The contemporary well-established:

• MSc Advanced Paramedic Practice (Emergency and Critical Care)

provides advanced paramedic knowledge and skills and academic rigour combined with real-world flexibility. You can choose to undertake this specialist named pathway depending on your practice and interests. You can select which modules to study, when to study them and how fast to progress. The result is a qualification that reflects your professional identity, and career aspirations.

This programme is also available as:

• PgDip Advanced Paramedic Practice (Emergency & Critical Care) 
• PgCert Advanced Paramedic Practice (Emergency & Critical Care) 

Take your clinical practice to the next level — on your own terms, at your own pace.

Before applying it is recommended to contact the Interim Programme Lead to discuss a programme of study for each academic year.

Book an appointment with Karen Beeton

Flexible Study:

• Part-time, modular study   
• Defined pathways relevant to your practice   
• Up to 6 yrs to complete MSc Advanced Paramedic Practice Emergency & Critical Care) (180 credits)
• Up to 4 yrs to complete Pg Diploma Advanced Paramedic Practice ( Emergency & Critical Care) (120 credits)
• Up to 2 yrs to complete Pg Cert Advanced Paramedic Practice (Emergency & Critical Care) (60 credits)  

Why this programme?

If you are an early-career paramedic looking to build a strong specialist foundation in emergency and critical care, or an NHS professional working towards Advanced Practice — this programme is built around you.

What our graduates go on to do:

• Specialist Paramedics
• Advanced Paramedic Practitioners (APP)
• Team Managers & Practice Educators
• Lecturers & Researchers in higher education & clinical practice

What our students say:

All staff I have encountered on the Advanced Paramedic Practice MSc have been fantastic at teaching and enthusiastic

My paramedic supervisor is exceptionally good at supporting me

The lecturers are all extremely knowledgeable and excellent at teaching the subjects because they know it so well

I loved being a student on this course

The MSc Advanced Paramedic Practice programme received 100% overall student satisfaction in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024-25 

Is this Programme right for you?

The programmes of study are for you if you are:

• A qualified paramedic registered with the HCPC
• Passionate about advancing your clinical skills
• Motivated to develop and challenge your practice
• Usually working in a clinical role
• Able to demonstrate relevant post-qualification experience
• Committed to continuing professional development (CPD)
• Keen to develop your career across the other three pillars of practice, leadership, education and research

Not sure yet?

You can start by applying for a single module as an individual study student — no commitment to a full programme required. This gives you a real taste of level 7 study before you decide.

If English is not your first language, you will normally need IELTS 7.0 overall (with at least 7.0 in writing and no less than 6.5 in any other band). A full-time option is not available in 2026-27.

Choose Your Award Level:

The programme offers three exit points for the generic award and both the named pathway. You can start with a Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) and progress to a Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits), and onto an MSc (180 credits) carrying forward credits already earned.

MSc Advanced Paramedic Practice (Emergency & Critical Care) • 180 credits • Up to 6 years
This programme combines discipline-specific paramedic modules, research modules and inter-professional options into a fully bespoke Master's degree.
This award must include at least 30 credits of discipline-specific paramedic modules and 60 credits of research.

This module is compulsory to obtain this named pathway: Management of the Critically Ill or Injured Patient 7HSK2219 (30 credits).

Plus

Research Methods in Health & Social Care (7HSK2211); Preparation for Research in Health and Social Care (7HSK2210); Research Project in Health & Social Care (7HSK2209). 

PgDip Advanced Paramedic Practice (Emergency & Critical Care) •120 credits • Up to 4 years
Ideal if a full research project is not your immediate goal.

You must include at least 30 credits of discipline-specific paramedic modules.

This module is compulsory to obtain this named pathway: Management of the Critically Ill or Injured Patient 7HSK2219 (30 credits) plus the Research Methods in Health & Social Care module (7HSK2211).

PgCert Advanced Paramedic Practice (Emergency & Critical Care) • 60 credits • Up to 2 years
A focused, achievable first step. An appropriate entry point if you are new to postgraduate study and when you have achieved this award you can continue your studies or step off at that point.

You must include at least 30 credits of discipline-specific paramedic modules.

This module is compulsory to obtain this named pathway: Management of the Critically Ill or Injured Patient 7HSK2219 (30 credits).

What Will You Study?

The programme is made up of three component types. You build your own study plan from these, guided by your career goals and advice from the Programme Leader.

1. Discipline-Specific Paramedic Modules
The clinical core of your award. Choose from taught modules delivered in-person on campus and/or online.

This module is compulsory to obtain this named pathway: Management of the Critically Ill or Injured Patient 7HSK2219 (30 credits) Taught (in-person on campus)

You may then choose to study one or more of the following modules:
Advanced Airway Management and Ventilation 7HSK2225 (15 credits) Taught (in-person on campus)
Cardiology for Urgent and Emergency Care 7HSK2220 (15 credits) Taught (online + in-person on campus)
Paediatric Urgent and Emergency Care 7HSK2222 (15 credits) Taught (online + in-person on campus)
Toxicology for Urgent and Emergency Care 7HSK2223 (15 credits) Taught (online + in-person on campus)

The Advanced Patient Assessment & Clinical Reasoning module 7HSK2224 (15 credits) is a paramedic led module which is recommended to compliment discipline specific modules. 

2. Research Modules (60 Credits)

Develop the skills to critically evaluate evidence and conduct your own clinical research. These modules are normally completed sequentially.

Research Methods in Health & Social Care* 7HSK2211 (15 credits)    (online)
Preparation for Research Project in Health & Social Care* * 7HSK2210 (15 credits) (online)
Research Project in Health & Social Care* * 7HSK2209 (30 credits) (online)
*only available at PgDip & MSc level, **only available at MSc level

3. Optional Modules — Tailor Your Award
An extensive suite of optional modules allows you to shape your programme around your specific interests and career aspirations. You may also be able to transfer credits in from other universities.

Links to all optional and discipline specific modules can be found below.

‘On campus’ teaching takes place on the College Lane Campus

The mode of delivery varies, depending on the module and reflecting innovative ways to enhance your learning experience.

You will need to have access to a suitable personal computer and a good reliable internet connection. Assessment takes place by a variety of methods for example: in class tests, essays, case studies, practical examinations, presentations, and work-based learning.

Sample Study Route:

Not sure where to start? Here is a sample study route — but your route is always guided by your own goals.

We strongly recommend discussing your plan with the Programme Leader.

MSc Advanced Paramedic Practice (Emergency & Critical Care)(180 credits)

Compulsory module : Management of the Critically Ill or Injured Patient (30 credits)

Plus

Paramedic discipline specific modules e.g  Airway Management and Ventilation (15 credits ) and Cardiology for Urgent & Emergency Care (15 credits)

+ 60 credits of research modules
+ 75 credits of discipline specific or optional modules, e.g. Paediatric Urgent and Emergency Care, Leadership, Education and Developing Others, Imaging module, Non-Medical Prescribing etc.

Fees & Funding:

Because this programme is modular, you only pay per module — making it far more manageable than a conventional postgraduate course. Once confirmed, a student’s fee status will normally remain the same for the duration of their course. Fees for 2026/27 (UK/EU self-funding students):

Module size             Fee (2026/27)
15-credit module    £945.00*
30-credit module    £1,890.00*
*Fees may vary for some modules and international students.

Ways to manage your fees:

NHS employees — part or all of your fees may be funded through your Trust's CPD commissioning. Check with your CPD lead.

NHSE-funded short courses — FCP Stage 1 MSK and FCP Stage 2 may be fully funded for eligible students (subject to availability).

UH alumni discount — if you completed your undergraduate degree at UH, you are normally entitled to a 20% fee reduction on all modules.

Postgraduate Loan — a government loan is available for this course. Note: if you use a loan, the programme must be completed within three years and agreed in advance with the Programme Leads.

How to Apply:

Option 1: Try a Module First
Apply as an Individual Study Student
Apply for a single module with no commitment to a full award. You can study up to 45 credits independently before joining a programme. A low-risk way to experience level 7 study.

Option 2: Join a Programme Directly
PgCert, PgDip or MSc
Check eligibility criteria and apply directly for your target award. Indicate your intended modules on application. Credits can be transferred if you later decide to progress to a higher award.

If you wish to pursue Advanced Clinical Practice, you may wish to review the university’s Advanced Clinical Practitioner Programme. The School also offers a Postgraduate Certificate in Practice Education in Health and Care.

Ready to Take the Next Step?
We would love to have a conversation with you — by Teams, phone or email — to help you build a personalised study plan.
Karen Beeton, Interim Programme Leader
Email: mscadvpara@herts.ac.uk Prospectus: applycpd-herts.com

You can book a time to meet with me HERE

This programme has the following discipline specific/optional modules

7HSK0168: Advanced Decision Making

7HSK0267: Enabling Learning in Contemporary Healthcare

7HSK0293: Leadership Education and Developing Others

7HSK2085: Coaching Skills for Leading

7HSK2204: Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Indicators

7HSK2212: Musculoskeletal Trauma: Image Recognition for Healthcare Professionals

7HSK2213: Musculoskeletal Pathologies: Image Recognition for Healthcare Professionals

7HSK2209: Research Project in Health and Social Care

7HSK2214: Imaging Modalities for Healthcare Professionals

7HSK2210: Preparation for Research Project in Health and Social Care

7HSK2208: Leading Innovation and Change in Health and Social Care

7HSK2211: Research Methods in Health and Social Care

7HSK2224: Advanced Patient Assessment and Clinical Reasoning

7HSK2225: Advanced Airway Management and Ventilation

7HSK2223: Toxicology for Urgent and Emergency Care

7HSK2222: Paediatric Urgent and Emergency Care

7HSK2220: Cardiology for Urgent and Emergency Care

7HSK2207: Leadership in Health and Social Care

7HSK2215: Negotiated Learning 1

7HSK2216: Negotiated Learning 2

7HSK2219: Management of the Critically Ill or Injured Patient