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The details
Location: Online Mode of study: Part-time Qualification: Online professional course (20 credits) Study duration: 12 weeks
Start date: Awarding body: University of Essex Delivered by: Kaplan Open Learning For queries: Call +44 (0) 1206 489 358

Ready to enhance your expertise in healthcare management or leadership? This online professional course is designed to help you build the key personal development skills needed to advance your career in the healthcare sector.  

You’ll be introduced to theories and methods of practice across six key themes – from communication and reflective practice to problem-solving – ensuring you develop the confidence and capability to thrive in your role. 

The course covers a range of exciting topics, including:  

  • key advanced practice competencies  
  • how to manage change within the workplace  
  • the importance of personal development in healthcare roles 

And upon completion, you’ll have the opportunity to study one of our popular postgraduate health courses. 

Why we’re great

  • Receive your online professional courses certificate from the University of Essex, a top 12 UK university (Guardian University Guide 2026).
  • Study at your pace – 100% online, part-time.
  • Gain 20 academic credits on successful completion, which are transferrable to further study on a PG Cert, PG Dip or full Masters degree.
  • Network with fellow students from around the world.

 

You’ll study the following topics as part of the online professional course: 

  • communication
  • leadership and management: management styles, leadership theories, team leadership, behaviour change and organisational innovation
  • problem solving
  • reflective practice
  • action learning
  • personal development 

Teaching methods 

Studying online gives you the freedom to complete your qualification when and where it suits you – at home, during your lunch hour or in a café.  

Our online professional courses are delivered through a virtual learning environment (VLE) instead of a traditional campus. This means you’ll have access to your study materials 24/7, including:  

  • multimedia lecturecasts made up of written content, short videos, animation, audio recordings, infographics, short tests and mini-assignments  
  • discussion forums for you to chat about the module content with fellow students  
  • live Q&A sessions with your tutors  
  • a comprehensive eLibrary of textbooks and academic journals  
  • support from academic staff and your dedicated Student Support team  

To ensure you receive high-quality tutor support, each class is capped at 20 students.  

 

Assessment methods  

You’ll be assessed exclusively through assignments. These include assessed discussion forums, written assignments and journal entries.  

We’re committed to providing frequent and transparent feedback in the following ways:  

  • our assessment criteria are designed to be simple and transparent  
  • you’ll always be aware of your current provisional grade, right from the start  
  • you’ll be able to clearly view your marks in your gradebook whenever you log on to the learning platform  
  • there’s a seven-day turnaround for marking and feedback of assessed work  
  • you’ll have regular contact with your Student Support team, with whom you can discuss any concerns as soon as they arise  

 

Study duration 

Our Advanced Practice in Healthcare online professional course has a study duration of 13 weeks, including a one-week induction to help you settle into online study. 

The Advanced Practice in Healthcare online professional course offers a whole host of opportunities. On successful completion, you’ll receive a digital certificate confirming you’ve achieved 20 academic credits at postgraduate level. This will be beneficial whether you’re looking develop as a manger or leader or take the first step into management – helping you stand out amongst the competition.  

If you wish to continue your studies and boost your prospects, you could choose additional health online professional courses. Alternatively, you could progress on to the PG Cert Public Health (60 credits); PG Dip Public Health (120 credits) or the full Master of Public Health (180 credits).   

Please note, acceptance on to a postgraduate qualification is subject to meeting the entry requirements of your chosen course.  

No formal qualifications or experience is necessary.  

As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency of English is required. If English isn’t your first language, your ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5. Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.  

You don’t need to prove your English ability if you’re a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries. 

Full tuition fee: 

£1,429 UK / £1,492 International (2025-26) Δ  
£1,468 UK / £1,543 international (2026-27) Δ   

  • Our online professional courses are fully inclusive – all teaching materials and required reading are included.  
  • Alumni discount of 10% of the tuition fee available if you’re a previous graduate with the University of Essex or University of Essex Online.    
  • We offer a 14-day moneyback guarantee, so if you decide your course isn’t for you during the first 14 days, we’ll give you a full refund. Terms and conditions apply.  

Δ All tuition fees shown are net of any applicable sales tax payable by you in your country of residence. Where we are required to add sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the tuition fees shown and confirmed during the payment process. 

What our students say

testimonials

Anjelika Maromedoba -Master of Public Health (MPH)

I chose the University of Essex Online because it’s a well-known educational organisation with a high student satisfaction rate and huge variety of educational programmes.

I chose the online format of education because it was highly convenient and affordable for me as an international student. I had a full-time job and other commitments, so it was impossible for me to leave my work and study on campus.  I planned to write a dissertation and achieve a Masters degree right from graduation at the regional state university in 2007, but following my internships, work duties didn’t allow me to continue my education and I started...

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