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The course aims to enable practitioners working in a variety of forensic nursing contexts to advance deep and critical understandings of different sources of knowledge including research evidence that contribute to the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, communities and populations, in ways that are consistent with trauma-informed and person-centred practice.

Students will undertake professional competencies for their specific area of practice, achieving these through assessment of clinical practice to achieve Advanced Standards for Education and Training in Forensic Practice competencies (Custody) or (Sexual Assault Examination) and be eligible for the UKAFNP ASET Certificate (UKAFNP 2024).

Structure and exit awards

This is a PgCert (60 credits) and you will also obtain Advanced Standards for Education and Training in Forensic Practice competencies (Custody) or (Sexual Assault Examination) and eligibility for the UKAFNP ASET Certificate (UKAFNP 2024). 

Teaching, learning and assessment

Our teaching, learning and assessment strategy is framed by our core philosophical concepts of personhood, person-centredness, human valuing, healthful relations, human potential and development, and supportive and enabling environments. Central to this strategy is the need for students to engage in the learning experiences, a readiness to listen and explore, preparedness to be open to experiences and a resolve to keep going. This environment will generate a culture of engagement where students can explore and challenge theories, practices and different sources of knowledge creatively in an atmosphere of high challenge and high support.

Students will be supported to challenge their thinking, values and beliefs, through the posing of complex activities and questions, and develop resilient and sustainable approaches to their learning and practice in response to these. Critical to this process is the use of diverse knowledge, scholarly inquiry processes and evidence-informed materials to engage and enliven the processes of learning.

Assessment strategies will encourage application to practice. This will be achieved through the use of varied strategies that draw on the student’s own areas of practice such as portfolio development, simulation events, and self-determined contextual assignment topics. Lecturer, peer and self-assessment, including within virtual environments (eg Canvas@QMU), will be an important component of approaches to formative and summative assessment.

The unique individual contributions of students to the learning situation are an important learning resource. The sharing of knowledge and diverse professional perspectives throughout the course aim to focus and extend experience and understanding of different areas of practice and of postgraduate level study.

For students undertaking the PgCert Advanced Forensic Nursing (Person-Centred Practice) to achieve the UKAFNP ASET competencies, each student will identify an approved preceptor from practice (PP) who can support and sign off competencies as they are achieved. It is the student’s responsibility to identify an appropriately qualified and updated PP who meets the UKAFN criteria for appropriate practice preceptorship.

Teaching hours and attendance

Your attendance requirements at QMU will depend on the module you are studying. There is a mix of online and face-to-face teaching. The course is delivered part time and time commitment for the face-to-face content will be 12 days, and initially this will start online. Attendance on this course will also involve residential workshops.

Class sizes

Class sizes vary.

Teaching staff

You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

• Introduction to Forensic Science (20 credits)
• Professional Legal Skills for Non-Lawyers in Advanced Forensic Practice (20 credits)
• Advanced Forensic Clinical Practice (Custody) or (Sexual Assault Examination) (20 credits)
• An Overarching Portfolio of Learning (non-credit bearing)

NB The modules listed above are correct at time of posting (October 2024) but are subject to change pending revalidation. Please check back here for any updates.

To apply for the PgCert Advanced Forensic Practice you will be working in working in areas such as Custody and Sexual Assault Referral Centres and have the support of your manager. This becomes part of your career development.

Entry requirements

To apply, you will be a registered nurse or midwife with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC).

Standard entry is normally a degree, and you will need access to a relevant practice learning and work environment, written support from your line manager and access to a preceptor.

International students: You will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at no less than IELTS 6.5 with no individual component score less than 6.0.

Please note we cannot sponsor students who require a student visa to study this course.

Disability/health conditions

If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of your studying at 17³Ô¹ÏÍø. However, if you are not sure whether your disability might be a barrier in your studies or in relation to the professional standards, please contact the disability service who will be able to have a conversation with you about reasonable adjustments and supports available to you. 

Applying for this course

For more information on applying, or to apply for this course, please follow the links in the 'Start your application' box at the top right of this page.

Application deadline

December 2025

Terms and Conditions

The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2025/26 Entry - Terms and Conditions (Postgraduate).

Contact Alison Bacigalupo (QMU) or contact Admissions 

More information on our forthcoming open events