This flexible, inclusive, engaging distance learning postgraduate level programme responds to the desire of current graduates working within the area of health and social care as they seek to develop their practice and in order to better equip them to meet the demands of advanced practice roles and responsibilities. Changing health and social care requirements demand highly knowledgeable and skilled graduates from the health and social care professions. The programme particularly extends the knowledge base necessary for practitioners to function at an advanced level, to develop into expert or advanced practitioners, advisers, managers or educators within their particular area of expertise offering sound judgement, personal responsibility and initiative, in complex and unpredictable professional environments. There is emphasis upon the application of knowledge to practice, thus enhancing the leadership capacity. Results of the 2014 Research Excellence Framework show that 96% of Nursing and Health Science research was judged to be of international excellence or world leading.The Institute of Nursing & Health Research takes the lead in delivering research and evidence based practice education to ensure that students are exposed to research active staff and are given the opportunity to reflect upon the impact research and evidence have on practice. The School has an active Educational and Professional Issues Research Group which links with CHERP and several members of the Subject Team have been awarded CHEP (Ulster) Development Funding, Teaching Development Grants from the Higher Education Academy which has supported innovations in the areas of small group teaching and online assessment. In addition, a number of the Subject team are both current and previous presidents of their specialty's relevant European associations, EANN and EAUN.