MSc/PgDip/PgCert Healthcare Education

Course structure

Full-time – 18 months
Part-time – 3 years
Distance learning – 18 months - 3 years

Starts September

Typical modules may include

Course structure

The postgraduate certificate (PgCert) is achieved by successfully completing 60 credits.
The postgraduate diploma (PgDip) is achieved by successfully completing 120 credits.
The masters award (MSc) is achieved by successfully completing 180 credits.

Postgraduate certificate core modules

Introduction to healthcare education (30 credits)
This module introduces you to the evidence based theory needed to develop essential skills in learning, teaching and assessment (LTA). It helps you develop the essential knowledge base and skills required by healthcare professional bodies in relation to health or social care focused workplace education.

You also develop the skills needed to support and develop positive learning environments in your workplace, which have a direct impact on the quality of care and services for the public.

You gain skills in assessing and supporting students, as well as managing student underperformance from an educational perspective, particularly when safe care and service need to be assured. This module meets the accreditation criteria required by a variety of professional body/accreditation schemes, such as the practice educator role in the Allied Health Professions, and can be used as evidence to gain accreditation as an educator.

Advancing your healthcare education practice (30 credits)
This module helps you develop the skills to define, evaluate and lead positive learning environments in your workplace, which can have a direct impact on the quality of care for the public. You gain further skills in assessing and supporting learners and dealing with underperformance from an educational perspective, particularly when safe care and service need to be assured.

The module is highly interactive and introduces you to a range of teaching and assessment strategies. It also addresses innovations in healthcare education and other technology enhanced learning strategies to develop your educator practice.

Postgraduate diploma core modules

Interprofessional education for quality enhancement (15 credits)
In this module you are introduced to the key theories concerning interprofessional education (IPE) and quality enhancement.

You are supported to develop IPE activities that have a focus on improving services for the public. You work in interactive workshops with your peers, facilitated by a team of staff who have first-hand experience of developing national and internationally respected IPE.

You are also encouraged to develop a range of independent study skills to locate and use best evidence to inform your learning.

Research methods for practice (15 credits)
This module allows you to develop a critical understanding of a range of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and apply their use to specific healthcare scenarios. You are encouraged to critically appraise the appropriateness of a range of study designs and data collection and analysis methods, in relation to a specific research question(s).

Postgraduate diploma optional modules

30 credits from:

Developing simulation and human factors in education (15 credits)
In this module you are introduced to the key theories around simulation, and how this can link to human factors including education and awareness. You work towards designing, running and debriefing your own simulated exercise. You apply the theory to develop your critical understanding of simulation and human factors education in your workplace. You work in online interactive groups led by educators experienced in simulation and facilitated debriefing.

Simulation and human factors education are seen to have a direct impact on patient safety, allowing practitioners to rehearse for practise in a safe and controlled environment. The module is facilitated by an interprofessional team to help broaden your perspectives outside of your professional group.

Workplace mentoring (15 credits)
This module addresses mentoring relationships where there is not necessarily a hierarchy of experience, but where you might take on a traditional role of mentor as a guide, friend, or facilitator, often on a voluntary basis.

You gain skills that can be used across a range of mentoring relationships, as well as communication skills transferable to other aspects of your role. You are able to reflect on your own mentoring practice and potential service improvement within the context of your organisation.

Technology enhanced learning for healthcare education (15 credits)
In this module you are introduced to the key theories in the use and development of technology enhanced learning (TEL).

You are supported to develop aspects of, or a whole e-enabled learning object using open source software. You work in interactive workshops using the technology and are guided by a team of staff who have first-hand experience of developing open educational materials using open source software.

The module is facilitated by an interprofessional team to help broaden your perspectives outside of your professional group. You are encouraged to develop a range of independent study skills to locate and use best evidence to inform your learning.

This module is mapped to the Framework for Technology Enhanced Learning (Department of Health 2011) to ensure that technology in healthcare patient and service outcomes are identified within the following six key principles:
• patient centered and service driven
• educationally coherent
• innovative and evidence based
• deliver high quality educational outcomes
• deliver value for money
• ensure equity of access and quality of provision.

MSc

Dissertation (60 credits)
The dissertation module is your opportunity to explore in depth an area of practice that warrants further investigation, and outputs of your work can have a positive impact on service delivery in your area.

You are supported and encouraged to develop a researchable question that is of both personal and professional relevance as an educator, and as much as possible, one that enables you to generate evidence that is of value to your own local practice and seeks to improve the service delivered.

As an independent piece of study, you are allocated a supervisor who supports and guides you through your study journey. While working on the dissertation you enhance and develop a number of skills that are transferrable into your working world.