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09 Sep 2026 (Available)
Apply by: 26 Aug 2026
Physical Assessment and Clinical Reasoning of the Presenting Child 09/09/26 UZUSWE-20-3
Glenside Campus
Attendance dates: 09 Sep 2026 (Live online), 16 Sep 2026 (Glenside Campus), 23 Sep 2026 (Glenside Campus), 30 Sep 2026 (Glenside Campus), 07 Oct 2026 (Glenside Campus), 14 Oct 2026 (Glenside Campus), 04 Nov 2026 (Glenside Campus), 07 Dec 2026 (Assessment - Glenside Campus), 08 Dec 2026 (Assessment - Glenside Campus), 09 Dec 2026 (Assessment - Glenside Campus)
20 Jan 2027 (Available)
Apply by: 06 Jan 2027
Physical Assessment and Clinical Reasoning of the Presenting Child 06/01/27 UZUSWE-20-3
Glenside Campus
Attendance dates: 06 Jan 2027 (Live online), 13 Jan 2027 (Glenside Campus), 20 Jan 2027 (Glenside Campus), 27 Jan 2027 (Glenside Campus), 03 Feb 2027 (Glenside Campus), 10 Feb 2027 (Glenside Campus), 24 Feb 2027 (Glenside Campus), 22 Mar 2027 (Assessment - Glenside Campus), 23 Mar 2027 (Assessment - Glenside Campus), 24 Mar 2027 (Assessment submission)
25 Mar 2027 (Available)
Apply by: 11 Mar 2027
Physical Assessment and Clinical Reasoning of the Presenting Child 25/03/27 UZUSWE-20-3
Glenside Campus
Attendance dates: 25 Mar 2027 (Live online), 21 Apr 2027 (Glenside Campus), 28 Apr 2027 (Glenside Campus), 05 May 2027 (Glenside Campus), 12 May 2027 (Glenside Campus), 19 May 2027 (Glenside Campus), 09 Jun 2027 (Glenside Campus), 05 Jul 2027 (Assessment - Glenside Campus), 06 Jul 2027 (Assessment - Glenside Campus), 07 Jul 2027 (Assessment - Glenside Campus)
Course overview
You may be able to study these modules at Level 6 (BSc level) or Level 7 (Masters level) depending on your academic circumstances. Please contact the CPD Team or the Module Leader for advice if you are unsure which level would be best for you
On successful completion of this 20 credit module, Physical Assessment and Clinical Reasoning of the Presenting Child, you will be able to:
At level 6 (UZUSWE-20-3) and level 7 (UZUSWD-20-M)
- demonstrate knowledge and recognition of common illness in children and young people.
- conduct a safe, relevant and comprehensive physical examination and assessment of children and young people within the practitioner's professional field, exercising clinical judgement and reasoning to provide differential diagnoses and an appropriate action plan based on the findings of the assessment.
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the evidence base underpinning physical assessment and clinical reasoning, differentiating between normal and abnormal variants of physical assessment and their clinical significance in children and young people.
Careers / Further study
The level 6 (undergraduate level) module can contribute towards:
- BSc(Hons) Health and Social Care
- Professional Development Award
The level 7 (Masters level) module can contribute towards:
- MSc Clinical Practice
- MSc Advanced Practice
- PG Cert Health and Social Care
- Professional Development Awards
Extra information
If the course you are applying for is fully online or blended learning, please note that you are expected to provide your own headsets/microphones.
For further information
Email: pd@uwe.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 81158
Content
The course syllabus typically includes:
Skills
- Systematic history taking including developmental assessment
- Use of assessment tools for recognising normal and abnormal findings in children and young people
- Introduction to use of frameworks for clinical reasoning
- Introduction to differential diagnosis and patient risk assessment
- Introduction to investigations and relevance to practice
Scientific Knowledge
- Foundations of relevant anatomy and pathophysiology
- Introduction to clinical findings related to head to toe physical assessment with application to related disease processes.
- Respiratory examination in children
- Cardiovascular examination in children
- Abdominal examination in children
- Neurological examination in children
- Musculoskeletal examination in children (Paediatric Gait Arms Legs Spine pGALS)
- Examination of the newborn.
- Head, Neck, Skin, Ears, Eyes, Nose and throat examination
- Rationale for diagnostic investigations and relevance to practice
- Adolescent consultation skills
Context of physical assessment and clinical reasoning
- Legal/ethical principles in children's and young peoples practice (inc. consent, confidentiality and partnership working)
- Clinical governance and safeguarding in children's practice
- Evidence based practice
- National and local initiatives for changing roles in Children's advanced practice
- Health Promotion
- Red Flags and safety netting in Children's practice
- Communicating and building rapports with child young person and their family
Learning and Teaching
A variety of approaches will be used which may include:
- E-learning including Blackboard,
- Lectures,
- Practical sessions,
- Seminars,
- Master-classes,
- Analysis of case studies.
Formative OSCEs undertaken throughout the module will contribute to use as part of your learning strategy for physical assessment.
Study time
48 contact hours. These will take the form of lectures, group activities, case study presentations and practical practice sessions.
Assessment
At level 6 (undergraduate level):
Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) (maximum 45 minutes), comprising history-taking, advanced clinical examination and discussion under controlled conditions. The discussion provides the opportunity for the student to demonstrate their paediatric clinical knowledge and evaluate their practice and clinical examination techniques in line with current evidence.
At level 7 (Masters level):
Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) (maximum 45 minutes), comprising history-taking, advanced clinical examination and critical discussion under controlled conditions. The critical discussion provides the opportunity for the student to demonstrate clinical knowledge and critically explore and evaluate their practice and clinical examination techniques in line with current evidence.
Accredited by




Why choose UWE Bristol?
UWE Bristol works closely with employers and industry partners, ensuring that course content reflects today’s challenges, emerging trends, and the skills that organisations are actively seeking.
Many courses are offered part-time, online, or in blended formats, making it easier to balance learning with work and personal commitments without compromising depth or quality.
Teaching staff often come from professional backgrounds, bringing practical insight, case studies, and hands-on expertise that help learners apply knowledge directly to their careers.
Learners benefit from career guidance, mentoring, and access to a vibrant network of professionals, alumni, and industry events that can open doors to new roles or progression.
UWE Bristol is known for its emphasis on practical skills, innovation, and employability, giving learners added confidence that their qualification will be respected and valuable in the workplace.

Course details
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Prerequisites
Entry requirements
You must be a Registered Practitioner in a position of Advanced Practice or aspiring to such a position with clinical responsibility for children or working within children and young peoples field of practice.
Course fees
£1,185.00
Supplementary fee information
Please visit full fee information to see the price brackets for our modules.
Priority will be given to applications received through our funded educational contracts. Unfortunately no places will be available on this module for applications received outside of this funding. Please check with your employer as a funded contract place may still be available to support your learning.

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