Faculty of Health

This 45 credit, level 7, will form the structure for the dissertation year of the MSc Advancing Professional Practice through a work-based learning route (in conjunction with the clinical effectiveness module). This master’s core optional dissertation year has been specifically structured to take into account a number of factors affecting education and professional role development for health-care professionals to embody an emphasis on the researching professional as a reflective practitioner. The route is grounded in professional practice and will offer the student the opportunity to negotiate, design, implement and evaluate the effectiveness upon service of an advanced work-based project This will inform the development of professional practice, significantly contribute to service enhancement and contribute to the individual’s own continuing professional development.

The specific focus will be negotiated with the student according to their particular professional interests as demonstrated within their professional portfolio, in conjunction with their work-based facilitator and the module leader. It promotes an opportunity for the student to demonstrate critical and creative thinking through their approach to practice-based initiatives.

The module will be underpinned by the work-based learning philosophy, which will be incorporated as a stimulating and challenging approach. This module will draw together the professional learning that has occurred during the first two years of the MSc Advancing Professional Practice (WBL).

This module is available as:

• a compulsory core within MSc Advancing Professional Practice (Professional Practice Route)
• an optional core within MSc Advancing Professional Practice

To provide the opportunity for the demonstration of the acquisition of Masters level research outcomes through the execution of a professional practice based initiative that falls within the realms of the individual’s professional responsibility. The approach to this dissertation will enable the student to negotiate, design, implement and evaluate the effectiveness upon service of an advanced work-based project This will inform the development of professional practice, significantly contribute to service enhancement and contribute to the individual’s own continuing professional development.

Hold current first level Professional Registration with a relevant regulatory body e.g. Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC); Health Professional Council (HPC); General Social Care Council (GSCC).

Have an identified work-based facilitator within their practice area, who will support and guide their development throughout this module and their Masters programme.

A minimum of two years professional practice.

Successful completion of the core 'Advanced work-based project: Proposal construction' module.

The dissertation year (in conjunction with the clinical effectiveness module) will facilitate the students understanding of the philosophical and methodological bases of health care enquiry.

There will be a tripartite meeting between the student, module leader, employer and work-based facilitator (as appropriate) to develop and agree the specific area for exploration (driven through a planning contract), followed by a period of self-directed learning.

Workshops will be organized to assist students with their progress. Preparatory workshops will be run to help the students move on from their initial plan, and into the formal Dissertation stage. Further workshops will be offered to support the preparation of the dissertation; these will run alongside one-to-one supervision meetings.