Enhanced Practice
Part-time
One year
September 2025
In a nutshell
As one of the leads in the development of the National AHP Enhanced Level Practice Schema and Curricula, the University of Salford is uniquely positioned to deliver a postgraduate programme in Enhanced Practice. This postgraduate certificate empowers you to:
- Apply your professional experiences.
- Collaborate with others.
- Critically develop your capabilities in your chosen area of practice at an enhanced level.
As a health and social care professional, you will develop new knowledge and skills within your specialist area in the pillars of clinical practice, leadership, education, and research, and be able to apply these specifically to your job role. You will be encouraged to challenge practice and theoretical concepts to reflect on your experiences and explore your current and future developments as a healthcare practitioner.
This course offers flexible, bespoke delivery combining both taught and work-based learning to develop new knowledge, skills, and behaviours, enabling you to apply these within your job role. In addition to the core curriculum, you can choose optional days and learning experiences, tailoring the course to reflect your specific interests and area of practice. Whether you're a podiatrist specialising in diabetes, a physiotherapist focused on frailty, an occupational therapist working with children, or a prosthetist developing gait and movement analysis skills, this course is for you and will support in advancing your practice.
If your specialist area is more specific or nuanced, the program's flexibility allows you to collaborate with a tutor to create a personalised learning plan that will work for you.
Please note: The Enhanced Practice programme is also available as an apprenticeship, see our webpage for more information.
You will:
- Progress your career to an Enhanced Practice level.
- Customise your learning pathway to align with your specific area of practice and professional goals.
- Apply your knowledge, skills and capabilities in your specialist area, to operate across clinical practice utilising research, leadership, and education.
- Collaborate with a profession-specific mentor to tailor and map your developmental needs throughout the programme in line with your job role.
- Access bespoke Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to enhance your expertise in your specific area of practice.
- Progress your complex decision-making skills to an enhanced level.
This is for you if...
You are a health and social care professional (including diagnostic radiographers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, prosthetists or orthotists.)
You are 12 months post-qualification and have completed your foundation stage training.
You would like to tailor and advance your specific pathway of training in your specialist area of practice.
You would like to pursue a structured and supported career pathway.
All about the course
This PgCert offers post-registration Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for Allied Health Professionals and health and social care professionals to advance their knowledge, skills, and capabilities to an Enhanced Practice level. It will equip you to assess, devise, and evaluate complex care plans within your specialist field. The course focuses on the application of clinical skills with integration of leadership, education, and research to solve practice-related challenges.
Comprising two Level 7 (master's level) modules, "Developing Enhanced Practice" and "Foundations of Enhanced Practice," it prepares you to work at an enhanced level of practice and could support progression to an Advanced Practice level or a master's qualification.
Upon completion of this programme, you will be able to:
- Apply Enhanced Practice level knowledge of anatomy, pathophysiology, and psychosocial approaches to conduct person-centred assessments and manage complex conditions.
- Critically evaluate research, legislation, and guidelines to inform clinical decision-making and holistic care management in your area of practice.
- Evaluate and apply leadership and educational theories to support your team.
- Design and evaluate research, clinical audits, and service evaluations, contributing to resource planning and sustainable improvements in health and social care services.
Developing Enhanced Practice (30 credits)
In this module, you will critically assess clinical approaches relevant to your specialist area and job role and challenge existing practices. It encourages reflection on your professional experiences while exploring your current and future development as a health and social care professional.
Using case studies from your own practice, alongside flexible, work-based learning, you will develop new skills within the clinical pillar and apply them directly to your practice. The assessment provides an opportunity to reflect on your learning, supported by evidence, and demonstrate your Enhanced level of practice.
Foundations of Enhanced Practice (30 credits)
In this module, you will critically explore leadership, education, and research approaches relevant to your specialist area of practice and job role. It encourages you to challenge existing practices and reflect on your experiences to guide your future development as a health and social care professional and drive service improvement and best practice.
You will develop new skills within these key pillars and apply them directly to your clinical practice including mentoring and leading others. The assessment offers an opportunity to reflect on your learning, supported by evidence, and demonstrate your enhanced level of practice.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
The School of Health and Society
The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real-world impact.
Our courses are informed by the latest research, and we work closely with organisations from both the public and private sector to ensure our teaching is at the forefront of practice. The University has received approval for a new health building on the Frederick Road campus which will create brand new teaching spaces, including new Podiatry spaces. Construction will begin in late 2024, with completion expected by Autumn 2026. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a health and wellbeing hub, supporting popular healthcare courses and community services. It will feature sustainable design elements and provide modern clinical facilities to enhance student learning and community engagement. Find out more about our new Health Building.
In time community healthcare clinics will also take place there as partnerships are developed to explore research opportunities and to provide a range of therapeutic sessions.
What about after uni?
This course is designed to enable you to develop Enhanced skills and competencies, empowering you to confidently navigate complex situations and manage uncertainty within your professional scope. It provides a valuable opportunity for career progression through individually tailored high-quality continuing professional development. Additionally, this programme lays a solid foundation for progression to an Advanced level of practice, should you choose to pursue further specialisation.
This PgCert prepares you to work at an Enhanced Level of practice and aligns with NHS England’s National Enhanced Practice Schema and Profession Specific curricula and profession-specific frameworks. This level of practice is a career destination in itself, or this programme could support your progression to Advanced Practice or a Master's qualification.
Career Links
As one of the leads in the development of the National AHP Enhanced Level Practice Schema and Curricula, the University of Salford is uniquely positioned to deliver a postgraduate programme in Enhanced Practice. We maintain strong collaborations with NHS England (NHSE) and key professional bodies, ensuring our curriculum is aligned with the latest advancements in the field.
This partnership enhances the visibility and recognition of Enhanced Level Practice, making this programme a highly valuable choice for both employers and graduates seeking to progress in their careers.
Further Study
This PgCert prepares you to work at an Enhanced level of practice and aligns with NHS England’s National Enhanced Practice Schema and profession-specific curricula and profession-specific frameworks. This level of practice is a career destination in itself. It could also support you to progress to Advanced Practice or a master's qualification.
What you need to know
Applicant profile
This postgraduate certificate is appropriate for you if you have completed your preceptorship and foundation training (minimum of 12 months) and are currently working in your chosen area of specialist practice. This continuing professional development would support your career development at Enhanced level.
Please note, you will have to have an agreement with your employer or organisation to support you with your work-based learning and assessments, including an identified appropriate workplace mentor in practice at application to complete this route.
Enhanced Clinical Practice applicants must:
- Have at least 1 year of practice as an HCPC or NMC registrant.
- Be working in an appropriate practice-based role for 22 hours per week.
Entry requirements
- You must be an Allied Health Professional with at least 1 year of practice as a HCPC registrant.
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At least 1 year of practice as a HCPC or NMC registrant.
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Be working in an appropriate practice-based role for 22 hours per week.
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Have an identified appropriate workplace mentor.
This programme is not open to international applicants as it requires employment within the UK throughout your studies.
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
To be considered for the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme you must have already achieved or be working towards GCSE Maths and English Grade C/4 (or equivalent).
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time | 2025/26 | 3033.00 |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
All set? let's apply
Still have some questions? Register for one of our Open Days or contact our course enquiries team:
By email: enquiries@salford.ac.uk
By phone: +44 (0)161 295 4545