School of Nursing and Midwifery

BSc (Hons) Professional Development in Long Term Conditions

The BSc (Hons) Professional Development in Long Term Conditions will build on your ability to care for patients with long-term conditions as well as enabling you to support your patients to manage their own health and agree a care plan based on their personal needs. This pathway is aimed at a wide range of healthcare professionals and offers an approach to gaining specialist and advanced knowledge specifically tailored for those working in long-term care.

First choice for health

Delivered by professional experts, our programmes are tailored to you and your career. Together, we address today's most challenging healthcare issues, through research-informed teaching and active, real-world learning. #firstchoiceforhealth 

Key features

  • Gain the knowledge and ability to care for patients with long-term conditions and assist them to manage their own health by creating care plans based on their individual needs.
  • Undertake a programme reflective of the current health and social care agenda within long-term conditions that is flexible and responsive to employers needs and service delivery.
  • Find out more about current therapeutic, technological and complementary interventions to empower your patient and their family to live as full a life as possible.
  • Establish partnership working with members of the multi-disciplinary team whilst respecting professional identity and remit, as well as giving you the opportunity to enhance the care you give by learning to work more effectively across professional and organisational boundaries.
  • Select optional modules to enhance your specific work role and to help you become a challenging and critical thinking practitioner with a range of transferable skills who can effectively contribute to service enhancement.
  • Develop confidence, competence and emotional resilience to consistently exercise personal responsibility and professional accountability for decision making and the provision of high-quality safe care.
  • Underpin your interventions with the best available evidence, contemporary knowledge and high-level clinical decision-making skills.
  • Flexibly designed programme enabling you to ‘step on and step off’ over a five-year period in response to service need and professional circumstances.

Course details

  • Programme overview

  • This programme offers the awards of BSc /BSc (Hons), Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma. 
    BSc– to achieve a BSc you will need to earn 80 credits by undertaking two 20 credit core modules and up to two optional modules adding up to 40 credits.
    BSc (Hons)– to achieve a BSc (Hons) you will need to earn 120 credits by undertaking three core modules - two 20 credit modules and one 40 credit module - and up to two optional modules adding up to 40 credits.
    Students who have previously obtained a health related degree at 2:2 or above are eligible to access the programme via the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma route – please see panel below for further details.
    The module 'HEAD361 - Independent study' is only a core module for students who wish to achieve the BSc (Hons) Professional Development in Long Term Conditions award. For further information on the modules that make up this programme please visit the BSc (Hons)/BSc Professional Development modules.
    Examples of optional modules (not exhaustive)
    HEAD362 – Clinical decision making in healthcare practice
    HEAB396 – Diabetes mellitus
    HEAC368 – Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – management in primary care

    Optional modules

    • Advancing the Management of Long Term Conditions (ADV605)

      This module focuses on developing knowledge and understanding to support service development for people with long term conditions' that is person centred; promoting self-management and collaborative working. The module is based upon best practice as discussed within national and international policy and guidelines. It will explore in depth the impact of long term conditions on the individual, their family and carers.

    • Independent Study (HEAD361)

      This module extends knowledge of primary and secondary research and develops critical appraisal skills. Students construct an integrative literature review of a practice focused research topic.

    • Advancing the Management of Long Term Conditions (ADV605Z)

      This module focuses on developing knowledge and understanding to support service development for people with long term conditions' that is person centred; promoting self-management and collaborative working. The module is based upon best practice as discussed within national and international policy and guidelines. It will explore in depth the impact of long term conditions on the individual, their family and carers.

    • Management of Infection Prevention (HEAC334P)

      This module aims to empower the student with comprehensive infection control knowledge, utilising critical thinking to implement evidence-based practice and manage complex and unpredictable situations relating to infection control in the healthcare environment. This will be done using a variety of teaching methods both in and out of the work place. Assessment will be through completion of a written assignment and demonstration of change management.

    • Enhanced Acute Medical Care for Older Adults (HEAC350P)

      This module will enable the student to critically examine contemporary clinical practice. The student will be able to develop an evidence based underpinning knowledge, and perform skills pertinent to the needs of the older adult in acute care settings. The module will provide strategies in order to improve service delivery and deliver effective high quality care.

    • Nursing the Critically Ill Child in a General Intensive Care Unit (HEAC358E)

      This course provides an introduction to paediatric critical care skills for adult intensive care nurses. It will enable the experienced adult intensive care nurse to further develop and utilise appropriate professional skills to care for the critically ill child in an ICU environment.

    • Specialist Practice in Stroke Care (HEAC371C)

      In this module students will critically examine and explore ways to enhance their roles to provide an evidence based, inter-disciplinary approach to stroke services supported by skills blending. Students will be equipped to facilitate/lead on improving services for stroke patients, their carers and families and the interdisciplinary team

    • Tissue Viability: Core Knowledge for Practice (HEAD339E)

      This module will support the development of the core knowledge required for effective tissue viability practice. Using their own clinical practice as a way of contextualising their developing knowledge, learners will engage with published literature and consider the role of evidence based practice in relation to tissue viability.

    • Advancing the Care and Support of the Person with Dementia and their Carer (HEAD347C)

      This module is designed to meet the educational needs of practitioners who care for the person with dementia and their carer in a general setting. This module will link evidence based theory to current clinical practice and provide strategies in order to improve service delivery and give effective high quality care.

    • Advancing the Care and Support of the Person with Dementia and their Carer (HEAD347P)

      This module is designed to meet the educational needs of practitioners who care for the person with dementia and their carer in a general setting. This module will link evidence based theory to current clinical practice and provide strategies in order to improve service delivery and give effective high quality care.

    • Understanding Evidence to Inform Clinical Decision Making (HEAD360)

      The module is designed to extend students' knowledge around evidence-informed decision making. This will be achieved through students identifying and evaluating a body of research-based evidence relevant to clinical practice.

    • Understanding Evidence to Inform Clinical Decision Making (HEAD360C)

      The module is designed to extend students' knowledge around evidence-informed decision making. This will be achieved through students identifying and evaluating a body of research-based evidence relevant to clinical practice.

    • Understanding Evidence to Inform Clinical Decision Making (HEAD360P)

      The module is designed to extend students' knowledge around evidence-informed decision making. This will be achieved through students identifying and evaluating a body of research-based evidence relevant to clinical practice.

    • Clinical Decision Making in Healthcare Practice (HEAD362)

      This module draws on knowledge, skills and experiences gained through work as a registered healthcare professional and further develops clinical reasoning ability.

    • Ethical and Legal Issues in Healthcare Practice (HEAD363)

      This module builds on existing knowledge of legal and ethical frameworks. Students explore and debate ethical and legal concepts, issues and theories relating to health and social care.

    • Integrated Advancing Practice in Context (HEAD366)

      This module will enable the student to develop their professional understanding of Advancing Practice within their working environment and explore the complexities of their practice. They will examine the legal & ethical boundaries and accountability of practice personally, professionally and strategically.

    • The Fundamentals of Health Assessment (HEAD367)

      This module is designed to enable healthcare professionals to critically examine and develop in an area of professional clinical practice, in a range of settings. Taught workshops will guide the student, building on their pre-existing body of knowledge to further develop their skills in health assessment, clinical examination and clinical reasoning.

    • Holistic Neonatal Assessment and Clinical Management (HEAD375P)

      This module will enable neonatal nurses to develop existing professional skills. Performing comprehensive health assessments through history taking, clinical examination, diagnosis and documentation, to contribute to initial treatment and management strategies. The practitioner develops competence through experience in clinical practice, utilising pathophysiological knowledge within the clinical decision making process.

    • Perinatal Mental Health (HEAD377)

      This module will enable students to increase their knowledge surrounding the development and management of the care of childbearing women with perinatal mental health needs. Students will be research informed and prepared to explore evidence to inform decision making. The needs of mothers and babies; before, during and after birth, would be at the centre of care with a strong emphasis on respect and dignity.

    • Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Management in Primary Care (HEAD385E)

      Rooted firmly in practice this short module has been specifically designed to focus on the key principles and issues involved in supporting and treating patients with long term respiratory conditions within the primary care setting.

    • Critical Care of Children and Young People, Advancing Knowledge and Skills (HEAD390)

      This module will develop the knowledge and skills of health care professionals in the care of the deteriorating child and young person requiring critical care. The module will build upon the existing knowledge of participants, and develop critical analysis applied to the care of the child/young person requiring critical care across a range of clinical settings.

    • Work Based Learning (HEAD391)

      This module enables the student to undertake an individual work based project and meet a set of agreed learning outcomes for a specified programme of study.

    • Work Based Learning (HEAD391P)

      This module enables the student to undertake an individual work based project and meet a set of agreed learning outcomes for a specified programme of study.

    • Enhanced Principles and Practice of Renal Nursing (NURC317P)

      Renal Nursing is a constantly changing and challenging care environment. This module has been designed to develop a higher level of knowledge and skills in qualified practitioners to equip them to provide high quality and evidence based care using a critical and reflective approach in a renal or renal related clinical environment.

    • Enhanced Principles and Practice of Renal Nursing (Specialist Skills) (NURC318P)

      Renal Nursing is a constantly changing and challenging care environment. This module has been designed to develop a higher level of knowledge and skills in qualified practitioners to enable them to provide high quality and evidence based care using a critical and reflective approach in a renal or renal related clinical environment.

    • Coaching and Leadership (HEAE302)

      Coaching and Leadership is a module focused on developing your confidence and competence to lead and develop yourself and others. Students will be able to understand and explore coaching theory and practice using a variety of tools in order to underpin coaching and leadership practice.

    • Pain Assessment and Management (HEAE303DL)

      Practitioners will be able to understand and explore evidence in order to underpin practice and complex decision-making skills; focusing on the comprehensive health assessment and clinical reasoning and decision-making skills associated with Pain assessment and management.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BSc (Hons) Professional Development in Long Term Conditions pathway specification_6164

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for the BSc or BSc (Hons) programme you will need to be either a registered health and social care professional or a health and social care worker in possession of previous study at level 5 (foundation degree /diploma of higher education). 
If you wish to undertake the graduate certificate and graduate diploma award pathways you must already hold an honours degree at 2:2 or above in a health or health related subject.
If you wish to undertake any clinical skills modules as part of your programme you will need to be working in an environment where you can meet the learning outcomes.
Applicants whose first language is not English must also provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English in accordance with the University’s Admissions Code of Practice – minimum overall International English Language Testing System (IELTS) of 6.5 average with a minimum 5.5 in each category.
AP(E)L:
Claims for credit for prior learning, whether certificated or experiential are accepted and will be assessed following University regulations and faculty procedures.
Extended entry requirements

Fees, costs and funding

The fee for this programme is dependent on the modules undertaken. Please see the relevant module web pages for further information. 

Additional costs

This course is delivered by the Faculty of Health and more details of any additional costs associated with the faculty's courses are listed on the following page:  Faculty of Health additional costs.

How to apply

When to apply
Applications for this programme can usually be made throughout the year. Please check the closing date and apply as early as possible as our programmes are popular.
Apply for this programme
To apply for this programme please complete the application form and return via email to:
What happens after I apply?
You will normally receive a decision on your application within four weeks of us receiving your application. You may be asked to provide additional information, to take part in an interview (which in the case if you are an overseas student may be by telephone or video conference) or you will be sent a decision by letter or email.
If you have a disability and would like further information about the support provided by University of Plymouth, please visit our Additional support for students with an impairment, health condition or disability website.
Support is also available from our International Office if you are an overseas student applying to the University.
Healthcare mechanism concept. Abstract background with connected gears and icons for medical, health, care, medicine, network, social media and global concepts. Vector infographic illustration. Copyright: Hilch, courtesy of Shutterstock.

Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma

If you have previously obtained a health related honours degree at 2:2 or above, you are eligible to access this programme via the graduate certificate/diploma route:
Graduate Certificate Professional Development in Long Term Conditions – 60 credits at degree level
Graduate Diploma Professional Development in Long Term Conditions – 120 credits at degree level 
Students seeking to achieve either qualification will be required to achieve the specified number of credits by choosing from a range of pathway specific modules.
Please contact the Professional Development Unit at PDUAdmissions@plymouth.ac.uk for further information.
Postgraduate students

Opportunities for postgraduate study in nursing

Be at the forefront of changes to the traditional ways of working and become a Clinical Practitioner (CP) with our MSc Advanced Professional Practice (Clinical Practitioner).
You’ll be equipped with the knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose, treat and manage patients who present with undifferentiated and undiagnosed conditions, across all sectors of healthcare.
Certain clinicians can also exit as a non-medical prescriber, i.e. nurses, pharmacists and optometrists can become independent and/or supplementary prescribers, whilst radiographers, physiotherapists and podiatrists can become supplementary prescribers.
MSc
Advanced Professional Practice (Clinical Practitioner)