This higher degree is aimed at clinical professionals from all backgrounds involved in the delivery of acute, chronic, and integrated pain services in primary or secondary care. Combining cutting-edge research with an international reputation for clinical excellence, the UCL Pain Management MSc is ideal for anyone wanting to improve the lives of people living with pain while also accelerating their own career.
Students will learn:
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of eight core modules (120 credits), and a research dissertation (60 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, eight core modules) is offered.
A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits, four core modules) is offered.
Core modules
Optional modules
There are no optional modules for this programme.
Dissertation/report
Successful completion of the MSc requires a 5,000 to 8,000-word dissertation on a topic that is relevant to the candidate's own clinical practice and has been covered, at least superficially, at some point in the programme. The options for the dissertation will be discussed with each student but can include, where possible, joining clinical research at the UCLH Pain Management Centre, study in-depth of topics, preparing for higher (doctoral) research, etc. Students will have two supervisors and a mentor.
Teaching and learning
This programme is delivered via a specially-designed online learning environment with additional workshops and discussions to support students on the journey towards making a real difference for people living with pain.
Assessment is based on reflective practice, video presentation, and short written assignments.
Placement
Clinical placement is not a required component of the programme. However, for students wishing to see practice in the UK or specialist pain management practice at UCLH, short clinical placements can be arranged. The Pain Management Centre at UCLH is busy and accommodates a large number students and specialist trainees. Therefore, please consider your goals for any placement in advance.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Pain Management MSc
For a comprehensive list of funding opportunities available at UCL visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
In addition to the funding options available from UCL Scholarships and Funding, a small number of bursaries are available to reduce the programme fees by up to £4,000. Candidates interested in applying for a bursary should indicate this in their application. Applicants will then be asked for further information if their application is successful.
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
This programme is the ideal solution for:
Employability
Combining academic excellence with UCL's reputation as London's global university and our strong links to industry, the prospects for graduates of this programme are excellent. Whether you wish to continue with patient care in the NHS or private sector, pursue doctoral research, or work in industry and innovation, this programme will equips students not only with the knowledge and skills but also the networking links and opportunities to take their career to the next level.
This exciting programme will provide graduates with the knowledge and opportunities to accelerate their careers in pain management. This is ideal for anyone pursuing a senior clinical position, health management role, or research and development or industry career.
Beginning with the socio-economic impact and moving from acute to chronic pain states before arriving at more complex pain conditions and interventions, this programme develops the knowledge and core skills required of an advanced pain practitioner.
With innovative modules on managing pain in the community and UCLH's international expertise on headache and abdominopelvic pain, students are exposed to unique learning opportunities.
Recognising the growing specialist field of neuromodulation, we have developed among the world's first modules dedicated to the subject. This gives students the knowledge to develop their own services or care for patients with devices already in place.
The programme is delivered via a specially-desinged online learning environment. Recognising that the subject matter is often academically and emotionally demanding, optional workshops with programme tutors are available at the Bloomsbury campus and via video conferencing. In addition, online small-group tutorials supplement the online learning content.
Our flexible design allows students from all over the country, and world, to share their experiences and learning styles to enrich each other's academic experience. This is the only UK-based pain management degree offering students the choice of fully online or blended delivery.
UCL and UCL Hospitals (UCLH) Pain Management Centre has an international reputation for both cutting-edge research and innovative clinical services. Students on this programme will benefit from teaching from global experts at an institution that consistently delivers world-class research output. Graduates can expect to be academically confident and ideally placed to pursue doctoral (PhD) level study with UCL upon completion.
The University of Edinburgh is recognised globally for its research, development and innovation, and has been providing students with a world-class education for more than 425 years. The suite of pain management programmes offered by the Department of Anaesthesia, Critical care and Pain Medicine, continues this tradition by integrating current clinical research with high-level academic and professional input.
As a multidimensional phenomenon, it is essential that pain is managed through planned multidisciplinary initiatives and inputs that aim to ease patient suffering and improve quality of life. Through a solid, theoretical understanding of the biological, psychological and social concepts that drive, develop and maintain pain, students will explore the multifaceted nature of pain and its effects. Students will gain an advanced understanding of the specialist area of pain management and will develop the core skills and knowledge required of an advanced pain practitioner.
Each course of the programme is divided into a set of themed sections in which material is presented in a blend of short online lectures, practical case studies, directed readings, podcasts and webinars. This is supplemented by discussion boards that provide directed assessment tasks while input from expert guest lecturers and tutors offer students opportunity for collaborative critical discourse and debate of current issues.
This part-time, fully online programme attracts an international and multi-professional student cohort and offers a unique opportunity to have direct contact with others working in pain management across the world. Within this context, students will gain the knowledge, understanding and evaluative skills to provide advanced clinical care so as to improve outcomes for people living in pain.
This programme is affiliated with the University's Global Health Academy.
By studying at the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, students will join a rich tradition of education – one of the oldest institutions in the UK - but also one of the most progressive and dynamic.
The University of Edinburgh has a growing portfolio of established and highly regarded online distance learning postgraduate programmes, with thousands of students currently taking advantage of this mode of education. As a postgraduate student at the University of Edinburgh, you will become part of a supportive online community, able to take advantage of the University’s strong academic tradition, while studying together students and tutors from across the world.
The University of Edinburgh offers a number of outcome awards from its suite of pain management programmes. For those wishing to complete a short option, there are continuing professional development (CME/CPD) courses and for others, who may wish to pursue a longer programme option, there are University awards of Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert), Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) and Master of Science (MSc) – all delivered online using methods that are fully supported by the University’s award-winning online learning environments.
The key differences between the University awards are the number of credits needed to achieve each award:
Postgraduate Certificate - Level 1 (60 credits)
The Postgraduate Certificate level courses allow students to gain a solid, theoretical understanding of the biological, psychological and social concepts that drive, develop and maintain pain.
Through six core courses covering, assessment and measurement of pain, mechanisms of pain, and the pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of pain, students will explore pain's multifaceted and dynamic nature. In the final core course, students will examine selected conditions seen in clinical practice.
Postgraduate Diploma - Level 2 (60 credits)
(not all Level 2 courses will be offered every year) On successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate courses, the 60 credits at Postgraduate Diploma level allow students to select courses that focus on areas of pain management that are congruent with students' career goals and clinical or personal interests.
Through a number of course options, including, but not limited to, courses in cancer pain, medical pain, acute pain, neuropathic pain and pain in ageing populations, students will gain an advanced understanding of key areas in pain management. At this level, students may opt to begin to take courses in the areas of either headache management or veterinary medicine to gain a named PGDip or MSc award.
Master of Science - Level 3 (60 credits)
On the successful completion of 120 credits, students are able to proceed to the Master of Science level of the programme. There are a number of options at this level:
Degree Awards with a Headache or Veterinary Designation?
We also offer Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) and Master of Science (MSc) awards in the focussed clinical areas of headache management and veterinary medicine.
Alongside the core pain programme content, students have the option to take a number of courses in specific clinical areas to gain the award of PGDip/MSc Clinical Management of Pain (Headache) or PGDip/MSc Clinical Management of Pain (Veterinary). To gain a named award (i.e. a Headache or Veterinary designation), students must complete at least one third of the credits of the award in the focussed area.
Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD)
Postgraduate Professional Development is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their knowledge through a postgraduate-level course, without the time - or financial - commitment of a full Masters degree, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate. We offer short, focussed, academic credit-bearing courses that provide education on key subjects in pain management.
You may take a maximum of 50 credits worth of courses through our Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) scheme. These credits are recognised in their own right as postgraduate-level credit, or may be put towards gaining a higher award, such as a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or MSc at the University of Edinburgh or another academic institution.
Our online 1 year Postgraduate Diploma in Pain Management covers the wide range of the conditions pertinent to pain management and meets the educational needs of both primary and secondary healthcare professionals. The course is worth 120 credits and comprises 6 modules of 20 credits each.
Our Diploma in Pain Management has been developed for Doctors, Nurses, Allied Health Professionals, Practice Nurses and those with related undergraduate degrees (Clinical Nurse specialists, Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Dentists, Psychology, Occupational Therapists, Podiatrists, Rehabilitation specialists) or equivalent professional qualifications and background experience. Having a specialist knowledge in Pain Management is an increasingly important asset and extra responsibility of medical personnel.
On completion of the course, you will be able to:
- demonstrate a systematic understanding of the care of patients in Pain Management.
- critically evaluate current research in inter-disciplinary & multi-disciplinary Pain Management
- demonstrate a critical understanding of self-care promotion for acute and chronic pain
- deliver management strategies for the investigation and treatment of patients with pain conditions.
Course Structure
The online course lasts one calendar year and is a part-time distance learning course. It consists of 6 modules per year, each of 6 weeks duration.
Module 1 - Mechanisms of pain
Module 2 - Types of pain
Module 3 - Principles of pain assessment and management
Module 4 - Multi-disciplinary approaches to pain management
Module 5 - Pain in specified populations
Module 6 - Inter disciplinary Service Provision
Assessment
The course puts assessment at the heart of learning by using clinical scenarios to facilitate problem-solving, critical analysis and evidence-based care. The scenarios act as both the focus for learning and assessment thus embedding assessment within the learning process.
Each of the 6 modules has the same assessment format. Due to the online nature of the course, students are expected to login and participate in the course regularly throughout the module (ideally on a daily basis).
Students are split into groups of 10-15 students and are assigned a dedicated expert tutor who:
Facilitates clinical case discussions with the group.
Monitors, assesses and marks each student throughout the module.
Students use the skills gained during the lectures to engage with the different activities (see below).
Clinical case scenarios with case based discussion - 40%
Individual learning portfolio - 10%
Group/individual activity - 20%
Case based examination - 30%
The MSc Pain Management course aims to create professionals who can independently access information and use the information to critically assess, evaluate and disseminate the evidence base related to Pain Management. The course will enable more health care professionals to have the required knowledge to treat patients. It will develop problem-solving and clinical skills together with preparing students to take a leadership role in Pain Management.
Entry to the 1 year Msc in Pain Management will require the successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Pain Management (120 credits) either from the University of South Wales or from another UK University.
Our Pain Management Masters of Science course has been developed for health professionals who are interested in a leadership role within Pain Management including Doctors, Nurses, Allied Health Professionals, Practice Nurses and those with equivalent professional qualifications and background experience.
The MSc Pain Management course is the only one of its title that is accessible online, and is not offered by any other institution. On completion of the course, you will be able to:
Extend the knowledge of research methods and application to practice at MSc level.
Demonstrate an ability to use knowledge to adapt professional practice to meet the changing demands of health care systems.
The online course lasts one calendar year and is a part-time distance learning course. It consists of 6 modules per year, each of 6 weeks duration.
Module 1 - Research Methodologies and Critical Appraisal: Pain Management
Module 2 - Professional Project: Pain Management or Independent Prescribing Module
Teaching Methods
Module 1 - Research Methodologies and Critical Appraisal
MSc teaching methods for this module are similar to the PG Diploma course modules however it is run over 12 weeks.
Module 2 - Professional Project
To produce the professional project, students continue to use the online course however much of the work is self-directed.
Students are expected in the first 8 weeks to interact with their tutor on a weekly basis. Students select a specific project and submit a project summary/proposal (approximately 1500 words).
Our Orofacial Pain MSc is an innovative programme designed to provide advanced training and clinical practice in this emerging discipline. Orofacial pain and headaches are a significant financial burden to the NHS with patients presenting as challenging cases often baffling practitioners. Led by world-renowned experts who have extensive published research, this course will provide training in the field of Orofacial Pain to benefit patients in the UK and internationally.
The course will provide comprehensive understanding, experience and advanced skills in the diagnosis and management of patients with orofacial pain, and will enable you to appreciate the relationships with other medical and dental specialties.
You will develop:
Bio-psychosocial model of pain
Teaching
We will teach you through lectures, tutorials, hands-on training and supervision in clinic. Course material will be available through our online learning environment, King’s E-learning and Teaching Service (KEATS), where you will find information, interactive questions, assignments, bibliographic databases and reading material.
Assessment
Three modules in year one are assessed by written examination and one by 50% case presentation and 50% written examination. In year two, two modules are assessed by 50% case presentation and 50% written examination. The research project is assessed by written dissertation and oral examination.
The Orofacial Pain MSc may contribute to a specialism in oral medicine, oral surgery or restorative dentistry.
This is an interprofessional, e-Learning course intended for healthcare professionals who want to specialise in the field of pain management. It is also aimed at educationalists, to provide the appropriate knowledge and expertise on pain, to teach others from various disciplines.
The MSc Degree in Pain Management is an inter-professional, e-learning programme intended for health care professionals who want to specialise in the field of pain management. It is also aimed at educationalists to provide the appropriate knowledge and expertise on pain to teach others from various disciplines. In addition, 3 of our modules can be studied on a stand-alone basis to provide any healthcare professional with an introduction to Research, Statistics and Evidence Based Practice, Foundation in Evidence Based Pain Management and / or Quality and Safety. Details for these are provided within the Stand Alone module information area (MET257, MET500 and MET287).
Pain is a multidimensional phenomenon and as such needs to be managed through multidisciplinary initiatives. These initiatives must be based on specialist knowledge, rigorous research and an advanced understanding of the physiological and behavioural concepts involved.
This two-year course begins by introducing you to the multifaceted nature of caring for patients who have pain. The modules are designed to provide you with the ability to understand the biopsychosocial aspects of pain and to evaluate the various approaches to assessing and managing patients in pain. Professional issues, including clinical governance and inter-professional practice, will be covered. The course is suitable for the needs of primary, secondary and tertiary care professionals.
E-learning assessment strategies enable students to focus on their areas of interest and are structured to allow students to evaluate the topic in relation to their practice and professional base.
Approximately 40 places are offered each year and the majority of students are self-funded, though some obtain awards from charities and trusts. The course takes two years to complete inclusive of the dissertation component (nine months for the postgraduate certificate stage; nine months for the postgraduate diploma stage and a further six months for the dissertation stage).
There are no residential components in this course as it is purely e-learning - so there is no requirement to travel to Cardiff for course purposes.
Available Funding
We have been very fortunate in obtaining substantial bursaries from Napp Pharmaceuticals Limited. If you would like to enquire about a 50% bursary for the 2018/9 sessional module fees, please contact the programme team at [email protected], before you apply.
Distinctive features
A wide range of teaching and learning styles are used throughout the course, which is delivered via e-learning format through Cardiff University’s virtual learning environment (VLE) Learning Central The course consists of a number of compulsory modules and sub-topics where you have a choice.
A variety of media is used to deliver the content:
Dissertation topics are chosen by the student, but have to be approved by the programme team, on behalf of the Chair of the postgraduate taught Board of Studies.
Studies at MSc dissertation level will largely consist of guided independent study and research, making use of the extensive learning and research facilities available. A project supervisor will be allocated to support and advise you on researching and writing up your specific dissertation topic. A formative module on Research Methods will be delivered online via Learning Central.
The course is delivered entirely as distance-learning via Cardiff University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Learning Central, where you will find course materials, links to related materials and assessments, discussion boards, announcements, Turnitin and Gradecentre.
All modules make extensive use of this VLE (Learning Central), through which you will find all the course material. Students are encouraged to make regular contribution through the discussion boards on Learning Central, where they will be supported by the programme team and a panel of experts. Students will be able to plan and reflect on their learning through their own personal blog.
All students are allocated a personal tutor, for help and support with academic and pastoral needs, who will be in regular contact to discuss progress and to provide advice and guidance as needed. Extensive written feedback is given on all assessments.
Successful completion of this programme will add value to your CV. Graduates have reported that it led directly to promotion, and many were also stimulated to pursue academic careers via further study up to PhD.
This Masters programme enables you to demonstrate you are taking the opportunity to develop your abilities in critical analysis, problem-solving, decision-making, finding and using evidence and in dealing with complex issues. Whilst we do not formally assess clinical skills or competencies in a face-to-face context (so the programme is not a substitute for a formal specialty training programme), studying at this level should help successful students demonstrate numerous academic skills that should be highly regarded in relation to their career development and progression. In particular, the programme offers opportunities to demonstrate the development of knowledge and skills in relation to the application of evidence-based medicine and the potential enhancement of services and governance frameworks. As such, it should provide evidence of commitment and potential that may assist you in relation to taking on greater responsibilities or perhaps seeking management, research, scholarship, or leadership roles.
These are interprofessional, e-Learning courses intended for any healthcare professional who has an interest in and/or wants to specialise in the field of pain management in primary and community care.
The MSc in Pain Management (Primary and Community Care) is an inter-professional, e-learning course intended for any health care professional with an interest in and/or a wish to specialise in the field of Pain Management, within the area of Primary and Community Care. In addition, 3 of our modules can be studied on a stand-alone basis to provide any healthcare professional with an introduction to Research, Statistics and Evidence Based Practice, a Foundation in Primary Care Pain Management and / or Quality and Safety. Details for these are provided within the Stand Alone module information area (MET257, MET500 and MET275).
The aim is to help students to develop their knowledge to an advanced level in their area of expertise and or interest within the field of Pain Assessment and Management in the Primary and Community Care setting. This is however, undertaken within a broader context, which allows the student to understand their level of expertise and knowledge base and how it fits into inter-professional practice and pain management as a whole.
Every applicant has to apply for the Postgraduate Certificate (Pg Cert) year first. Once they have completed and passed the Postgraduate Certificate, they can either choose to exit with the Postgraduate Certificate award or they can apply to undertake the Postgraduate Diploma (Pg Dip). Once they have completed and passed the Postgraduate Diploma, they can either choose to exit with the Postgraduate Diploma award or they can apply to undertake the MSc.
Each course runs over nine months. The Postgraduate Certificate course starts with a two-week introductory period to enable you to familiarise yourself with the course and e-learning. The course team offer support Monday – Friday (9am -5pm) by email, telephone and online discussion boards/forums.
Pain is a multidimensional phenomenon and as such needs to be managed through multidisciplinary initiatives. These initiatives must be based on specialist knowledge, rigorous research and an advanced understanding of the physiological and behavioural concepts involved.
Distinctive features
How will I be taught?
A wide range of teaching and learning styles are used throughout the course, which are delivered via e-learning format through Cardiff University’s virtual learning environment (VLE) Learning Central. The course consists of a number of compulsory modules and sub-topics where the student has a choice. A variety of media is used to deliver the content:
Dissertation topics are chosen by the student, but have to be approved by the programme team, on behalf of the chair of the postgraduate taught Board of Studies.
Studies at MSc dissertation level will largely consist of guided independent study and research, making use of the extensive learning and research facilities available. A project supervisor will be allocated to support and advise you on researching and writing up your specific dissertation topic. A formative module on Research Methods, completed as part of the postgraduate certificate course, will be available online during the dissertation stage, via Cardiff University’s online learning platform, Learning Central.
How will I be supported?
The taught modules of the course are delivered entirely as distance-learning via Cardiff University’s virtual learning environment (VLE) Learning Central, where you will find course materials, links to related materials, assessments and discussion boards.
Group and individual video tutorials are available to support you throughout your studies.
Students are encouraged to make regular contribution through the discussion boards on Learning Central, where they will be supported by the programme team and a panel of experts. Students will be able to plan and reflect on their learning through their own personal blog.
You will be allocated a personal supervisor during the dissertation period. They will give written feedback on dissertation drafts and provide you with the opportunity to discuss any queries you may have.
This programme is aimed at those who have completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Pain Management (Primary and Community Care).
This programme is particularly suitable for those who wish to improve their knowledge of pain management in order to help improve patient care, in the primary and community care setting. Successful completion of this programme will add value to your CV. Graduates have reported that it led directly to new job opportunities in pain management.
This Postgraduate Certificate programme develops students' knowledge and skills, theoretical and practical competencies in the fast-developing world of sedation and pain management, and is studied part-time over one year. Simulation training in management of medical emergencies is an important component of the programme. It is compliant with UK sedation guidelines.
Alongside theoretical training, the programme provides clinical attachments with a programme mentor at accredited sedation clinics in or near London. Students receive training in pre-sedation assessment and how to administer sedation to patients using standard sedation techniques, and observe the criteria set for recovery and discharge of patients after sedation. Students also receive simulation training in the management of medical emergencies during sedation.
Students undertake modules to the value of 60 credits.
The programme consists of four core modules worth 15 credits each.
Core modules
Optional modules
Dissertation/report
Each student writes a 3,000-word referenced essay on a sedation-related topic as part of formal assessment. Topics can include research studies, case studies, or any topic related to an interesting area in sedation and pain control.The topic must be approved by the Programme Director.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through lectures, clinical skills seminars, problem-based learning and directly supervised clinical sessions sedating patients. Students also receive simulation training in the management of medical emergencies.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Dental Sedation and Pain Management PG Cert
The programme prepares graduates to practise as:
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
There is a huge demand for sedation practitioners and this is lilkely to grow in future, not only as private practitioners but also sedation trainers.
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 programme is available to both doctors and dentists, which is unique in the UK. The programme invites guest speakers from other institutions and the Programme Director himself is a visiting professor from UWC, Cape Town, providing connections with the international sedation community.
You can find out more about the programme on the institute's Dental Sedation and Pain Management PG Cert page.
This programme trains students in standard sedation techniques. We would like to present short courses in advanced sedation techniques in the future.
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: Eastman Dental Institute
85% 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.
This combined research and taught masters programme provides students with a research orientated training in the practical, theoretical and applied elements of spinal pain and rehabilitation.
Optional modules make up the taught component of the course, and offer teaching, learning and experience in core disciplines of spinal pain and rehabilitation, including exercise and health. Research experience is offered in academic or practice settings within the Centre of Precision Rehabilitation in Spinal Pain (CPR Spine).
The MRes in Spinal Pain is a one-year full-time or two year part time masters course programme that provides students with a research-orientated training in a lively, highly interactive teaching and research environment.
This programme takes students who have a research focus, from a variety of backgrounds at entry and gives them new skills to enable them to move into further research and/or employment in a number of disciplines.
It is offered by the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, in collaboration with the School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine in the University of Birmingham Medical School.
The purpose of the MRes Spinal Pain is to provide a strong foundation for research in spinal pain and rehabilitation.
Course Information
The taught elements of the course will be delivered in the form of one core module and two optional modules in core disciplines within exercise and rehabilitation sciences, allowing students to shape the course to their particular interest.
Extended research experience is offered in the shape of a six-month research project in the students chosen discipline.
The courses have a taught component, and an extended period of research to produce a dissertation.
Each module has its own assessment which supports development with students then undertaking an extended period of research to produce a thesis.
The career opportunities available are expanding all the time. As well as developing knowledge and skills in research and research management, this MRes supports development in preparation for doctoral studies. Many clinical settings are now appointing individuals with a strong research profile to strengthen research in clinical practice and rehabilitation. Other career routes include roles in the fitness and leisure industry, governing bodies, teaching, exercise prescription and testing.
You will also have the support of a dedicated careers and employability team, to offer individual advice and guidance services and deliver an employability programme tailored to your needs.
The PgDip and MSc Evidence-based Medicine (Anaesthesia, Perioperative Medicine and Pain) programmes provide a modular postgraduate education to meet your needs. The programmes offer specialty training within this area and will enhance your career progression towards a consultant post.
The programmes are flexible and modular, covering a range of subject matters relevant to anaesthesia, perioperative medicine and pain. Credits from the component modules can be combined to provide a postgraduate certificate, diploma or master’s-level qualification. You study the central aspects of evidence-based medicine and research, and how to apply these to your anaesthesia, perioperative medicine and pain practice to enhance the quality of your individual clinical practice and broader service delivery. You share a number of modules with other master’s-level programmes giving you many opportunities to mix with other students and share academic and professional experiences. The emphasis is on integrating theory and clinical practice in a multi-professional working and learning environment.
You develop an ability to understand how evidence is generated, retrieved, evaluated and importantly, employed in practice. The programmes enhance inter-professional learning and direct the focus of learning toward evidence based clinical decision making and quality improvement to enhance service delivery. This is in line with the Government’s policy visions to develop evidence based, quality improvement driven professional practice.The programmes offer a structured and logical progression to learning, with a firm link to your anaesthesia, perioperative medicine and pain practice. As the majority of students are employed in specialty training posts we use a flexible approach to programme delivery.
Course structure
Core modules
MSc only
Modules offered may vary.
Where you study
Main campus for attending students, at home for distance learners.
How you learn
The learning and teaching strategy is as flexible as possible. You can choose to study by attending classes, by distance learning or flexible learning (a combination of attendance and distance learning).
For attending students, learning and teaching methods include key lectures, seminars involving group discussions and structured learning activities, practical computer lab classes and tutorial support.
For distance learners our virtual learning environment provides you with interactive structured learning materials such as written learning materials, narrated PowerPoint presentations, and structured learning materials and activities. Alongside this you can access a range of forums – discussion boards, wikis and blogs to support your discussion with module tutors and other students. Tutorial support is provided by email, phone or Skype.
If you are a flexible learner you can use these two approaches flexibly throughout each module depending on your personal needs and work commitments. Our learning and teaching strategy, and opportunities for feedback for flexible learners includes aspects of the attendance and distance learning strategies.
How you are assessed
We use a variety of assessment strategies. Formative assessment supports your learning in some modules. Each module is summatively assessed through a written report, seen exam, data analysis project, research proposal, quality improvement proposal, critical commentary and – for the MSc only – a dissertation.
These programmes offer a structured and logical progression to learning with a firm link to your specialist area of practice. Most graduates are employed in specialty training posts and these programmes can support your career progression to consultant level.
The aim of this study is to evaluate and optimise the use of shockwave therapy in improving the symptoms of ex ercise inducted muscle damage, namely pain and muscle weakness. The use of shockwave to aid in the recovery following exercise inducted muscle damage is a relatively new concept and has not been as yet explored to a great extent in the literature. The study will consist of 2 phases.
In phase 1 a single-blind, randomized controlled study will be conducted. Thirty subjects with will be randomly divided into three groups: shockwave therapy, placebo shockwave therapy and a control group. Muscle damage will be induced to the gastrocnemius muscle. 24 hours later each group will receive their assigned treatment, shockwave, placebo shockwave or no treatment. Prior to the induction of the muscle damage, 24 hrs post, 48 hrs post and 96 hrs post induction, the strength of the gastrocnemius will be measured isokinetically and point tenderness in the muscle will be assessed by measuring the pain pressure threshold in these points.
The second phase of the study will examine the effects of the timing of the delivery of the shockwave treatment on pain and strength in the gastrocnemius following exercise inducted muscle damage. Thirty subjects with will be randomly divided into three groups: one group will receive shockwave therapy 24 hrs post the induction of the muscle damage, group 2 will receive it 48hrs post the induction of the muscle damage and the 3rd group will be a control group and receive no treatment. Muscle damage will be induced to the gastrocnemius muscle. Prior to the induction of the muscle damage, 24 hrs post, 48 hrs post and 96 hrs post induction, the strength of the gastrocnemius will be measured isokinetically and the point tenderness in the muscle will be assessed by measuring the pain pressure threshold in these points. A repeated measures ANOVA will be used to compare differences before and after the interventions and among groups at each time-point.
This study is a continuation of a fourth year project. The results of the research would suggest that shockwave administered directly after the induction of muscle damage is effective at improving the pain experienced in the muscle 48hrs later. The results of this study will be highly relevant to clinicians and sport performers as it will firstly establish if shockwave is effective at eliminating some of the side effects of exercise inducted muscle damage and the optimum timing for same. The results of the study will be disseminated via peer reviewed journals and conferences.
Our one-year MSc Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery course is designed for dentists who wish to advance their knowledge of this clinical specialty at postgraduate level.
This specialty is concerned with the diagnosis and management of diseases, injuries and defects affecting the mouth, jaws, face and neck.
The specialist clinical component of the course will give you an understanding of the scientific basis of oral and maxillofacial surgery, with particular emphasis on current theories relevant to the diagnosis, treatment planning and clinical management of patients. The course will also emphasise the evidence base supporting clinical surgical practice.
You will observe a wide range of surgery, including facial trauma, implant and reconstructive, cancer and reconstructive, salivary gland and orthognathic surgery, as well as participating in dentoalveolar surgery.
The course also covers the design, data collection, and simple analysis and interpretation of clinical research projects, and culminates in the MSc dissertation. You will learn how to identify, formulate and implement a specific research project in line with the research themes of pain and anxiety control, surgical implantology, or oral cancer and health services research.
The course aims to provide dental practitioners with the knowledge and skills to undertake minor oral surgery in the context of a wider knowledge of oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Our teaching and learning methods are designed to encourage you to take responsibility for your own learning and to integrate work with formal educational activities.
We will provide the core text book for the course. This book, Master Dentistry Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Radiology, Pathology and Oral Medicine (ISBN 0443061920), has been authored by University staff Coulthard, Horner, Sloan and Theaker.
Assessment is by essay and SBAs throughout the course and related to the taught units. You will also maintain a clinical surgical logbook and undertake a clinical competency test. There is also an oral examination.
The Specialist Clinical component consists of the following modules:
The MSc includes a research project and dissertation.
Dissertation
Examples of dissertations submitted include:
You will have access to dedicated postgraduate suites. You will also be able to access a range offacilities throughout the University.
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service .
We will invite you to participate in a number of conferences and courses. Some selected seminars will also provide you with CPD hours.
This course will prepare you for a future career in clinical practice, teaching or research.
Some graduates return to established surgical practice, while others go on to the next step in their training and pursue specialist clinical training and appropriate clinical examinations in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Graduates may find their advanced knowledge a good foundation for surgical dentistry, oral surgery or oral and maxillofacial surgery practice. Some graduates proceed to undertake higher research degrees such as a PhD.
