In this interview, we sit down with Brogan Guest, Programme Director of our MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice (Tooting).
Academic interests and expertise
Can you tell us about your academic and research background?
I originally trained as a Physician Assistant in the United States, where I gained experience both in clinical practice and in clinical education before moving to the UK. Since relocating, I’ve split my time between my academic role and a clinical research position in orthopaedics, which allows me to stay closely connected to patient care and evidence-based practice. I particularly enjoy working within the Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) programme because I see it as a powerful way to develop and extend the skills of clinicians across the NHS, supporting workforce growth and high-quality patient care. I’m strongly aligned with the ethos of ACP and its focus on the four pillars of practice which reflect my own professional interests and the areas I’m most passionate about advancing.
What do you enjoy most about teaching and mentoring students?
I have always loved working with students, and I’ve been teaching in clinical education for more than ten years, first in the United States and now here in the UK. What I enjoy most about teaching and mentoring is seeing students grow into more confident, reflective, and capable clinicians. Supporting them as they develop their own voice, question assumptions, and translate theory into practice is genuinely rewarding. I value the opportunity to create a supportive learning environment where students feel empowered to stretch themselves, celebrate their progress, and ultimately provide better care for the patients and communities they serve.
Why this course?
What makes this postgraduate programme unique within its field?
Our MSc Advanced Clinical Practice programme stands out for the level of choice and flexibility it offers. Alongside a strong generic route, students can choose from four distinct specialisms, Musculoskeletal, Mental Health, Critical Care, and Urgent & Emergency Care, allowing you to tailor your learning to your professional ambitions and clinical context.
This structure enables us to deliver bespoke clinical modules that align with the multiprofessional framework of ACP while meeting the needs of a truly diverse healthcare workforce.
Core modules are taught in a rich multiprofessional environment, and our teaching team reflects this diversity: most are clinician-lecturers who bring real-world expertise and current clinical insight directly into the classroom. This combination of specialist pathways, authentic practice-based teaching, and multiprofessional learning creates a uniquely relevant and dynamic ACP programme.
Are there opportunities for students to tailor the programme based on their specific academic or career interests?
There are several opportunities for you to tailor the programme to your academic interests and career goals. Your first choice is selecting your pathway. Each pathway offers dedicated core modules that reflect the clinical needs of that specialty. You also have the option to undertake Independent and Supplementary Prescribing as part of the MSc. In addition, depending on your chosen specialism, you can select from a wide range of optional modules designed to meet multiprofessional learning needs. These include exciting areas such as Patient Safety & Human Factors, Remote and Digital Healthcare, Applying Pain Principles in Practice, Foundations of Palliative Care, and more, allowing you to personalise your learning journey and shape a programme that aligns with your future practice.
Career paths
How does the programme help students develop skills for their future careers, whether in academia or industry?
The programme is designed to equip you with a broad and robust set of skills that are directly transferable to both clinical practice and future career pathways in academia, leadership, or specialist roles within the NHS. By engaging with the four pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice (clinical, education, research, and leadership) you will develop advanced assessment and decision-making skills, learn how to teach and supervise others effectively, and build confidence in evaluating and applying evidence to improve patient care. The multiprofessional learning environment exposes you to diverse perspectives and real-world scenarios, helping you strengthen your communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities. These experiences prepare you not only to excel as an advanced clinician but also to contribute to service development, lead educational initiatives, and engage in meaningful research or quality improvement projects, opening doors in both academic and clinical career trajectories.
Tips for offer holders
What advice would you give to offer holders as they prepare to join this course?
My advice is to approach the programme with professional curiosity and a genuine commitment to your own development. While assessments are part of the journey, the true purpose of the course is much wider: it’s about growing across all four pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice and becoming a more confident, reflective, and capable practitioner. Come prepared to challenge your assumptions, stretch your thinking, and engage fully with your peers. Bring your own experience into discussions, be open to learning from others, and take real ownership of your learning so you can get as much out of the programme as possible. Above all, try to enjoy the process and see it as an exciting opportunity for personal and professional growth.