Prosthetics and Orthotics

Prosthetics and Orthotics - MSc

Progress your career within the exciting field of prosthetics and orthotics on our MSc programme. The programme has been carefully designed to reflect current innovation and technology in the field but also the need for evidence-based treatment options. Prosthetics and Orthotics at Keele embraces the challenges of modern healthcare and enables you to develop key clinical skills to become a highly competent Prosthetist and Orthotist who can make a positive impact on people's lives.

Month of entry

January

Mode of study

Full time

Location

Keele University campus

Subject area

Health and Rehabilitation

Fees for 2023/24 academic year

UK - Full time £9,250 per year
International - Full Time £25,400* per year

Duration of study

2 years

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Why study Prosthetics and Orthotics at Keele University?

Study at the only institution in the UK to offer a masters level pre-registration prosthetics and orthotics programme.

This programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council enabling you to apply to their register upon successful completion of the programme.

Study a programme which is supported by the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists

Learn from experienced clinicians and teaching staff who are nationally and internationally recognised experts in their field

Eligible students can apply for £5,000 non-repayable NHS grant to support your studies

Course summary

Our two-year MSc aims to facilitate your development into a highly competent Prosthetist and Orthotist who can confidently assess and treat patients to promote their physical well-being. You will gain the knowledge, skills, behaviours, and values that underpin contemporary prosthetics and orthotics practice, strengthening your competence in applying your skill-set to contemporary clinical practice.

You will explore clinical reasoning and the need for decision-making skills that are informed by evidence-based practice to enable you to undertake best practice in partnership with service users and colleagues. Modules in year one focus on core areas such as developing your professional development as a Prosthetist and Orthotist and the various techniques in clinical assessment.

You will deepen your understanding of health promotion, primary and secondary prevention, and health behaviour change. We introduce you to the foundations of prescription, technical design, fabrication, and provision of prosthetic and orthotic devices with a focus upon the lower limb. You will learn to apply your knowledge and skills in the assessment and management of a patient with a complex upper limb or spinal condition and evaluate healthcare and evidence-based practice.

Your second year provides you the opportunity to look at leadership and service development within prosthetics and orthotics and investigate innovations in the field. You will continue to advance your prescription expertise and undertake a research project. Orientation, clinical and manufacturing placements are also a key element of the course which you will be expected to participate in throughout both years of the course.

Placements

There are seven placements throughout the two year course providing over 1000 hours of practical exposure. These are a mix of Prosthetics, Orthotics and Manufacturing placements, which can range from one week to six weeks and may be located across the whole of the UK. There will be an expectation for students to travel and experience new locations throughout their studies.

Next Steps

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Course structure

This two year programme commences in January. Each year is divided into two semesters and runs over an extended academic year with reduced vacation periods when compared to other courses at Keele.

Taught modules are interspersed with practice experience modules. These offer you the opportunity to apply and develop skills and knowledge you have learnt on the course with patients in a clinical environment.

Each year carries 90 credits:

The course is structured around key aspects of prosthetic and orthotic practice including:

A fundamental understanding of biomechanical and human sciences
A strong grasp of physical assessment skills, product knowledge and clinical reasoning
A repertoire of safe and effective prosthetic and orthotic device prescriptions based on individuals' specific requirements
Evidence based evaluation and discharge/modification skills
Effective communication and inter-personal skills.

These are introduced, developed and enhanced via individual modules over the two-year programme; each year carries 90 credits:

Introduction and Prosthetics and Orthotics Packages
Transition into Prosthetics and Orthotic Studies
Essentials of Prosthetic and Orthotic Assessment
Health, Wellbeing and Behaviour Change
Prosthetic and Orthotic Placement 1 (Orientation)
Prosthetic and Orthotic Placement 2 (Clinical)
Evaluating Healthcare and Evidence Based Practice
Prosthetic and Orthotic Management
Spinal Orthotics and Upper Limb Prosthetics
Prosthetic and Orthotic Placement 3 (Manufacturing)
Prosthetic and Orthotic Placement 4 (Clinical)

Leadership and Service Development
Innovations in Prosthetic and Orthotic Assessment
Research Proposal
Prosthetic and Orthotic Placement 5 (Clinical)
Prosthetic and Orthotic Placement 6 (Clinical)
Advanced Prescription in Prosthetics and Orthotics
Research Project
Prosthetic and Orthotic Placement 7 (Clinical)

Next Steps

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Meet the Prosthetics and Orthotics team

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Teaching, learning and assessment

How you'll be taught

You will learn in a variety of ways using a number of different approaches:

Lectures and independent study enable you to broaden and deepen your existing professional knowledge and understanding of the core scientific principles and concepts of prosthetics and orthotics, and to transfer scientific knowledge from theory into practice.
Practical work in both university and clinical environments supports you to develop, enhance and update your learning of new skills under the supervision of experts. It facilitates the development of safe and competent practice, and the integration of theoretical and practical knowledge and skills. You will focus on the management of common pathologies whilst demonstrating the transferability of these skills to the management of less common or multiple complex pathologies.
Small group work, such as seminars, and workshops, provides opportunities for you to clarify and exchange ideas with both peers and staff, and to question and challenge professional concepts.
Guided independent study and tutorials will assist you to explore in depth, and evaluate, aspects of professional practice.
Seminars, tutorials and web-based e-learning activities encourage reflection upon your learning and to take responsibility for its development, and to collaborate with others to share, explore, and evaluate ideas in greater depth.

In your programme you will sometimes be expected to role play and engage in simulated clinical scenarios with other students, such as the practice and observation of practical skills in physical contact with other students. For some specific practices, this may necessitate modification of dress - e.g., to shorts and t-shirt. These activities will be conducted in a professional, safe, respectful and culturally sensitive way, under the supervision of academic staff, according to a defined protocol.

How you'll be assessed

You will develop a broad range of knowledge and skills as you advance on this Prosthetics and Orthotics MSc. To reflect this we use a wide variety of assessment methods on the programme. These currently include:

Written work and assignments. These will highlight the application of your subject matter and your research and written skills.
Written examinations will test your knowledge through different exam formats such as multiple choice, critical analysis reports and short answer questions.
Reflective assignments enable you to improve your reflective learning and practice which are fundamental skills used by healthcare professionals.
Oral exams and presentations will assess your knowledge, understanding and application of the subject.
Practical examinations and Interactive Practical Assessment (IPA) take place as part of the programmes practical modules.
Research project. Student led piece of independent research which will be supported by a nominated supervisor.
Practice placement assessment is undertaken during your placement modules through criterion referenced assessment forms.
Online assessments with multiple choice questions.

Next Steps

Apply now
Visit us
Enquire about this course

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Keele Postgraduate Association

Keele University is one of a handful of universities in the UK to have a dedicated students' union for postgraduate students. A fully registered charity, Keele Postgraduate Association serves as a focal point for the social life and welfare needs of all postgraduate students during their time at Keele.

KPA interior

Hugely popular, the KPA Clubhouse (near Horwood Hall) provides a dedicated postgraduate social space and bar on campus, where you can grab a bite to eat and drink, sit quietly and read a book, or switch off from academic life at one of the many regular events organised throughout the year. The KPA also helps to host a variety of conferences, as well as other academic and career sessions, to give you and your fellow postgraduates the opportunities to come together to discuss your research, and develop your skills and networks.

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