About the course

The School of Allied Health Professions 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.

Allied health professionals and members of other related disciplines may require both academic accreditation and flexibility when seeking continuing professional development (CPD) and our postgraduate courses endeavour to fulfil these needs within the field of pain management. Although based in the School of Allied Health Professions, this course draws on modules from across the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the wider University encouraging interprofessional education. It is available part-time, or modules can be taken as independent stand-alone programmes of study.

The part-time MSc programme can be completed in two years although up to 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.

Course structure

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. The structure of the course therefore allows flexible learning in accordance with individual student interests.

Please visit the Faculty website to view details of all modules and sessional dates.

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.

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

Taught Modules

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

• Research Methods in Health
• Evidence-Based Practice– this is delivered electronically, entirely via distance-learning
• Physiology & Pharmacology of Pain
• Psychosocial Aspects of Pain
• 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, 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

• Principles and Practice of Joint and Soft Tissue Injection (15)
• Essentials of Manual Therapy Assessment (15)
• Musculoskeletal Management at the Interface (30)

Modules not requiring third party insurance

• Applied Clinical Anatomy (1) (15)
• Physiology of Neuromusculoskeletal Tissue (15)
• Concepts of Neurological Rehabilitation (15)
• Independent Study (15)
• Dynamic Ultrasound Imaging (15)
• Assistive Technologies in Neuromuscular Rehabilitation (15)
• Applied Clinical Anatomy (2) (30)

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.

How the course is taught

A broad spectrum of teaching and learning methods are adopted including lectures, seminars, workshops and online distance education. All 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.

How you'll be assessed

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 evaluation, paper review, seminar presentations, examination, the use of the Virtual Learning Environment, and dissertation. The pass mark for all modules is 50%.

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.

Funding

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

Living costs

Keele University is located on a beautiful campus and has all the facilities of a small town. Student accommodation, shops, restaurants and cafes are all within walking distance of the teaching buildings. This is a very cost effective way to live and to reduce your living costs.

Scholarships and Funding

We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries webpage for more information.

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

Careers

The aim of this flexible modular course is to broaden your knowledge and understanding in Pain Science and Management, plus encourage personal development.

The IASP core curriculum for professional education in pain is reflected in this programme. 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.