Course overview

The aim of this course is to enable you to develop your expertise in critically appraising practice in the health and social care arena from an interprofessional and contemporary perspective. The course will aim to facilitate debate on inter-professional and organisational patterns of care and service provision. Some modules may address the wider societal and political influences that impact on health and social care. The ability to promote effective joint working between and across sectors and agencies may also be addressed, as appropriate to the students' area of practice. Students from all professional backgrounds with an interest in health and social care will be able to enhance their intellectual and generic skills for career/professional development. The course will equip you with the skills of critical reflection and evaluation so that you are able to lead/facilitate advanced and innovative practice within the health and social care context. Due to the variety of health care practitioners likely to apply for this course there are a number of modules from a range of clinical and generic topics included in this course.

Assessment

There are a variety of assessment methods and each module is assessed in order to award academic credit. Assessment methods include: essay, case study, reports, literature review, concept mapping and portfolio of evidence of learning.

PLEASE NOTE: Some of the above modules may also be delivered at the Peterborough campus.

Facilities

It is no surprise that the largest provider of health and social care education in the East of England offers its students state-of-the-art simulated clinical skills laboratories; students therefore have the opportunity to gain the hands-on experience they need. The building in Chelmsford was built in collaboration with the Essex Workforce Development Confederation. All of our students are able to use these facilities including nurses, midwives, operating department practitioners, counsellors and social workers.

Our other facilities based in Fulbourn, Cambridge and Peterborough have wall mounted audio visual capture equipment to improve learning and teaching, with the clinical skills laboratories for undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing professional development courses.

Moreover the clinical skills facilities are fitted with a range of health care equipment that mirrors real life clinical situations. The opportunity to observe and then to practice techniques within the clinical skills lab is fundamental to the overall learning experience of students before they transfer to direct patient care. Moving and Handling hoists and standing aids, E.C.G monitors, interpretive and cardiac arrest systems, pain relief delivery systems and a range of diagnostic and patient monitoring systems are just some of the equipment available. Our innovative style of health education delivery means that our students are working ready from day one in their new job.

Links with industry and professional recognition

The selection of modules ensures that students can study relevant topics which will link theory to practice and help to improve practice. This award does not provide professional recognition though it can enhance career progression through academic recognition and application to health and social care practice.

Associated careers

Student achievement will evidence their professional development, and step-off points allow access to other pathways with minimum entry requirements.

Entry Requirements:

*Entry at Level 1 - A levels or equivalent qualification at Level 3, plus at least three GCSEs at grade C or above of which two must be in English and Maths. *Entry at Level 2 - As level 1 plus must demonstrate 120 credits at level 1 through a professional qualification, e.g. Registered Nurse, Diploma in Nursing. *Entry at Level 3 - As level 1 and 2 but must also demonstrate 120 credits at level 2 through a professional qualification eg Dip HE Registered Nurse, Foundation Degree. *In all cases applicants must: *Be a health and social care professional with at least one year full time or equivalent part-time post qualification experience. *Give evidence of personal, professional and educational experience so that they may meet the academic and, where appropriate, practice demands of the programme. *International students wishing to access this pathway must hold a recognised qualification and be current in a Health and Social Care role which compares to a minimum of 120 level 1 or 120 level 2 credits depending on the entry level. (E.g. UK Dip HE, Foundation Degree, Bachelors Degree etc).

Entry requirements listed are for September 2013 entry. Entry requirements for other intakes may differ.

International Students

Availability of this programme for international applicants requiring a Tier 4 Student Visa is limited to our Chelmsford campus.