Develop the key skills and knowledge required to assess, care for and manage critically ill adults. Adopting an evidence-based approach, underpinned by simulated activities and work-based learning, you’ll discover how to deliver effective critical care and therapeutic interventions and demonstrate the core competencies applicable to nursing and allied health professionals working in critical care units.
Advances in critical care medicine have resulted in seriously ill patients becoming increasingly complex to care for. This has resulted in the need for critical care staff to have a variety of specialised skills, in-depth knowledge and competencies.
This Postgraduate Certificate, informed by the UK standards and recommendations introduced by the Critical Care National Network Nurse Leads, will equip you with the expertise needed to care for critically ill patients independently.
If you’re already working in a critical care setting in the UK, we’ll guide you through every aspect of the assessment, care and management of critically ill patients. This will include developing your skills in advanced clinical reasoning, critical decision making, problem-solving and communication.
The course includes simulation activities and work-based learning to give you practical experience in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating therapeutic interventions.
There is a flexible approach to programme delivery, with weekly lectures delivered on-campus and online, so you can choose to attend in-person or remotely as preferred.
The course is based in the School of Allied Health Professions and Nursing. You’ll be learning from a multi-professional team of staff who have strong research profiles and are passionate about the improvement of healthcare and service delivery.
The programme is suitable for nursing and allied health professionals who are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), predominantly working in critical care and have completed step 1 critical care competencies with support to complete step 2 and 3 competencies. Or for those registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), working predominantly in critical care and have support to complete the Allied Health Professionals Critical Care Capability framework.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY OF THE CRITICALLY ILL PATIENT (HEAL702) | 30 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| MANAGEMENT OF THE CRITICALLY ILL PATIENT (HEAL703) | 30 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Research-connected teaching and active learning are fundamental to this programme. Each module has around 90 contact hours for the theory and simulation and a further 50 for clinical supervision to assist with the completion of the competencies.
You’ll be taught through a combination of weekly interactive lectures, seminars, one-to-one tutorials and group work. These will be complemented by simulated activities and work-based learning to develop your clinical assessment and diagnostic skills and give you practical experience of managing critically ill patients.
Each weekly session is conducted both in-person and over Teams to enable you to participate on campus or remotely. Each session is also recorded to enable revision and catch-up.
Authentic assessments, designed to mirror real-life tasks that you will be required to undertake in day-to-day practice, are a key feature of the course.
A clinical skills exam, an unseen short answer written exam, an extended literature review and oral presentation are all included in the current assessment methods.
This variety of assessments will enable you to undertake projects and present your findings to your peers. You’ll demonstrate your critical thinking skills when assessing clinical situations, implement a robust and well-reasoned plan of action, and evaluate the effectiveness of tasks undertaken.
At Liverpool, we take a distinctive approach to education through the Liverpool Learning Framework. This means teaching that is engaging, inclusive and designed to help you succeed during your studies and beyond.
You’ll develop specialist subject knowledge alongside the skills employers value most, including:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
We also embed key priorities across our curriculum, including AI literacy, employability, and sustainability, helping you prepare for the future and make a positive impact in the world.
We’re committed to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.
The School of Allied Health Professions and Nursing draws on over 100 years of teaching delivered by dedicated staff with real-world, practical experience. We are a hub for an extensive network of professionals, academics and researchers, so you can be confident that a degree from us will prepare you for a lifelong career in healthcare services.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
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The course will develop your critical care knowledge, skills and competencies and enhance your employability with a focus on leadership, management and teamwork.
You’ll graduate able to plan and contribute to rehabilitation alongside a wider multidisciplinary team, utilising the latest evidence-based research to inform your practice.
The course is informed by the standards and recommendations for post-registration critical care nurse education introduced by the Critical Care National Network Nurse Leads. This includes a specific suite of core competencies applicable to critical care units.
Your enhanced skills and knowledge will open career progression opportunities in research, education, professional leadership and practice development across a range of critical care areas.
Alternatively, you may wish to progress onto our MSc Nursing.
Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in your career planning. You can access support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops. The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.
We develop our programmes with employers in mind. You will be supported to enhance your long-term employment prospects as you learn. We do this by exposing you to professionals, a variety of sectors and supporting you to work collaboratively with others to develop transferable skills. You are equipped with a clearer view of what to focus on in your area of interest, and to reflect on your studies. Our digital employability tools give you a tech-enhanced curriculum experience and make it easy for you to prepare for the world of work. You can use tools like the Handshake platform to connect with employers and message the Career Studio 24/7.
You can start building good professional networks by attending events and employability activities. Our events are designed to develop your skills and expose you to many different employers, as well as to help you make contacts in your field. We help you improve your confidence when speaking to employers and give you access to unique opportunities. Our networking events also boost your understanding of the competencies and skills that employers are looking for in their recruitment process, giving you a competitive edge.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
You can pay your tuition fees in instalments.
All or part of your tuition fees can be funded by external sponsorship.
International applicants who accept an offer of a place will need to pay a tuition fee deposit.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,858 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about paying for your studies.
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, specialist equipment, or stationery.
You can find information on the general and subject-specific costs you could expect to incur on our study costs webpage.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
The scholarship will be open to two UK students in the 2026/27 academic year and is worth £5,000. Students must be studying a postgraduate course at the University of Liverpool. Those on data science or coding courses may be given priority.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for a fee discount of up to £4,500. You’ll need to demonstrate an active interest in global, community and environmental issues to be considered.
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate entry requirements | The programme is suitable for nursing and allied health professionals who are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), predominantly working in critical care and have completed step 1 critical care competencies with support to complete step 2 and 3 competencies. Or for those registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), working predominantly in critical care and have support to complete the Allied Health Professionals Critical Care Capability framework. |
| International qualifications |
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Although there’s no direct Pre-Master’s route to this PGCert, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
Discover more about the city and University.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience, living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
Last updated 20 April 2026 / / Programme terms and conditions