Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Forensic Practice for Health Care Professionals
Advance your career in forensic practice with our PG Certificate, aligned to UKAFNP standards—ideal for professionals in custody or sexual offense services across the UK and Northern Ireland.
This programme follows in the tradition of 2 decades of successful sexual health programmes at the University Greenwich. The Postgraduate Certificate follows the requirements of the Advanced Standards for Education and Training (ASET), of the UK Association of Forensic Nurses and Paramedics (UKAFNP). It is essentially for those working in custody or across sexual offences' services. It comprises of three core modules, spread across one year (September – August; January – December).
School
Duration
1 years full-time
Start month
September; January
2025/26 fees
To be confirmedWhat you should know about this course
What you will study
About the course team
The core team of teachers and range of expert others are here to support you at every step of your journey with us. Your teaching comes from an experienced team of expert practitioners and lecturers. These include academics and practitioners with a wide range of experience. All of our teaching team hold a teaching qualification.
Entry requirements
Applicants require:
All applicants must hold a Level 1 nursing or midwifery qualification, normally at 2:2 or above (a minimum of 120 credits at Level 6).
To be eligible to make an RPEL claim for entry to level 7 students must be a registered Nurse or Midwife.
Students must be in possession of a relevant Diploma in Higher Education (consisting of at least 120 credits at level 5) and 15 credits at level 6 and be able to produce evidence of this when requested
For more information, use our contact form or call us on 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
Further information about entry
- You will need to be registered as nurses or midwives with the NMC, or paramedics with the HCPC
- You will be in current employment with a relevant (custody or sexual assault) service
- You will have a first degree or (professional) equivalence – and the ability to study at level 7 (with English requirements equal to standard level 7 studying criteria)
Available to overseas students?
No
Can I use Prior Learning?
There is a potential for recognition of prior learning for registered nurses, midwives or paramedics with a DipHE, and evidence of some studies at Level 6 and/or the ability to study at Level 7.
How you will learn
Learning experience
Based on adult learning theories and strategies:
Class sizes
We are aiming for a maximum class size of 30 per intake.
Independent learning
Including time-tabled sessions, the whole programme is estimated to take up to 600 hours of study, spread across the year. These hours include practice-based competencies learning; self-directed studies and inquiry; course-work development and assignment preparations.
Our facilities are designed to support you in these activities. We encourage you to join societies and participate in sporting and other activities to engage in the wider life of the university community including the Institute for Lifecourse Development.
Overall workload
Equivalent to one full day most weeks, comprising of:
Assessment
There are two summative (marked) assessment per module, with the programme underpinned by the UKANP Competencies document, for practice development and sign-off. The formative development of each module gives direct teaching and practice on how to effectively carry out the summative assignments.
Feedback summary
What did you eventually LEARN. Through a feed forward/ feedback mechanism, the programme can remain constantly relevant to student requirements.
Feedback to students on assessment outcomes will be within the remit of the University’s assessment and feedback policy, i.e. constructive feedback given around 15 days (or earlier) of formal assignment hand-in dates.
Dates and timetables
We have two separate intakes each year. The September to July programme is the Custody Route programme and the January to December programme is the Sexual Offences Services' Route programme. The academic year runs from September to July.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until the term has started.
Fees and funding
University is a great investment in your future. English-domiciled graduate annual salaries were £10,500 more than non-graduates in 2023 - and the UK Government projects that 88% of new jobs by 2035 will be at graduate level.
(Source: DfE Graduate labour market statistics: 2023/DfE Labour market and skills projections: 2020 to 2035).
2025/26 fees
To be confirmed.Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a wide range of financial help including scholarships and bursaries.
The Greenwich Bursary
This bursary is worth £700 for new undergraduate students with a low household income, entering Year 0 or 1 who meet the eligibility criteria.
EU Bursary
Following the UK's departure from the European Union, we are supporting new EU students by offering a substantial fee-reduction for studying.
Financial support
We want your time at university to be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress, so planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
Further costs may include (but are not limited to):
- Resources: you can access books in the library and online, but you may wish to purchase your own copies.
- Travel: Once you undertake independent visits, you usually will pay towards your own travel. Travel and accommodation to Greenwich (for study days – one Thursday and Friday per term) studying at Avery Hill or Greenwich Maritime Campuses
Careers and placements
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
Career options relate to development and advancement within the student's field of practice - such as custody or sexual offences' services - and/or associated areas of professional practice.
Do you provide employability services?
Students on the programme will be in current employment in a relevant field of practice/service. The programme is designed to help you achieve your potential for successful completion, and enhance your career and further educational developments.
The Employability and Careers Service provides support when you're preparing to apply for placements and graduate roles. It includes CV clinics, mock interviews and employability skills workshops.
Each School also has its own Employability Officer, who works closely with the industry and will provide specific opportunities relevant to your own course.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
You will benefit from expert teachers across a range of disciplines, including health care practice, education and research; sexualities and genders; law and criminology; forensics; simulation; nursing and paramedic science You will be enabled to transition into Level 7 studies, especially for those new to postgraduate learning. You'll also have access to personal tutors, module and programme leads, as well as support services ranging from Library and IT support staff, Mental Wellbeing, Dyslexia and Disabilities Services (the STAART Team), to Welfare, the Students’ Union, and sports and societies.Support from the department
Each student has a named personal tutor in University and a practice-based preceptor, for Competencies' assessment and 'sign-off'. There is additional support from the programme and module leaders and the key teaching and learning staff.
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