Postgraduate Course
Transforming Practice PG Cert
Further your professional development and enhance your understanding and skillset in transformative practice across health and social care.
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If you are an established professional working in a health and social care setting, and looking to develop and refine your professional practice, this is the course for you. You will learn from experts in the field in small postgraduate groups, alongside fellow professionals.
York campus
- Duration – 1 year part time
- Start date – October 2025
- School – School of Science, Technology and Health
Minimum entry requirements
2:2 honours degree in a related subject
Interview if your honours degree is in an unrelated subject
Tuition fees
UK 2024-25 £2,866 part time
International 2024-25 N/A part time
Course overview
This course is a unique model of continued professional development for allied health professionals. It is aimed at qualified professionals working in UK health and social care, such as physiotherapists or occupational therapists, seeking to develop advanced practice in a specific clinical area.
On the course you will engage with an approach to learning that mirrors and enhances the practice in which you work. You will refine your practice, focusing on autonomous activity and complex decision making. By engaging with this format, you will have the abilities to develop innovative methods that will enhance your clients' experiences and improve outcomes.
York St John University offer related undergraduate and pre-registration master’s qualifications in occupational therapy and physiotherapy, and have delivered a successful CPD portfolio of master’s level study for many years. Most recently we offered the Professional Health and Social Care MSc and the Leadership in Health and Social Care MSc awards. These awards have helped professionals like you advance their career. Elements of those courses have been embedded in this new, clinically oriented suite of postgraduate awards.
Course structure
How you will study
You can only study this postgraduate course part time. This allows you to fit your studies around other commitments.
The course will take 1 year to complete. You will study 1 compulsory module across the year. Due to the structure of the course, this module constitutes your entire postgraduate award.
Modules
Credits: 60
Compulsory module
On this module you will develop your own specific areas of expertise and advanced practice. These may be considered and developed within the PG Cert that precedes this module, such as Advanced Musculoskeletal or Respiratory Practice.
You will consider the service and practice within which you work. You could transform:
- Your own service and its interaction with other services in patient pathways through innovation inside and across different services
- Your relationship with patients by adopting a health coaching approach
- The effectiveness of your interventions, by understanding how health literacy influences patient compliance
As a clinician, you will reflect on and develop your practice through engagement with theories, models and tools of change management, health coaching and health literacy. This will be underpinned by your critical appraisal of the relevant evidence.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning
You will engage with this course as an independent, adult learner suited to your professional status.
The course consists of 1 module. Your learning time is expected to be 600 hours, which includes any external independent research and tutor and peer review sessions. You will learn with experts in small learning groups.
You will engage in a variety of modes of learning, including:
- Discussions on critiques and theories
- Consideration of case studies to explore authentic scenarios
- Critical appraisal of evidence
- Self-reflection
Our teaching draws on both our research and professional experience. This means your learning is informed by the most current thinking in the subject area. You can find out more about our research and backgrounds by visiting our staff pages.
Assessment
You will be assessed across 4 pieces of written work and a presentation. Each piece is worth 25% of your overall grade for this module.
Your assessments include:
- Opportunities to critique a research paper with your peers and tutors
- An implementation plan for change and service transformation (presentation)
- Self-reflection on your experience of implementing a health coaching approach with a service user
- Critical evaluation on patient/service user communications
Across the academic year you will be able to book tutor and peer review sessions, in which you can share ideas and gather critical feedback on your progress.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
Minimum entry requirements
2:2 honours degree in a related subject
Interview if your honours degree is in an unrelated subject
If your degree is in an unrelated subject, but you can provide evidence of relevant professional experience, your application may still be considered and you may be invited for interview.
In addition, you must have:
- 3 years current postgraduate experience in an appropriate clinical setting
- A letter of support from your line manager
- Proof of appropriate and up to date professional registration (for example HCPC, GMC)
International students
Unfortunately, this course is not open to international students. Discover the other courses we offer.
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
If you do not have traditional qualifications, you may be eligible for entry on the basis of Recognition of prior learning (RPL). Check your eligibility by visiting the RPL page below. We also consider applications for entry with advanced standing.
Terms and conditions
Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.
Fees and funding
UK 2025-2026
The tuition fee for 2025 entry to this postgraduate course is:
- £2,866 for part time study
This price applies to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.
Workforce transformation funding is no longer available but you may be able to seek alternative CPD funding (best discussed with your manager and/or workforce development lead) or self-fund. Please note all courses are subject to meeting minimum cohort numbers to enable a full student experience. To receive the CPD e-newsletter please email business@yorksj.ac.uk.
Tuition fees
UK 2024-25 £2,866 part time
International 2024-25 N/A part time
Funding your studies
If you live in England, you can use the same student loans system as undergraduate students to pay for this course.
You can find out more about this loan and how to apply by following the link below to our funding opportunities page.
Postgraduate funding opportunities
Alumni Scholarships
If you are alumni of York St John University we have scholarships available to help you continue your studies.
Additional costs and financial support
Course-related costs
While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.
Accommodation and living costs
View our accommodation pages for detailed information on accommodation and living costs.
International students
Unfortunately, this course is not open to international students. Discover the other courses we offer.
Career outcomes
Where could Transforming Practice take you?
To apply for this course you must already be a qualified professional working in UK health and social care. This course will help you further develop the advanced level of your practice in your own clinical area and enhance your career options.
Stand out from the crowd with postgraduate study.
Far fewer people have postgraduate degrees than undergraduate qualifications. This gives you something extra to set yourself apart in a competitive graduate job market. Those with a postgraduate qualification will earn an average of £6,500 a year more than those with only an undergraduate degree. (Department For Education Graduate Labour Market Report 2022)
Our careers service, LaunchPad, provides career support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access:
- Employer events
- LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions
- Workshops on application writing and interview skills
- Work experience and volunteering opportunities
- Personalised career advice
This support does not end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain the experience and confidence you need to succeed.
Course highlights
Develop your practice
Learn from our team of experts. Gain in-depth insight into the world of advanced practise and further your own professional skills.
Experience the profession
Gain practical skills by engaging in realistic advanced practice environments, enhancing your personal development and abilities to be an effective practitioner.
Become and innovator
Become an expert in your chosen field. Use your skills to identify areas of clinical practice that require change to give clients the best possible treatment and experience.