Advanced Health Assessment

Individual Modules

Location

Centre for Health Innovation Stafford

Start dates available

  • September 2026
  • April 2027

This module focuses on the development of advanced health assessment and comprehensive history taking skills to support accurate clinical diagnosis. It enables students to undertake both comprehensive and focused advanced health examinations and to apply core assessment principles within the scope of Advanced Practice.

Advanced Health Assessment is delivered by experienced, registered healthcare practitioners and reflects a level of practice characterised by high autonomy, complex clinical decision making, and professional accountability.

Advanced Practitioners work collaboratively within multidisciplinary health and social care teams and are responsible for managing complete episodes of care, independently providing assessment, diagnosis, and ongoing management from initial presentation through to discharge.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: Individual Modules Advanced Health Assessment

Duration

The module is delivered in term 1 and term 3 every Tuesday from September to April and then every Monday April - December for 13 weeks.

You then have two term to complete your 90 hours supervised practice and undertake your OSCE examinations.

Course content

The module aims to enable students to gain and expand their knowledge and skills in advanced health assessment, forming a strong foundation for ongoing professional development. A key feature of the module is the opportunity to advance physical examination and diagnostic skills under the supervision of a Co‑ordinating Education Supervisor and Associate Workplace Supervisors within the clinical environment.

Students will develop competence in focused clinical examinations across a range of systems, including cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal, endocrine, female health, and male health assessment. The module also covers diagnostic interpretation, including haematology and biochemistry, arterial blood gases, and electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis.

Advanced Health Assessment is explored within the context of evidence-based practice, informed consent, professional accountability, legal and ethical considerations, and accurate clinical documentation. In addition, students will have the opportunity to further develop advanced health assessment skills through supervised advanced practice within the workplace under the guidance of their Co-ordinating Education Supervisor.

Assessment for this module comprises:

  • A written assignment involving critical analysis of a clinical assessment and diagnostic interpretation undertaken in practice, with detailed examination of relevant components of physical assessment (including history taking, inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation) and the diagnostic tests utilised.
  • An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
  • Completion of a clinical competency document, supported by a minimum of 90 hours of supervised clinical practice.

How to apply

  1. Download and complete the pre-application form
    Follow this link to download the pre-application form. This form helps us verify your details, check if you’re suitable for the programme and confirm you have an appropriate Co-ordinating educational supervisor to support you undertaking 90 hours of supervised clinical practice time.

  2. Fill out the form carefully
    Please read the form instructions and complete every section. Make sure all the necessary people sign the form (digital signatures are accepted but not typed names). If the form is not filled out correctly, it will be rejected, which will delay your application.

  3. Use the correct form
    Do not use any old forms. Only complete the latest version available for download on this webpage.

  4. Submit your application online
    After completing the form, click the ‘Apply Now’ link to start your online application. You will need to upload your completed application form in the ‘Documents’ section of the online application.

Entry requirements

  • Healthcare Professional registered with a recognised healthcare professional body and have completed a BSc demonstrating academic study at Level 6
  • Students should also have a minimum of 2 years of post-qualification experience as a registered Healthcare Professional
  • Successful complete and approval of pre-application form
  • Appropriate workplace supervision from a Co-ordinating Education Supervisor
  • Co-ordinating Educational Supervisor must meet one of the following criteria:
    • A minimum of three years' experience as a practitioner, or
    • Hold a professional qualification in Medicine (Registrar level or above)

In addition, any Associate Workplace Supervisor/s, who are not the Co-ordinating Educational Supervisor must meet one of the following criteria:

  • A minimum of two years' experience as a practitioner, or
  • Hold a relevant qualification in Medicine, Nursing with AHA, or Paramedicine with AHA.

Teaching and assessment

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Staff

Please note, teaching team staff members may change during your studies.

Katherine James

Senior Lecturer

My nursing career is very mixed spanning both primary and secondary care, but mainly as an intensive care/coronary care nurse.

Katherine's profile

Elizabeth Powell

Lecturer

I currently practice as a Cardiac Advanced Nurse Practitioner and serve as a part-time lecturer at University of Staffordshire, delivering Post-Registration Education and CPD.

Elizabeth's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 8 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for Individual Modules-Part-time
Study option UK / Channel Islands
Part-time £2,090 per course

For the course starting on 20 April 2027 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for Individual Modules-Part-time
Study option UK / Channel Islands
Part-time £2,090 per course
Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Apply now to Advanced Health Assessment

Location Award Study option Start date Apply Link
Centre for Health Innovation Stafford Individual Modules Part-time 8 September 2026 Apply now
Centre for Health Innovation Stafford Individual Modules Part-time 20 April 2027 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations

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