Professional Health and Social Care Practice
MSc (PGCert PGDip)

Course summary and entry requirements

Course duration
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: 18 months

About the course

This course offers an opportunity for participants from around the UK and internationally to critically evaluate and reflect on their professional development using distance learning (where students work on their own at home and communicate with staff and other students via, electronic forums, videoconferencing, and other forms of computer-based communication). The structure of the course allows participants to gain the MSc without attending the university. To allow maximum flexibility blended learning options (combining traditional face-to-face classroom methods with computer-mediated activities) are available. The elearning facilities that are available through studentcentral will allow participants to access a wide range of learning material and learn collaboratively through peer and tutor assisted learning. Flexible learning provides learners with choices regarding where, when, and how learning occurs. It meets the needs of an increasingly diverse range of participants and includes making appropriate use of technology to support the learning process enabling choice and responsiveness in the pace, place and mode of learning.
The course enables learning to be triggered by participants practice, as the core modules all allow participants to focus on aspects of their practice that are most relevant to them in their workplace. Peer assisted learning forms an important part of the teaching and learning strategy of the course, enabling participants to learn from the experiences of those working within other health and social care professions both in the UK and internationally. Most learning will occur asynchronously, enabling participants to plan their study around their other commitments. There will be the option for some action learning sets to occur synchronously, at a mutually convenient time. There is flexibility for these to occur in the early morning or evening to overcome difficulties with obtaining study leave. The core modules focus on different aspects of professional practice; the Evidence Informed Practice module focuses on applying and disseminating professional practice based on research evidence, the Continuing Professional Development by Critical Reflection module requires participants to critically evaluate and apply models of reflection and the Practice Development through Independent Learning focuses on developing the students practice within their area of specialism.
We are committed to enabling as many people as possible to take advantage of higher education, and operate a flexible admissions policy where applications are considered on merit.

Typical entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are for students starting their course in 2013. Individual offers may vary
For non-native speakers of English:
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to show a suitable English language qualification; for example the International English Language Testing System at least 6.5 overall and 6 in writing.
Degree and/or experience:
This course is for qualified health and social care professionals who demonstrate sufficient experience of practice to reflect on throughout the course. Applicants will normally hold an appropriate honours degree or equivalent qualification in a health and social care profession. Applicants will normally be registered with an appropriate professional body.
Course content

Course structure

Participants will commence the course with a 2 week long, online `introduction to your postgraduate studies induction. This induction process will familiarise participants with the elearning tools used and some essentials skills for postgraduate study, for example plagiarism awareness and searching the literature. Following the online induction participants will be given a guided choice between the following:
Post Graduate Certificate Professional Health and Social Care Practice
Post Graduate Diploma Professional Health and Social Care Practice
MSc Professional Health and Social Care Practice

Syllabus

Post Graduate Certificate Professional Health and Social Care Practice (60 level 7 credits)
Participants must complete:
- Evidence Informed Practice (20 credits).
And choose 40 credits from the following:
- Continuing Professional Development by Critical Reflection (20/40 credits)
- Practice Development through Independent Learning (20/40 credits)
Post Graduate Diploma Professional Health and Social Care Practice (120 level 7 credits)
Participants must complete:
- Evidence Informed Practice (20 credits).
And choose 40-80 credits from the following:
- Continuing Professional Development by Critical Reflection (20/40 credits)
- Practice Development through Independent Learning (20/40 credits)
Plus:
- Research Methods Module from the GPHSS (20 credits).
Depending on number of credits taken from the first section up to 2 Optional Modules (40 credits level 7)
MSc Professional Health and Social Care Practice (180 level 7 credits)
Participants must complete
- Evidence Informed Practice (20 credits)
And choose 40-80 credits from the following:
- Continuing Professional Development by Critical Reflection (20/40 credits)
- Practice Development through Independent Learning (20/40 credits)
Plus:
- Research Methods Module from the GPHSS (20 credits).
Depending on number of credits taken from the first section up to 2 Optional Modules (40 credits level 7)
Plus:
- Dissertation (60 credits level 7)
Fees and costs

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or criminal record checks, field trips or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply please check with the school that provides your course using the contact details on the left of this page for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

Our website www.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

MSc (PGCert PGDip) Professional Health and Social Care Practice

Please contact us directly for exact tuition fees for this course.
Location

Location Eastbourne

Eastbourne is a thriving town which offers traditional seaside attractions, modern nightlife, good shopping and a wide range of sporting activities. It’s one of the sunniest places in the UK.
Our Eastbourne campus is located at the foot of the South Downs National Park, about ten minutes walk from the seafront and 20 minutes from the pier and Eastbourne town centre. Almost 3,000 students are based here.
View campus maps and directions
Living in Eastbourne
Eastbourne’s buzzing university community and compact town gives it a laid back and friendly feel. The town combines the traditional seaside attractions with modern nightlife, a wide range of sporting activities and an exciting arts scene.
Social scene
The student community in Eastbourne ensures it has a thriving social scene, with dedicated student nights at many of the town’s pubs and clubs. Eastbourne’s expanding nightlife includes trendy cocktail bars, laid-back country pubs and modern nightclubs.
Arts
The striking Towner contemporary art museum in Eastbourne features international exhibitions as well as a permanent art collection. Eastbourne's six theatres give you a chance to see West End musicals, touring shows, live music and comedy.
Sports
Eastbourne has long been the home of pre-Wimbledon tennis tournaments at Devonshire Park. Eastbourne also hosts an extreme sports festival and the Beachy Head Marathon that takes place across the South Downs National Park.
Staff profiles

Clair Hebron, course leader

I completed an undergraduate physiotherapy degree in 1991, at which point I began clinical work in the NHS. I commenced study for an MSc in manipulative physiotherapy in 1997, and became a full member of the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP) in 1999. I completed my MSc in 2002 and during this time also completed a year long post as a lecturer practitioner, at which point I started lecturing full time, although I continued to work in private practice until 2003.

I am a member of the International Advisory Board and reviewer for the Manual Therapy Journal. I was secretary of the MACP executive committee from 2008 – 2012 when I became the MACP representative for the International Federation of Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) and I am also vice-chair of the Committee for Educational Approval of the MACP.

My research interests include low back pain, the neurophysiological and biomechanical effects on mobilisations and the effects of treatment dosage. I am currently studying for a PhD entitled ‘The Biomechanical and Neurophysiological Effects of Lumbar Mobilisations’.
Career opportunities

Visit the careers service website.
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Core modules

Evidence Informed Practice (20 credits at level 7)

This module will focus on applying research to professional practice. The module aims to enable health professionals to reflect on and critically evaluate their professional practice and to identify ways in which the learning gained will inform and enhance their future practice. Participants will identify an area of their professional practice (agreed with the module team), which will form the basis for further study. The area of practice will depend on the needs and interests of individual participants but will be expected to significantly enhance their critical evaluation skills. The area of focus must be relevant to their professional practice. Participants will be required to produce a protocol based on evaluation of the research evidence, suitable for implementation in their workplace.

Continuing Professional Development by Critical Reflection (20 /40 credits at level 7)

In this module participants will be required to draw on a significant incident from their practice that will form the basis of their in depth reflection. For example the significant incident may be triggered from reflection on their practice, a patient with complex needs or work management issue. The content will depend on the needs and interests of individual participants but will be expected to enhance their reflective and critical evaluation skills by exploring the incident in depth.

Practice Development through Independent Learning (20/40 credits at level 7).

This module enables participants to develop their professional practice. During the module they will decide on the topic, pattern and scope of study. E.g. Exploring diagnostic reasoning in advanced nursing practice by writing a paper suitable for publication critically analysing the process of formulating a medical diagnosis based upon interpretation of abnormal physical assessment findings and creating a 2-3 page guide about the process of formulating a medical diagnosis for advanced practice nurses; this will be agreed by negotiation of a Learning Contract with a member of the module team which will define the aims and objectives of their study. Online action learning sets (small groups of individuals who support each other in learning and development) will take place asynchronously via studentcentral; participants will be advised to contribute to these action learning sets during a predetermined time frame. These sets will be facilitated by a tutor. All participants will make up the remainder of the hours using personal tutorials and self-directed learning strategies. Between action learning sets participants are expected to carry out self-directed learning.