This MSc Infection Control online course focuses on preventing and controlling the spread of infection, which is one of the key priorities for hospital staff, environmental health officers and healthcare professionals throughout the world. Develop your expertise in several key areas of best practice.
The MSc Infection Control online has been designed for nurses and other health professionals who have an infection control role in their workplace but is open to anyone with an interest in this area. Delivered as an online course, the MSc Infection Control course gives you the flexibility to study whilst you continue to work full-time. It also allows you to interact with other infection control specialists spread throughout the UK and internationally.
The demand for Infection Control courses has increased in recent years due to multi resistant organisms and contagious illness outbreaks such as MRSA, swine flu and Ebola highlighting the need for more effective infection control. The fundamental underpinning of the MSc is that prevention is better than the cure and it is this mentality that will hopefully make outbreaks a thing of the past.
Preventing and controlling the spread of infection is one of the key priorities for hospital staff, environmental health officers and healthcare professionals not only in the UK but throughout the world. This advanced-level health masters course is designed to provide you with the latest knowledge and understanding of infection control practice, giving you the ability to develop and implement strategies to reduce the spread of hospital acquired infection and respond appropriately to an outbreak of infection within a community. You will also be able to advise policy makers and other clinicians on matters relating to infection control.
Please see our tuition fee discounts and scholarships page for information on possible sources of funding.
The MSc Infection Control course is made up of the following modules and, upon completion, is equal to a total of 180 credits at Level 7.
Level 7 modules:
* These modules are core and must be passed in order to achieve the award.
Introduction
The MSc Infection Control course can be studied over a period of time up to six years to suit your individual circumstances. Each module takes approximately six months to complete. The core components of the course ensure that you acquire the essential attributes and skills commensurate with the level of studies and award.
All of our online courses have an indicative study duration which is a guide to how long your course will take to complete. The actual duration may be longer or shorter depending on your speed of study, study options chosen and module availability. It’s possible to complete your studies faster than the indicative course duration by doubling up on modules at certain times; however, minimum study durations do apply.
All of our courses have regular start dates throughout the year. Our academic year is organised into modules, typically with a one- or two-week break between modules and a structured three-week break for the Christmas period. Students will receive a course timetable during the application process.
Teaching methods and style
The MSc Infection Control course is delivered entirely online and individual support is given to you in a number of ways. The programme leader is available for overall support via email and you are assigned a Student Adviser who is your first point of contact throughout your studies and serves as your mentor. A research supervisor is appointed for your dissertation. You are also encouraged to enlist the support of a specialist in microbiology in your workplace to help you complete the formative assessments.
All courses are delivered in English only and to ensure you receive the support you need from your tutor, we cap our class sizes at 20 students.
Assessment
Each stage of the MSc Infection Control course contains a number of formative (informal) assessments, including multiple choice questionnaires, short answer tests, and practical assignments. The summative assessment for each module consists of four discussion activities and two 2,500 word essays.
We are dedicated to improving employability amongst our graduates. Our online courses give you the opportunity to improve your career prospects and earning potential with a mix of key skills that are directly transferable to the workplace.
This online Postgraduate Certificate in Infection Control will help you gain an understanding of the world of microbiology and the management strategies useful for patient care and the prevention of further spread of an infectious disease.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Infection Control course provides an introduction to an understanding of the world of microbiology. Infection prevention and control continues to be a key priority for health professionals working in both hospitals and the wider community. The course aims to equip nurses and other healthcare practitioners with the skills necessary to lead best practice in this area.
The demand for Infection Control courses has increased in recent years due to multi resistant organisms and contagious illness outbreaks such as Ebola, swine flu and MRSA highlighting the need for more effective infection control. The fundamental underpinning of this course is that prevention is better than the cure and it is this mentality that will hopefully make outbreaks a thing of the past.
The economic and social costs of escalating infection such as winter flu, meningitis and HIV are well documented. Less well known are the human and economic burdens of hospital acquired infection which can result in an extra 14 days in hospital and £1 billion a year extra expenditure for the NHS. Developing and implementing effective infection control measures are dependent upon the knowledge and skills of health professionals in both hospital and community settings.
Please see our tuition fee discounts and scholarships page for information on possible sources of funding.
The PG Cert Infection Control is made up of the following modules and, upon completion, is equal to a total of 60 credits at Level 7.
Level 7 modules:
* These modules are core and must be passed in order to achieve the award.
Upon completion of your Postgraduate Certificate in Infection Control we offer the opportunity for you to progress on to study for a Postgraduate Diploma (awarded after 120 credits) and a full Masters (awarded after 180 credits).
Introduction
The PG Cert Infection Control online course can be studied over a period of time up to two years to suit your individual circumstances. Each module takes approximately six months to complete. The core components of the course ensure that you acquire the essential attributes and skills commensurate with the level of studies and award.
All of our online courses have an indicative study duration which is a guide to how long your course will take to complete. The actual duration may be longer or shorter depending on your speed of study, study options chosen and module availability. It’s possible to complete your studies faster than the indicative course duration by doubling up on modules at certain times; however, minimum study durations do apply.
All of our courses have regular start dates throughout the year. Our academic year is organised into modules, typically with a one- or two-week break between modules and a structured three-week break for the Christmas period. Students will receive a course timetable during the application process.
Teaching methods and style
The PG Cert Infection Control course is delivered entirely online and individual support is given to you in a number of ways. The programme leader is available for overall support via email and you are assigned a Student Adviser who is your first point of contact throughout your studies and serves as your mentor.
All courses are delivered in English only and to ensure you receive the support you need from your tutor, we cap our class sizes at 20 students.
Assessment
Each stage of the PG Cert Infection Control course contains a number of formative (informal) assessments, including multiple choice questionnaires, short answer tests, and practical assignments. The summative assessment for each module consists of four discussion activities and two 2,500 word essays.
We are dedicated to improving employability amongst our graduates. Our online courses give you the opportunity to improve your career prospects and earning potential with a mix of key skills that are directly transferable to the workplace.
This Infection Control Postgraduate Diploma online course will enable you to learn about the nature of communicable disease and how to develop strategies for surveillance, control and prevention plus the essential principles of research design.
Our Postgraduate Diploma in Infection Control is an advanced qualification designed to equip nurses and other healthcare professionals with a comprehensive understanding of infectious disease control and prevention in hospital, social care and community settings. The course examines key areas including microbiology, immunology, public health and communicable disease control.
The demand for Infection Control courses has increased in recent years due to contagious illness outbreaks and multi resistant organisms such as swine flu, MRSA and Ebola highlighting the need for more effective infection control. The fundamental underpinning of this programme is that prevention is better than the cure and it is this mentality that will hopefully make outbreaks a thing of the past.
With infectious diseases frequently dominating news headlines, understanding how infections occur and how different micro-organisms act and spread has become a key issue for many professionals working in health and social care. Although this course is ideally suited for Clinical Nurse Specialists in Infection Control, it is also of value to other healthcare practitioners, including staff of health ministries, health departments, aid organisations and disease control agencies.
Please see our tuition fee discounts and scholarships page for information on possible sources of funding.
The PG Dip Infection Control course is made up of the following modules and, upon completion, is equal to a total of 120 credits at Level 7.
Level 7 modules:
* These modules are core and must be passed in order to achieve the award.
Upon completion of your Postgraduate Diploma (awarded after 120 credits) we offer the opportunity for you to progress to study for a full Masters (awarded after 180 credits).
Introduction
The PG Dip Infection Control course can be studied over a period of time up to four years to suit your individual circumstances. Each module takes approximately six months to complete. The core components of the course ensure that you acquire the essential attributes and skills commensurate with the level of studies and award.
All of our online courses have an indicative study duration which is a guide to how long your course will take to complete. The actual duration may be longer or shorter depending on your speed of study, study options chosen and module availability. It’s possible to complete your studies faster than the indicative course duration by doubling up on modules at certain times; however, minimum study durations do apply.
All of our courses have regular start dates throughout the year. Our academic year is organised into modules, typically with a one- or two-week break between modules and a structured three-week break for the Christmas period. Students will receive a course timetable during the application process.
Teaching methods and style
The PG Dip Infection Control course is delivered entirely online and individual support is given to you in a number of ways. The programme leader is available for overall support via email and you are assigned a Student Adviser who is your first point of contact throughout your studies and will serve as your mentor.
All courses are delivered in English only and to ensure you receive the support you need from your tutor, we cap our class sizes at 20 students.
Assessment
Each stage of the PG Dip Infection Control course contains a number of formative (informal) assessments, including multiple choice questionnaires, short answer tests, and practical assignments. The summative assessment for each module consists of four discussion activities and two 2,500 word essays.
We are dedicated to improving employability amongst our graduates. Our online courses give you the opportunity to improve your career prospects and earning potential with a mix of key skills that are directly transferable to the workplace.
The MSc in Advanced Practice is aimed at all health and social care staff who are looking to develop their knowledge and skills as advanced practitioners.
Over the past decade, the emergence of competencies, conceptual frameworks and operational tools, together with government and educational drivers, has firmly placed the notion of advanced practice and advanced level nursing as a core development area in the practice workplace.
This Master's course is likely to appeal to a wide range of professionals including:
You will have the choice to follow a generic or a specialist pathway within your study. At present, we offer specialist pathways in:
Your specialist pathway will be reflected on your final degree award and will appear in brackets. To qualify for a particular specialist pathway, the modules you take in your second year, as well as your dissertation, must be focused on your specialist area. For example, if you wanted to receive an MSc Advanced Practice (Infection Control) your year two modules (which must add up to 60 credits at level 7) and your dissertation must be on infection control.
Our teaching staff are highly committed, passionate, subject specialists with clinical currency who will be there to support you during your course.
During the course, you will have a personal tutor who will guide and advise you throughout your academic life, and you will receive regular, personalised feedback on your progress in theory and practice, helping you to succeed.
You will also benefit from a fantastic range of high-tech, innovative teaching resources and have access to the University's mentoring service, making your learning fun and engaging.
This course is run by the College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare to provide you with both the high-quality teaching and the personal attention you need to make the most of your University education.
You will learn from highly skilled staff, many of whom conduct cutting-edge research in their specialist areas, ensuring that your period of study is both challenging and rewarding.
The College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare teaching staff includes:
Course Leader – Catherine Lynch (pictured below right with students graduating) has been running the MSc Advanced Practice for 10 years has received commendations and awards for her use of technology to deliver the electronic elements (50%) of the first year of the course.
Senior Lecturer - Mental Health Reuben Pearce who has worked within the NHS since 1995 and continues to maintain a strong presence in practice through involvement in various initiatives with NHS Trust partners.
Professor of Evidence-based Healthcare Professor Heather Loveday a peer reviewer for a number of journals including the Journal of Hospital Infection and International Journal of Nursing Practice.
Completing the Masters programme will give you the skills and confidence to stand out in the graduate market. Since the introduction of the Graduate Curriculum in Nursing in 2010, a Masters degree will be the next stepping stone for career development for current cohorts of student nurses, so will be an advantage to those nurses currently looking to get ahead and establish their career pathways.
Opportunities for further study include progression to our MPhil programme, and onwards to a Professional Doctorate or PhD.
Most students will take the Master's course over three years, taking 60 credits in each year. Once accepted on to the course, you will be assisted by the course leader to plot your route. You will be supported throughout your studies at the University of West London.
Some students (for example, students on the Infection Control pathway) will take the year two (optional modules) in their first year, and then take Role Development and Becoming an Advanced Practitioner second.The only course pre-requisite is the need to have successfully complete Research Methods in year three.The typical pathway for students who take the Masters course in the traditional way starts with Year one, where students take Role Development between September and December and Becoming an Advanced Practitioner between January and July.
Click the following link for information on how to apply to this course.
Information about scholarships and bursaries can be found here.
The Advanced Practice in Health and Social Care postgraduate course is for students who are working in clinical and social care settings who want to pose challenging questions and confront the answers.
It will appeal to those who want to create positive change by conducting evidence-based research which can be applied in practice.
Our students come from a variety of careers in the health and social care sector; including emergency practitioners, health care managers and podiatrists. Students also come on to the course directly from undergraduate degree courses.
The MSc in Advanced Practice in Health and Social Care programme is a scholarly Masters degree with a strong theoretical focus.
We believe that to be effective, you need a future-proofed qualification; one which explores practice from a wider, research-based perspective.
Designed in consultation with users and carers, the Health and Social Care Masters course takes account of the user experience and has been developed around their expectations of professionals within the healthcare sector.
The MSc will challenge practices within the current healthcare sector and ask questions such as:
The MSc also offers students the flexibility to tailor the modules they study to meet their professional needs by offering a range of elective modules from across the School’s programmes from management and leadership to infection control.
Depending on your choice of elective modules you will have access to a wide range of excellent resources and facilities including a simulated clinical environment and the interactive website, Connect.
As part of the University of London you can also become a member of Senate House Library for free with your student ID card.
You will learn in large and small multi-disciplinary groups through a variety of methods including institution-based taught modules, e-learning and work-based learning.
Modules are run by experienced health and social care practitioners and leading researchers, using a variety of direct and interactive teaching methods. We support and encourage you to become an independent learner and you will have access to Moodle, City's Virtual Learning Platform, for a more interactive learning experience.
One of the greatest advantages of this degree is the variety of students the course attracts. As a student on this programme at City you will be able to share your experience with peers from across the world and a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds.
You may be assessed by coursework, examinations, portfolios, mini labs, case studies, reports, seminar presentations and skills schedules depending on your choice of elective modules. You may also be expected to take part in formative assessment activities in addition to the summative assessments.
Most students will study two core modules in the first or second term; Critical approaches to advanced practice and introduction to research methods and Applied data analysis . From this point onwards, you direct your programme of study choosing five elective modules from a wide range on offer within the School of Health Sciences.
Our expert lecturers will be able to advise you on the best elective modules to tailor the course to your own needs and interests. Full-time students can complete the course in a year, but most students undertake the taught modules in a year and conduct their dissertation in the second year. There is also the opportunity to complete the dissertation remotely.
The course constitutes 45 credits for the core modules, 75 credits for the elective modules and 60 credits for the dissertation. When it comes to the dissertation, you can choose your own area of interest and format, opting to submit a traditional research project where you source data and analyse it, or a literature review where you conduct a critical review of current practice.
The normal duration for a Masters degree is one year's taught programme for full-time students (plus up to one year for dissertation) or two years' taught programme for part-time students (plus up to one year for the dissertation).
The normal duration for a Postgraduate Diploma is one years' taught programme for full-time students or two years' taught programme for part-time students. Full-time students must complete their Postgraduate Diploma in three years and part-time students in five years.
Postgraduate Certificates in health and social care are not offered on a full-time basis.
Alternatively, students can take modules from this Masters degree as standalone Continuing Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) courses. In this case, course costs might vary.
Core modules
Elective modules
Students have the opportunity to complete an additional five modules of 15 credits offered across the School of Health Sciences CPPD portfolio. There are over 50 modules to choose from including modules such as psychology for health and social care, leading and managing change, and infection control.
Students completing the two core modules plus one optional module totalling 60 credits can exit with a Postgraduate Certificate. On successful completion of seven modules (120 credits) students can exit with a Postgraduate Diploma. The completion of the dissertation leads to an MSc (180 credits).
Discover more School of Health Sciences CPPD modules.
Graduates from the Advanced Practice in Health and Social Care Masters course go into management consultant positions, teaching and research. Many work for the NHS or local authorities, but there are opportunities to work in other health areas. The course also qualifies you to apply for research posts and to conduct independent research.
By successfully completing this course you will be able to enhance your skills in practice. You will also be able to apply your skills within posts in administration, management and health research in a variety of public and private settings.
This MSc programme is designed to provide students with an in-depth working knowledge of the principles and practice related to Oral Sciences. The major strength of this programme is that the programme is aligned to and delivered by internationally renowned members from the Oral Sciences Research Group located within Glasgow Dental School. Students will experience and participate in cutting edge research within the theme while learning techniques widely relevant to biomedical sciences. This programme will be of particular interest to those interested in pursuing or furthering careers in oral and dental related occupations, as well as laboratory scientists or academics. This programme also enables graduates to gain experience in research before applying to a doctoral programme.
Graduates are well placed for a variety of employment opportunities in the oral and dental industries, as well as a wide array of the biomedical science sectors. This course provides a sound basis from which to apply for employment in laboratory positions in industry or in academia, or to continue professional training in dentistry and oral hygiene, or for further doctoral-level research training for academic or teaching careers.
A high proportion of our graduates go on to complete PhDs in Glasgow or other high quality institutions across the world. Careers of some of our recent graduates include:
7HW074 Applied Specialist Nursing Practice)
(September to May – year long)
This year long module provides an opportunity to demonstrate your professional
practice and an ability to manage the care of a patient experiencing an episode of critical illness; this will be evidenced through assessment of competency and a reflective portfolio.
Module content includes:
Searching, interpreting and applying evidence to inform practice; Practice
development; reflective analysis; portfolio development.
Assessment Details:
1. 10 specialist practice outcomes* whilst continuing to work in your normal
practice setting (Pass/Refer)
*you will require a practice mentor to assess
your practice.
2. A reflective portfolio of evidence (100%) which supports your competency
Applied Specialist Nursing Theory (7HW072) (September to January - Semester 1)
You will study anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, assessment, monitoring and therapeutic interventions relating to a variety of areas relevant to the care of the critically ill patient. You will evaluate guidelines and evidence relating to the management of critical illness.
Module content includes:
The context and development of critical care services, applied physiology of respiratory, cardiac, renal and gastrointestinal systems; non-invasive ventilatory support, nutritional support and metabolic disorder. Maintaining patient safety as a fundamental aspect of care will be addressed as a theme throughout the module along with communication skills and infection control measures.
Assessment Details:
A case study (100%) detailing a coordinated approach to care for an individual experiencing an episode of critical illness.
Applied Specialist Nursing Theory (7HW073)
(January to May - Semester 2)
You will focus on managing care of critically ill (level 3), patients and will evaluate guidelines and evidence underpinning methods of assessment and therapeutic intervention.
Module content includes:
Applied physiology and assessment of the nervous system; shock and haemodynamic monitoring; mechanical ventilation; management of acute renal failure; sedation, delirium and pain management; psychological effects of critical illness for the patient and family. Patient safety, communication and infection control issues will continue as themes throughout this module.
The language and concepts of infection and immunity, from basic science to translational clinical research, are taught by our world-class investigators. The programme emphasises data interpretation, critical analysis of current literature and culminates in a full-time research project: excellent preparation for a research career.
The programme provides insight into state-of-the-art infection and immunity research, current issues in the biology of infectious agents, the pathogenesis, prevention and control of infectious diseases, and immunity and immune dysfunction.
Students learn from UCL scientists about their research and are trained in the art of research by carrying out a full-time research project in a UCL laboratory.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of five core modules (75 credits), three optional modules (45 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma comprising four core modules and four optional modules (120 credits, full-time nine months, part-time, flexible study two to five years) is offered.
A Postgraduate Certificate comprising four core modules (60 credits, full-time three months, and flexible study up to two years) is offered.
Core modules
Optional modules
Dissertation/report
All MSc students undertake independent research which culminates in a 4,000-word dissertation.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, paper review sessions, laboratory practicals, an independent research project and self-directed learning. A diverse range of assessment methods is used; coursework may be in the form of presentations, essays, data interpretation exercises, poster preparation, and group working. Many modules also have unseen written examination.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Infection and Immunity MSc
The programme produces graduates who are equipped to embark on research careers. Immersion in the superb research and teaching environment provided by UCL and the Division of Infection & Immunity, gives our graduates a unique understanding of the cutting edge of infection and immunity research and how world-class research is carried out.
Opportunities for networking with UCL senior investigators with international reputations and their worldwide collaborators can provide the inside track for career development. Graduates are well placed to move onto PhD programmes, research positions in diverse biomedical fields, clinical research positions, further training and positions in associated professions.
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
Graduates are exceptionally well prepared for a career in research. The combination of research-informed teaching and practical research training provides an ideal preparation for a PhD and is equally applicable for clinicians seeking specialist training or wishing to pursue the clinical academic career track.
More broadly, a rigorous grounding in scientific method, critical analysis, data interpretation and independent thinking provides a pallet of marketable and transferable skills applicable to many professional career paths.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
The UCL Division of Infection & Immunity is a vibrant and world-class research community. Students are embedded in this superb training environment which provides a challenging and stimulating academic experience.
Programme content reflects the research and clinical excellence within the division as well as cross-disciplinary research from all over UCL. First-class teaching and research supervision is provided by UCL academics, many of whom have international reputations.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: Division of Infection & Immunity
80% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
Study Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with The University of Edinburgh
