The course provides training in research skills and methods to increase the capability of health care professionals to undertake both primary and secondary research and service development. The aim of the course is to develop practitioners who can function at an advanced level of practice and provide leadership in the planning and evaluation of improvements in health care. The course is suitable for health care professionals and administrative or managerial staff who have an interest in health care practice or education. It is likely to appeal to practitioners undertaking career development in consultant, advanced and specialist roles, who want to learn R&D skills focusing on applied research designs and methods to evaluate health care provision. The course stresses relevant and practical research competencies used for positive impact on practice and dissemination of research findings. It includes modules which aid netting research evidence, undertaking empirical research and disseminating findings.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Applicants are normally expected to have a relevant second-class honours degree. Applicants who do not meet this requirement may be asked to demonstrate their ability to study at postgraduate level, for example through portfolio or by evidence of recent professional development. Applicants will normally have a background in Health related profession (e.g. Nurse, O.T. Physiotherapist, Social Worker).

Course Content

The exit awards available are: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and Master of Science.

The Postgraduate Certificate is the first exit route, and comprises three modules:

• NU3005 Evidence for Practice - The aim of this module is to provide you with the understanding, skills and confidence to underpin practice with the most appropriate forms of evidence for the decision making task and context.
• NP4001 Evidence, Effectiveness and Evaluation - This module considers the current policy agenda for quality in health care, and the major themes of evidence-based service development, health care evaluation and research.
• NU4005 Writing and Presentation Skills - This module provides the skills needed to write up research or development work, whether for work, presentation or publication.

The Postgraduate Certificate is specifically designed to provide a broad foundation for your progression to postgraduate training in research skills, but the content provides an excellent grounding in the core concepts and skills relevant and useful to the clinical governance agenda in practice.  

The Postgraduate Diploma requires you to complete three modules additional to the Postgraduate Certificate:

• NU4025 Introduction to Postgraduate Research
• NU4026 Advanced Research Methods
• NU4027 Student Initiated Research Model

The Postgraduate Diploma builds on the foundations of the Postgraduate Certificate to develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to undertake research and to complete a dissertation for the award of MSc.

At the end of the course, you should be able to design a small health care evaluation or research study applicable to your area of practice. The award of the MSc in Professional Practice (Research and Development) requires you to complete a 20,000 word dissertation in addition to successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma.

Course at a Glance

MSc Professional Practice (Research and Development)

Year 1

Evidence for Practice (NU3005)
Evidence, Effectiveness and Evaluation (NP4001)
Writing and presentation Skills (NU4005)

Year 2

Introduction to postgraduate Research (NU4025)
Advanced Research Methods (NU4026)
Student Initiated Research module (NU4027)

Year 3

Dissertation (NU4053)

Assessment:

Throughout the course, you will build a portfolio of assignments that will contribute to your final dissertation. Your assessments in the first year focus on finding, analysing and writing up the current evidence base for your topic. In the second year, two written essays explore the research methods you will use while the final assessment requires you to draw these together into a research proposal, which forms the basis of your dissertation in the final year.

Learning Environment:

You will be expected to develop and work on your own research project throughout the course. The course content is orientated towards framing individual projects within a broad understanding of current research issues and agendas, developing the ability to make informed decisions about appropriate methodologies and methods, and confidence and competence in the application of core research skills.
Teaching and learning strategies in postgraduate education are designed to enhance the ability to think critically and to question creatively current practice and theory. Reflection, dialogue and debate are encouraged and classes are likely to include active student participation in the form of group work, directed study, tutorials, seminars, and activities that encourage shared interdisciplinary learning with other professional groups.

Careers:

The aim of the course is to develop practitioners to become or enhance their functioning at a specialist, advanced and consultant level of practice.

Other Opportunities:

To be leaders and prime movers in evaluating and developing service delivery within the applicants area of expertise.

Fees and Finance

The standard fee for this course will be: £500 per module

For further information including the availability of bursaries/scholarships or student financial support please view our Fees and Finance pages.