Key Facts

Course Title: Neuromusculoskeletal Healthcare
Course type: MSc, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate
Mode of Study:Part Time
Contact Details:Sarah Skinner
Contact email:s.a.skinner@keele.ac.uk
Website: Go to Course homepage
Faculty: Faculty of Health
Subject Area: Physiotherapy
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The term neuromusculoskeletal refers to the musculoskeletal system and the related neuromuscular and cardiovascular systems. This course enables students to study the health care of patients with neuromusculoskeletal 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 part-time, or modules can be taken as independent stand-alone programmes of study.

The School of Health & Rehabilitation is based on Keele campus and has a well-established undergraduate physiotherapy programme. 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.

The aim of this flexible modular course is to broaden the student’s knowledge and understanding of neuromusculoskeletal health care, 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), other allied health professionals and members of other related disciplines such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists and psychologists. 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, Medicine, Nursing, Psychology, or an equivalent professional qualification.  

In addition, applicants must 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 will severely 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). The structure of the course therefore allows flexible learning in accordance with individual student interests and needs. Visit the school website to view module block sessional dates, and details of all modules.

Course Modules

Core Modules (each 15 credits totalling 60 credits)

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.

Option Modules (credit value in brackets – 60 credits required for MSc and PgDip)

Availability of options may be subject to change in any year and other modules may also be available. A list of modules run by the Faculty of Health can be found at the Faculty Health Module Listings, some of these are listed below.

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.

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.

The programme is assessed by a variety of techniques chosen to reflect the aims and objectives and teaching methods of individual modules, for example: essay, critical evaluation, paper review, seminar presentations, examination, the use of the Virtual Learning Environment, and dissertation. The pass mark for all modules is 50%.