Triangle

Course overview

This postgraduate certificate (PGCert) equips you with the skills and specialist knowledge to become a First Contact Practitioner in Primary Care.

This course is aligned with the NHS England’s (NHSE) First Contact Practice Roadmap to Practice. This programme fulfils the key requirements of stages one and two of the FCP roadmap and covers the following areas:

  • Assessment and management of musculoskeletal conditions in Primary Care
  • Knowledge of physical and mental health issues
  • Screening of patients in Primary Care
  • Co-morbidities and potential serious underlying pathologies
  • Multimorbidity and complexity
  • Pharmacological management
  • Referral routes in Primary and Secondary Care to manage onward referral of patients

Why choose this course?

Primary Care Training

Recognition of learning that meets the competencies of the FCP Road Map to Practice and Primary Care training for First Contact Practitioners.

Teaching Excellence

Face-to-face teaching delivered by an experienced and multi-professional team. 

Research Excellence

Benefit from our active research in this area.

Modules

Assessment and History Taking in Primary Care 20 credits

This module aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge and clinical reasoning to undertake a systematic clinical assessment for a patient in primary care and plan and justify an appropriate management plan.

This module will develop clinical assessment skills and knowledge to provide advanced care in Primary Care practice. Clinical skills will be supported and discussed in relation to anatomy, physiology, health models, guidelines, evidence base and clinical decision-making frameworks. Clinical decision-making will focus on a systems-based approach to patient assessment and identification and clinical decision-making around ‘red flags’ in triage and planning management

Advanced Musculoskeletal Diagnosis and Management 20 credits

This module will develop clinical assessment skills and knowledge to provide advanced care in Primary Care practice for patients presenting with a musculoskeletal condition. Clinical skills will be supported and discussed in relation to anatomy, physiology, health models, guidelines, evidence base and clinical decision-making frameworks. Clinical decision-making will focus on patient assessment and triage and identification of potential serious pathologies and planning appropriate management.

This module aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge and reasoning to undertake a systematic clinical assessment and differential diagnosis for a patient with a musculoskeletal condition presenting in primary care. In addition, the FCP needs to be able to discuss their decision making and justify an appropriate management plan.

By the end of this course you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of musculoskeletal conditions and clinical presentations and management for patients presenting in primary care.

  • Clinically reason and critically reflect on abnormal clinical findings including potential signs of serious pathology indicated by Red flags.

  • Explain and justify clinical decision-making, utilising evidence-informed practice in relation to patients with musculoskeletal conditions and co-morbidities.

  • Undertake a comprehensive clinical assessment including consideration of appropriate onward referral and interpretation of diagnostic tests.

  • Critically appraise and apply relevant professional, ethical, procedural, and legal responsibilities associated with the FCP role in the management of patients with a musculoskeletal condition.

  • Evaluate and plan personal and professional development and educational learning objectives relating to FCP clinical practice.

  • Evaluate and plan personal and professional development and educational learning objectives relating to FCP clinical practice.

  • Evaluate and plan personal and professional development and educational learning objectives relating to FCP clinical practice.

  • Evaluate and plan personal and professional development and educational learning objectives relating to FCP clinical practice.

FCP Clinical Portfolio 20 credits

This module comprises critical analysis of complex problems associated with first contact physiotherapy. 

This portfolio is based on the Knowledge, Skills and Attributes within the Health Education England (HEE) Roadmap to Practice and will consider the four pillars of an FCP working at an advanced masters level in Clinical Practice in Primary Care; Research, Leadership and Management, Education and Clinical Practice.

Students will be expected to demonstrate and engage in critical thinking and reflection in the integration of theory and practice to show how they demonstrate safe, effective practice working at an advanced level as an FCP in primary care.

On completion of the course, you will demonstrate confidence in:

  • The use of advanced methods of scholarship
  • Techniques to critically evaluate dimensions of theory and practice in First Contact Physiotherapy
  • Critical analysis of complex problems associated with first-contact physiotherapy 
  • Problem solving, to develop and lead on solutions based on sound evidence, professional and clinical judgment through working with clinical practice and academic guidance

 

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Wednesday 15 May 2024.

Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • eLearning
  • Clinical skills sessions
  • Lectures

You are taught by experts in their field who are passionate about enhanced and advanced practice. Students find the course challenging but transformational and appreciate the opportunity to develop the clinical knowledge and understanding that leads to enhanced decision-marking skills, ensuring high quality, safe, and effective patient-centred care.

How you will be assessed

  • Coursework
  • Digital assessment
  • Objective structured clinical exams

To complete a module and gain its credits you will need to make sure you attend your timetabled sessions and get over the 50% pass mark.  

Contact time and study hours

Teaching contact time is approximately 7.5 hours each week. You will also take part in self-guided independent study outside of timetabled contact hours. 

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

Undergraduate degreeThe minimum entry requirement is a first degree in physiotherapy with a 2:2 classification or above.

Applying

Our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about applying.

How to apply

Fees

UK fees are set in line with the national UKRI maximum fee limit.

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Funding

There are many ways to fund your postgraduate course, from scholarships to government loans.

We also offer a range of international masters scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Postgraduate funding

Careers

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Graduate destinations

This course offers you the opportunity to refine and update your skill set within a practical setting, allowing you to maximise your potential for career development and promotion.

Recent graduates have gone on to work for NHS trusts (such as clinical specialists or advanced practitioners), universities (such as lecturers and senior academics, lecturer practitioners, or researchers), and in private practice.

Career progression

98.6% of postgraduates from the School of Health Sciences secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £25,986.*

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2020. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

Two masters graduates proudly holding their certificates

This content was last updated on Wednesday 15 May 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur given the interval between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.