Advanced Physical Assessment and Consultation Skills (APACS)
Everything you need to know
- Start date: September 2026
- End date: March 2027
- Module leader: Dan Clark AF
- Level: 7
- Credits: 30
Introduction
This module allows the student to safely and systematically approach the comprehensive assessment of adult patients, through development of physical examination techniques, history taking skills and clinical reasoning.
Who is this course/module for?
Qualified healthcare professionals.
Practitioners working within all healthcare settings.
Practitioners wishing to develop their history taking and physical examination skills.
What you’ll learn
Undertaking this module the student will learn to take a comprehensive medical history, and perform skilled clinical examinations of the major body systems in relation to adults. Each session is focused on a different body system. Major topics covered include: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Neurology, Musculoskeletal and Abdominal systems alongside which students will be introduced to ENT, Breast and Integumentary and Genitourinary assessment. Also included are sessions designed to help the non-specialist practitioner assess distress in Mental Health.
Skills you’ll gain
Medical history taking.
Diagnostic reasoning.
Clinical examination of major body systems.
How you’ll learn
Face to face lectures/tutorials /seminars.
Classroom based practical skills sessions, incorporating simulation technology.
Case based discussions and peer assessment.
Pre-sessional workbook.
Fees and Funding for 2026/27
| Indicative price for stand-alone module |
Home student: £1,825 EU / International students: £1,860 - The University cannot sponsor a Student Visa for CPD modules. However, if you already have permission to study in the UK, you can apply. If you’re unsure whether your visa allows this, please contact the International Experience Team at hallamhelp@shu.ac.uk to discuss your options. |
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| How to apply |
You can apply for this module using our online admissions form. After you have registered or logged in, select the module title under "Please choose your first module". |
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Entry requirements
Relevant professional healthcare qualification.
Opportunity for supervised clinical practice within your workplace is recommended.
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Attendance
Delivery Method:
Taught on Collegiate Campus. All teaching, learning activities and assessments take place on Collegiate Campus. Sessions are fully timetabled, and student attendance is expected for all scheduled teaching. We will require all non-British and non-Irish students to attend campus for an in-person verification check to comply with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements at the start of their first module.
View our statement on notional study hours »
Provisional timetable
This module runs on different days of the week (currently Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday). Please indicate your preferred day on your application form.
September 2026
- Week 9 – Introduction: Monday 21 September 2026
- Week 10 – Respiratory: Monday 28 September 2026
- Week 12 – CVS: Monday 12 October 2026
- Week 14 – Neuro: Monday 26 October 2026
- Week 16 – Cranial nerves: Monday 9 November 2026
- Week 18 – MSK 1: Monday 23 November 2026
- Week 20 – MSK 2 / MH 1: Monday 7 December 2026
- Week 24 – Abdominal: Monday 4 January 2027
- Week 25 – ENT / MH 2: Monday 11 January 2027
January 2027
- Week 26 – Introduction: Monday 18 January 2027
- Week 27 – Respiratory: Monday 25 January 2027
- Week 29 – Cardiovascular: Monday 8 February 2027
- Week 31 – Neuro: Monday 22 February 2027
- Week 33 – Cranial nerves: Monday 8 March 2027
- Week 34 – MSK 1: Monday 15 March 2027
- Week 38 – MSK 2: Monday 12 April 2027
- Week 40 – Abdominal: Monday 26 April 2027
- Week 42 – ENT / MH 2: Monday 10 May 2027
- Week 44 – OSCE Prep: Monday 24 May 2027
- Week 48 – OSCE: Monday 21 June 2027
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Assessment
Module assessment is made up of one or more assessment tasks. The assessment task(s) for this module are:
- Coursework
- Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
- Written Examination
Successful completion of this module will earn you 30 level 7 credits