Masters Degrees (Improvement Science)

Our Implementation and Improvement Science MSc programme is a practical and innovative course for graduates with an interest in improving health services and a desire to do it efficiently. The Implementation and Improvement Science MSc programme is delivered by expert scientists working together under the auspices of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) South London.

Key benefits

• Leading researchers and specialists in the field, including implementation and improvement science experts from NIHR CLAHRC South London and King’s Improvement Science (KIS).
• A free two-day Implementation Science Masterclass managed by the CLAHRC South London with international experts in the field.
• Located in the heart of London, across three of King's Thames-side campuses (Waterloo, St Thomas' and Guy's) and the Denmark Hill Campus in South London.
• Lectures will be delivered by experienced multi-disciplinary researchers on contemporary issues in the conduct and utilisation of health, clinical and social care research.
• A thriving research community to join and to participate with active researchers in a range of extra-curricular events, such as reading groups, round-table discussions and workshops.

Description

Implementation Science is the study of methods to support the application of evidence and research findings in healthcare policy and practice. As well as seeking to understand the behaviour of healthcare professionals, managers and policymakers together with service users and carers. The study also examines the impact of decisions on the sustainable uptake, adoption, and spread of evidence-based interventions.

Implementation and Improvement Science looks to determine which improvement strategies offer the greatest benefit in terms of safety, health outcomes and the experience of service users.

The course provides a thorough training that will enable you to develop research skills to support the design and delivery of effective health services. You will have the opportunity to develop, implement and evaluate health interventions working in partnership with health and social care providers to meet vital service needs.

What you will learn?

• How to design, implement and evaluate an implementation or improvement project using different theoretical approaches and designs
• The importance of measurement e.g. how to know if an intervention is making a positive difference, how to measure unintended consequences of an intervention, and how to evaluate the effectiveness of different intervention and implementation strategies
• Research and practical skills that will help you make real and long-lasting improvements in health services – including how to design effective interventions to improve population health.

This research programme offers you the flexibility to study either full or part-time and is made up of optional and required modules totalling 180 credits. If you are studying full-time, you will complete the course in one year, while the part-time study pathway will take two years to complete.

Initially, you will explore the Principles of Implementation and Improvement Science, Measurement and Evaluation for Healthcare Practice as well as issues in the conduct of healthcare research methods. You will then choose a range of optional modules to reflect your academic interests before completing a dissertation worth 60 credits. Your thesis will enable you to draw on your knowledge and research skills with a choice of three options: an analysis of an area of healthcare provision, an empirical study, or a systematic review.

If you are following the part-time study pathway, you will typically complete the required core study modules as well as the optional modules in the first year and the dissertation in the second and final year.

Who should apply?

• Health professionals, researchers and health service managers working in the NHS, voluntary sector or private sector
• Patient and service user activists, or members of a patient organisation
• Staff working in the charity sector who are interested in making health services better
• Social scientists
• Staff working for a commissioning organisation.

Location

The majority of learning for this degree takes place across the four King’s College London campuses, including three Thames-side campuses (Waterloo, St Thomas’ and Guy’s) and the Denmark Hill Campus in South London. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the optional modules you select. 

Course purpose

The course content is suitable for people at the start of their career as well as people who have been working in, or using health services for a longer period of time.

Course format and assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations. This can include written assignments such as essays, portfolios and dissertations. In addition, some modules will require you to undertake a presentation as part of the module assessment. A small number of modules are assessed by an exam such as an unseen written examination or a computer based assessment.

Regulating body

King’s College is regulated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Extra information

What is Implementation Science?

Implementation Science is the study of methods to promote the translation of research findings and evidence into healthcare policy and practice. It seeks to understand the behaviour of healthcare professionals, managers and policy makers alongside those of service users and carers and how these behaviours impact the sustainable uptake, adoption, and spread of evidence-based interventions.

The methods investigate and address major blockages (eg social, behavioural, economic, management) that prevent effective implementation of practices that have already been shown to have the capacity to improve healthcare, and systematically measure the impact of these practices on patient outcomes, experience, safety and population health.

Implementation science is closely aligned to improvement science, which seeks to determine which improvement strategies offer most benefit in terms of safety, health outcomes and the experience of service users.

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This course allows you to explore how to make better use of research and innovation to improve ways in which healthcare is organised and delivered for patient benefit.

It is a work-based course, requiring you to identify and implement service improvement projects in your own work context.

The course is designed to focus on key concepts:

• Improvement science concepts
• Evidence-based approaches
• Quality improvement and measurement

The MSc also includes:

• Work-based enquiry methods for investigating innovations and improvement projects
• Work-based healthcare innovation and improvement projects, varying in size and scope depending on the target award

Students may also make a claim (APL) to gain credits for exemption from some modules.

Assessment

Coursework, including learning contracts, project proposals, reports, reflective commentary, and oral presentation

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This course is delivered by the Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) Northwest London, specialists in improvement science and is designed for experienced qualified healthcare staff, working both in the UK and internationally.

The CLAHRC delivered course focuses on:
• Understanding care from the perspective of patients and carers through engaging patients and members of the community with the design and development of care
• Bringing research more rapidly into everyday practice, utilising rapid-cycle research, improvement methodologies and rigorous evaluation of clinical and cost effectiveness
• Adopting an industrial standard of quality in the NHS through utilising information to drive evidence based implementation and support evidence based practice
• Increasing staff capacity to implement change and improvements across professional and organisational boundarie
As such the course will enable you to meet the Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention (QIPP) and Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) agendas, within your organisation.

Course detail

This is a part-time course and you will generally study 3 modules a year. The start dates of the modules will be spread over the academic year to support your achievement, as we recognise you will be working full-time, alongside studying for this award.

Modules

The modules will provide you with the skills, competence and underpinning knowledge to be truly effective in your role and build your capability to apply the latest improvement models and tools to your work:

- The Policy Environment
- Leading and Sustaining Improvement
- Engaging others in Improvement
- 40 credits of option modules focusing on current issues of organisational and/or professional relevance.
- Evidence based Improvement Methods
- Improvement Project.

How to apply

Click the following link for information on how to apply to this course: http://www.uwl.ac.uk/students/postgraduate/how-apply

Scholarships and bursaries

Information about scholarships and bursaries can be found here: http://www.uwl.ac.uk/students/postgraduate/scholarships-and-bursaries

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Delivering excellence in health and social care at an individual, team and organisational level is not just desirable but achievable. The philosophy of this CIEHF recognised course is that for high-quality, safer care to flourish, every member of staff must be committed to, and play their part in, an integrated approach to care. The application of a human factors approach is also crucial if real progress is to be made. A human factors approach involves applying theory, data and design methods about how humans interact with their environment to make it easier for work to be done in the right way.

Course details

The programme develops and equips critical advocates and ambassadors for quality, safety and governance in health and social care. It also enables you to apply comprehensive knowledge, understanding, expertise and advanced skills to lead a human factors-based project in the work place to enhance the quality, safety and governance of care. The programme is suitable for you if you work in the public, independent and voluntary sectors, or any other professional field including clinical and support services.

To maximise your success on this programme you need a viable project in line with your departmental or organisational priorities and agreed by your relevant organisational representative and programme leader. Throughout this course you will have access to qualified CIEHF members. You will be asked to complete a brief human factors-based quality improvement project overview form to support your application.We expect that you will have prior knowledge and/or experience of change management, leadership and quality improvement science or a willingness to independently increase your knowledge in these areas before beginning the course.

Professional accreditation

This course is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors

What you study

You develop in-depth, specialist knowledge of human factors and gain experience in using this to enhance the quality, safety and governance of care. You also study improvement science, leading change and a multi-perspective approach to determining and measuring performance and the impact of change. This includes planning an evaluation study based on the change you have implemented.

Course structure

Core modules

• Leading Person-centred Quality Improvement in Health and Social Care
• Using a Human Factors Approach to Quality Improvement in Health and Social Care

Modules offered may vary.

Teaching

How you learn

The programme is taught in short study blocks spread across the academic year over a total of 14 contact days. We use a range of teaching methods including lectures and workshops, student-led seminars, action learning, interactive and online learning activities, directed and self-directed study activities. You are supported by module tutors with extensive experience in this subject area and the programme leader who is a member of the founding cohort for the NHS England and Health Foundation Q Initiative.

How you are assessed

We use a range of assessment modes throughout the programme. These include an essay analysing a quality, safety and governance issue using a human factors approach, a project-based evaluation research critique, and a poster presentation and oral defence of a change project. 

Formative processes include an informal presentation on the improvement project plan and initial implementation. This is an opportunity for you to receive early development feedback. Presentations are made to a small panel drawn from the critical friends stakeholder support forum whose members participate in student assessment and support programme design and delivery. This group comprises service users and carers, employer representatives and academic staff to ensure that a person-centred approach extends to all aspects of the programme, maximising employer/organisational benefit.

Employability

Graduates from this programme are equipped with specialist human factors knowledge, expertise and experience as well as a range of more generic attributes such as advanced reasoning and decision-making skills. You are able to work collaboratively, present and research. You also have strong ICT skills that highly sought after by employers.

The programme is relevant for you if you work in, or would like to work in a specialist quality, safety or governance role, or one dealing with human factors.

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The MSc in Surgical Science and Practice is a part-time, modular course completed in two to three years by surgical trainees.

Delivered in collaboration with the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences (http://www.nds.ox.ac.uk/) it is designed to prepare senior surgical trainees for life as independent specialists by providing key skills and knowledge essential for modern practice, which are not fully represented or are omitted from most postgraduate training curricula. The course is unique as its part-time nature is designed to allow students to fit their study around work.

The MSc in Surgical Science and Practice provides a foundation in some of the most important additional life long skills which the future leaders of the profession need to acquire. Surgeons in the future will work as part of multi-disciplinary teams in complex organisations, and will need to adapt and develop new skills and roles throughout their professional lives. Thus the syllabus covers management skills, quality improvement, leadership, teamwork and patient safety, as well as an introduction to the principles of medical education and clinical research methods. The knowledge gained during this course will stand students in good stead throughout their careers.

Visit the website https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/msc-in-surgical-science-and-practice

Programme details

The MSc in Surgical Science and Practice is organised around six compulsory modules, plus a work-based research project and dissertation. The programme is normally completed in two to three years. Students are full members of the University of Oxford and are matriculated as members of an Oxford college.

The course features a significant component of online and distance learning, as well as one week of intensive teaching in Oxford per module.

Modules:

- Becoming a Medical Educator
- Human Factors, Teamwork and Communication
- Introduction to Surgical Management and Leadership
- Quality Improvement Science and Systems Analysis
- Surgical Technology and Robotics
- The Practice of Evidence-Based Health Care (Surgery)

Each module takes place once a year, giving students the opportunity to individualise their patterns of study.

During the course there is an exceptional opportunity for an introduction, with hands-on experience, to leading edge modern surgical technology such as the Da Vinci robot. The programme also features lectures by staff from the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine based in the world-renowned Department of Primary Care Health Sciences.

Taught by global experts, the modules in this programme can also be taken as individual stand-alone courses.

Course aims

The overarching aim of the MSc in Surgical Science and Practice is to provide the next generation of surgeons with the tools to build and lead successful surgical units delivering safe, high quality, high reliability care.

By the end of the course candidates will be able to understand the following important principles:

- How to evaluate clinical research evidence critically and understand how it should be interpreted and applied to one’s own context and practice;

- How to design, conduct and evaluate teaching and training for postgraduate clinicians, and how to assess curricula and teaching programmes;

- Financial and quality management ideas, and methods for analysing and restructuring the systems in which surgeons work;

- A theoretical understanding of the use of modern surgical technology linked to baseline practical training in minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques;

- The teamwork, leadership and communication skills required for effective and safe working in a modern surgical environment.

What will you gain from attending the programme?

At the end of the programme you will be able to:

- Critically appraise relevant clinical research and estimate its validity and relevance to your practice;

- Understand in principle how to design your own clinical research studies, and what expert support you need to be successful;

- Understand basic business and financial planning in the health care industry;

- Develop your own business plans and cases for your practice;

- Understand the principles of leading a team and how to foster an appropriate culture to promote good teamwork and communication;

- Analyse and improve systems of work within surgery using standard industrial quality improvement and human factors principles;

- Understand how to act as a mentor and trainer for postgraduate trainees, how to set up and run courses and curricula, and how to evaluate and improve trainee progress;

- Understand and have some experience of using up to the minute surgical technology which is likely to become important during your career.

Teaching methods

The class-based modules include a period of preparatory study, a week of intensive face-to-face lectures and tutorials, followed by a period for assignment work. Attendance at modules is a requirement for study. Some non-classroom activities are provided at facilities elsewhere in the University, including surgical simulators and operating theatres on the University's hospital sites. The course includes taught material on research skills.

The taught modules include group work, discussions, guest lectures, and interaction and feedback with tutors and lecturers. Practical work develops the student's knowledge and understanding of the subject. This includes supervised access to surgical simulators and robots as part of the Surgical Technology and Robotics module.

A virtual learning environment (VLE) provides extensive support between modules.

Resources available:

University of Oxford libraries, including:

- The Cairns Library at the John Radcliffe Hospital
- Radcliffe Science Library
- Rewley House Continuing Education Library
- Bodleian Libraries e-Resources

Plus facilities from the Department of Continuing Education, including:

- The Graduate School
- WebLearn virtual learning environment

Assessment methods

To complete the MSc, students will need to:

- Attend the six compulsory modules in Oxford, and undertake assessed written assignments for each module;
- Complete a dissertation on a topic selected by the candidate in consultation with the supervisor and approved by the Standing Committee.

Dissertation

The dissertation will be founded on a work-based research project that will build on the material studied in the taught modules. The dissertation should normally not exceed 15,000 words.

The project will normally be supervised by an academic supervisor from the University of Oxford, and an employer-based mentor.

Find out how to apply here - http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/applying-to-oxford

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About the course

Our Primary and Secondary PGCEs are "Outstanding" (Ofsted, 2015).

All our Education courses have been developed in collaboration with Partnership schools and the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL). This ensures not only the highest possible quality of provision, but also relevance in reflecting national and school-level priorities in Education.

Aims

The Brunel Science Postgraduate Certificate (PGCE) is a M-level course with 60 credits that can contribute to further Master's level study in Education, subject to approval.

The course will equip you with the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to teach science and the ability to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the vital role of the teacher and the school in ensuring excellence in the educational experiences of young people

Undertake professional practice which enables you to evidence the Teachers’ Standards which facilitate the award of Qualified Teacher Status

Understand the relationships between Education and science within current national and government frameworks, and critically reflect on the impact of these in the work of schools and the educational experiences of young people

Recognise the contribution that science as part of the whole school curriculum makes to the development of the individual learner and groups of learners

Think critically about what it means to be scientifically educated and how this informs curriculum planning and design within the subject area

Apply a thorough knowledge and understanding of science (Physics) National Curriculum to the planning of curriculum experiences for pupils in school

Demonstrate competence and confidence in your ability to teach across the contexts for pupil learning in the mathematics National Curriculum range and content, applying principles of continuity and progression

Use subject knowledge and relevant course specifications to plan and deliver the 14-16 curriculum including examination and vocational courses

Demonstrate an understanding of the subject knowledge and specification requirements for the 16-19 curriculum

Utilise a range of teaching strategies to meet the identified learning needs of a wide range of pupils

Utilise a range of resources, including information and communication technology, to enhance pupil learning in physics

Understand the importance of safe practice and safeguarding and apply these in working with young people both within and beyond lessons

Use a wide range of class management strategies to maximise pupil learning

Understand the principles of inclusion and apply these to ensure equality of opportunity for all pupils in the subject area

Understand national frameworks for assessment within the subject area and use these to support the recording and analysis of data, and the subsequent use of this to plan the next phase of learning

Raise the status of the subject area by demonstrating high standards of professionalism at all times

Understand the crucial role of professional learning for the teacher, the pupils and schools.

Course Content

The PGCE is an intensive programme, which combines an exploration of principles and methods of teaching and learning with practical school-based teaching placements. It lasts for 36 weeks from early September to late June.

The Secondary programme prepares you to work with pupils aged 11-16. At the heart of our programmes is a vision that our student teachers’ teaching will impact positively on pupil progress over time in schools and that our Partnership activities with schools will contribute to school improvement. We aspire for all our students to be outstanding teachers.

The PGCE Secondary courses are structured around three modules, which share a generic General Professional Education (GPE) component. The GPE programme involves an enquiry based learning approach, which combines taught sessions with independent professional learning activities (PLAs). These PLAs require independent research, which is either school-related or school-based. The three PGCE modules are:

1. Education Studies I
This module covers the following GPE themes:

Professionalism, values and reflective practice;
Safeguarding, child protection and e-safety;
Understanding curriculum and the National Curriculum;
Supporting learners, learning and effective behaviour management;
Inclusive education, with a specific focus on supporting pupils with SEND and SEBD;
Effective planning and teaching to promote pupil progress;
Assessment and its role in promoting effective learning.

You will also focus on teaching and learning issues of particular concern to your phase or subject specialism.

2. Education Studies II
This module covers the following GPE themes:

Applying for your first post;
Understanding data analysis to support effective teaching and learning;
Behaviour for learning and the wider professional responsibilities of the subject teacher;
Inclusive education, with a specific focus on supporting pupils with English as an Additional Language, pupils receiving the Pupil Premium and able pupils;
Safeguarding with a focus on the Prevent and Channel national strategy and bullying and homophobic bullying.

You will also continue to focus on teaching and learning issues of particular concern to your phase or subject specialism.

3. Education Studies III
This module focuses specifically on supporting student teachers to make an effective transition into their first post and examines the following themes in GPE:

Preparing for induction and the professional learning action plan for your first post;
Pathways into leadership in education;
Learning outside the classroom;
Contributing to the wider aspects of the formal and informal curriculum and your wider professional role as a teacher.

Subject Specific Course Content

As a qualified science teacher you may be required to teach National Curriculum general science to Key Stage 4, as well as your particular specialism to ‘A’ level and beyond. To this end, the course aims to facilitate your transformation into a well-educated, well-trained, confident and motivated science educator.

Along with English and mathematics, science is one of the three core subjects of the National Curriculum and since all pupils have to study a broad, balanced curriculum in science there is a demand for well-qualified and skilled science teachers. Most pupils entering secondary school are excited at the prospect of work, for the first time in a fully equipped laboratory, and secondary school science teachers have to build upon and sustain this interest for the subject.

To meet this challenge we need capable, skilled and enthusiastic teachers who are able to motivate young people and lead them to discover the wonders of science.

School Experience

School-based professional learning is a compulsory element of all programmes leading to a recommendation for QTS. The course involves the statutory requirement of at least 120 days of school experience in the form of block school placements undertaken in at least two different contexts.

Our current partnership schools are mainly located in the West London area and adjoining Home Counties. We have developed close links with a number of very good schools over a number of years, and offer placements within carefully chosen schools that provide an appropriate professional learning experience. The ethnic and cultural diversity of the schools we work with is a distinctive aspect of our provision and we are equally proud of the diversity of our student teacher cohort, who reflect the communities in which many of them go on to work as teachers.

We also offer student teachers the opportunity to experience placements in alternative settings, which include special schools, Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), young offenders institutions. This further demonstrates our commitment to preparing teachers to work with young people in a diverse range of educational contexts.

You will be allocated a school-based mentor, selected for their experience and expertise, who is there to help you develop and learn while you are on placement. The importance of this person should not be underestimated. Teaching is a very challenging profession and with the help of your school-based mentor and your University tutor we aim to make sure that you have support every step of the way, encouraging reflection and development.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Childcare Disqualification and Prohibition Orders

As an accredited provider of Initial Teacher Education we have to have regard to the Department for Education’s statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education, when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. We ensure that all student teachers have been subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal records checks, including a check of the children’s barred list. The Department for Education has published statutory guidance on the application to schools of the Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2009 and related obligations under the Childcare Act 2006.

We undertake our responsibility to ensure that the student teachers are not, therefore, disqualified from childcare or that the student teacher has obtained a childcare disqualification waiver from Ofsted. We also check that candidates are not subject to a prohibition order for teaching issued by the Secretary of State.

Teaching

We adopt an enquiry-based learning approach in our PGCE Secondary courses where students are encouraged to research and investigate a range of broad and subject specific educational themes and issues and bring their findings back for discussion in interactive lectures, workshops and seminars. These themes and issues address national, regional and partnership priorities as well as specific areas for investigation with the subject area.

Assessment

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
The PGCE Secondary programme carries 60 Master’s Level credits and requires you to successfully complete three formally assessed pieces of academic work during the year.
All of these assessments also require an accompanying portfolio of evidence.
The Master’s Level credits provide an excellent foundation for future academic and professional study.

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Alongside the PGCE academic award for your programme, you will also be assessed for the recommendation of QTS. In order to be recommended for QTS you are required to demonstrate that you have met the Teachers’ Standards (DfE, 2013) in both the University and in school and alternative education settings. All aspects of the programme are designed around you being able to demonstrate that you are meeting the Teachers’ Standards.

Part 1 of the Teachers’ Standards require you to:

Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils
Promote good progress and outcomes by pupils
Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge
Plan and teach well structured lessons
Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils
Make accurate and productive use of assessment
Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment
Fulfil wider professional responsibilities
(Teachers’ Standards, DfE, 2013)

Part 2 of the Teachers’ Standards require students to demonstrate the highest standards of personal and professional conduct.

As the PGCE is a professional course, 100% attendance is an expectation.

Recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status will be made by the Secondary PGCE Examination Board for all those who successfully demonstrate the Teachers’ Standards as shown in the requirements for University and school-based work.

Special Features

As a leading centre of education and with roots in teacher education dating back to 1798, we are able to provide first class teacher education that is internationally recognised.

A Brunel PGCE is a recognised symbol of quality teacher education which accounts for our high employment rates.

At the heart of our programmes is a vision that our student teachers’ teaching will impact positively on pupil progress over time in schools and that our partnership activities with schools will contribute to school improvement. We aspire for all our students to be outstanding teachers.

You will benefit from an established partnership between Brunel and a variety of educational institutions and local schools. Brunel education degrees offer multicultural placement learning opportunities. For example, our location in West London and our diverse and well-established schools network means you will gain highly-valued placement learning experiences in vibrant multicultural schools.

Beyond ITE, for early career teachers we offer the Masters in Teaching (MAT), where students can utilise their 60 PGCE Masters level credits to continue their postgraduate studies part-time, whilst also meeting the requirements outlined for Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) and early career development. Where schools have qualified for Enhanced Partnership status with Brunel University London, NQTs in those schools have access to the first year MAT module for free, illustrating our commitment to supporting NQTs into and through their first year of teaching. We also offer a Masters in Education (MAEd), a Doctorate in Education (EdDoc) and PhD postgraduate routes through the Department of Education. This continuum of provision ensures a commitment to teacher education and professional learning at all stages and the growing community of professional practice strengthens our Partnership.

Staff are nationally and internationally recognised for their research, and liaise with government and other agencies on education policy issues. The Department of Education is host to a number of research centres, including the Brunel Able Children’s Centre. The process of learning is informed by cutting-edge research by staff in the strands of: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Pedagogy and Professional Practice (PPP).

You can take advantage of free access to our excellent University Academic Skills service, ASK.

We have an award winning Professional Development Centre.

Our library has been nominated for national awards for its outstanding provision.

We have on-site volunteering opportunities through our Brunel Volunteers provision.

Our Disability and Dyslexia Service team have an excellent track record of support for students.

Our Union of Brunel Students provides you with a range of additional support and a broad range of extra-curricular opportunities and social events.

There is excellent University-wide access to PCs and the Internet, as well as free loan of media equipment and music/recording studios, and web space on the University server.

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This Master's offers a broad, research-led syllabus that will benefit life and plant science undergraduates, and professionals in commercial horticulture and agriculture from the UK and overseas looking to develop their career.

Taught content will equip the graduate with the expertise needed to work independently in a range of areas of current commercial plant science, at supervisory or management level, or in applied research. As well as ensuring a thorough grounding in basic science and horticultural technology, the modern molecular biology content is particularly relevant, since new technologies are rapidly entering the commercial arena. The independent research project will be set in a research institution or appropriate local industry, and will be designed around the student's interests and expertise.

The MSc focuses on methods used in the evaluation and improvement of conventional crops that feed the growing world population, but also alternative protected crops and ornamentals along with postharvest management, business and environmental concerns, and plant stress and disease in a changing climate.

Teaching

The programme team is a combination of scientists working within the Natural Resources Institute (NRI), a unique multidisciplinary centre of excellence focused on global food security, sustainable development and poverty reduction, and the Department of Life and Sports Sciences, both part of the university's Faculty of Engineering and Science. Both have reputations founded on excellence in teaching, training and research. You will also benefit from our links with businesses in the South East and other centres of expertise including Hadlow College and East Malling Research.

Professional development

Experts in this increasingly important area are needed in businesses nationally and internationally, in research and innovation, and at government and agency level where the ability to understand and follow current developments is required to guide and direct global sustainable solutions to population change.

Courses can be studied individually as CPD and credits acquired this way can be accumulated towards the MSc over 24 or 36 months towards the full MSc if required. Please contact the programme leaders for information.

Outcomes

The aims of the programme are to:

• Provide knowledge of the science of plant biology and its application in the commercial and research arena
• Introduce the practicalities of horticulture and agriculture technologies including consideration of sustainability
• Examine the commercial aspects of this business area, including the planning, execution and evaluation of trials to exploit and develop novel approaches, practices, and crops
• Allow the student to synthesise, evaluate and critically judge which technologies and research findings are of value and appropriate to their current or future employment environment in a UK or international setting.

Full time

Year 1

Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.

• Molecular and plant biology principles for crop improvement (30 credits)
• Plant growth and cropping technology (30 credits)
• Independent Research Project (60 credits)

Students are required to choose 45 credits from this list of options.

• Agronomy and Crop Physiology (15 credits)
• Applications and aspects of commercial crop science (30 credits)
• Plant Disease Management (15 credits)
• Planning for Personal and Professional Development (15 credits)
• Postharvest Technology of Fruit and Vegetables (15 credits)
• Agroforestry (15 credits)

Students are required to choose 15 credits from this list of options.

• Research Methods for Postgraduates (15 credits)

Part time

Year 1

Students are required to choose 90 credits from this list of options.

• Agronomy and Crop Physiology (15 credits)
• Applications and aspects of commercial crop science (30 credits)
• Plant Disease Management (15 credits)
• Molecular and plant biology principles for crop improvement (30 credits)
• Plant growth and cropping technology (30 credits)
• Planning for Personal and Professional Development (15 credits)
• Research Methods for Postgraduates (15 credits)
• Postharvest Technology of Fruit and Vegetables (15 credits)
• Agroforestry (15 credits)

Year 2

Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.

• Independent Research Project (60 credits)

Students are required to choose 30 credits from this list of options.

• Agronomy and Crop Physiology (15 credits)
• Applications and aspects of commercial crop science (30 credits)
• Plant Disease Management (15 credits)
• Molecular and plant biology principles for crop improvement (30 credits)
• Plant growth and cropping technology (30 credits)
• Planning for Personal and Professional Development (15 credits)
• Research Methods for Postgraduates (15 credits)
• Postharvest Technology of Fruit and Vegetables (15 credits)
• Agroforestry (15 credits)

Assessment

Assessment methods include:

• Examinations
• Coursework
• Research project dissertation
• Practical work
• Laboratory/Glasshouse

Careers

Production managers - management of plant/crop production (protected and non-protected crops) and postharvest facilities.

Development specialists - selection, development and evaluation of existing and novel plants and crops.

Retailing produce - food and crop technologists, retailing food and non-food derived crops and products, including fresh produce and postharvest technologists.

Institutes, NGOs and governmental bodies - governance and policy linked to application of horticultural/agricultural technologies.

Applied research scientist - application of plant science into practice.

Specialised equipment

Molecular biology laboratories, horticultural and agricultural facilities

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About the course

Our Primary and Secondary PGCEs are "Outstanding" (Ofsted, 2015).

All our Education courses have been developed in collaboration with Partnership schools and the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL). This ensures not only the highest possible quality of provision, but also relevance in reflecting national and school-level priorities in Education.

Aims

School and Local Authorities are increasingly seeking to employ teachers with not only high levels of competence and skill in classroom practice, but practitioners who have advanced subject knowledge for teaching and enhanced knowledge of systems and theories relevant to education. Therefore, the aims of this program are:

-to enable student teachers to develop a critical understanding of issues and theories that impact upon classroom practice in teaching, learning and assessment in secondary schools;
-to support student teachers in their exploration and critical reflection on their own and others practice in relation to national and regional priorities and policies and current research relevant to the Key Stages for this programme;
-to promote student teachers' practical teaching skills and subject knowledge for teaching across the relevant Key Stages for this programme, making links with relevant theory to inform practice.

The programme aims to further develop students' existing transferable skills in communication, literacy, numeracy and critical reasoning. It is suitable for those who wish to gain employment as teachers and who aspire to progress to leadership and management roles in schools or in the wider world of education. It will provide an excellent foundation for progression to either higher academic or advanced professional qualifications.

Course Content

The PGCE is an intensive programme, which combines an exploration of principles and methods of teaching and learning with practical school-based teaching placements. It lasts for 36 weeks from early September to late June.

The Secondary programme prepares you to work with pupils aged 11-16. At the heart of our programmes is a vision that our student teachers’ teaching will impact positively on pupil progress over time in schools and that our Partnership activities with schools will contribute to school improvement. We aspire for all our students to be outstanding teachers.

The PGCE Secondary courses are structured around three modules, which share a generic General Professional Education (GPE) component. The GPE programme involves an enquiry based learning approach, which combines taught sessions with independent professional learning activities (PLAs). These PLAs require independent research, which is either school-related or school-based. The three PGCE modules are:

1. Education Studies I

This module covers the following GPE themes:
Professionalism, values and reflective practice;
Safeguarding, child protection and e-safety;
Understanding curriculum and the National Curriculum;
Supporting learners, learning and effective behaviour management;
Inclusive education, with a specific focus on supporting pupils with SEND and SEBD;
Effective planning and teaching to promote pupil progress;
Assessment and its role in promoting effective learning.
You will also focus on teaching and learning issues of particular concern to your phase or subject specialism.

2. Education Studies II

This module covers the following GPE themes:
Applying for your first post:
Understanding data analysis to support effective teaching and learning;
Behaviour for learning and the wider professional responsibilities of the subject teacher;
Inclusive education, with a specific focus on supporting pupils with English as an Additional Language, pupils receiving the Pupil Premium and able pupils;
Safeguarding with a focus on the Prevent and Channel national strategy and bullying and homophobic bullying.
You will also continue to focus on teaching and learning issues of particular concern to your phase or subject specialism.

3. Education Studies III

This module focuses specifically on supporting student teachers to make an effective transition into their first post and examines the following themes in GPE:
Preparing for induction and the professional learning action plan for your first post;
Pathways into leadership in education;
Learning outside the classroom;
Contributing to the wider aspects of the formal and informal curriculum and your wider professional role as a teacher.

Subject Specific Course Content

As a qualified science teacher you may be required to teach National Curriculum general science to Key Stage 4, as well as your particular specialism to ‘A’ level and beyond. To this end, the course aims to facilitate your transformation into a well-educated, well-trained, confident and motivated science educator.

Along with English and mathematics, science is one of the three core subjects of the National Curriculum and since all pupils have to study a broad, balanced curriculum in science there is a demand for well-qualified and skilled science teachers. Most pupils entering secondary school are excited at the prospect of work, for the first time in a fully equipped laboratory, and secondary school science teachers have to build upon and sustain this interest for the subject.

To meet this challenge we need capable, skilled and enthusiastic teachers who are able to motivate young people and lead them to discover the wonders of science.

School Experience

School-based professional learning is a compulsory element of all programmes leading to a recommendation for QTS. The course involves the statutory requirement of at least 120 days of school experience in the form of block school placements undertaken in at least two different contexts.

Our current partnership schools are mainly located in the West London area and adjoining Home Counties. We have developed close links with a number of very good schools over a number of years, and offer placements within carefully chosen schools that provide an appropriate professional learning experience. The ethnic and cultural diversity of the schools we work with is a distinctive aspect of our provision and we are equally proud of the diversity of our student teacher cohort, who reflect the communities in which many of them go on to work as teachers.

We also offer student teachers the opportunity to experience placements in alternative settings, which include special schools, Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), young offenders institutions. This further demonstrates our commitment to preparing teachers to work with young people in a diverse range of educational contexts.

You will be allocated a school-based mentor, selected for their experience and expertise, who is there to help you develop and learn while you are on placement. The importance of this person should not be underestimated. Teaching is a very challenging profession and with the help of your school-based mentor and your University tutor we aim to make sure that you have support every step of the way, encouraging reflection and development.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Childcare Disqualification and Prohibition Orders

As an accredited provider of Initial Teacher Education we have to have regard to the Department for Education’s statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education, when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. We ensure that all student teachers have been subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal records checks, including a check of the children’s barred list. The Department for Education has published statutory guidance on the application to schools of the Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2009 and related obligations under the Childcare Act 2006.

We undertake our responsibility to ensure that the student teachers are not, therefore, disqualified from childcare or that the student teacher has obtained a childcare disqualification waiver from Ofsted. We also check that candidates are not subject to a prohibition order for teaching issued by the Secretary of State.

Learning and Teaching

We adopt an enquiry-based learning approach in our PGCE Secondary courses where students are encouraged to research and investigate a range of broad and subject specific educational themes and issues and bring their findings back for discussion in interactive lectures, workshops and seminars. These themes and issues address national, regional and partnership priorities as well as specific areas for investigation with the subject area.

Assessment

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
The PGCE Secondary programme carries 60 Master’s Level credits and requires you to successfully complete three formally assessed pieces of academic work during the year.
All of these assessments also require an accompanying portfolio of evidence.
The Master’s Level credits provide an excellent foundation for future academic and professional study.

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Alongside the PGCE academic award for your programme, you will also be assessed for the recommendation of QTS. In order to be recommended for QTS you are required to demonstrate that you have met the Teachers’ Standards (DfE, 2013) in both the University and in school and alternative education settings. All aspects of the programme are designed around you being able to demonstrate that you are meeting the Teachers’ Standards.

Part 1 of the Teachers’ Standards require you to:

Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils
Promote good progress and outcomes by pupils
Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge
Plan and teach well structured lessons
Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils
Make accurate and productive use of assessment
Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment
Fulfil wider professional responsibilities
(Teachers’ Standards, DfE, 2013)

Part 2 of the Teachers’ Standards require students to demonstrate the highest standards of personal and professional conduct.

As the PGCE is a professional course, 100% attendance is an expectation.

Recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status will be made by the Secondary PGCE Examination Board for all those who successfully demonstrate the Teachers’ Standards as shown in the requirements for University and school-based work.

Special Features

As a leading centre of education and with roots in teacher education dating back to 1798, we are able to provide first class teacher education that is internationally recognised.

A Brunel PGCE is a recognised symbol of quality teacher education which accounts for our high employment rates.

At the heart of our programmes is a vision that our student teachers’ teaching will impact positively on pupil progress over time in schools and that our partnership activities with schools will contribute to school improvement. We aspire for all our students to be outstanding teachers.

You will benefit from an established partnership between Brunel and a variety of educational institutions and local schools. Brunel education degrees offer multicultural placement learning opportunities. For example, our location in West London and our diverse and well-established schools network means you will gain highly-valued placement learning experiences in vibrant multicultural schools.

Beyond ITE, for early career teachers we offer the Masters in Teaching (MAT), where students can utilise their 60 PGCE Masters level credits to continue their postgraduate studies part-time, whilst also meeting the requirements outlined for Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) and early career development. Where schools have qualified for Enhanced Partnership status with Brunel University London, NQTs in those schools have access to the first year MAT module for free, illustrating our commitment to supporting NQTs into and through their first year of teaching. We also offer a Masters in Education (MAEd), a Doctorate in Education (EdDoc) and PhD postgraduate routes through the Department of Education. This continuum of provision ensures a commitment to teacher education and professional learning at all stages and the growing community of professional practice strengthens our Partnership.

Staff are nationally and internationally recognised for their research, and liaise with government and other agencies on education policy issues. The Department of Education is host to a number of research centres, including the Brunel Able Children’s Centre. The process of learning is informed by cutting-edge research by staff in the strands of: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Pedagogy and Professional Practice (PPP).

You can take advantage of free access to our excellent University Academic Skills service, ASK.

We have an award winning Professional Development Centre.

Our library has been nominated for national awards for its outstanding provision.

We have on-site volunteering opportunities through our Brunel Volunteers provision.

Our Disability and Dyslexia Service team have an excellent track record of support for students.

Our Union of Brunel Students provides you with a range of additional support and a broad range of extra-curricular opportunities and social events.

There is excellent University-wide access to PCs and the Internet, as well as free loan of media equipment and music/recording studios, and web space on the University server.

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About the course

Our Primary and Secondary PGCEs are "Outstanding" (Ofsted, 2015).

All our Education courses have been developed in collaboration with Partnership schools and the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL). This ensures not only the highest possible quality of provision, but also relevance in reflecting national and school-level priorities in Education.

Aims

School and Local Authorities are increasingly seeking to employ teachers with not only high levels of competence and skill in classroom practice, but practitioners who have advanced subject knowledge for teaching and enhanced knowledge of systems and theories relevant to education. Therefore, the aims of this program are:

-to enable student teachers to develop a critical understanding of issues and theories that impact upon classroom practice in teaching, learning and assessment in secondary schools;
-to support student teachers in their exploration and critical reflection on their own and others practice in relation to national and regional priorities and policies and current research relevant to the Key Stages for this programme;
-to promote student teachers' practical teaching skills and subject knowledge for teaching across the relevant Key Stages for this programme, making links with relevant theory to inform practice.

The programme aims to further develop students' existing transferable skills in communication, literacy, numeracy and critical reasoning. It is suitable for those who wish to gain employment as teachers and who aspire to progress to leadership and management roles in schools or in the wider world of education. It will provide an excellent foundation for progression to either higher academic or advanced professional qualifications.

Course Content

The PGCE is an intensive programme, which combines an exploration of principles and methods of teaching and learning with practical school-based teaching placements. It lasts for 36 weeks from early September to late June.

The Secondary programme prepares you to work with pupils aged 11-16. At the heart of our programmes is a vision that our student teachers’ teaching will impact positively on pupil progress over time in schools and that our Partnership activities with schools will contribute to school improvement. We aspire for all our students to be outstanding teachers.

The PGCE Secondary courses are structured around three modules, which share a generic General Professional Education (GPE) component. The GPE programme involves an enquiry based learning approach, which combines taught sessions with independent professional learning activities (PLAs). These PLAs require independent research, which is either school-related or school-based. The three PGCE modules are:

1. Education Studies I
This module covers the following GPE themes:

Professionalism, values and reflective practice;
Safeguarding, child protection and e-safety;
Understanding curriculum and the National Curriculum;
Supporting learners, learning and effective behaviour management;
Inclusive education, with a specific focus on supporting pupils with SEND and SEBD;
Effective planning and teaching to promote pupil progress;
Assessment and its role in promoting effective learning.

You will also focus on teaching and learning issues of particular concern to your phase or subject specialism.

2. Education Studies II
This module covers the following GPE themes:

Applying for your first post;
Understanding data analysis to support effective teaching and learning;
Behaviour for learning and the wider professional responsibilities of the subject teacher;
Inclusive education, with a specific focus on supporting pupils with English as an Additional Language, pupils receiving the Pupil Premium and able pupils;
Safeguarding with a focus on the Prevent and Channel national strategy and bullying and homophobic bullying.
You will also continue to focus on teaching and learning issues of particular concern to your phase or subject specialism.

3. Education Studies III
This module focuses specifically on supporting student teachers to make an effective transition into their first post and examines the following themes in GPE:

Preparing for induction and the professional learning action plan for your first post;
Pathways into leadership in education;
Learning outside the classroom;
Contributing to the wider aspects of the formal and informal curriculum and your wider professional role as a teacher.

Subject Specific Course Content

As a qualified science teacher you may be required to teach National Curriculum general science to Key Stage 4, as well as your particular specialism to ‘A’ level and beyond. To this end, the course aims to facilitate your transformation into a well-educated, well-trained, confident and motivated science educator.

Along with English and mathematics, science is one of the three core subjects of the National Curriculum and since all pupils have to study a broad, balanced curriculum in science there is a demand for well-qualified and skilled science teachers. Most pupils entering secondary school are excited at the prospect of work, for the first time in a fully equipped laboratory, and secondary school science teachers have to build upon and sustain this interest for the subject.

To meet this challenge we need capable, skilled and enthusiastic teachers who are able to motivate young people and lead them to discover the wonders of science.

School Experience

School-based professional learning is a compulsory element of all programmes leading to a recommendation for QTS. The course involves the statutory requirement of at least 120 days of school experience in the form of block school placements undertaken in at least two different contexts.

Our current partnership schools are mainly located in the West London area and adjoining Home Counties. We have developed close links with a number of very good schools over a number of years, and offer placements within carefully chosen schools that provide an appropriate professional learning experience. The ethnic and cultural diversity of the schools we work with is a distinctive aspect of our provision and we are equally proud of the diversity of our student teacher cohort, who reflect the communities in which many of them go on to work as teachers.

We also offer student teachers the opportunity to experience placements in alternative settings, which include special schools, Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), young offenders institutions. This further demonstrates our commitment to preparing teachers to work with young people in a diverse range of educational contexts.

You will be allocated a school-based mentor, selected for their experience and expertise, who is there to help you develop and learn while you are on placement. The importance of this person should not be underestimated. Teaching is a very challenging profession and with the help of your school-based mentor and your University tutor we aim to make sure that you have support every step of the way, encouraging reflection and development.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Childcare Disqualification and Prohibition Orders

As an accredited provider of Initial Teacher Education we have to have regard to the Department for Education’s statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education, when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. We ensure that all student teachers have been subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal records checks, including a check of the children’s barred list. The Department for Education has published statutory guidance on the application to schools of the Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2009 and related obligations under the Childcare Act 2006.

We undertake our responsibility to ensure that the student teachers are not, therefore, disqualified from childcare or that the student teacher has obtained a childcare disqualification waiver from Ofsted. We also check that candidates are not subject to a prohibition order for teaching issued by the Secretary of State.

Teaching

We adopt an enquiry-based learning approach in our PGCE Secondary courses where students are encouraged to research and investigate a range of broad and subject specific educational themes and issues and bring their findings back for discussion in interactive lectures, workshops and seminars. These themes and issues address national, regional and partnership priorities as well as specific areas for investigation with the subject area.

Assessment

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
The PGCE Secondary programme carries 60 Master’s Level credits and requires you to successfully complete three formally assessed pieces of academic work during the year.
All of these assessments also require an accompanying portfolio of evidence.
The Master’s Level credits provide an excellent foundation for future academic and professional study.

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Alongside the PGCE academic award for your programme, you will also be assessed for the recommendation of QTS. In order to be recommended for QTS you are required to demonstrate that you have met the Teachers’ Standards (DfE, 2013) in both the University and in school and alternative education settings. All aspects of the programme are designed around you being able to demonstrate that you are meeting the Teachers’ Standards.

Part 1 of the Teachers’ Standards require you to:

Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils
Promote good progress and outcomes by pupils
Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge
Plan and teach well structured lessons
Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils
Make accurate and productive use of assessment
Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment
Fulfil wider professional responsibilities
(Teachers’ Standards, DfE, 2013)

Part 2 of the Teachers’ Standards require students to demonstrate the highest standards of personal and professional conduct.

As the PGCE is a professional course, 100% attendance is an expectation.

Recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status will be made by the Secondary PGCE Examination Board for all those who successfully demonstrate the Teachers’ Standards as shown in the requirements for University and school-based work.

Special Features

As a leading centre of education and with roots in teacher education dating back to 1798, we are able to provide first class teacher education that is internationally recognised.

A Brunel PGCE is a recognised symbol of quality teacher education which accounts for our high employment rates.

At the heart of our programmes is a vision that our student teachers’ teaching will impact positively on pupil progress over time in schools and that our partnership activities with schools will contribute to school improvement. We aspire for all our students to be outstanding teachers.

You will benefit from an established partnership between Brunel and a variety of educational institutions and local schools. Brunel education degrees offer multicultural placement learning opportunities. For example, our location in West London and our diverse and well-established schools network means you will gain highly-valued placement learning experiences in vibrant multicultural schools.

Beyond ITE, for early career teachers we offer the Masters in Teaching (MAT), where students can utilise their 60 PGCE Masters level credits to continue their postgraduate studies part-time, whilst also meeting the requirements outlined for Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) and early career development. Where schools have qualified for Enhanced Partnership status with Brunel University London, NQTs in those schools have access to the first year MAT module for free, illustrating our commitment to supporting NQTs into and through their first year of teaching. We also offer a Masters in Education (MAEd), a Doctorate in Education (EdDoc) and PhD postgraduate routes through the Department of Education. This continuum of provision ensures a commitment to teacher education and professional learning at all stages and the growing community of professional practice strengthens our Partnership.

Staff are nationally and internationally recognised for their research, and liaise with government and other agencies on education policy issues. The Department of Education is host to a number of research centres, including the Brunel Able Children’s Centre. The process of learning is informed by cutting-edge research by staff in the strands of: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
and Pedagogy and Professional Practice (PPP).

You can take advantage of free access to our excellent University Academic Skills service, ASK.

We have an award winning Professional Development Centre.

Our library has been nominated for national awards for its outstanding provision.

We have on-site volunteering opportunities through our Brunel Volunteers provision.

Our Disability and Dyslexia Service team have an excellent track record of support for students.

Our Union of Brunel Students provides you with a range of additional support and a broad range of extra-curricular opportunities and social events.

There is excellent University-wide access to PCs and the Internet, as well as free loan of media equipment and music/recording studios, and web space on the University server.

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Highlights

This course provides a focused programme of practical and academic study to enable healthcare
and health science professionals to acquire the necessary research skills for future careers in clinical research. This interprofessional
programme is suitable for a range of professionals, including nurses, midwives pharmacists, allied health
professionals and health scientists.

The course builds on your existing research skills and introduces you to contemporary professional
research practices employed within health care and health science environments. It aims to develop appropriate knowledge,
skills and attitudes in order to be an effective and productive researcher. Throughout the course you will learn about the
processes and principles associated with good clinical practice research. You will also develop a range of advanced
transferable and applied research skills which enable you to plan, lead and manage clinical research, promote and drive
change in clinical practice, and actively engage with the wider research community. The course encourages you to interact
with researchers working at the cutting edge of specific areas of applied clinical research. You will have opportunities to
undertake a clinical research project and be supported by an academic supervisor as well as a clinical mentor from your own
organisation to help facilitate data collection and negotiation through external and internal Trust research governance
approval processes. There are also opportunities to gain placement experience of research roles and practice, service
improvement and innovation.

Modules

- Compulsory modules: Research methods (15 credits); Critical appraisal (15
credits); Applied Research* (15 credits); Research project on a topic related
to clinical practice (105 credits)
- Optional modules: Statistics (15 credits) OR Data Analysis (15 credits);
Implementation and Improvement Science (15 credits) OR Negotiated
Independent Learning* (15 credits)

Studying

By the end of the course you will be able to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a specific area of applied clinical research
relevant to your own area of professional practice. You will also be able to:
- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of research theory, processes and principles associate with good clinical
practice research
- Critically evaluate, select and apply appropriate research methods and data analysis techniques to investigate
clinical research problems
- Synthesise information from a variety of sources and interpret data accurately
- Critically appraise published research, using appropriate techniques, and appreciate the significance of published
research for professional practice, patient care, healthcare policy and future research
- Critically explore a range of implementation and improvement methodologies and strategies that support
effective integration of research findings in practice
- Independently plan and manage an innovative piece of research in compliance with research ethics, legislative
frameworks and governance procedures
- Effectively use a range of computer packages in order to successfully communicate acquired knowledge and the
results of research, both written and orally to a range of audiences
- Effectively be able to network, support less experienced colleagues, prepare for competitive grant applications
and doctoral fellowships
- Appreciate the broad role of the clinical academic researcher within the current context of health and social care
- Collaboratively engage with others in the process of investigative enquiry, and demonstrate awareness of
resources and networks that can be accessed in order to support research focused activity and promote a
research culture

ASSESSMENT: Research protocol, Oral and poster presentations, examination, critiques, reflective reports, and dissertation

DURATION: Full time over one year or Part-time over two years
Part time attendance of two days a week: Monday and Thursday in year 1. Much of year 2 is devoted to the completion of
the research project module.

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MSc in Advancing Healthcare Practice

This course is designed to equip you with knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to the advancement of healthcare. You will explore what healthcare improvement means and how it can be achieved through collaboration and partnership, change agency, and the field of improvement science; develop leadership skills in relation to policy, innovation and service improvement; and learn how to use research, evidence-based practice and skills development to support healthcare advancement. The final investigative project focuses on a service or system improvement based on the needs and the priorities of your own health related practice area.

Key features of the course

• Encourages you to consult with practice colleagues locally and make strategic recommendations for change, drawing on evidence and experience
• Develops skills in the conception, design and conduct of research that has significance and benefit in the practice setting
• Includes a project that is of immediate and clear benefit to stakeholders in healthcare
• Explores how to disseminate your discoveries to others and how your improved practice might be shared more widely

This qualification is eligible for a Postgraduate Loan available from Student Finance England.

Modules

To gain this qualification you require 180 credits from the following compulsory modules which must be studied in the order listed below:

• Leading healthcare improvements (K827)
• Researching and evaluating healthcare practice (K828)
• Transforming professional practice (K829)

The modules quoted in this description are currently available for study. However, as we review the curriculum on a regular basis, the exact selection may change over time.

Credit Transfer

If you have already completed some successful study at postgraduate level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards this Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit do this as soon as possible as it may affect your choice of OU modules. If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete your qualification with us. Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply.

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Enhance your skills in the areas of management, leadership and innovation - required by a wide range of healthcare professionals and health service managers. MSc Healthcare Management, Leadership and Innovation is designed to be a highly flexible entry into management within the health and care service, whether your interests lie in leadership, quality improvement, innovation methodology, organisation development, patient safety, or education.

Key features

-Choose to study full-time – this is particularly suitable if you are undertaking an intercalated degree from medicine or dentistry. Taught modules will be delivered in the autumn and spring terms, and your MSc will be completed over the course of one year.
-Join the programme if you're an intercalating medical student and have successfully completed your fourth year, or have already completed an undergraduate course.
-Benefit from flexible learning - there are a number of continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities relating to this programme where a single module or specific days within a module may be taken independently. Please email [email protected] to find out more.
-Improve your leadership and management skills – this programme is designed to develop your knowledge and abilities as a leader, manager and innovative thinker, and is appropriate if you are a doctor, dentist, manager or a healthcare professional working in a care environment.
-Equip yourself with the skills to plan and conduct a full masters dissertation.
-Be supported by a blended learning approach with face-to-face sessions, access to interactive materials, electronic learning environment and tutorial support.
-Choose whether to substitute the research-based dissertation project with a professional or quality improvement project that is directly relevant to the service area in which you work.
-Select APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning) as an option for this programme. For example, if you have completed the Plymouth/Bristol Professional and Generic Skills programme, you may use this in place of the Foundation module.

Course details

You will study aspects of management, leadership and innovation in healthcare, relevant to professionals seeking to lead services and organisations into the future and explore the management and leadership theories pertinent to health and care practice. Gain practical experience of multi-disciplinary team working through problem identification and problem solving to encourage innovation and creativity in project design, development and knowledge transfer. You'll also be offered the choice of a traditional research-based dissertation or the option to undertake a work-related professional project or quality improvement project built on improvement science principles.

Core modules
-DIS731 Dissertation
-PDD721 Project Design, Development and Knowledge Transfer
-HML712 Organisation Development and Culture
-HML711 Foundation in Healthcare Management, Leadership & Innovation
-HML721 Advanced Healthcare Management, Leadership and Innovation

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

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Develop as a highly qualified, effective and confident teacher of science, able to teach scientific concepts in a variety of inspiring ways.

Build your knowledge and skills in teaching science in secondary schools through subject-specific sessions, lectures and seminars, working independently and collaboratively; and achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Intermediate qualifications available:

• Professional Graduate Certificate in Education

This course is accredited by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (a department of the Department for Education) to deliver Initial Teacher Training

Visit the website: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/courses/postgraduate/next-year/secondary-science-with-biology#about

Course detail

• Study on a course designed to enable you to join a challenging and rewarding profession – becoming an effective and inspiring teacher who draws on broad subject specific knowledge and secure understanding of teaching and learning theories - with the knowledge and skills to lead learning and initiate change in educational settings
• Explore your understanding of teaching and learning secondary music, as you apply your subject knowledge and expertise to planning teaching and managing the music classroom; honing your skills of critical self-evaluation and improvement
• Develop your creativity and team-working skills, preparing you to influence and lead in educational settings and enhancing your own sense of independence
• Gain confidence in analysing the evidence of your own practical experience during placements in schools, informing your future actions as you evaluate the impact of applying theory to your teaching practice
• Benefit from a qualification that gives you recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), enabling you to gain employment in a school, with opportunities for continuous development through further study at MA/MSc, MPhil, PhD and EdD levels.

Modules

• The Professional Teacher
• The Reflective Teacher*
• The Research Informed Teacher*
• The Subject Specialist (Secondary Science with Biology)

*denotes units that can be assessed at Masters level

Format

Science is an exciting and rapidly progressing subject that is challenging to teach. During the course you will spend around 70% of your time in placement schools developing the skills and experience necessary to teach scientific concepts in a variety of ways.

You will attend subject specific sessions, lectures and seminars designed to develop awareness and understanding of the content of the science curriculum, general professional issues, and practical issues such as lesson planning and assessment. You will also engage with relevant research literature and develop the skills of a reflective and research informed practitioner. You will train to teach science to at least GCSE level with a specialism in biology.

You will obtain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and up to 60 Masters level credits.

Assessment

The Teachers’ Standards 2012 provide the framework by which your progress in your teaching is judged. These are supplemented with descriptors which support you in understanding the qualities, which define the level at which you meet the standards.

Your assignments and documentary evidence are managed through a webfolio, bringing together your experiences and activities into a coherent structure. It will help you engage in critical self-evaluation of your practice, enabling you to identify areas of strength and areas for future development.

Careers

Local and national demand for University of Bedfordshire graduate teachers is high. Annual destinations surveys show that 90% of graduate teachers will have secured full-time teaching posts to begin in the year of graduation, with a further 9% working in part-time teaching positions.

The course is framed by a commitment to help you to develop the characteristics of a University of Bedfordshire graduate teacher. You will be challenged to explore theories of teaching and learning and to examine the implications of such theories for your own development.

On completion of the course you will have the appropriate attitude, knowledge, skills and understanding to meet the needs of the children’s and schools’ workforce agenda and to lead learning and initiate change in educational settings.

Funding

For information on available funding, please follow the link: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/money/scholarships/pg

How to apply

For information on how to apply, please follow the link: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/course/applicationform

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Overview

This award has been designed to facilitate the learning of the generic skills and knowledge essential to successful higher clinical practice. The emphasis is on stroke care, but also covers areas such as an understanding of Medical Education, Leadership for Health Professionals, Clinical Effectiveness and Research Methodology.

Each module consists of a mixture of different types of delivery, with some on line learning and face to face teaching, utilising a mixture of seminars, group work or short lectures.

There are a number of CORE modules and then a wide range of other generic modules that are optional. We have designed the award to be as flexible as possible, including enabling students to study some modules from other Keele awards.

See the website https://www.keele.ac.uk/pgtcourses/medicalsciencestroke/

Course Content

Each module is given a credit rating within the national Masters framework. These may be transferable from or to other institutions where the learning outcomes are comparable.
Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Science: 60 credits
Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Science: 120 credits
Masters in Medical Science: 180 credits
(The Masters Degree must be completed within five years of registration, the Diploma within four years and the Certificate within three years. It will be possible to complete a Masters Degree in Medical Science in two years.)

Core Modules :

Acute and Hyperacute Stroke (15 credits)
Acute stroke care is a rapidly changing field with new investigations and treatments emerging. This module will address acute stoke unit care, thrombolysis, advanced imaging (e.g. CT angiography, perfusion/diffusion imaging, MRI, transcranial Doppler) and interventional treatments (e.g. intra-arterial thrombolysis and thrombectomy) and integration of clinical practice with research. It aims to respond to the need for healthcare professionals who can rise to the challenge of rapid changes in stroke care. This module will provide technical updating and personal development for those involved in front line stroke services by using small group teaching, on-line exams and practice in audit to enhance service delivery.

Community Stroke: Prevention and Life after Stroke (15 credits)
The NHS of the future will need creative, imaginative healthcare professionals who can rise to the challenge of service redesign and improvement. This module, through a reflective portfolio of cases will enable students to develop as critical thinkers and use those skills to develop project proposals for changes to practice. Employers will see their staff develop the skills to research, argue for and develop projects that they can see will make a difference in the areas of stroke prevention and life after stroke. Students will learn the skills to turn their ideas into practice.

Stroke Service Development and Improvement (15 credits)
Mortality of stoke has significantly reduced over the last 10 years, and fewer patients remain dependent with changes in service delivery and improved care. This module further develops the ability of participants to become leaders and change managers in the field of stroke service provision. Building on the module Community Stroke: Prevention and Life After Stroke (which is a pre-requisite) those closest to the needs of patients will have the chance to implement their ideas for how services need to change. The key output of the module will be a result of a pilot developed, implemented and evaluated by the student.

Stroke Research (15 credits)
Research has led to great improvement in stroke care over the last decade. Through the infrastructure of stroke research networks more patients and staff are actively involved in the delivery of stroke research. This module has been designed to build on this experience of research and to enable participants to mover form delivering research to developing their own ideas into research projects. The development of an idea into a research protocol, user involvement, networking with professional bodies and other service providers, and becoming familiar with the grant application process will be covered. Students will meet experienced researchers, undertake private study and also receive feedback in small groups about their research ideas from peers and the module leader.

Optional Modules:

Concepts of Neurological Rehabilitation (15 credits)
Assistive Technologies in Neuromuscular Rehabilitation (15 credits)
Research Methods (15 credits)
Leadership and Management for Healthcare Professionals (15 credits)
Clinical Effectiveness (15 credits)
Contemporary Challenges in Healthcare Ethics and Law (15 credits)
Statistics and Epidemiology (15 credits)
Strategic Management of Patients with Long Term Conditions (15 credits).
The Interface between Primary and Secondary Care (15 credits)
Literature searching and synthesis (15 credits)

Dissertation:
The award of an MMedSci (Stroke) follows successful completion of the taught modules which make up the Diploma in Medical Science and submission of a further 60 credits worth of learning. This latter may be a research dissertation on a subject related to the individual’s specialty, in which case candidates will also be expected to have completed the Research Methods, Literature Searching and Synthesis, or the Statistics and Epidemiology modules depending on the type of research. A practice based project is another possibility, such as evaluation of changes implemented in a clinical setting, educational projects, or exploration of ethical dilemmas in policy and/or practice. It is expected to be a significant piece of work, and we encourage all students to consider aiming for publication of their findings. All candidates will be expected to have a local clinical supervisor for their project and educational supervision will continue to be provided by the award team. Previous experience has shown us that this is an extremely popular component of the Degree. Candidates have often published or presented their dissertation at Regional and National meetings.

Teaching & Assessment

Each module consists of a mixture of different types of delivery, with some on line learning and face to face teaching, utilising a mixture of seminars, group work or short lectures.

Additional Costs

Apart from additional costs for text books, inter-library loans and potential overdue library fines we do not anticipate any additional costs for this postgraduate programme.

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The MSc in Quality and Patient Safety Improvement is an exciting new collaborative programme. It is hosted by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and also involves the Centre for Health Innovation, Leadership and Learning within the Nottingham University Business School; the Human Factors Research Group in the School of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering; and the Trent Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

The programme is aimed at postgraduate healthcare professionals and graduate management colleagues who wish to develop greater expertise in quality and patient safety improvement with a strong emphasis on application in practice. This may include clinical staff, professional managers or commissioners involved in design and delivery of primary care, secondary hospital-based care, mental health, community and pre-hospital care services. The programme is also suitable for those interested in education and teaching in this field and associated research, innovation and scholarship. Applications are welcomed from UK and International students.

This programme will link the academic and practical application of quality improvement and human factors science to the complexities and challenges faced by modern health and social care. At its heart, the programme is about understanding the underpinning science and evidence for improvement in quality, safety and effectiveness of patient care. Modules focus on concepts and practicalities of improvement at the level of individual practice, team performance, integrated clinical services, and from organisational and strategic policy perspectives. Specific experience will be developed in the application of tools and techniques to explore problems in practice and support sustainable implementation of innovative solutions. A key feature of the programme is the opportunity to apply science and theory into practice.

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