PGCert Critical Care
About
Our PGCert in Critical Care offers 60 credits at Level 7 for health care professionals (HCP) working in Intensive Care environments. Flexible modules, simulation-based learning and national 'STEP' competencies, prepare and support the role of the HCP in Intensive and Critical Care.
Why study Critical Care?
Critical care nursing is one of the most demanding and rewarding areas of healthcare. Every decision matters when you are caring for patients with life-threatening conditions. Our Postgraduate Certificate in Critical Care (PGCert Critical Care) gives you the advanced knowledge and practical skills to deliver safe, effective care in high-pressure environments.
Why UWE Bristol?
This postgraduate critical care course is designed to meet national standards, including the Guidelines for Provision of Intensive Care Services (GPICS), Care Quality Commission requirements, and the Critical Care Networks National Nurse Group (CC3N) framework. It provides the 60 credits at Level 7 that employers require for intensive care nurses.
You'll complete two core modules, Principles of Critical Care (delivered online) and Critical Care in Practice (delivered face-to-face with 50% simulation), plus a third module of your choice from a range of eight specialist options. Our course offers flexibility, allowing you to tailor your learning to your career goals, whether that is advanced clinical practice, leadership, or specialist care.
Where can it take me?
Completing the PGCert Critical Care will help you meet nationally recognised competency standards and progress in your critical care career. It is ideal for adult nurses committed to Intensive Care practice and looking to enhance their expertise. You'll gain skills that are highly transferable to other acute and emergency settings, opening doors to senior clinical roles, and leadership opportunities.
Entry
Entry requirements
To apply for this course, you must:
- be a UK registered healthcare professional currently working in a relevant intensive care environment or equivalent.
- have a minimum of 6 months ICU (or equivalent) experience
- have previously undertaken degree level study or equivalent
- have workplace managerial support for undertaking this course of study.
How to apply
You'll be required to apply for each module and will then be enrolled on the PGCert.
View our professional short courses to apply.
For further information
- Email: pd@uwe.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 81158
Structure
Content
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
Year 1
You'll study:
- Critical Care in Practice
- Principles of Critical Care
Plus, one optional module from:
- Physical Assessment and Clinical Reasoning for Practice
- Principles of Neurosciences
- Care of the Acutely III Adult
- Leadership and Innovation
- Pathophysiology and Diagnostic Reasoning in Clinical Practice
- Communication Skills in Supportive, Palliative and End of Life Care
- Mastering Emergency Care
- Essentials of Renal Care.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.
Learning and Teaching
You'll learn through a blend of online study and face-to-face teaching. Principles of Critical Care is delivered online, while Critical Care in Practice takes place on campus at Glenside, with 50% of teaching in our simulation ward.
Expect a mix of lectures, seminars, case studies, and student-led presentations, alongside immersive simulation exercises that replicate real ICU scenarios.
See our glossary of teaching and learning terms.
Study time
Fixed study days make it easier to plan around work commitments, and optional modules let you shape your learning to your future career.
Assessment
Assessments are designed to reflect real-world practice and national standards. You'll complete the CC3N STEPS 2 and 3 competency framework in your workplace, alongside written assignments: a 2,000-word essay and a 3,000-word case study.
Assessment of your third module will vary depending on your choice of module, but all assessments focus on applying theory to practice, developing advanced clinical reasoning and decision-making skills.
Learn more about our assessments.
Features
Study facilities
You'll study at our Glenside Campus, home to outstanding healthcare facilities. Our Skills Simulation Centre provides a safe environment to practice critical care skills using realistic scenarios and advanced equipment.
You'll also have access to our specialist library and online learning resources, giving you the flexibility to study wherever you are.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's campus and facilities.
Take a personalised virtual tour of the Nursing and Midwifery facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.
If the course you are applying for is fully online or blended learning, please note that you are expected to provide your own headsets/microphones.
Careers
Careers / Further study
Our Postgraduate Certificate in Critical Care is designed for nurses working in intensive care environments who want to progress their careers and meet national competency standards. It aligns with GPICS and CC3N guidance, helping employers meet Care Quality Commission requirements for critical care staffing.
Completing the PGCert Critical Care demonstrates your commitment to excellence in patient care and equips you with theory and skills for managing complex clinical situations. You'll be well placed for progression within critical care, whether that is into senior clinical roles, leadership positions, or specialist practice areas, such as outreach or education.
The flexibility of this course means you can tailor your learning to your ambitions. For example, choosing modules like Physical Assessment and Clinical Reasoning can support a move towards advanced clinical practice.
Knowledge and skills gained on this course are highly transferable across multiple clinical settings (eg. acute and emergency), giving you options beyond ICU. In addition, undertaking these modules gives you the opportunity for professional networking with fellow students from across the UK.
Our award-winning careers service can help you develop your employment potential through career coaching, a vacancy service for internships, placements, jobs, global opportunities, volunteering, and community activity plus support for entrepreneurial activity and access to employer events.
Learn more about our graduate destinations.
Life
Postgraduate support
Our support includes access to fantastic facilities, study tools and career consultants, plus practical help to access everything from funding to childcare.
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