Professional Practice

The Professional Practice Framework allows healthcare professionals to choose their own path, by cherry picking the core modules, area of specialisation and optional modules that suit their needs and areas of interest.

The type of award you receive upon graduating depends on both your existing qualifications, and the combination of modules and pathways that you choose to study.

The qualifications available are:

  • Module only Professional Practice Level 6
  • Module only Professional Practice Level 7
  • BSc Professional Practice
  • BSc (Hons) Professional Practice 
  • Grad Cert Professional Practice 
  • PG Cert Professional Practice
  • PG Dip Professional Practice
  • MSc Professional Practice

Students can select a whole pathway or a stand alone module to achieve a qualification in their area of study. The type of qualification achieved depends on the person's entry qualification.

Clinical pathways can also be used as individual modules towards other awards –the "How does it work" tab illustrates all of this in greater detail.

Clinical pathways

Professional Practice Programme Route Names
(BSc, BSc (Hons), Graduate Certificate, Post Graduate Certificate, Post Graduate Diploma, MSc
Module/Pathway Leader
Acute Care

Claire Perkins

Cancer Care / Haemato-oncology / Cancer and Haemato-oncology

Alison Simons

Cardiac Care

Simon Dobbs

Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Mental Health

Paul Millwood

Healthcare

Alison Simons

Neonatal Critical Care

Laura Maguire

Nursing

Jane Leaver

Tissue Viability

Joanna Swan

Sorry, no courses were found for this programme.

Optional Modules - Level 6 and 7

Acute Cardiac Conditions
Adolescence and Mental Health
Adult Critical Care Transfer
A:EQUIP - Advocating for Education and Quality Improvement in Practice (Level 7)
Analysing the High Dependency Care (Level 1 and 2 Critical Care) of Children and Young People
Applied Leadership, Change Management and Innovation Theory
Becoming the Effective Reflective Practitioner (Level 7)
Care of a Patient Receiving a Stem Cell Transplant
Childhood and Mental Health
Community Practice Teaching: Education and Practice
Debridement and Advanced Wound Care
Developing Surgical First Assistance
ECG Interpretation and Arrhythmia Management
Enhancing Current Practice And Care In Haemato-Oncology
Enhancing Current Practice in Cancer Care
Essential Academic Skills for Degree or Masters Level Study
Fundamental Principles Of Cancer Biology
Health Assessment (Level 6)
The Individualised Care of Multiple Birth Families from Conception to 1 Year
Introduction to Palliative and End of Life Care
Leadership Skills and Project Management for Health and Healthcare (Level 7)
Long Term Cardiac Conditions
Management of Acute Deterioration
Negotiated study
Pressure Ulcers: Prevention and Treatment
Prevention, Recognition and Management of Sepsis
Principles of Anaesthetic Care
Principles of Infection Prevention & Control
Profiling Experiential Learning
Quality Improvement in Healthcare
Recognition, Assessment and Physiological Interpretation of Deterioration (RAPID)
Research: Methods of Enquiry (Level 7)
Systemic Anti Cancer Drug Therapy (Chemotherapy): Principles, Practice And Care
Understanding and Managing Behaviours of Self, Teams and Organisations (Level 7)  
Using Research Evidence in Practice (Level 6)
Wound Care Theory and Practice
Wounds Affecting the Lower Leg
Young Adulthood and Mental Health

How it works

You can choose to study this programme as a complete pathway award or as a standalone module. 

Degree (Level 6)

Pathway Level
Level 6 - Year 1
Modules completed 
Core Module 
Core Module
Core or Optional Module
Exit Awards
Grad Cert/BSc Professional Practice 

Level 6 - Year 2 (BSc (Hons only)
Using Research Evidence in Practice
Negotiated Study
Optional Module
BSc (Hons) Professional Practice 

Postgraduate (Level 7)

Pathway Level
Level 7 - Year 1
Modules completed 
Core Module
Core Module
Core or Optional Module
Exit Awards
PG Cert Professional Practice

Level 7 - Year 2
Research: Methods of Enquiry
Leadership for Health and Social Care
Optional Module
PG Dip Professional Practice 

Level 7 - Year 3
Research Dissertation
MSc Professional Practice 
How do I choose my modules for professional practice?

Please follow the step-by-step process on the 'How it Works' tab to find and select the modules and pathways that suit you. We have also produced PDF downloads that will help you decide how many modules to select.

Alternatively, our Professional Navigator is on hand to offer guidance and will help you to choose which modules are best for you, taking into account your aims, professional or clinical experience, KSF requirements and your academic achievements. Use our enquiries tab to contact her.

How will I be taught?

Teaching is based around a combination of:

  • Classroom sessions
  • Student-centred learning
  • E-technology
  • Self-directed study.
How will I be assessed?

Assessment is varied and depends on the modules you choose. The CPD team will be able to advise you.

How many credits is each module worth?

All modules are at Level 6 (degree level) or Level 7 (postgraduate).

A single module is worth 20 credits.

I've studied before, does this count?

If you've already studied in the past, you may be able to use the credits you gained towards a course here.

Universities offering Continuing Professional Development education have a system in place to enable health and social care professionals to accumulate credit towards degree qualifications. This system is called The Credit Accumulation and Transfer Systems (CATS).

You may even find that educational and training programmes offered in-house; through the NHS; or by other training organisations, can also be accredited within the Faculty's CATS system. Similarly, experiential learning, when assessed through portfolios, can lead to the award of CATS points.

Our Professional Navigator, Nicola Clarke, will be able tell you whether you are eligible for CATS. Use our enquiries tab to contact Nicola.

What support is available?

Students will be introduced to the Programme Director, module leaders and Professional Navigator where appropriate, who can support students in selecting an appropriate package of education.

A team of staff based at the Academic Development Department is also on hand to offer personal and professional support while you study. They can help you gain accreditation for prior learning or even develop a personal plan to help ensure you achieve your aims.

As a student at Birmingham City University, you will also be able to access help and guidance from Student Services (ASK).

Our Professional Navigator, Nicola Clarke, is on hand to offer guidance and will help you to choose which modules are best for you, taking into account your aims, professional or clinical experience, KSF requirements and your academic achievements.

Call Nicola on +44 (0)121 331 6162.