MSc Advanced Practice (Cancer)

Validated by and run in conjunction with the Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences at Kingston University and St George’s, University of London.

Who is it for	Nurses and allied health professionals
Duration	2 years part time commencing September 2012
Location	The Royal Marsden School of Cancer Nursing and Rehabilitation, London, and St George’s, University of London
Cost	Year one £4,632 to £5,422 depending on choice of modules. Year two cost to be confirmed (programme cost based on 2012/13 module prices. Students will be charged for each module based on the price of the academic year in which that module takes place. Course fees may increase in subsequent academic years. Overseas student prices will vary.)
Academic credits	180 credits at Level 7
Programme leader	Jacquie Woodcock

Programme summary

This multi-professional programme is ideal for experienced practitioners who wish to develop and advance their level of knowledge and skills within the field of cancer care. This course is ideally suited to healthcare professionals working in posts requiring an understanding of the nature of advanced practice and the knowledge of particular cancer specialities. This programme forms part of an extended MSc Advanced Practice which has run successfully at the Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences, St George’s University of London for a number of years.

Who is it for?

The programme is aimed at healthcare professionals working to further their education and professional development within the speciality of cancer care.

An alternative MSc pathway is available for those who wish to become nurse practitioners or cancer clinical practitioners: MSc Advanced Practice (Cancer Clinical Reasoning and Decision-Making).

Entry requirements

Recognised professional qualification and current professional registration
Can demonstrate at least two years’ full-time experience or the equivalent in part-time hours in health or social care employment
Normally a relevant honours degree – if applicants to not hold such a qualification, please contact the School to discuss
Working in an environment caring for cancer patients and their carers
Normally be at Band 6 or above (nursing) and equivalent for other disciplines
Competence in written and spoken English (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent)

Programme structure

Modules marked with an asterisk * are taught at St George’s, University of London, Tooting. All other modules are taught at The Royal Marsden School of Cancer Nursing and Rehabilitation, Chelsea, London. All modules are 15 credits unless otherwise stated.

Year one
Semester one	Research Methods*
	Research Project Planning and Management *
	The Sciences of Cancer Care OR Enhancing Communication Skills in Cancer Care
Semester two	Advancing Practice in Cancer Care (30 credits) OR Advancing Practice in Cancer Palliative Care (30 credits)
	Optional Module 1 (see list below)
Year two
Semester one	Personal and Professional Development in Advanced Practice
	Optional Module 2 (see list below)
	Dissertation (45 credits)
Semester two	Personal and Professional Development in Advanced Practice (continued)
	Leadership in Advanced Practice
	Dissertation (continued)

Optional Modules

Advanced Practice with the Acute / Complex Cancer Patient
Breast Cancer Care
Cancer and the Family
Clinical Trials in Cancer Care
Enhancing Communication Skills in Cancer Practice
Genito-Urinary Cancer Care
Gynaecological Cancer Care
Head and Neck Cancer Care
Leadership in Advanced Practice
Long-Term Conditions and Cancer Care
Lung Cancer Care
Mesothelioma Practice in Cancer Care
The Sciences of Cancer Care
Stem Cell Transplantation in Cancer Care
Using Physical Assessment and Clinical Reasoning to Assess Cancer Patients

Stand-alone modules

The modules Advancing Practice in Cancer Care, Advancing Practice in Cancer Palliative Care, Leadership in Advanced Practice and all optional modules are available on a stand-alone basis – see the full list of courses.

Student support

Each student will be assigned a personal tutor and offered tutorial support throughout the programme as required. Email and telephone support is also available from the personal tutor and individual module leaders.

The Royal Marsden School of Cancer Nursing and Rehabilitation uses an online learning environment called SCaNaR which students must access during their studies to support and enhance our courses. The site provides resources and communication tools. All students will be provided with a username and password to access module specific sections as well as general learning support such as study skills and library resources.