About the course

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 a part-time or modular route. Additionally, modules can be taken as independent standalone programmes of study.

The School of Allied Health Professions 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.

The part-time MSc programme can be completed in two years although three years is permitted. Students who opt for the modular route may take up to five years if they wish. The structure of the course therefore allows flexible learning in accordance with individual student interests and needs.

Aims of the course

Although based in the School of Health and Rehabilitation, this course draws on modules from across the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences 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 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.

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 and Care Professions Council (HCPC), at www.hcpc-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 normally* be required of successful completion of an English Language qualification such as 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.

*In exceptional circumstances, if the school believes a student to be academically strong but has a borderline IELTS (or equivalent) score (e.g. a student with an UK equivalent high first class degree qualification and misses one component of the IELTS by 0.5 in a speaking or listening section), the applicant may be interviewed by the academic from both the School and the Language Centre. If the student is successful in the interview they maybe considered for entry.

Course 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 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 60 credits)

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

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. Examples are given below, a full list of modules including those examples listed below can be seen at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences module listing

Essentials of Manual Therapy Assessment (15), Principles and Practice of Joint & Soft Tissue Injection (15), Musculoskeletal Management at the Interface (30), 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), Behaviour Change for Health and Well-Being (15)

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.

Additional costs

Apart from additional costs for text books, inter-library loans and potential overdue library fines we do not anticipate any additional costs for this post graduate programme.