Masters Degrees (Health Technology Assessment)

The MPH (HTA) is a strand of the Master in Public Health (MPH) programme for those students who wish to specialise in public health with health technology assessment.

This multidisciplinary MPH provides firm grounding in the range of skills and disciplines essential to public health and health technology assessment. This programme will allow you to combine the benefits of completing an MPH degree with the specialism of health technology assessment and evidence-based healthcare. Health technology assessment is a rapidly expanding area, and employment prospects are good.

The MPH (HTA) is an exit qualification from the MPH programme. Candidates access this strand by applying for the Master in Public Health programme. If you wish to study this programme to Postgraduate Diploma level then you will need to complete the taught elements of the programme but will not need to complete a dissertation.

This programme is for anyone who wishes to develop their career by acquiring skills in using health information and making evidence-based policy within the healthcare field. It is particularly suitable for professionals who wish to develop their skills in evidence-based healthcare and health technology assessment. This includes those working in public health, health services research (including medical statisticians, health economists and epidemiologists), or information departments in the health service, university, government or health care industry settings in the UK or abroad.

The programme will allow you to combine the benefits of completing an MPH degree with the specialism of health technology assessment and evidence-based healthcare.

About the College of Medical and Dental Sciences

The College of Medical and Dental Sciences is a major international centre for research and education, make huge strides in finding solutions to major health problems including ageing, cancer, cardiovascular, dental, endocrine, inflammatory diseases, infection (including antibiotic resistance), rare diseases and trauma.
We tackle global healthcare problems through excellence in basic and clinical science, and improve human health by delivering tangible real-life benefits in the fight against acute and chronic disease.
Situated in the largest healthcare region in the country, with access to one of the largest and most diverse populations in Europe, we are positioned to address major global issues and diseases affecting today’s society through our eight specialist research institutes.
With over 1,000 academic staff and around £60 million of new research funding per year, the College of Medical and Dental Sciences is dedicated to performing world-leading research.
We care about our research and teaching and are committed to developing outstanding scientists and healthcare professionals of the future. We offer our postgraduate community a unique learning experience taught by academics who lead the way in research in their field.

Funding and Scholarships

There are many ways to finance your postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. To see what funding and scholarships are available, please visit: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding

Open Days

Explore postgraduate study at Birmingham at our on-campus open days.
Register to attend at: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/visit

Virtual Open Days

If you can’t make it to one of our on-campus open days, our virtual open days run regularly throughout the year. For more information, please visit: http://www.pg.bham.ac.uk

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The MSc in Economic Evaluation for Health Technology Assessment (HTA) aims to further students' knowledge and understanding of basic and advanced issues in the economic evaluation of health technology assessment through high quality training in relevant theoretical and practical issues.

All applicants to this programme should apply for the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Economics for Health Care Professionals in the first instance. Both the Postgraduate Certificate and the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics for Health Care Professionals should be completed before progressing to the MSc in Economic Evaluation for Health Technology Assessment.

What is Covered?

The modules are organised in a similar manner to the Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma programmes in Health Economics for Health Care Professionals. Each module lasts for approximately 12 weeks and comprises six or seven individual study 'units'. Modules are weighted at 20 'credits', where one credit equates to approximately 10 hours of study time.

In addition to the three compulsory modules for the Postgraduate Certificate and the three for the Postgraduate Diploma, students taking the MSc in Economic Evaluation for Health Technology Assessment take three further modules.

Programme Details

Mounting pressure on health care budgets worldwide has focused attention on how best to organise health care systems and the spending within them. The University of York distance learning programmes in health economics allow students to gain an accredited qualification while continuing in their careers, and offer the flexibility to spread study over a period of years to match professional and personal circumstances.

We offer three programmes of study, with the aim of providing students with the skills and confidence to apply the principles of health economics within the workplace. All applicants must complete the Postgraduate Certificate in the first instance, and progression to the Postgraduate Diploma and MSc is dependent on performance.

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Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is the assessment of relevant evidence and knowledge on the effects and consequences of healthcare technologies. It contributes to priorities and decisions in relation to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. This Masters in HTA focuses on the production, critical appraisal and use of scientifically rigorous research evidence, applied to a range of health-related areas.

Why this programme

◾Our postgraduate taught courses provide a solid grounding in all the major disciplines within the field of Health Technology Assessment. This is unique within Scotland, and is one of few such programmes worldwide.
◾Our faculty are world-class experts in their fields, who are active not only in research and teaching, but also involved in HTA decision-making at a national level (e.g. through NICE, SHTAG).
◾Our teaching is research-led. The courses have been developed to reflect the latest academic research and up-to-date challenges in HTA decision-making.
◾You will gain a comprehensive understanding and hands-on experience of the interconnected disciplines that are core to Health Technology Assessment. These include health economics, statistics, evidence synthesis, modelling and patient-reported outcome measures.
◾During a course, from week to week you will interact with your teachers and fellow students using online discussion boards. Your teachers will direct and observe the discussion, and respond to student questions about the course content.
◾You will have the opportunity to collaborate on a research project under the supervision of a member of academic staff or an external supervisor.

Programme structure

Core courses
◾HTA: Policy and Principles (20 credits)
◾Statistical methods for HTA and evidence based medicine (20)
◾Health economics for HTA (20)

Optional courses
◾Foundations of decision analytic modelling (10)
◾Evidence synthesis (20)
◾Outcome measurement and valuation for HTA (10)
◾Analysis of linked health data (20)
◾HTA in a global context (20)
◾Survival analysis for HTA (10)
◾Qualitative research methods for HTA (10)

Optional course (delivered as face-to-face in Glasgow)
◾Decision analytic modelling methods for economic evaluation (20)

Career prospects

HTA has growing importance internationally for informing health care decision making and there is increasing demand for employees with HTA relevant skills. Outside of the field of HTA, students would be well equipped with qualitative and quantitative research skills for jobs in academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and Government Information Services/Statistical agencies.

Potential employers & roles
◾Academic/research centres or universities – undertake HTA research projects funded by HTA agencies, national research bodies or health technology companies to support reimbursement or develop HTA methods.
◾Private industry including pharmaceutical companies, bio-technology companies and health insurance companies – design and undertake evaluations (effectiveness and/or cost-effectiveness) for presentation to reimbursement agencies in support of health technology products.
◾Local or national government agencies, regulators, health service providers, international health organisations (e.g. WHO) – commission and review assessments submitted to support reimbursement of health technologies; undertake systematic reviews, evidence synthesis and evaluations to focus and direct health care policy; evaluate policy and programmes previously funded.
◾National or international consultancy companies – undertake HTA projects for governments, HTA agencies or industry clients.

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About the course

You’ll gain an understanding of markets, pricing and customers needed for new product development in the health technology industry. If you’re already working or aspire to work in the field of health technology assessment, this course will give you the training you need to progress your career or gain a post as a health technology evaluator or commissioner.

This course is taught entirely online. You’ll study part-time over two to four years. You do not need a UK study visa to take this online course.

Your career

We can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to understand and improve health services: analytical skills, critical thinking and in-depth knowledge of your discipline. We offer postgraduate courses for health and social care professionals, managers and anyone planning a career in health services research.

Our graduates work in public health, the private sector, health services management, and health and social care, all over the world. They also go on to further public health training or academic research.

An international academic community

As one of the largest multi-disciplinary schools of public health and health services research in the UK, ScHARR is a rich academic community. You will be taught by world-leading experts in health economics, public health sciences, the sociology of health, health psychology, decision analysis, management sciences, epidemiology, medical statistics and information science. They include members of The Academy of Medical Sciences, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and the Royal Society of Public Health. The 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) rates us fourth in the UK for research power.

Our staff and students come from all over the world and offer international perspectives to all our courses.

Flexible study routes

We offer both traditional campus-based and online courses. Our high quality online courses are taught by the same expert academic staff who teach our courses in Sheffield and offer an alternative to coming to the UK. Guided by our staff, you can study at a pace that suits your personal circumstances. This can be an effective route for those who need to continue to work while they study. Postgraduate certificates and diplomas are also available.
You can also study individual modules as Continuing Professional Development (CPD). See the ScHARR web pages for details of available modules. For LBR and CPD information, visit: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/hsccpd

Facilities

You’ll have 24/7 access to library and computing facilities. We provide specialist information and library services in our information resources section.

Core modules

Methods and Processes in International Health Technology Assessment; International Health Care Systems and Reimbursement; Cost-effectiveness Modelling in International HTA; Systematic Reviews and Evidence Synthesis: Principles; Economic Evaluation in International HTA; Project.

Examples of optional modules

Choices include: Using Evidence in the Design and Development of Models; Pharmaceutical Pricing; Randomised Controlled Trials to Support Reimbursement Decision Making; Utility and Patient Report Outcomes Data in HTA; Building Cost-effectiveness Models for HTA.

Teaching and assessment

You will not attend the University in person. The course is taught entirely online, and you study at your computer in your own time. The course is a mixture of online learning and independent study. We use customised online rooms within our Virtual Learning Environment to deliver course materials in an accessible and engaging format, including live online webinars allowing interaction with course tutors and other students. Assessment

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This online course has been developed in response to a clear demand from the health technology industries, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices and diagnostic technologies.

It will develop your skills in cost-effectiveness modelling – technical skills which are in high demand within the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

Industry needs effective health technology assessment, pricing and reimbursement techniques to bring technologies to market and be successful.

Those who govern health technologies and reimburse providers need to be able to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of health technologies to ensure public money is spent effectively.

Course content

Economic Evaluation in International HTA
Cost-effectiveness Modelling in International HTA
Using Evidence in the Design and Development of Models
Building Cost-effectiveness Models for HTA

Teaching and assessment

This online course is taught by senior staff, all of whom are actively engaged in cost-effectiveness modelling for health technology assessment programmes and methodological research in economic modelling.

The majority of the materials are provided in the form of text, but this is heavily supplemented, where appropriate, with videos, screencasts, internet-based materials, and the use of interactive online tools.

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Our MSc Environmental Health course explores how the environment around us impacts our daily lives and our health through analysing how stressors can affect how our bodies function. We deliver the curriculum of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (a world recognised professional body) teaching about hazard and risk in the topics of: housing and health, environmental protection and health, occupational health and safety, food safety and public health. On completing this course you will have a detailed understanding of risks and how to mitigate impacts using technical, scientific or legal interventions to create a safer and healthier environment.

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) this course fulfils the academic requirement to gain recognition as an Environmental Health Practitioner. Full professional accreditation opens up a broad range of career prospects in the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK and abroad.

Members of the core teaching team sit on CIEH committees at both local and national level and in their accreditation visit, the CIEH commended ‘the excellent channels of communication established between Northumbria University and the CIEH’.

We offer the MSc Environmental Health as both a full-time and as a part-time course using a day release model. For more information on the part-time option, please view this web-page: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/courses/environmental-health-msc-pt-dtpenv6/

Learn From The Best

This course is delivered by our highly experienced teaching team. Three of the core four teaching staff are Environmental Health Practitioners who bring many combined years of experience gained working across local government, public health, health promotion, private consultancy, advocacy and specialist divisions of the Health Protection Agency (Chemical Hazards and Poisons Division and health emergency planning) to equip you with specialist knowledge and skills that are at the forefront of the subject.

Our staff are research-active and hold advanced degrees in complimentary subjects (e.g. environmental engineering and sustainable development, and public health) and memberships to professional organisations (including the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, Emergency Planning Society, etc.) to ensure they are aware of the latest trends, research and developments within this field.

Throughout the duration of your course you will benefit from site visits, presentations from guest lecturers and practical tasks to support you in transferring the theory you have learned into practise.

Teaching And Assessment

This course is focused upon the five core CIEH subject areas: food safety, housing and health, health and safety, environmental protection and public health.

Delivering an excellent postgraduate experience you will be offered the opportunity to question and reflect on how the world around us can impact on public health, whilst developing the skills and knowledge necessary to understand these risks and how to intervene and manage them effectively.

Teaching is delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars and workshops. You will also participate in debates, discussion and critiques of academic papers, field trips, case study scenarios and general discussions of academic and ethical issues.

Assessments for this course are undertaken in the form of essays, reports, audits, presentations and assessed discussions completed as an individual and part of a group. Wherever possible assessments reflect the type of work you could be doing as an Environmental Health Practitioner in the future.

At the end of the course you will have also had the chance to complete professional exams in practical food inspection and the integrated professional assessment. In addition, many of our assessments have been devised to be used as a potential basis to complete parts of your Portfolio of Professional Practice submission to the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH). Using these brings you closer to gaining recognition as an Environmental Health Practitioner.

Module Overview
KE7008 - Public Health (NC, 20 Credits)
KE7009 - Environmental Protection and Health (NC, 20 Credits)
KE7010 - Housing and Health (NC, 20 Credits)
KE7011 - Managing for Health and Safety (NC, 20 Credits)
KE7012 - Food Safety Management (NC, 20 Credits)
KE7013 - Foundations for Professional Practice and Research (NC, 20 Credits)
KE7015 - Research or Work Related Dissertation (NC, 60 Credits)
KE7025 - CIEH Integrated Professional Assessment (NC, 0 Credits)

Learning Environment

When studying the MSc Environmental Health course you will have access to our state-of-the-art learning facilities.

You will take part in practical experiments in our research laboratories, in addition to utilising our industry standard portable monitoring and analytical instrumentation to obtain real-world data for air quality, contaminated land and noise.

Specialist software, such as ADMS for air quality modelling, will allow you to analyse and model your findings. All of these experiences contribute to your understanding of how technology is used in the study and practice of environmental health.

With your course’s supporting documentation being available on our e-Learning Portal, Blackboard, and directed reading listed on the e-Reading Lists, both accessible at all times, this means you can support your own learning and self-development of the subject.

Research-Rich Learning

Our teaching team are research-active, specialising in fields such as health and safety management, compliance management, public health, food and safety standards, risk management, peroxides in aqueous solution, air quality, airborne particulates, environmental management in major incidents, and land contamination.

Research-rich learning is embedded throughout all aspects of this course, drawing on national and international findings to deepen your understanding of environmental health.

Your research experience is further enhanced with a dissertation where you are assigned to one of the core teaching team to undertake substantial research into a specific academic or work-based topic. You are encouraged to publish your findings in an appropriate journal.

In the latest UK-wide research assessment exercise (REF2014), 55% of the Geography Department’s research was ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent, making us a top-30 Geography Research Department based on research power.

Give Your Career An Edge

The MSc Environmental Health degree is highly valued by employers thanks to our accreditation with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).

Graduates entering the job market benefit from the strength and breadth of the specialised knowledge gained alongside seeing its practical application. This, combined with transferrable skills embedded throughout the course, including written and verbal communication, team working, critical thought, and problem solving, prepare you for future graduate level employment across the public and private sectors and voluntary sector.

We boast fantastic links with local employers meaning that there are placement opportunities usually available to help you complete your CIEH Portfolio of Professional Practice (PPP). Many of our students become technical officers and earn a salary whilst they complete their PPP alongside starting to gain experience in their chosen career.

Your Future

Graduates will leave prepared for employment in roles such as Environmental Health Officers, risk managers, public health specialists/advocates, and health and safety managers.

As a CIEH accredited Environmental Health Practitioner you can find a career in the public, private or voluntary sectors. As a consultant in the private sector you could be working for holiday chains, supermarkets, food manufacturers. In the voluntary sector you could work for charities working to bring sanitation and water to developing countries. The public sector offers roles in housing associations, advisor/regulators or as public health advocates in local government, or in central government agencies, for example Public Health England, the Environment Agency or Food Standards Agency.

You will also graduate equipped with the necessary training to support further research around the broad subject of environmental health and could progress to a PhD should you wish to in the future.

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Promoting the scientific study of health, illness and healthcare to improve health outcomes for patients and the public.

Who is it for?

The course is for highly motivated students who have intellectual curiosity to learn about complex problems of health and healthcare and the ambition to conduct research that may lead to a solution to these problems. The programme is especially suited to students who want to go on to do doctoral studies – either a DPsych Health Psychology (for practitioner training) or a PhD (for research training).

The Health Psychology course is also for those who have an undergraduate degree that is accredited by the British Psychological Society. If you are an international student and would like to undertake a Masters degree in this subject but do not have the BPS accreditation, we offer the MSc Psychology and Health as an alternative programme (with identical modules) for students who have not achieved the Graduate Basis for Registration with the British Psychological Society.

Objectives

Health psychology explores the psychological and behavioural processes that influence the development of illness, the promotion of health, and the delivery of healthcare through rigorous research that feeds into evidence-based practice.

Teaching at City promotes the scientist-practitioner model in which research influences how we practice, while allowing our experiences in practice to shape the research questions we ask.

We recognise that great research will not make a difference to people’s lives unless the insights feed into evidence-based practice. You will therefore learn how to make research evidence accessible to help maximise its impact. Taught by a team of leading research-active academics, who are members of the Centre for Health Services Research (CHSR), the MSc Health Psychology programme is designed to give you the foundations that will propel you to an exciting career in the discipline.

Here are some examples of the kinds of questions the course poses:
-How can we help people cope with a diagnosis?
-What are the main challenges facing individuals living with long-term conditions?
-What is psychological theory and how can this be used to understand health and illness behaviours?
-How can we make complex interventions more effective by using theory and empirical evidence?

Academic facilities

City University has recently opened the TECS Lab, a dedicated ‘smart home’, to showcase some of the exciting technologies that are being implemented around the UK to support patients with long-term conditions and complex health and social care needs.

This is a one-of-a-kind resource that is already being used for teaching and research purposes. You will visit the TECS Lab in the spring term and the resource will be available to conduct your own dissertation research on a related topic. As part of the University of London you can also become a member of Senate House Library for free with your student ID card.

Teaching and learning

The course uses a range of teaching methods including classroom teaching, seminars and workshops. You will be assessed through a varied combination of formats throughout the programme including coursework, examination, a diary component, online discussion forums and a significant piece of empirical research.

The assessment for the Doctorate includes:
-A reflective report (3,000 words) detailing how supervised practice has enabled you to fulfil the generic professional competence.
-A report (1,000 words) summarising the involvement of service users and/or carers in your training.
-Log of experiences that enabled you to gain competence in each component of all core units over the equivalent of two years’ full-time supervised practice (this should include a record of your attendance at core CPD workshops)
-A case study (3,000 words excluding appendices) with supporting evidence in appendices.
-A contract and working agreement conditions document (3,000 words, excluding appendices) with supporting evidence in appendices.
-Two teaching and training case studies (1 x 1,000 & 1 x 2,000 words, excluding appendices) with supporting evidence in appendices. One of the populations must be health care professionals and an observer’s report (500 words)
-A case study describing the process of conducting a psychological intervention that has been implemented through face-to-face work with an individual client (3000 words, excluding appendices) with supporting evidence in appendices.
-A case study (2,000 words, excluding appendices) describing the process of conducting a psychological intervention that has been delivered through a medium other than face-to-face with an individual client with a reflective report on delivering this intervention included in the appendices.
-A research thesis (approximately 15,000 words, excluding appendices) to be written to a standard acceptable for publication in peer-reviewed academic journals.
-A systematic review (6,000 words excluding appendices) to be written to a standard acceptable for publication in peer-reviewed academic journals.

You will also be able to learn from our on-site TECS lab. This is a dedicated smart home equipped with tele-health and tele-care applications and an adjacent monitoring system.

The purpose of the TECS lab is to enable researchers to monitor long-term conditions, and use technology to track an individual’s health in real time. For example seat and bed occupancy sensors enable health psychologists to monitor physical movement and intervene when routine behaviours are disrupted.

Modules

The programme consists of eight compulsory modules and all the teaching takes place in the first two terms. In term one you will be introduced to behavioural medicine, lifestyle, gender and culture, theoretical foundations of health psychology and research design and statistics. In the second term you study understanding and managing long term conditions, developing complex interventions, professional practice and contextual issues in health psychology and advanced research design and statistics. The third term is dedicated to the dissertation.

You may have the opportunity to interact directly with patients or healthcare professionals at the dissertation stage of this Masters degree. You will be conducting your own independent research and this may, for example, involve interviewing patients or professionals about a particular subject, or delivering behaviour change interventions.

To become a qualified researcher and practitioner, you will need to be able to understand and critique published research and to understand practitioner issues, so you can conduct your own research from scratch. At City we will encourage you to conduct research on the front line working on projects that require ethical approval, where you are engaging with real people so you can have a direct impact on their lives.

Core modules
-Theoretical foundations of health psychology (15 credits)
-Behavioural medicine (15 credits)
-Understanding and managing long-term conditions (15 credits)
-Lifespan, gender & culture (15 credits)
-Developing complex interventions (15 credits)
-Professional and contextual Issues in health psychology (15 credits)
-Introduction to research design & statistics (15 credits)
-Advanced research design & statistics (15 credits)
-Dissertation (60 credits)

Career prospects

Health psychologists work in academia as researchers and within the NHS and the wider healthcare sector. The nature of the work means you will be trying to influence public health policy in terms of the way that health care is practised. You will also be evaluating how health care professionals do their work while adhering to the best clinical standards.

As a UK student, because the Health Psychology MSc is accredited, it is known as Stage 1 of the standard training in healthcare psychology. By successfully completing this course you will be able to move on to Stage 2 training (a doctoral level qualification in health psychology). This leads to becoming a fully recognised health psychologist whereby you can apply for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Full membership of the Division of Health Psychology means you will also be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Chartered Health Psychologist. You can only use the protected title ‘Health Psychologist’ by registering with the HCPC, the statutory regulator.

Graduates of the MSc in Health Psychology and MSc in Psychology & Health take a variety of career paths across the NHS and wider public sector. Here are some examples of the kinds of roles our graduates go on to do:
-A PhD student studying a Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology.
-A research assistant in higher education, NHS or the private sector.
-An assistant psychologist in an applied setting.
-An NHS or third sector healthcare professional, such as a smoking cessation officer, or a public health and health promotion practitioner.

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Our MSc Environmental Health two year’s master’s course explores how the environment around us impacts our daily lives and our health through analysing how stressors can affect how our bodies function. We deliver the curriculum of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (a world recognised professional body) teaching about hazard and risk in the topics of: housing and health, environmental protection and health, occupational health and safety, food safety and public health. On completing this course you will have a detailed understanding of risks and how to mitigate impacts using technical, scientific or legal interventions to create a safer and healthier environment.

In the second year, for one semester, you’ll undertake an internship, study in another country or join a research group. This valuable experience will enhance your employability and further develop your theoretical and practical skills.

Internship

This option offers the opportunity to spend three months working full-time in one of the many companies/industries with which we have close links. You may be able to extend this over more than one semester in cases where it is adjacent to a vacation period. We will endeavour to help those who prefer this option to find and secure a suitable position but ultimately we are in the hands of the employers who are free to decide who they take into their organisation.

Research

If you take this option, you will be assigned to our Geography and Environmental Studies Research Group. There is every possibility that you may contribute to published research and therefore you may be named as part of the research team, which would be a great start to a research career.

Study Abroad

We have exchange agreements with universities all over the world, including partners in Europe, Asia, the Americas and Oceania. If you take the Study Abroad option you will spend a semester at one of these partners, continuing your studies in English but in a new cultural and learning environment. Please note that this option may require you to obtain a visa for study in the other country.

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) the first 180 credits of this course course fulfils the academic requirement to gain recognition as an Environmental Health Practitioner. Full professional accreditation, opens up a broad range of career prospects in the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK and abroad.

Members of the core teaching team sit on CIEH committees at both local and national level and in their accreditation visit, the CIEH commended ‘the excellent channels of communication established between Northumbria University and the CIEH’.

Learn From The Best

This course is delivered by our highly experienced teaching team. Three of the core four teaching staff are Environmental Health Practitioners who bring many combined years of experience gained working across local government, public health, health promotion, private consultancy, advocacy and specialist divisions of the Health Protection Agency (chemical hazard management and health emergency planning) to equip you with specialist knowledge and skills that are at the forefront of the subject.

Our staff are research-active and hold advanced degrees in complimentary subjects (e.g. environmental engineering and sustainable development and public health) and memberships to professional organisations (including the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, Emergency Planning Society, etc.) to ensure they are aware of the latest trends, research and developments within this field.

Throughout the duration of your course you will benefit from site visits, presentations from guest lecturers and practical tasks to support you in transferring the theory you have learned into practise.

Teaching And Assessment

This course is focused upon the five core CIEH subject areas: food safety, housing, health and safety, environmental protection and public health.

Delivering an excellent postgraduate experience you will be offered the opportunity to question and reflect on how the world around us can impact on public health, whilst developing the skills and knowledge necessary to understand these risks and how to intervene and manage them effectively.

Teaching is delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars and workshops. You will also participate in debates, discussion and critiques of academic papers, field trips, case study scenarios and general discussions of academic and ethical issues.

Assessments for this course are undertaken in the form of essays, reports, audits, presentations and assessed discussions completed as an individual and part of a group.

The Advanced Practice semester will be assessed via a report and presentation about your internship, study abroad or research group activities.

At the end of the course you will have also had the chance to complete professional exams in practical food and the integrated professional assessment. In addition, many of our assessments have been devised to be used as a potential basis to complete parts of your Portfolio of Professional Practice submission to the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH). Using these brings you closer to gaining recognition as an Environmental Health Practitioner.

Module Overview
Year One
KE7008 - Public Health (Core, 20 Credits)
KE7009 - Environmental Protection and Health (Core, 20 Credits)
KE7010 - Housing and Health (Core, 20 Credits)
KE7011 - Managing for Health and Safety (Core, 20 Credits)
KE7012 - Food Safety Management (Core, 20 Credits)
KE7013 - Foundations for Professional Practice and Research (Core, 20 Credits)
KE7025 - CIEH Integrated Professional Assessment (Core, 0 Credits)

Year Two
KE7015 - Research or Work Related Dissertation (Core, 60 Credits)
KF7005 - Engineering and Environment Advanced Practice (Core, 60 Credits)

Learning Environment

When studying the MSc Environmental Health course you will have access to our state-of-the-art learning facilities.

You will take part in practical experiments in our research laboratories, in addition to utilising our industry standard portable monitoring and analytical instrumentation to obtain real-world data for air quality, contaminated land and noise.

Specialist software, such as ADMS for air quality modelling, will allow you to analyse and model your findings. All of these experiences contribute to your understanding of how technology is used in the study and practice of environmental health.

With your course’s supporting documentation being available on our e-Learning Portal, Blackboard, and directed reading listed on the e-Reading Lists, both accessible at all times, this means you can support your own learning and self-development of the subject.

Research-Rich Learning

Our teaching team are research-active, specialising in fields such as health and safety management, compliance management, public health, food and safety standards, risk management, peroxides in aqueous solution, air quality, airborne particulates, environmental management in major incidents, and land contamination.

Research-rich learning is embedded throughout all aspects of this course, drawing on national and international findings to deepen your understanding of environmental health.

Your research experience is further enhanced with a dissertation where you are assigned to one of the core teaching team to undertake substantial research into a specific academic or work-based topic. You are encouraged to publish your findings in an appropriate journal.

In the latest UK-wide research assessment exercise (REF2014), 55% of the Geography Department’s research was ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent, making us a top-30 Geography Research Department based on research power.

Give Your Career An Edge

The MSc Environmental Health degree is highly valued by employers thanks to our accreditation with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).

Graduates entering the job market benefit from the strength and breadth of the specialised knowledge gained alongside seeing its practical application. This, combined with transferrable skills embedded throughout the course, including written and verbal communication, team working, critical thought, and problem solving, prepare you for future graduate level employment across the public and private sectors.

We boast fantastic links with local employers meaning that there are placement opportunities usually available to help you complete your CIEH Portfolio of Professional Practice (PPP). Many of our students become technical officers and earn a salary whilst they complete their PPP alongside starting to gain experience in their chosen career.

The Advanced Practice semester will help you develop a track record of achievement that will help you stand out from other job applicants.

A two-year master’s course, like this one, will carry particular weight with employers. They’ll understand that you’ll have a deeper understanding of topics as well as more hands-on practical experience.

Your Future

Graduates will leave prepared for employment in roles such as Environmental Health Officers, risk managers, public health specialists/advocates, and health and safety managers.

As a CIEH accredited Environmental Health Practitioner you can find a career in the public, private or voluntary sectors. As a consultant in the private sector you could be working for holiday chains, supermarkets, food manufacturers. In the voluntary sector you could work in housing associations or for charities working to bring sanitation and water to developing countries. The public sector offers roles as a advisor/regulator or as public health advocates in local government, or in central government agencies, for example Public Health England, the Environment Agency or Food Standards Agency.

You will also graduate equipped with the necessary training to support further research around the broad subject of environmental health and could progress to a PhD should you wish to in the future.

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City’s MSc Health management provides business skills for managers and leaders in healthcare, pharma, and management consultancy; this course has an international and cross-sector outlook.

Who is it for?

The course is for high potential managers for international business and leadership roles. It is for those with a hands-on approach, wanting to learn intensively and gain global perspectives, and cross-sector knowledge. The client-facing side of the programme is particularly relevant for those wanting to engage with real business challenges, influence career direction and boost their management profile.

Objectives

The MSc in Health Management provides strategic insights and business skills for those working across the worldwide health sector. The focus is on innovation and implementation with client-facing learning emphasising forward thinking.

Learning on the course is interactive, developing student’s business awareness, leadership and management capabilities; skills in project management and working in multi-disciplinary teams.

Throughout the course students engage in client-facing activities applying taught health management skills in management consultancy, internships, technology transfer and commercialisation projects.

Practical and relevant industry discussions are born from an international student body, working across different management and professional backgrounds, alongside speakers from the professional and scientific communities who promote practical industry relevant discussion and insights.

The course aims to enable students to engage in cross-sector and multi-disciplinary working, improve their team working abilities and client facing skills to achieve careers at the highest level within the international health sector.

Placements

The MSc Health Management includes placements, projects, and internship opportunities.

Health management consultancy is a placement that is part of the academic requirement of the course. Consultancies address a wide range of issues: strategy development, operational efficiency, new technologies and business start-ups. Consultancy teams are directed by the client, and facilitated and supported by the MHM academic team.

Technology transfer and marketisation projects provide opportunities for training and mentoring in commercialisation, on-the-job learning in multi-disciplinary teams and in some cases the opportunity to join a start-up management team.

Internship opportunities are available through the MHM Intern Development Programme. This offers opportunities with some of the most influential healthcare organisations in London. Internships are three-month periods of work experience, and opportunities to leverage career experience and direction. These are in the winter and spring semesters, as the health management consultancy placement is completed in the summer semester.

Academic facilities

The MSc Health Management is based in City’s Franklin Building close to the City of London, the School of Health Sciences, and Cass Business School.

As an international city and global health centre, London is an outstanding location for health management studies. Major international corporations are headquartered in London, as well as healthcare think tanks, and policy institutes. It is the centre of the national health service (NHS) for England, and the largest strategic health authority in the United Kingdom. This reflects in the range of placements, projects, and internships available on the course.

Teaching and learning

Teaching is provided by leading academics in the fields of business and the health care sector as well as respected guest speakers from the health industry and scientific community who join us to share experiences, and insights on future trends across the health sector.

Course delivery is approximately:
-30% Lectures by health management team
-30% Speakers from health industries and scientific communities
-40% Interactive learning in teams

The assessment strategy reflects the management task, with a wide range of assessments allowing flexibility to tailor business knowledge to career needs. Collaborative group assessments emphasise communication and influencing skills as well as providing opportunities to address larger inter-connected challenges. Written assignments emphasise the principles of management and the core business functions and develop skills in organisation analysis and preparing business reports. Exams focus on specific applied skill sets for managers and leaders.

The health management consultancy project embodies the client-facing emphasis of the course, and the approach to assessment.
-54% Coursework
-29% Projects
-17% Exams

Modules

The MSc Health Management comprises seven modules and a 12-15,000 word health sector dissertation.

The emphasis is on practical and applied business skills, looking across the health sector. The outlook is international. From health services to pharma, to management consultancy, the course develops a wide range of industry relevant business skills.

There are opportunities to participate in technology transfer and commercialisation projects. A health management consultancy project applies MHM skills in a client-facing project. The Intern Development Programme offers further opportunities to apply learning.

Core modules
-Strategic Management in Healthcare
-Health Innovation and Change
-Management and Leadership in Healthcare
-Finance and Enterprise Performance
-Economic Evaluation and Pharma
-Health Management Consultancy
-Research Methods and Applied Data Analysis

Career prospects

Management is a top Masters degree for earnings potential (Forbes 2015). With global health expenditure expected to increase to US$ 18 trillion (Lancet 2016), an MSc combining business skills with health sector application conveys exceptional career prospects,

Healthcare and pharmaceutical companies value skills in strategy, innovation and change leadership, management consultancy, and economic evaluation. The average salary of MHM graduates is £50,000.

Graduates from the MSc Health Management have gone on to work in all areas of healthcare, pharma, management consultancy and at companies including:
-Almirall
-Best Doctors
-Bombay Hospital & Medical Research Centre
-Capita Consulting
-First Prime Co., Ltd
-Fairview Hospital Zambia
-Golin London
-JDX Consulting
-Health Designs
-Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation
-IMS Health
-Lundbeck
-Medpace
-Mullen Lowe Lintas Group
-National Medical Care Co
-Orica
-Symmetron
-Texas Children’s Hospital
-The Royal Melbourne Hospital

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Course Overview

​Health psychology focuses on the roles of psychology, biology and social or environmental factors on health and health related behaviour. Health psychologists promote healthier lifestyles and seek to improve well-being by understanding the impact that health related thoughts, feelings and behaviour can have on the individual. Health strategy has been shifting from the treatment of disease to the maintenance of health and prevention of illness. This is particularly important in the Welsh context given that self-reported 'good health' is lower in Wales compared to other areas of the UK (ONS 2011), with a high level of risky behaviours (Welsh Assembly Government, 2004).

See the website https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/health/courses/Pages/Health-Psychology---MSc-.aspx

​Course Content​​

This MSc aims to produce high quality graduates that are in a good position to improve the health of and well-being of people in Wales and beyond by using specific psychological knowledge and skills. The programme is specifically designed with future employability in mind and provides a student centred approach to preparing graduates for future training and careers in health psychology.

Students will complete the following six taught modules along with a dissertation, which consists of an independent piece of research. Placement style dissertations are offered in external settings so that students, who choose to, are able to build experience in the type of settings in which they might later find employment.

- Research Methods and Design:
Equips the student with the qualitative and quantitative research skills necessary to undertake masters level research.

- Biopsychosocial Issues in Health:
Explores the impact of biopsychosocial factors in health

- Health Psychology and the Health Psychologist:
Provides a critical account of the application of health psychology in the community and workplace

- Changing Health Behaviour:
Critically evaluates psychological theories of behavioural change

- Chronic Illness, Stress and Pain:
Critically evaluates theories and models of chronic disease, stress, pain and their management.

- Communication in the Health Care Context:
Develops the students' understanding of effective communication strategies.​

Learning & Teaching​

​The MSc Health Psychology programme includes some formal lectures, but the majority of the programme is taught interactively, with students actively involved in each session. Group work, seminars, presentations and practical workshops all help to engage students and ensure they are developing the knowledge and skills required for stage 1 training in health psychology and also develop the confidence to use what they learn to the benefit of themselves and others.

The MSc Health Psychology programme is taught on two days each week, for full time students, and on one day each week for part time students. Much of the teaching takes place in the Psychology Postgraduate and Research Centre (PARC) which provides computers that students can use for private study and also a social space and kitchen area for students to make use of. PARC also includes a number of cubicles with software and other technology for use in research.

All of the course materials for the Programme are made available via the Virtual Learning Environment, Moodle, there is also a Facebook page and Twitter site (@cardiffhealthps) for the programme.

All students are allocated a personal tutor during their first week on the programme. Personal tutors will initiate a meeting with the students during the first term and will also invite students to come and see them with the PDP (Personal Development Portfolio) folders during term 2. In addition students are more than welcome to make an appointment to see their personal tutor, module leader or programme director whenever they wish. The programme team all adopt an open door policy and welcome students to come and talk to them about any issues related to the course or their welfare at any time.

The MSc Health Psychology programme at Cardiff Met has a partner programme at City Unity College in Athens. It may be possible for students to engage in a visit to our partner programme, to share workshops alongside their Greek counterparts. Last year the university funded 80% of the cost of the trip for 6 students from the MSc Health Psychology programme, and we are hoping that this funding will be available again for the coming year.
The MSc Health Psychology programme is accredited by the BPS and as such constitutes stage 1 training in health psychology. Talks about careers in health psychology, and stage 2 training will be included, as part of the programme and graduates from the programme will provide information about their own experiences and career development.

Assessment

The MSc is assessed by a range of different coursework assignments including literature reviews, research reports, essays, presentations and posters. No exams are used in the assessment for this programme. Assessments are designed to help students develop the skills they will require during their future careers.

Employability & Careers​

An MSc in Health Psychology is the first step (stage one) towards Chartered Psychology status for students who are eligible to hold the Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS). The MSc in Health Psychology will provide the knowledge base and research skills, which will underpin stage two of the process towards Chartership with the BPS (two years of supervised practice). Completion of stage two with the BPS also confers eligibility to become a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered Health Psychologist. All practitioner psychologists are regulated by the HCPC. Health psychologists work in all areas relevant to health, illness and health care delivery.

Find information on Scholarships here https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/scholarships

Find out how to apply here https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply

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Are you keen to improve public health and develop the knowledge required to reflect on current concerns and practice issues within this field?

Popular with both UK-based and international students, the Master of Public Health course has been specifically designed for those who wish to develop their career within public health, in addition to those looking to promote the health of the public as part of their current professional role.Health -Science

Upon successful graduation you will possess in-depth research and enquiry skills, and a critical understanding of their application in a public health employment context.

The practical application of these academic skills will equip you with the knowledge and approaches necessary to implement a broad range of interventions to improve public health outcomes in different employment contexts. For example, dealing with pandemic flu epidemics, increasing accessibility to health care services, reducing obesity or malaria rates and community development to enable disadvantaged communities.

This course is delivered on a full time basis, across a period of 12 or 18 months.

Learn From The Best

This course is taught by a team of experienced lecturers with a practice background in public health or education. We boast close links with local directors, commissioners and practitioners of public health, some of whom are employed as part of our teaching team to provide you with access to professionals that are actively working within public health.

All of our teaching staff possess the accreditations and academic qualifications required to teach, in addition to professional registrations with the Nursing and Midwifery Council or Health Care Professionals Council.

We also welcome external visiting speakers from a variety of public health contexts to contribute to lectures, enabling you learn about the current issues that are defining the public health sector.

Our team have extensive experience of working with both UK and international students and will provide ongoing guidance to support you throughout every step of this course.

Teaching And Assessment

This course will provide you with the opportunity to explore and develop your skills and knowledge of leadership, engagement and collaborative working, public health intelligence and epidemiology, public health fundamentals and research.

Teaching will be delivered via a mix of lectures and seminars, which will be supported by case studies, enquiry-based learning exercises, skills development sessions and independent study.

This course will be assessed through written work, group presentations, essays and academic posters.

You will also produce an in-depth dissertation project around a subject area of your choice. Undertaken under the supervision of a dedicated supervisor, this project will form the final stage of the assessment process.

Modules Overview

AC0778 - Research: Approaches, Methods and skills (Core, 30 Credits)
AC0780 - Leadership and Collaborative Working in Public Health and Healthcare (Core, 30 Credits)
AC0782 - Public Health Fundamentals: Concepts, Theories and Frameworks (Core, 30 Credits)
AC0783 - Public Health Intelligence and Epidemiology (Core, 30 Credits)
PP0723 - Project Feasibility Study Dissertation (NotDefined, 60 Credits)
PP0727 - Empirical Project (NotDefined, 60 Credits)
PP0728 - Practice Project (NotDefined, 60 Credits)
PP0729 - Systematic Appraisal (NotDefined, 60 Credits)

Learning Environment

This course is based at our Coach Lane campus and our facilities are some of the most advanced in the country and allow us to ensure your learning evolves in-line with the latest developments in the industry.

Technology is embedded throughout all aspects of your degree and you will receive ongoing support through our innovative e-learning platform, Blackboard, where you can access module handbooks, assessment information, lecture presentation slides and reading lists. Key lectures will also be recorded to allow you to listen again.

If English is not your first language you will also have access to the English for Specific Academic Purposes (ESAP) programmes to help you develop your English language, academic writing and study skills.

Give Your Career An Edge

The Public Health and Wellbeing department works in partnership with local and national services and organisations to produce independent public health and healthcare professionals who are competent, confident, compassionate and able to meet and exceed the professional, statutory and regulatory body standards required of them.

Our partnership with those actively involved in public health will enable you to interact and network with professionals who are currently working within public health, in addition to allowing you to further understand how the skills taught on this course apply to a real working environment.

The Master of Public Health course provides a good foundation for you to develop a portfolio at the level required for your particular role, if you so wish. For those pursuing the specialty training for registrars / supervisors the learning from the course will inform your portfolio development route (Faculty of Public Health 2015).

This course’s modules have been aligned to reflect the core and defined areas of the UK Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework (2013) and the Faculty of Public Health’s (2015) six domains of public health practice.

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This Masters programme provides state-of-the-art training in the latest advances in Digital Health Systems development and management. It's aimed at those who aim to become leaders in the field of Health IT, either for Health systems service delivery or for the Health & Wellness IT industry.

Graduates will gain essential skills and expertise in designing applications that are accessible and usable, and that comply with complex data governance within healthcare. You'll gain experience in managing, analysing and making use of data collected from personal devices (such as apps and wearables) and large scale health systems (such as electronic records). You'll also gain key software development and management skills that are critical for deploying health systems.

This course looking at the whole systems implementation of digital health systems is one of its kind in the UK.

This new and unique course is the first of its kind to offer technical graduates the opportunity to develop the core skills required to develop advanced health and wellness systems and technologies for improving the way we personally manage our lifestyles and how our care systems deliver better health to citizens.

You'll study

The course includes 120 credits of taught material - taken over the first two semesters - and a 60-credit digital health project that runs, typically, from May to September.

In addition to learning about the design, development and evaluation process for personal health and wellness devices and systems and larger scale hospital and community based IT systems, students will also be trained to understand and use techniques for using the data that these systems produce to support decision making and planning and delivery of better care.

Work placement

Student projects will be conducted in close collaboration with the Digital Health Research group partners.

Furthermore, the Digital Health Research group has close links with Scotland’s innovation centres (Digital Health & Care Institute, Data Lab), the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, The City Observatory, and the Centre for Health Policy. These links provide a range of opportunities for practical partnerships with the leading organisations and industries in the field.

Major projects

Working closely with the Digital Health research group means students will be alongside a group that has conducted major collaborative research and development projects and evaluations within the UK and internationally. The group were lead investigators in the evaluation of a £37 million Innovate UK programme to deploy assistive digital health and wellness technologies at scale across the UK.

The group is also involved in organising key national and international conferences such as the British Computer Society (BCS) Health Informatics conference and the ACM conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems.

Example projects include: Design of mobile apps for Managing Diabetes; Cost Benefit Analysis of Technology Enabled Care; Evaluating the Barriers to Implementing Electronic Personal Health Records at Scale.

Student competitions

Each year one student will be awarded the 'Innovative Digital Health and Care' award for the best overall student project (judged by representatives from academia, health and social care and industry).

Guest lectures

The taught modules will include guest-lectures from experts and practitioners in the field of Health IT, both from industry, this sector and the National Health Service.

Course content

Classes
-Design of Usable Health Systems
-Digital Health Implementation
-Decision Support & Health Analytics
-Research Methods & Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues for the Information Society
-Information Systems Architecture
-Database & Web Systems Development
-Individual Project

Learning & teaching

Teaching combines face-to-face lectures, labs and tutorials as well as personal/group study time.

Assessment

Taught modules are assessed using a combination of individual projects, group projects and final exams. The project is assessed on the quality of the project report (ie Master thesis). An overall minimum of 50% across all assessed classes and report is required in order to be awarded the Master in Digital Health Systems.

Careers

Graduates from the programme will enjoy a broad range of career opportunities. The NHS remains one of the largest employers in the world and IT professionals is one of the fastest growing profession within the organisation.

Equally, private and public health and care services world-wide are also expanding their digital health capacities and workforce and hardware and software companies (sensors, wearables, mobile computing) are all seeking expertise in the health and wellness sector. Future career options will include:
-Application & system developer
-Health Systems & Service Designers
-Data Analyst
-IT manager
-Knowledge management specialist
-Knowledge & information manager
-Information governance manager
-Clinical information manager
-Computer support analyst/engineer
-Clinical coder/Clinical coding trainer
-Planning & performance manager
-Systems & process Auditor

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What is the course about?

Public health is the science and art of promoting and protecting health and wellbeing, preventing ill-health and prolonging life through the organised efforts of society.

This is a fully online, distance-learning course using digital learning technology to allow learners to study from anywhere in the world and better fit study around personal and professional commitments. Flexibility in the course start dates (September, January or May) and module choices in Year 2 helps provide students with a more bespoke learning experience designed to match learning needs, interests and aspirations.

Who is it for?

This course is designed for students who want to explore the current and emerging key issues in the field while reflecting on their own practice, experiences and interests. We are keen for students to collaborate with us in better understanding how public health works across research, policy and practice at the local, national and global level.

Public heath practitioner roles differ greatly in the work they focus on and in their specific job titles. Some examples of the types of roles include: Health Policy Advisor; Public Health Advisor; Substance Misuse Worker; Heath Improvement Practitioner; Public Health Nutritionist; Teenage Pregnancy Coordinator; Smoking Cessation Advisor; Advanced Health Improvement Practitioner; Environmental Scientist; Health/Education Advisor; Support Workers and many more.

Distinctive features

You will receive the relevant theoretical and practical skills that are needed for careers as researchers, policymakers and/or practitioners across the public, private and voluntary/community/not-for-profit sectors.

You will be provided with expert knowledge and different perspectives from across research, policy and practice, focusing on contemporary public health issues relevant locally, nationally and internationally. The course will be taught by research-active staff alongside input and additional materials from policy and practice partners. Co-creation of content is also a key feature we explore with the course, allowing us to shape the curriculum with our students to build on their experiences, expertise and interests.

Course design

Through the course, students will be supported to:

• Explore and understand public health theory and techniques appropriate to their own area of practice or interest.

• Gain first-hand insight into approaches used by researchers, practitioners and policy-makers.

• Develop as skilled and knowledgeable multidisciplinary public health practitioners and researchers.

• Develop practical and transferable skills such as report writing, team working, literature searching, research methods and critical appraisal.

• Develop as critical and independent thinkers.

Teaching and assessment

The MPH offers you the opportunity to graduate with a named award recognised globally for public health knowledge and expertise.

The flexibility of this course allows you to manage your studies around your professional and personal life. Further flexibility is provided by the diverse variety of optional modules available throughout the entirety of the course. To ensure that you are equipped with the necessary knowledge and capabilities to conduct a successful research project and complete your Masters, there are taught elements within the research project module designed to develop your understanding and practical abilities.

The MPH Course Director is Dr Tony Robertson. Teaching on the course will be provided by colleagues across the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, particularly from the Centre for Population Health and Public Health Research (led by Prof Andrew Watterson and Prof Sally Haw) and the Institute for Social Marketing (led by Prof Linda Bauld). Module Coordinators include Dr Dawn Cameron, Dr Nicola Cunningham, Claire Eades, Dr Josie Evans, Dr Niamh Fitzgerald, Dr Richard Purves, Dr Tony Robertson and Ashleigh Ward.

Quote

You will gain a Masters degree from a multi-award winning faculty, led by a group of world-leading academics.

Module Information

Year 1 core modules

What is Public Health?

Epidemiology & Its Numbers

What is Public Health Research?

Year 2 core module

Policy in the Real World

Year 2 option modules

Society & Health

Health Behaviours & Behaviour Change

Qualitative Research and Analysis

Quantitative Research and Analysis

Research Ethics and Governance

Year 3 module

Research Project

Why Stirling

In the most recent Research Excellence Framework, the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport was ranked 1^st for health research in Scotland and 12th in the UK, showcasing our commitment to produce world-leading research that improves health and reduces health inequalities.

Stirling is one of only two UK universities ranked in the top 50 by the QS World University Rankings, for universities under the age of 50. This recognises universities that have established a strong position in international ranking tables in an impressively short period of time.

The University of Stirling was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2013 for its public health research.

Awards

It is possible to achieve:

·        Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health (60 credits – 3 modules)

·        Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health (120 credits – 6 modules)

·        Master of Public Health (120 credits plus a research project of 60 credits)

What is the credit level?

All modules are at level 11 within the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). 180 credits points are awarded for the course of study. All core and optional modules are worth 20 credits, with the research project worth 60 credits.

Entrance requirements

A minimum of a second class Honours degree (2:1 preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant relevant work/life experience, are also encouraged to apply.

Course start date

This course is 100% online and only available part time over three years. There are three possible start dates: September, January or May (although a September start date is recommended).

Get in touch

Tony Robertson, Course Director Telephone: UK +44 (0) 1786 466360

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://stir.ac.uk/public-health

Join our Twitter community: @StirMPH

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Practitioners, on all pathways, are equipped to lead, plan and evaluate care at individual, community and population level.

Who is it for?

This course is suitable for qualified nurses or midwives with a commitment to prevention and health promotion and evidence-based practice in a community setting.

Applicants will want to develop their practice in the sphere of district nursing, health visiting or school nursing, as well as gain an academic qualification which can lead to an MSc.

Objectives

The programme offers registered nurses and midwives an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and broaden their skills to improve health within communities. City offers the three specialist community practitioner routes in District Nursing, Health Visiting and School Nursing.

The course aims to support you to:
-Acquire a deep and systematic understanding of the professional and technical skills and knowledge of public health policy, practice, care delivery and service development.
-Develop knowledge, skills and professional competencies.
-Critically analyse social and cultural perspectives of public health, health and disease and the influence they have on judgements and decisions for practice, practice development and service delivery.
-Promote multi-agency and multi-disciplinary working in relation to public health practice.
-Critically analyse, synthesise and apply Specialist Public Health Nursing or Primary Care Nursing knowledge, policy and practice to work in different settings.
-Develop skills and knowledge to practise autonomously and organise and appraise practice and learning.
-Achieve the competency to prescribe from the community practitioner formulary for nurse prescribers.

Placements

Practice is an integral part of the programme. In the practice setting, you will work alongside a practice teacher or practice teacher and mentor from the specific sphere of practice, while completing learning activities and a practice assessment document.

You are required to undertake 15 days additional experience in an area of, or that may be of, responsibility, even if not central to the defined area of practice. This can be anywhere in the world. Past students have visited Denmark and Scotland, for example, as well as working elsewhere in London. They have worked with food banks, specialist nurses, environmental health officers and been involved in community development projects.

For the final ten weeks of the programme, you will work consistently in practice, consolidating your learning.

During your placement, you will have at least three visits from your link lecturer (who is also your personal tutor) to support learning in practice and facilitate theory- practice development.

Academic facilities

The Clinical Skills Centre at City offers excellent facilities for you to rehearse practical caring skills prior to your practice placement. You will have access to a simulated six-bed high-dependency unit (HDU) with realistic equipment including piped oxygen, call bells, medicines and emergency equipment. In addition, medium-fidelity simulators and laboratories, including a biology laboratory, allow you to rehearse skills in preparation for practice in a range of placements, including clinics and people's homes.

The School of Health Sciences is one of the first health schools in the UK to open a Technology Enabled Care Studio - City TECS. City TECS is a specially designed studio flat at our Northampton Square campus, fully equipped with the latest telehealth and telecare technologies, providing you with the unique opportunity to learn how to use the latest and future healthcare technologies while you study.

Teaching and learning

Teaching is facilitated by qualified educators, the majority of whom are registrants from the appropriate sphere of practice. In becoming a self-critical, lifelong, reflective learner, you will identify your learning needs and work towards meeting these.

Learning and teaching strategies will include formal lectures, seminars, student-led seminars, group projects, simulated practice, negotiated learning, e-learning, self-directed learning and practice-based activities.

Assessment
Assessment strategies seek to make links to practice. The following assessment methods will be used throughout the programme:
-Essays.
-Practice Assessment Document.
-Vivas.
-Case studies.
-Written examinations.
-Reflections on Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs).
-Drug Calculations.
-Development of a research proposal.
-Community Health Needs Assessment Health.
-Project plan.
-Digital Pitch.

Modules

Throughout the programme, both practice and theory is used to develop learning. 50% of the time is in practice, working alongside a practice teacher or mentor, and the other 50% is learning time in the Institution.

This programme will generally include 50 organised learning days, most of which will be campus-based and 107 practice days of different sorts (supervised, alternative and consolidated). There are 57 study days when you are expected to undertake guided independent study.

As a paid employee, you are expected to attend all timetabled classes and placement learning experiences.

For a complete module selection breakdown, see the website: http://www.city.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/postgraduate-diploma-public-health

Career prospects

The programme is vocational, leading to practice and employment as a district nurse, health visitor or school nurse. Such practitioners are employed by NHS Foundation Trusts, Social Enterprises and Commercial Providers.

The starting salary is generally at Agenda for Change Band six. District nurses, health visitors and school nurses gain employment as:
-Experienced practitioners.
-Practice teachers.
-Community matrons.
-Nurse consultants.
-Managers.
-Professional organisation officers.
-Institution lecturers.

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Healthcare demand is exceeding supply worldwide and there is a need for radical solutions. Innovative IT approaches are transforming healthcare. Health providers and leading multinationals are investing massively in technology and demand for qualified health informatics professionals is high.

This programme offers a detailed overview of health informatics, including telehealth, mHealth, data analytics, knowledge management and decision support. It takes a strong information systems perspective, building transferable skills in areas like soft systems, process modelling, strategy and system development, and focusing these on health.

The Yorkshire Centre for Health Informatics has a strong national and international reputation and is actively engaged in delivering education, skills, research and development to the NHS and a network of national and international software suppliers. As a student on the Masters programme, you’ll be actively involved with us in listening to, and informing, the informatics agenda for health.

More information

The professional development events run by the Yorkshire Centre for Health Informatics (YCHI) mean we have an established network of employers keen to recruit masters students and support their masters projects.

You’ll benefit from our location too. The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is the largest UK hospital trust and Leeds is the headquarters for many Department of Health organisations, such as NHS Digital and NHS England. We also have close relationships with leading health software suppliers based in Leeds, in particular The Phoenix Partnership, providers of SystmOne and ResearchOne. YCHI is part of the Leeds Institute of Data Analytics, bringing opportunities to be involved in exciting developments in “big data”.

You can also study this subject at MSc, Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate levels.

Course content

PgCert

You’ll study modules totalling 60 credits. These are made up of two core (compulsory) taught modules and two optional modules from a range offered in Health Informatics or Health Sciences. This gives you the opportunity to tailor your study to areas of interest ranging from specific skills, such as data analytics and visualisation, to applications such as clinical decision support, or particular domains, such as international health.

Compulsory modules:

• Informatics in Health Care 15 credits
• Process Modelling, Benefits and Change 15 credits 

PgDip

You’ll study modules totalling 120 credits. These are made up of four core (compulsory) taught modules and four optional modules from a range offered in Health Informatics or Health Sciences. 

Compulsory modules:

• PgCert modules

plus

• Systems Thinking in Health Care 15 credits
• Mobile Health 15 credits 

MSc

You’ll study modules totalling 180 credits. These are made up of four core (compulsory) taught modules and a research project, plus four optional modules from a range offered in Health Informatics or Health Sciences.

Compulsory modules:

• PgDip modules

plus

• MSc Health Information Project 60 credits

Learning and teaching

Teaching is through lectures, practical classes, tutorials, seminars and supervised research projects. We make extensive use of IT and a wide range of materials is available to enable you to study at your own pace and in your own time, to enhance and extend the material taught formally.

You’ll be able to use University facilities for independent study, such as computing facilities and the Health Sciences library, with its extensive collection of online journals.

Assessment

The modules are assessed by a variety of methods including essays, reports, portfolios, websites, posters and presentations. Your results for every module contribute to your final degree classification.

Career opportunities

Our alumni have successfully secured health informatics roles in healthcare organisations and industry. Students sponsored by their employers to study with us have reported achieving promotion after completing the course.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

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