Course Outline

Faculty of Health
School of Health and Rehabilitation
Neurological Rehabilitation

Research rating: 4(A)

Awards: MSc, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate

Course Director: Dr Sue Hunter

Contact: Sarah Skinner
Position: Postgraduate Administrator

Address: School of Health and Rehabilitation, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG

Tel: 01782 734551
Fax: 01782 584255

Email: s.a.skinner@keele.ac.uk
Website: www.keele.ac.uk/depts/pt/pg_courses/index.html

Full-Time & Part-Time study

Introduction

This course enables students to study the healthcare of patients with neurological and neuromuscular problems
from a dynamic and expanding perspective. The course provides students with a sound academic core to their
relevant clinical practice, encourages a broad approach to health provision, and gives a thorough understanding
of research methodology. The overall philosophy is to encourage an analytical, questioning attitude, which in turn
will lead to an increase in evidence-based practice together with innovation in clinical practice.

Allied health professionals and members of other related disciplines often require both academic accreditation and
flexibility when seeking continuing professional development (CPD) and our postgraduate courses endeavour to fulfil
these needs. This flexible course is available on full-time, part-time, or modular routes. Additionally, modules can be
taken as independent stand-alone programmes of study. The School of Health & Rehabilitation is based on Keele
campus. It has strong connections both with local clinical units and with other Schools within the University
such as the Schools of Nursing & Midwifery, Medicine, and Pharmacy.

Aims of the Course

Although based in the School of Health and Rehabilitation, this course draws on modules from across the Faculty
of Health and the wider University encouraging interprofessional training. The aim of this flexible
modular course is to broaden the student’s knowledge and understanding of neurological and neuromuscular
healthcare, and encourage personal development. It is also about fostering greater insight into how different
disciplines, through a programme of shared learning and teaching, can contribute to this aim. This course facilitates
analysis, discussion and critical appraisal of scientific and clinical knowledge.

Entry Requirements

The course is open to therapists, (e.g. physiotherapists, occupational therapists), and other health professionals.
Applicants should normally have a first or second class honours degree (2.1 or 2.2) (or overseas equivalent) in a
relevant subject such as Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, or an equivalent professional qualification.
In addition, applicants must normally have completed at least 12 months of professional work experience by 30 June
prior to admission or be registered with the UK Professional Council or overseas equivalent. Registration with your
Professional Council is strongly recommended; if this is not obtained then this may limit your choice of options since
you will not be able to undertake practical clinical modules.

Forms for UK Professional Council registration are available from the Health Professions Council (HPC), at www.hpc-uk.
org General Medical Council (GMC) information obtained from www.gmc-uk.org and Nursing and Midwifery Council
(NMC) via www.nmc-uk.org This process can take at least eight weeks, so please do apply early.

For students whose first language is not English, evidence will be required of successful completion of an English
Language qualification such as TOEFL (minimum 600) or IELTS (minimum 6.5 with at least 6 in each sub-test). All
applications are assessed on an individual basis. Applicants should ensure that their personal statements identify why
they wish to study this course.

Course Structure and Content

The MSc programme comprises taught modules to the value of 120 M level credits and a dissertation of 60 M level credits, giving a total of 180 credits. Students may choose to finish their studies after completing 60 taught credits (Postgraduate Certificate) or 120 taught credits (Postgraduate Diploma), or they may study any module on a stand-alone basis and obtain the relevant credits.

The full-time MSc programme is completed over 16 months, September to December. The part-time MSc programme can be completed in two years, but students may take up to five years if they wish (modular route). The structure of the course therefore allows flexible learning in accordance with individual student interests and needs. Visit the School website www.keele.ac.uk/depts/pt/pg_courses/index.html to view module block sessional dates, and details of all modules.

The core modules meet the needs of individuals to review and evaluate the scientific background of their own specialism and to integrate this into their clinical practice. The option modules allow students to devise a programme to suit their own specific requirements in terms of professional and personal development. The research module and evidence based practice module together with the dissertation develop the student’s research capabilities and critical evaluation skills.

Course Modules

For further details about all modules (dates and costs etc.) please use the link below:

www.keele.ac.uk/depts/pt/pg_courses/index.html

The following indicate the range of modules that may be offered.

Core Modules (each 15 credits, totalling 75 credits)

These are compulsory modules.

• Research Methods
• Evidence-Based Practice - this will be delivered entirely via distance-learning electronically from 2008
• Concepts of Neurological Rehabilitation
• Assistive Technologies in Neuromuscular Rehabilitation
• Independent Study – around a neurological topic

Option Modules (credit value in brackets – 45 credits required for MSc and PgDip)

Availability of options may be subject to change in any year and other modules may also be available. Examples are given below.

Modules involving practical skills – UK Professional Council registration and third party insurance required

• Introducing Acupuncture (15)
• Manual Therapy Spine (15)
• Manual Therapy Peripheral (15)
• Motor Control Retraining of Movement Dysfunction (30) (in conjunction with Kinetic Control)
• Joint & Soft Tissue Injection (15)
• Musculoskeletal Management at the Interface (30)

Modules not involving practical skills

• Applied Clinical Anatomy 1 (15)
• Physiology and Pharmacology of Pain (15)
• Assessment of Pain (15)
• Psychosocial Aspects of Pain (15)
• Management of Complex Musculoskeletal Patients using a Biopsychosocial Approach (30)
• The Performance Matrix (15)
• Applied Clinical Anatomy 2 (30)
• Dynamic Ultrasound Imaging (15)
• Mechanics of Neuromusculoskeletal Tissue
• Physiology (15)

Candidates can also apply for assessment of prior learning (APL) exemptions against option modules, or choose to take option modules from a range offered by other schools in the University provided they are consistent with the aims of the programme and are approved by the Course Team.

Dissertation (60 credits)

A dissertation of 15,000 words on a topic related to the course. Dissertation workshops provide support for students.

Teaching and Assessment

Lecture sessions are led by a variety of experienced authorities in their field. Therefore, the student receives a wide knowledge base from academics and practising experts. Teaching methods include: lead lectures, tutor and student led tutorials, problem solving scenarios, case study, presentations, small group work and the use of the Virtual Learning Environment - discussion groups, conditional released tasks.

The programme is assessed by a variety of techniques chosen to reflect the aims and objectives and teaching methods of individual modules, for example: critical review papers, essays, portfolios, presentations, interactive practical examinations, assessment in the field and use of the Virtual Learning Environment – online assessments, and dissertation. The pass mark for all modules is 50%.

Funding

For UK prospective students only: funding may be available from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) Charitable Trust. The CSP also provides information on other sources of funding (www.csp.org.uk).

The University offers fees bursaries to overseas students via the Keele International Student Scholarship (KISS) scheme.

www.keele.ac.uk/depts/aa/postgraduate/funding.htm#charter

External funding via Chevening Scholarships may be available for International Students (www.chevening.com).

You may also wish to explore the issue of funding with your employer, your country’s Education Department and/or your professional body.
Some high street banks offer mature student loans and career development loans for information packs freephone (0800 585 505).

For costs of all programmes and single modules go to: www.keele.ac.uk/depts/pt/pg_courses/index.html

Career Destination information

This programme will enable you to focus your continuing professional development in clinical and research areas to enhance your professional practice and career opportunities. For example, you will develop skills needed to pursue careers in research, lecturing, clinical specialist and consultant therapy roles.