Adult Critical Care Course

Course Overview

We offer the Adult Critical Care course at Level 7 (Post Graduate Certificate in Critical Care) and Level 6 (Adult Critical Care Course certificate). The course consists of two 30 credit modules and is suitable for staff working in an Adult Critical Care unit caring for patients receiving both Level 2 and Level 3 care. Two pre module study days are offered to students. These are provided to support the students with academic skills, including critical thinking, critical analysis and critical writing. The course entry requirements are outlined in the course entry criteria section below. 

Our programme facilitates the development of a dynamic, professional, and knowledgeable workforce who are equipped to provide high quality evidence-based care to critically ill patients and their families. Teaching is delivered by specialist academic and clinically credible lecturers within critical care from across the Network. 

The programme is mapped to the National Standards for Critical Care Nurse Education (CC3N 2018) and the AHP Critical Care Capability Framework (2024), and contains a work-based element which includes the completion of the National Competency Framework for Critical Care Nurses, Steps 2 and 3 / AHP Critical Care Capability Framework to enhanced level.

• Module Information 

  Module 1: Principles of caring for the critically ill adult 

  This module encompasses the following units: 

  • Respiratory 
  • Cardiovascular 
  • Renal 
  • Gastrointestinal; inclusive of liver and biliary systems 
  • Neurological care 
  • Care of the long-term patient and multidisciplinary input 
  • Associated pharmacology and microbiology 
  • Quality improvement 
  • Patient and family experience 
  • Psychology in critical care 

   

  Module 2: Applied Care of the Critically ill adult 

  This module encompasses the following units: 

  • Advanced respiratory pathophysiology 
  • Advanced cardiovascular pathophysiology 
  • Spinal care 
  • Burns 
  • Paediatrics and Obstetrics in adult critical care 
  • Associated pharmacology 
  • The Long-term patient 
  • Leadership and Human factors 
  • Research in critical care 
  • Professional, legal and ethical issues in critical care 
  • End of life care, withdrawal of life sustaining treatment and organ donation
  • The principles of Inter and intra hospital transfer 
  • Simulation scenarios are part of this module to demonstrate and embed learnt knowledge and skills

• Module Aims

  Module 1: Principles of caring for the critically ill adult 

  • The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to develop and embed anatomical and physiological knowledge and skill application relevant to caring for the critically ill adult. 

  • The module will analyse and interpret applied physiology in critical illness and support students to develop and apply critical thinking and academic skills in their assessment, planning, delivery, and evaluation of care. 

  Module 2: Applied Care of the critically ill adult 

  • The aim of this module is to provide students the opportunity to critically examine concepts of critical care practice. 

  • Students will critically evaluate practice and appraise a broad and diverse range of literature with emphasis on advanced theoretical knowledge, complex care and leadership.

Academic Assessment

• Attendance and Time Commitment

  The course consists of a blended learning format with a percentage of study days delivered virtually online, and a percentage will be face to face in the classroom. Due to the nature of the blended format students are expected to attend all the face-to-face study days in person. 

  Face to Face teaching takes place in two geographical locations. 

  • The Thames Valley cohort takes place on a Tuesday at Swindon campus, Oxford Brookes University. 
  • The Wessex cohort takes place on a Thursday in a Wessex area (exact venue TBC). 

  The study time for each module (30 credits) equates to 300 hours per module (1 credit = 10 hours of study). 

  Each Module consists of 10 study days, taught time takes up approximately 75 hours, leaving 225 hours of self-directed study per module (pre course workbooks, further reading and completion of assignments). 

  Students are expected to attend a minimum of 80% of the taught study time.

  Study skills are taught and revisited throughout the course programme by the Course Lead with the Oxford Brookes University Academic Development team, to enhance the students’ academic skills.

• Course Entry Criteria

  Level 6 

  • Evidence of study at level 5 from a recognised institution or equivalent professional or other qualification. Equivalent professional or other qualifications applicable to health and social care can be considered, subject to approval by Programme manager and Oxford Brookes University. 

  • Students must be registered nurses and hold current professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. 

  • Students will have a minimum of 12 months post-registration experience in an adult critical care environment. 

  • Students will have completed the National Step 1 competency framework document (CC3N 2015), or ICS AHP capability foundation framework and completion of preceptorship (2024).

  • Be working in an adult critical care environment caring for level 3 patients in which they can achieve the clinical skills required for the duration of the course.

  • Provide evidence of support from a named practice assessor/mentor/supervisor within that area. 

  • Evidence of Support from their line manager, and practice educator, following an internal interview process. 

  • For students whose first degree is not in English and for whom English is not a first language, we would normally accept their professional registration in the UK as evidence of English language skills. 

  Level 7 

  • UK or overseas degree from a recognised institution or equivalent professional or other qualification. Equivalent professional or other qualifications applicable to health and social care can be considered, subject to approval by Programme manager and Oxford Brookes University. 

  • Students must be registered nurses, and hold current professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. 

  • Students will normally have a minimum of 12 months post-registration experience in an adult critical care environment. 

  • Students will have completed the National Step 1 competency framework document (CC3N 2015), or ICS AHP capability foundation framework and completion of preceptorship (2024). 

  • Be working in an adult critical care environment caring for level 3 patients in which they can achieve the clinical skills required for the duration of the course. 

  • Provide evidence of support from a named practice assessor/mentor/supervisor within that area.

  • Evidence of Support from their line manager, and practice educator, following an internal interview process. 

  • For students whose first degree is not in English and for whom English is not a first language, we would normally accept their professional registration in the UK as evidence of English language skills. 

• Course Fees

  Course fees per student 2026 to 2027: total cost £2,500 for either level 6 or level 7 (for NHS providers).

  Private providers, please contact the programme lead for further details.

The Student Experience:

• Quote 12

  "I want to express my gratitude for all the effort and support you and your amazing team have provided throughout the year. The Critical Care Course is quite challenging, but the guidance from you and the other lecturers and educators has been phenomenal. I have always found academia difficult, but I felt very supported during this course and had the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills I gained"

• Quote 13

  “The study days have been brilliant and sparked some great MDT discussions on the unit. We are now reviewing some of our weaning protocols as well as our use of PICCO in septic patients and also looking at potential changings in CVVHD to enable more rehab. This is all based on discussions initiated due to the course.” AHP course student

   

• Quote 1

  "They have made the sessions interesting. Each of the topics were delivered with passion, purpose and hands-on knowledge, both academic and intensive care experience."

• Quote 2

  "Going back to the unit, I will continue to make analysis as to what those ABG values will mean, what the body is trying to do, and most importantly, what changes can be done to help improve patient outcome."

• Quote 3

  "Really clear what we needed to know, and lecturers were good at keeping me engaged."

• Quote 4

  "I really loved various studies being utilised in the overall theme of each topic."

• Quote 5

  "Really interesting near study day - very bespoke in terms of some of the management strategies compared with general and cardiac."

• Quote 6

  "Now that I have deeper understanding of the physiology and what will be our targets and why are we doing this, I can now apply the knowledge I have to take care of my patient more safely."

• Quote 7

  “At the moment, the service I work on had a major influx of new starters and newly qualified staff. By attending this course, it gives me the knowledge and experience to help my colleagues, to teach them and share my knowledge with the objective to promote patient safety and active learning within my nursing team and also MDT”.

• Quote 8

  "Good course and will recommend to others. Very supportive teachers”

• Quote 9

  “Attending this course raised my awareness regarding potential risks for deterioration as well as identify critical points on a patient care that may require extra attention. That awareness in addition to the knowledge gained throughout the course will help me to promote patient safety by identifying possible points of concern and manage them safely working widely with the MDT”.

• Quote 10

  “Love SIM training – I refreshed more knowledge regarding trache care management than through didactic learning!”

• Quote 11

  “Overall really good course with good contents and a good variety of assessment forms. My favourite assessment form was the poster presentation because it gave me the opportunity to be creative and show my individuality whilst presenting my academic work”

The Stakeholder Experience:

• Quote 9

  "We are delighted to continue to send our staff to the TV&W courses, you have all developed extraordinary courses that have had a major impact in the standardisation of the Education pathways but equally helped us to improve our standards through the development of staff with methodical approaches."

• Quote 6

  “The course nurses are demonstrating an enhanced level of situational awareness in the clinical field. They are driving forward and leading on Quality Improvement projects.

  Post course nurses are teaching on formal in house study days as well as supporting junior colleagues at the bedside with micro teaching”

• Quote 1

  "Students benefited from specialist speakers and the opportunities to find out what is happening in other units. They bring back ideas and will hopefully make changes to practice here."

• Quote 2

  "The practice assessors are provided with a very clear document of their role and expectations. They have access to a guide of completion of the National Framework competencies."

• Quote 7

  “Post course nurses are demonstrating the breadth and depth of knowledge and competence that is required when caring for the critically ill patient”

• Quote 3

  "The poster development is a very good opportunity to establish the link between theory and practices."

• Quote 8

  “It is evident in clinical practice that the course content being taught is contemporary and clinically relevant”

• Quote 4

  "The course enables student to develop and progress their future career plans and aspirations."

• Quote 5

  "Thank you for developing such an in-depth and comprehensive course."

How to Apply 

If you meet the course entry criteria and are interested in applying, please contact your unit Lead Practice Educator. 

Next Course Starting

September 2026

Application deadline: July 2026

For Semester dates please follow the link here:  

Oxford Brookes University

Practice Educator Course Poster

Course Overview

Introduction to the Team

Mary Meeks

Education Project Lead,

Adult Critical Care Course Programme Lead

mary.meeks@nhs.net

Carl Ridgley

Adult Critical Care Education Facilitator

c.ridgley1@nhs.net

Clare Butler

Liasion Manager

Oxford Brookes University