Introduction

The MSc (which sits within the Faculty’s Postgraduate Framework) is a structured, modular programme of Master’s level study for health and social care practitioners which aims to support personal and professional development within an interprofessional learning environment.

The NHS Plan (DoH, 2000) set out the Government’s modernisation programme for health care and demonstrates a determination to radically reorient services from being profession led to becoming client centred through systems of clinical governance and performance management. With the advent of advanced and consultant posts in the non medical professions and a concomitant increase in cross boundary and working, the provision of appropriate Master’s level study has become increasingly significant. Within both the health and social care sectors, therefore, there are major opportunities to respond to policy changes with the provision of timely, relevant and user-centred education and training.

The Interprofessional Health and Health Social Care MSc/Pg Dip/Pg Cert programme aims to provide students, in health and social care professions, with the opportunity to benefit from a challenging educational experience to which the programme team will contribute through the organisation of innovative modules and additional activities.

The prime aims are for each student to:

• develop critical thought, analysis and appraisal skills enabling them to make innovative use of evidence for best practice
• gain knowledge and understanding of important contemporary issues necessary for higher levels of client centred practice and inter-professional working
• gain enhanced interpersonal, communication and practical skills for their current and future work roles in health and social care services
• create autonomous, self-directed learners who are able to sustain and advance their continuing professional development beyond the programme and support others in the practice environment to develop themselves

Programme Structure

The programme structure is consistent with Faculty Master’s Level Framework. All modules are worth 20 credits and are offered at Master’s level (HE4). For the award of an MSc, students are required to complete successfully 180 credits with some flexibility permitted in regard to the volume of independent project activity.

The modules are a mixture of taught, open or negotiated, including workplace-based, and research modules, to include two compulsory modules, four or five taught, including (up to two open or work-based modules) and two or three dissertation modules.

Postgraduate Diploma students will undertake six modules. Postgraduate Certificate students will undertake three modules.

Taught modules comprise 40 hours contact time delivered in three x two day five-hour blocks blocks. A further 10 hours contact will be made available to students, for information literacy, critical analytic and research skills or individual or group tutorial support, by members of the module team.

Timetabling of modules is designed to ensure that all modules are accessible to students over a two-year period. A rolling programme of modules is offered each academic year, including the Core Orientation module and Developing a Research Proposal and Systematic Review modules. There is also a pathway available called Advanced Clinical Practice.

Taught Modules

Core modules, codes, titles and credits:

• MZZH4CCF4CCP Orientation
• MZZHFDRP Developing an Empirical Research Proposal, or
• MZZHF4USR Undertaking Systematic Reviews, or
• MZZHF4CEP Critical Evaluation of Professional Practice
• MZZHFDSS Research Dissertation: 2 modules (40 credits), or
• MHSHFDST Research Dissertation: 3 modules (60 credits)

Option modules, codes, titles and credits:

• MHSHF4PDP Psychodynamics of Interprofessional Working
• MHSHF4ACP Advanced Collaborative Practice
• MHSHF4ALS Action Learning Sets
• MHSHF4PAM Pain Management
• MHSHF4LMC Leadership and Management Change
• MHSHF4HWP Health Knowledge and Power in Health and Social Care
• MHSHF4ELH Ehtics, Law and Practice in Health and Social Care
• MHSHF4PHS Psychology in Health and Social Care
• MHSHF4APP Advanced Professional Practice: Creativity and Conflict 
• MHSHF4JDM Judgement and Decision Making in Professional Practice
• MHSHFEQP Embedding Quality in Professional Practice
• MHSHF4LGB Loss, Grief and Bereavement
• MHSHF44HWP Health & Welfare of Older People
• MHSHF4AMR Assessment, Management & Reduction of Falls
• MHSHF4DCD Health & Welfare of People with Chronic Illness
• MHSHF4WSC Working Together to Safeguard Children
• MHSHF4SFM Solution Focused Methods in Health and Social Care Practice
• MHSHF4FDP Facilitating Practice Development
• MHSHF4CLS Clinical Supervision
• MZZHF4OP1 Open Module Framework (including work based learning)

Community Matron Pathway (Core modules)

• MHSHFMLC Long Term Conditions
• MHSHF4BSC Biological Sciences
• MHSHF4CEX Consultation and Clinical Examination Health

Promotion and Public Health (Endorsement)

• MHPHF4SCH Social and Political Contexts of Public Health
• MHPH4PSY Psychological Perspectives of Health Promotion and Public Health
• MHPHF4SCH Principles and Practice of Health Promotion and Public Health

Assessment

Assessment for each module in the programme will be by assignments to the value of 4,000 words. The programme utilises a variety of assignments designed to assess the specified learning outcomes (including the development of key skills) for each module.

The assignment for each module is specified in the module outline to ensure accurate and appropriate assessment of learning outcomes. In the case of taught modules; long essay, situational analysis, practical exercise or report. In many modules students are given the opportunity to present a preliminary plan of their assignment to their peers.

The MSc/Pg Dip/Pg Cert programme incorporates opportunities to gain a wide range of Key (transferable) Skills which develop through the programme. Students are introduced to the device of a Portfolio of Key Skill Development during the Orientation module at the start of the Programme. This is reviewed along with assessed work at the end of each taught module. Students are expected to include evidence of the exercise and development of key skills in pursuing each module.

Entry Requirements and Selection Procedure

Applicants should normally possess:

• a relevant first degree in the health and social sciences

or

• a professional registration to practise in health and/or social care or equivalent (two years post qualified)

Practitioners should normally be working in the field of practice relevant to their proposed study or have sufficient access to it to support their studies if, for example, they are from overseas. Consideration is given to other, non professionally-registered specialists, for example, medical technical officers, who can demonstrate the relevance of the award to their professional and career development.

Candidates fulfilling the entry requirements are invited for an interview to discuss their application which includes a short personal statement in support of it. Interviews will normally be conducted by the Programme Director with one other member of the programme team.

How to Apply

Further Information about the Programme can be obtained from Susannah Russell, Programme Administrator.

Telephone: 01227 826518
Email: susannah.russell@canterbury.ac.uk

or download an application form

 Faculty of Health Website