Postgraduate Taught

We also have a full time course MSc Physiotherapy (Neurology) that runs every second year, the next intake in September 2013

This course enables students to study the health care, management and rehabilitation of people 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 standalone 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.

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 health care management and rehabilitation, 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Modules

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

Core (Compulsory) Modules (each 15 credits, totalling 75 credits)

• Research Methods in Health
• Evidence-Based Practice – this will be delivered electronically entirely via distance-learning
• Concepts of Neurological Rehabilitation
• Assistive Technologies in Neuromuscular Rehabilitation
• Assessment and Measurement

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, a full list of modules including those examples listed below can be seen at the Faculty of Health module listing

Motor Control Retraining of Movement Dysfunction (30), Essentials of Manual Therapy Assessment for Peripheral Joint Dysfunction (15), Introducing Acupuncture (15), Essentials of Manual Therapy Assessment for Spinal Dysfunction (15),Principles and Practice of Joint & Soft Tissue Injection (15),Musculoskeletal Management at the Interface (30), Performance Stability (15), Applied Clinical Anatomy 1 (15),Applied Clinical Anatomy 2 (30), Dynamic Ultrasound Imaging (15), Physiology of Neuromusculoskeletal Healthcare (15), Independent Study (15), Psychosocial Aspects of Pain (15), Physiology and Pharmacology of Pain (15)

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.