MSc in a particular specialism.
  • The course is taught online, meaning you can fit it around other commitments.
  • Clinically focused content.
  • Support from staff to facilitate your development as a learner.

OPEN DAY

Join us for an Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.

Next Event: 28 June 2025

Book your place What to expect

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

To prevent duplication of study, a student who has previously completed a Level 6 pathway award cannot access the equivalent pathway award at Level 7.

BSc 

  • Students must have a relevant DIP HE or 240 credits of which at least 120 credits are at level 5 or equivalent. 

PGDip/PGCert/MSc 

  • A relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or a 60 credit Level 6 award in an appropriate subject area.
  • Applicants with evidence of successful completion of Level 6 study and experience in working with people affected by cancer will also be considered on an individual basis.

Module only

  • Students undertaking standalone modules may do so regardless of the number of previous credits they have obtained. However, for Level 7 standalone module study they must provide evidence of successful completion of Level 6 study.
  • A student who has completed the Level 6 version of an Applied Cancer Practice module (or similar module from a former programme or from another academic institution) within a preceding 5-year period cannot study the Level 7 version of that module.

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BSc [Top-up]

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • £860 per 20 credits
  • Year 1 - 60 credits

Fees for Part-time students

This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.

Award: BSc [Top-up]

Starting: Jan 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: BSc [Top-up]

Starting: Apr 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: Module Level 6

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Part Time
  • 1 Year
  • £860 per 20 credit module

Award: Module Level 6

Starting: Jan 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: Module Level 6

Starting: Apr 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: Module Level 7

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Part Time
  • 1 Year
  • £860 per 20 credit module

Award: Module Level 7

Starting: Jan 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: Module Level 7

Starting: Apr 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: MSc

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Part Time
  • 3 Years
  • £860 per 20 credit module

Award: MSc

Starting: Jan 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: MSc

Starting: Apr 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: PgCert

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Part Time
  • 1 Year
  • £860 per 20 credit module

Award: PgCert

Starting: Jan 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: PgCert

Starting: Apr 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: PgDip

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Part Time
  • 2 Years
  • £860 per 20 credit module

Award: PgDip

Starting: Jan 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: PgDip

Starting: Apr 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BSc [Top-up]

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Part Time
  • 2 Years
  • TBC

Award: BSc [Top-up]

Starting: Jan 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: BSc [Top-up]

Starting: Apr 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: Module Level 6

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Part Time
  • 1 Year
  • TBC

Award: Module Level 6

Starting: Jan 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: Module Level 6

Starting: Apr 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: Module Level 7

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Part Time
  • 1 Year
  • TBC

Award: Module Level 7

Starting: Jan 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: Module Level 7

Starting: Apr 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: MSc

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Part Time
  • 3 Years
  • TBC

Award: MSc

Starting: Jan 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: MSc

Starting: Apr 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: PgCert

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Part Time
  • 1 Year
  • TBC

Award: PgCert

Starting: Jan 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: PgCert

Starting: Apr 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: PgDip

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Part Time
  • 2 Years
  • TBC

Award: PgDip

Starting: Jan 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Award: PgDip

Starting: Apr 2026

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Access to computer equipment 

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms. 

Printing 

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment. 

Field trips 

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees. 

Access to Microsoft Office 365 

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation. 

Key software 

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research. 

Excess printing (optional) 

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet. 

Personal stationery and study materials (optional) 

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. 

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.


Application deadlines

We advise you to apply early to allow sufficient time for you to prepare to start your studies in September. Please apply by Friday 18 July to allow time to arrange accommodation, student finance and visas where required.

Late applications will be accepted where places are still available, but please note that Welcome Week begins on Monday 15 September 2025, and teaching begins on Monday 22 September 2025. International students are invited to arrive from Monday 8 September 2025.

To find out more, see our application timeline.

Personal statement

You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.

If you are applying for a stand alone module, please include the title of the module you want to study in your Personal Statement.

Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.

Course in Depth

Module

BSc Top up/PGCert

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 60 credits): 

PGDip

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules totalling) 120 credits: 

MSc

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules totalling 180 credits: 

This course focuses on the relationship between theory and practice, highlighting the importance of the links between relevant, contemporary evidence-based theory and practice in the delivery of high quality healthcare.

We use a range of teaching and learning approaches, including asynchronous and synchronous learning, lectures, simulation, case studies, group work, discussions, quizzes and workshops.

Employability

Facilities & Staff

 

Our Facilities

Our Nursing and Midwifery courses are based at our City South campus in leafy Edgbaston.

We’ve spent £41million expanding our facilities at City South. These facilities offer hands-on practical experience, replicating the spaces you will come across in professional practice.

In a sector where new techniques are constantly being discovered, we work hard to ensure that you learn using the most up-to-date equipment available. Alongside physical spaces such as a mock operating theatre and wards, we also make use of online and virtual technology, such as our virtual ward and virtual case creator.

See more of our skills facilities at City South

Centre for Skills and Simulation

The Centre for Skills and Simulation offers a range of different spaces which replicate situations that you will encounter in practice. These include hospital wards, an operating theatre and a home environment room.

Our mock wards enable you to get a feel of what a ward is really like before you head out for your first placement. The hospital wards can be adapted from low care to high dependency care environment with the necessary monitoring equipment.

The home environment room is the perfect space for teaching communications skills and allows us to simulate a community setting for our students. It is particularly useful for mental health nurses, learning disability nurses and midwives.

Simulation Manikins

We have several Simulation men (SIM men) and simulation babies (SIM babies) which are anatomically correct manikins used for teaching specific techniques such as advanced adult and paediatric life support skills, acute and high dependency clinical skills, first aid and communication skills. The manikins contain software which replicates real symptoms, and can manipulate indicators such as blood pressure, pulse and heart rate for extra realism. SIM man can even ‘talk’ to the students as they are treating him, to add another dimension to learning.

Computer Facilities

The Seacole building has two open-access IT Suites which offer PCs, printers, photocopiers and scanners. There is also an IT Helpdesk for quick and easy help with your computing or internet issues.

Our PCs utilise the latest Intel i5 core technology, all with:

  • Fast (unrestricted) internet connectivity
  • Ability to save files to USB, DVD & CD
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Research and statistical software
  • Storage space which can be accessed from any PC across the University and from home

Our PCs are also designed to support students who may have difficulties with reading and writing, featuring specialised software with zooming/magnification and screen reading capabilities, which may also be customised for individual student needs.

In addition to desktop PCs, we also offer a laptop loan facility, allowing students to borrow a laptop for up to six hours while on campus.

Our staff

Emma Filby

Senior Lecturer, Applied Cancer Practice Course Lead

Emma is a Registered Adult Nurse with 20 years experience working within haematology and oncology. During her time in practice, she gained experience in systemic anti-cancer treatment, later assuming the role of Lead SACT Nurse. Emma has also led and managed a SACT day unit alongside what was a newly established Acute Oncology Service.

More about Emma

Alison Simons

Senior Lecturer of Nursing & Midwifery

Alison was a cancer nurse for 18 years looking after patients with a variety of cancer and receiving a variety of treatments. She was the junior sister of a mixed oncology ward within a large teaching hospital. Alison then went on to become a professional development sister responsible for the educational needs of 200 oncology and haematology...

More about Alison