Course overview

This top-up degree will enable you to develop your knowledge and skills in acute care whether you work in acute clinical environments, operating departments or the ambulance service. A combination of simulated practice and lectures will help you develop knowledge and skills related to a range of acute issues.

Why study at Portsmouth?

Our course has been developed incorporating advice from a range of healthcare service providers and previous student groups. It has also been informed by recent changes in the delivery of acute and emergency healthcare and following extensive consultation with senior clinical managers. A major strength of this course is that it is multi-professional, allowing you to share the experience of people specialising in different aspects of acute care.

Is this the right course for me?

This is the right course for you if care of the acutely ill person forms any part of your work. You will practise the skills needed in a crisis and explore the underpinning physiological changes so that you develop a deeper understanding of treatment options.

Course content

As well as developing an in-depth understanding of common scenarios, you will be able to study areas specific to your individual area of interest.

Core units of study

• Contemporary Issues in Acute Healthcare: This will give you the academic skills needed to gather and utilise the latest information in your chosen field.
• The Older Adult in Acute Healthcare: You will explore the change in response to stressors as our bodies age so you can anticipate the action you will need to take when an older person needs your specialist care.
• Care of the Acutely Ill Patient: A combination of simulation work and lectures will enable you to respond appropriately to a range of life-threatening situations in patients of all ages.
• Investigation and Enquiry: You will be supported in identifying a skill that is particularly relevant to you and will develop a learning plan using resources in both the university and the wider health arena.
• Dissertation: This will give you the opportunity to develop an in-depth research-based study on your chosen topic.

Teaching and assessment

The course will be offered via a combination of traditional (short intensive periods of face-to-face teaching), online and flexible teaching methods, thus achieving a blended approach. High on our agenda is individual student support and the recognition that logistically it can be difficult for some students to fit in with a university timetable. In addition to the campus-based lecture approach, content will be available online and you will be able to enhance your study via electronic means.

A variety of assessment methods will be used to assess your knowledge and abilities. Tests (academic or practical/skills based), coursework, assignments and a project all feature. Some units will require academic written work/portfolios to be prepared and these will be aligned to your individual background, experience and learning needs. Other aspects of the course will be assessed through objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), tests and presentations.

Career prospects

Skills gained, both practical and academic, can enhance your current role or be tailored to support applications for promotion or transfer to new areas. Many of our students use this top-up degree as a stepping stone to professional Master’s degrees.

Facilities and features

In order to facilitate your learning, you will have access to the facilities in the Centre for Simulation in Healthcare, which enhances students' learning and experiences through the use of innovative learning technologies such as hi-fidelity human patient simulators, simulated ward and theatre, mobile simulators, electronic voting systems and the eye-tracker device. This approach allows a safe and effective teaching and learning experience within which your practical competence can be assessed and developed. We also have a well resourced library with extensive IT facilities for all students to use.

Entry requirements

View all the entry requirements for BSc (Hons) Acute Clinical Healthcare for the academic year 2013/14 (opens in new window).