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    Pain Science and Management - MSc

    Advance your knowledge and understanding of the physiology and pharmacology of pain, its psychosocial aspects and relevant assessment strategies on our flexible MSc in Pain Science and Management. Multidisciplinary in nature, the programme aims to elevate your professional expertise and skills in this fascinating field of healthcare.

    Month of entry

    • September

    Mode of study

    • Part time

    Location

    Subject area

    • Physiotherapy

    Fees for 2023/24 academic year

    • Part time £4,900 per year.

    Duration of study

    • 1 - 3 years
    Apply now

    Why study Pain Science and Management at Keele University?

    Taught by research active academics and internationally renowned specialists in their field
    Flexible ways to study via a part-time or modular route with various qualification options
    Benefit from the School of Allied Health Professions' strong links with Keele University’s Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Midwifery, and Pharmacy and Bioengineering and with local clinical units

    Course summary

    Our Pain Science and Management MSc aims to facilitate a greater understanding of this complex topic, supporting your personal development as a medical professional. Our carefully designed curriculum will deepen your knowledge of the psychosocial aspects of the experience of pain as well as your comprehension of the physiology, pharmacology, and modulation of pain.

    You will explore core modules that strengthen your existing scientific knowledge and clinical practice skills. Our Research Methods in Health module increases your understanding of the fundamentals of health and social research. You will explore the vital role of Evidence-Based Practice to help you improve your understanding of the strategies for gathering and evaluating evidence. The Assessment and Measurement core module encourages you to explore assessment and measurement theory and the various methods methods utilised within the pain science and management field.

    Our optional modules enable you to align your studies with your area of interest and career aspirations. Practical optional modules will require proof of up-to-date registration with a relevant UK professional body, and proof of up-to-date personal indemnity insurance. These currently include studying the use of injection therapy in the management of joint and soft tissue pathology, or you can focus on the essentials of manual therapy assessment where you will deepen your knowledge in areas such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, pathology, symptomatology and pain mechanisms.

    Other optional modules allow you to focus your studies on improving your applied anatomical knowledge, or expanding your physiological knowledge of the neuromusculoskeletal system in relation to tissue repair, inflammation, and degeneration. You can discover how dynamic ultrasound can be used in evaluating soft tissue anatomy to enhance your clinical evaluation.

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    Course structure

    Studying on our MSc in Pain Science and Management allows you the flexibility to study on either a part-time basis or modular route. A suggested timeframe for the part-time route is studying over two years, undertaking two modules per semester with a final year for your dissertation.However, there is no time limit on studying on the part-time pathway. If you select the modular route you can study over a period of up to five years.

    The taught modules on this programme have a value of 120 M Level credits and the dissertation a total of 60 M Level credits making a total of 180 credits.

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

    Availability of options may be subject to change in any year and other modules may also be available. Examples are given below, further modules can be found in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

    Modules involving practical skills – UK Professional Council registration and third party insurance required

    Modules not requiring third party insurance

    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.

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    Entry requirements

    The course is open to allied health professionals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and psychologists interested in this field. Applicants should normally have a first or second-class honours degree (2.1 or 2.2) (or overseas equivalent) in a relevant subject or an equivalent professional qualification.

    In addition, 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 and Care Professions Council (HCPC), General Medical Council (GMC) and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). This process can take at least eight weeks, so please do apply early.

    All students must have third party insurance for modules that involve practical skills. 

    All applications are assessed on an individual basis. Applicants should ensure that their personal statements identify why they wish to study this course.

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    Funding

    Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2023 start date falls in the 2022/23 academic year. Please see the 2022/23 academic year fees for the relevant fees for starting this course in January 2023.

    Planning your funding

    It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.

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    Your career

    The aim of Keele University's MSc in Pain and Science Management is to broaden your knowledge and understanding of neurological and neuromuscular healthcare management and rehabilitation and promote your professional and personal development. You will develop a greater insight into how different disciplines, through a programme of shared learning and teaching, can contribute to this aim. The course draws from modules from across the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the wider university to encourage interprofessional training. The programme also facilitates analysis, discussion and critical appraisal of scientific and clinical knowledge and could lead to you progressing your career into positions and disciplines which could include:

    • Clinical Specialist
    • Extended Scope Practitioner
    • Advanced Practitioner
    • Management
    • Education

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    Teaching, learning and assessment

    How you'll be taught

    Teaching methods on the MSc in Pain Science and Management vary depending on the module topic. You will learn in traditional style lectures which may feature specialist speakers practicing in the pain science and management field. Small group workshops will provide you with the opportunity to work together with other students to undertake activities such as critically appraising papers relating to specific aspects ofpain and science management. Seminar presentations are used as a teaching method to enable you to research and present your findings about a specific current clinical theme.

    Some modules require you to undertake practical activities to develop your learning supported by expert practitioners and academics.

    You will also have access to the KLE - Keele University’s virtual learning environment. All modules use this tool which provides you with a virtual space to share discussions as well as being a useful resource for accessing learning resources and research tools.

    Independent study is a substantial part of each module and you will be encouraged and guided by tutors when applicable. Some of this independent study will be self-directed depending on the module. Independent study also plays a significant role in writing your dissertation where you will also be supported by academic staff, including one-to-one supervision, and student led workshops.

    If you are a student with Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) you will be offered an advisory tutorial.

    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 will I be assessed

    You will be assessed on the programme through a variety of techniques that reflect the nature of each module. These currently include:

    • Essays. These may be based around specific questions, case studies or areas of interest, depending on the module, using your findings to support your argument.
    • Reflective assignments. A reflective piece of work in your specific area of interest. Reflective learning and practice are a fundamental part of your continual professional development as a clinician
    • Portfolios. These contain evidence of your critical reflection on your learning journey and clinical practice.
    • Presentations. Oral presentations will develop communication skills and develop your confidence in presenting your findings and rationale supporting your your argument.
    • Practical examinations.
    • Dissertation. Student led, independent piece of research.

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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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    Our expertise

    Our academic teaching team comprises expert academics who have considerable experience teaching at postgraduate level. The majority of staff have postgraduate qualifications in areas such as healthcare, rehabilitation, bioengineering or education. Many of our staff are active researchers, are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, or are members of specialist organisations such as the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP).

    You can find more about our current academic teaching team here.

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