Virtual Learning Programme for Health and Care Professions Council Returners

Study level: CPD/Short courses
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The programme provides the opportunity for Professionals whose HCPC registration has lapsed after a break in practice of two years or more, to return to practice in England with proficiency and confidence.

Course code

HLSC015

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Online/Blended

Duration

Up to 1 year part-time

Fees

Funding options available

Start date

Any time

Course overview

The Health and Care Professions eligible for this course are:

  • Art Therapists
  • Drama Therapists
  • Music Therapists
  • Chiropodists / Podiatrists
  • Dietitians
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Operating Department Practitioners
  • Orthoptists
  • Practitioner Psychologist
  • Paramedics
  • Physiotherapists
  • Prosthetists and Orthotists
  • Diagnostic Radiographers
  • Therapeutic Radiographers
  • Speech and Language Therapists
  • Biomedical Scientist
  • Clinical Scientist
  • Hearing Aid Dispensers 

How will this course enhance my career prospects?

The programme is designed to motivate, support and build the confidence of qualified professionals as they return to practice and proactively encourage them to develop their lifelong learning. This is supported through different learning methods and techniques such as simulated clinical experiences.

Upon the successful completion of this module, you should possess the qualities and knowledge to return to your practice confident and ready to develop further as professionals within the field.

Achievement of the module specific outcomes will enable you to re-register with the HCPC (subject to application and additional costs may apply).

Course detail

This course aims to provide you with the opportunity to rediscover and develop practice-based skills and the theoretical underpinning of current developments and influences on Health and Care Professions. It therefore comprises both academic and clinical practice elements.

The course is studied 100% online so you can start it at any time and study at your own pace.

The course is designed to respond to the needs of individuals when returning to practice. Returnees bring a wealth of life and professional experience to the programme, which would be the foundation for learning.

Our programme consist of two Level 6 non-credit bearing modules equating to 210 hours per module to meet the HCPC Return to Practice (RtP) guidance for those requiring the following periods of updating within 2-5 years (30 days) and 5+ years (60 days).   

Our programme is aligned to four pillars of Clinical Practice, Leadership, Education and Research and mapped to the relevant HCPC Standards of Proficiency. Each module will provide you with an integrated delivery approach that considers the context of your role and your individual requirements. Programme delivery will integrate:

  • Simulated online learning experiences and virtual simulated placements
  • Interprofessional collaborative learning within our immersive online learning platform, Aula
  • Action learning sets, and case studies tailored to your profession
  • Dedicated cultural competency training to enable all returnees to prepare for registration with an UK clinical environment. 

Modules

Module one: Readiness to practice for registration 

You will have access to a range of experiences including simulation-based opportunities and virtual simulated practice which you will select depending on your profession of interest. These will include generic and profession-specific units alongside asynchronous lectures and synchronous sessions with module tutor and mentor. The module is aligned to all four pillars with a particular focus on clinical practice and leadership enabling you to be confident in your professional reasoning, clinical decision-making, and leadership in preparation for registration.  

Module two: Embedding lifelong learning for registration 

This module places the focus on continual development of self and others through engagement in evidence-informed practice and quality informed mindsets. Building on readiness to practice with an emphasis on the pillars of education and research, you are supported to appraise your updating requirements and requirements in your profession of interest with the aim with the aim of enhancing critical appraisal and reflection skills to underpin confidence to register.

Childhood surgery inspires journey

A children’s physiotherapist is sharing her inspirational story in the hope more people will follow her lead and return to practice.

Find out more
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Entry requirements

The programme is open to and will support all current and former HCPC registrants looking to update skills and knowledge:

  • All former HCPC registrants who live in England and plan to return to work in England once returned to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) register.
  • Those who have gained a UK HCPC approved programme more than 5 years ago and have never been registered and never practised.
  • Registrants who remained on the HCPC register for more than two years but have not practised and consider themselves to be out of practice.
  • Overseas qualified clinicians eligible for HCPC registration residing in England, including those with refugee status and ‘right to reside’. If trained overseas and never formally registered with the HCPC please follow the link to the HCPC website and follow the International registration process.
  • All applicants must be registered with the NHSE National programme.

Evidence for selection is gained from:

  • Academic Professional qualification(s)
  • Original registrant status (HCPC). Each applicant is required to provide their HCPC number.
  • Time period of non-registration to date.

If you have outstanding HCPC Fitness to Practice conditions, please contact the admissions team directly to discuss these.

Each application will be considered on an individual basis.

The programme is not open to:

  • Returnees looking to work outside England when they have returned to the register.
  • The programme is unable to support training posts.

Support with fees

How to apply

Please contact our admissions team. 

Get in touch

  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

    1Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

    2UK and international opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

    3Tuition fees

    The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

    For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

    4Facilities

    Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

    5Placements

    Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks, you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is, therefore, unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2025/2026 contract is available on the website. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.