Surgery & Medicine - Advanced Clinical Practice

The aim of the RCSI Department of Surgical Affairs Advanced Clinical Practice programme is to provide doctors of various specialties a systematic understanding of the professional skills and techniques needed to provide leadership, management, teaching and research in clinical practice. On the programme, you will gain a suite of essential skills and competencies in clinical practice in order to take on more advanced roles within your specialty, sector or setting.



Through extensive research of different non-surgical specialties, this programme is based on a number of critical modules that will help you better meet the demands of modern day clinical practice. Modules have also been selected based on you having a positive impact on patient care in their practice. The programme is NUI-accredited.



Uniquely in Year 2, you will construct a comprehensive research strategy and produce a thesis inclusive of an original piece of research relating to an area of current advanced clinical practice. The Research Methods, Protocol Development, and Design and Analysis modules in Year 1 will equip you with the tools to prepare, manage and design this substantial research project. Academic staff will also be available to support you in relation to your research dissertation.



This course is a Level 9 award on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications



Suitable for

The MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice is open to all non-consultant health doctors in Ireland within non-surgical specialities such as radiology, anaesthesiology, general practice, emergency medicine, pathology, public health, occupational health, and all general medical specialties.

What you will learn



Module 1

Research Methods: Protocol Design, Research and Analysis



Module 2

Healthcare Ethics, Law and Clinical Research



Module 3

Research Dissertation



Module 4

Clinicians as Educators



Module 5

Leading and Managing your Organisation



Module 6

Medical Devices, Technology and Innovation



Module 7

Professionalism and Advanced Communication



Module 8

Primary Care (Orthopaedics) I



Module 9

Primary Care (Orthopaedics) II



Module 10

Lean QI and Healthcare



Module 11

Global Surgery



Modules for the 2025 intake are subject to change.

To be considered eligible for the programme, you must be:



MB BAO BCh holder (or equivalent Level 8 undergraduate medical degree recognised by the World Health Organization).



Documents to submit with application for both programmes:



1. Full CV to include the following:



Employment information: Job title/level/location.

Academic history: Have you taken MRCS Part A or B? If yes, please provide institution name, result and date taken.



Research: Have you published research? Yes/no; please provide reference.



2. Copy of passport.



3. Copy of educational transcripts.



4. Proof of sponsorship (where applicable).



5. Evidence of English language qualification (where applicable).



6. A 300 word response to the question: “How do you perceive this programme will enhance your career?”

Please note that all responses will be screened for AI-generated content.



English language requirements

You must have one of the following:



1. Opens in new windowIELTS >6.5 (or equivalent) achieved in all sections (reading, writing, and oral) or equivalent must be submitted.



Read more about minimum English-language requirements here.

https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/postgraduate/policies-and-guidelines/english-language-requirements



2. There is an exemption if you completed undergraduate or postgraduate studies full-time in the medium of the English language (three or more years, cumulatively).

2 years



Mode of delivery

Hybrid - Part-time

Next start date September 2025