(MSc) Master of Science
Advanced Clinical Practice
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Health and Social Care (School of)
Colchester Campus
Masters
By credit accumulation
Health Studies
MSC B906MO
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
- A relevant professional qualification and current registration with the relevant UK professional body.
- A good first degree in a relevant subject or relevant professional experience and qualifications that demonstrate ability to study at level seven.
- Currently employed in a relevant field of practice.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels listed above. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications.
If you are an international student requiring a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
Please contact cpd@essex.ac.uk for further information about this course, planning a pathway and how to apply.
External examiners
Mr Richard Clark
Senior Lecturer
Sheffield Hallam University
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
- To provide students with a broad and critical understanding of the key concepts underlying practice within a health or social care professional context.
- To ensure that students apply their understanding of the health/social care sciences, legal and ethical frameworks, and health/social care policy to critique and enhance their own professional practice.
- To provide students with skills to access and critically appraise research findings to develop their own evidence-based practice
- To encourage students to contribute to policymaking, planning and evaluation.
- To provide students with the opportunity to enhance their understanding of the essential principles of research design and to conduct an extensive piece of independent research activity including: planning, formulating, designing, choosing research methods, collecting data, analysing, interpreting and writing-up
- To ensure students acquire a range of transferable employment related skills
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Advanced understanding of key concepts related to health or social care professional practice
A2: Comprehensive knowledge of how to assess complex health needs, diagnose, plan and provide or evaluate individualised care.
A3: Comprehensive knowledge of the relationships between relevant academic theories and professional practice.
A4: Knowledge of how to critically appraise research findings and apply research evidence to question routine practice including relevant ethical and legal issues
A5: Advanced understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
A101: Understanding of how to conduct original research including relevant ethical and legal issues.
A102: Advanced ability to reflect upon ones own professional practice.
Learning methods
A1-A5 and A101 are covered in lectures, seminars, or tutorials, which introduce the material in a structured manner with opportunity for discussion.
Many of the learning activities adopt a problem-based learning approach. A1-5 and A101 are further supported by practical experience, portfolio development and the completion of an independent research project.
A1-A3 are further supported by the contribution of visiting lecturers who are leading practitioners in the local health services.
A1-A5 and A101 access to a Moodle platform to support the students and provide additional learning resources.
A102 is supported by small group or individual tutorials and portfolio development.
Assessment methods
A1-A5 and A101-A102 are assessed by coursework with a clear link to practice in the health care arena and are supported by development of the work-based learning portfolio.
Where appropriate examinations may also be used to measure attainment of relevant understanding.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Systematically gather and critically review evidence
B2: Translate research evidence into practical activities in patient care and service management (evidence-based practice)
B3: Interpret, implement and evaluate health related policy.
B4: Plan, undertake and report an independent research project to a high professional and ethical standard
B5: Write well-structured and well-argued assignments
Learning methods
B1-4 are explicated in the variety of teaching and learning activities undertaken (e.g.
Case studies, problem based learning, research workshops) and are enhanced through the development of the workbased learning portfolio B5 is on-going throughout the course and enhanced via formative feedback about coursework.
Assessment methods
B1-5 are assessed by coursework with a clear link to practice in the health care arena and are supported by development of the work based learning portfolio.
B4 is assessed through a Research Dissertation based on independent research
C: Practical skills
C1: Perform advanced and systematic search for information relevant to specific topics
C2: Critically apply biological and psycho-social theories and research findings to the diagnostic, implementation and evaluation process of health care.
C3: Lead and develop roles relevant to health care practice
C4: Produce a research proposal to a professional standard and submit an application to an ethics committee where applicable
C5: Carry out, with supervision, health research to a high professional standard.
C6: Process and analyse data using a software package
C7: Plan and present their work in an appropriate manner
Learning methods
C1-3 are explicated in the variety of teaching and learning activities undertaken (e.g. case studies, problem-based learning, topic based study) and are enhanced through the development of the work-based learning portfolio.
C4-6 are taught by lecture demonstrations followed by supported and structured research-based activities.
C5 is supported by workshops and individual supervision
C7 is ongoing throughout the course and is supported by structured feedback on formative and summative coursework
Assessment methods
C1-3 are assessed by coursework with a clear link to practice in the health care arena and are supported by development of the work-based learning portfolio.
Where appropriate examinations (e.g. OSCEs or clinical assessments) may also be used to measure attainment of relevant skills.
C4-6 are assessed through an assignment consisting of practical exercises and the dissertation.
C7 is assessed through coursework
D: Key skills
D1: Communication - Write clearly and effectively; Communicate effectively verbally in a group; Summarise and communicate complex findings to others; Communicate with professional and lay audiences appropriately
D2: IT Skills - Use the Internet; Use word processing packages; Use spreadsheets and statistics packages; Use presentation packages; Use data analysis software
D3: Read and interpret tables of data and statistics; Use statistics to analyse data; Use packages for handling, referencing and analysisng data
D4: Choose the appropriate method of enquiry in order to address a range of practical and theoretical problems. This includes review and use of appropriate past literature and designing an appropriate piece of research work.
D5: Work in a team with others to agree and work towards common goals. Work successfully with other disciplines/professions and facilitate this in others. Practice reflectively and facilitate this in others
D6: Able to learn from feedback and respond appropriately and effectively to supervision and guidance; able to work pragmatically to meet deadlines; able to critically evaluate own performance and to practice reflectively
Learning methods
D1-6 are explicated in the variety of teaching and learning activities undertaken (e.g.
Case studies, problem based learning, topic based study) and are enhanced through the development of the workbased learning portfolio and dissertation
D6 is on-going throughout the course and is supported by structured feedback on formative and summative coursework.
Assessment methods
D1-6 are assessed by coursework with a clear link to practice in the health care arena and are supported by development of the work based learning portfolio and the dissertation.