Medical Education MSc

Duration

3 Years

1 Year

Location

Centre for Health Innovation Stafford

Centre for Health Innovation Stafford

This distance learning course is designed for health and social care practitioners and educators who are involved in teaching/supervision, in some capacity, within their working role.

Medical Education is a crucial and ever-changing dimension of healthcare practice. Professionals need to ensure that their knowledge and skills are up to date to ensure they are equipped to meet the needs of patients or service users. Teaching is a vital tool to ensure knowledge and skills are maintained. The course is thus designed to encourage personal reflection, and evaluation of your own teaching practices within the workplace, which in turn can help you to facilitate the learning of others.

The course also encourages critical enquiry, analysis, and debate, as well as the sharing of ideas across professional boundaries. Students on this award are from a variety of health/social care backgrounds and are encouraged to draw upon their experience and knowledge throughout the course process. This helps students to apply academic models and theories to their own practice, ensuring that academic content is clearly integrated with the practical craft of teaching delivery.

The course is available as a PgCert (one year) or MSc (three years).

Research Excellence Frame work 2021 (REF 2021)

We’re extremely proud of the results for our Allied Health research submissions:

100% of research impact is recognised as “very considerable” or “outstanding” and

73% of research outputs are rated “internationally excellent” or “world leading”.

Medical Education is a crucial and ever-changing dimension of healthcare practice. Professionals need to ensure that their knowledge and skills are up to date to ensure they are equipped to meet the needs of patients or service users. Teaching is a vital tool to ensure knowledge and skills are maintained. The course is thus designed to encourage personal reflection, and evaluation of your own teaching practices within the workplace, which in turn can help you to facilitate the learning of others.

The course also encourages critical enquiry, analysis, and debate, as well as the sharing of ideas across professional boundaries. Students on this award are from a variety of health/social care backgrounds and are encouraged to draw upon their experience and knowledge throughout the course process. This helps students to apply academic models and theories to their own practice, ensuring that academic content is clearly integrated with the practical craft of teaching delivery.

The course is available as a PgCert (one year) or MSc (three years).

Research Excellence Frame work 2021 (REF 2021)

We’re extremely proud of the results for our Allied Health research submissions:

100% of research impact is recognised as “very considerable” or “outstanding” and

73% of research outputs are rated “internationally excellent” or “world leading”.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Medical Education

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: PgCert Medical Education

Course content

All course material will be available online through Staffordshire University’s virtual learning environment. This offers you choice and flexibility about when you access learning content, and you are able to study at a pace that suits you.

The course also considers the complexity of approaches to teaching in healthcare, including the variety of different types of learning context. It also addresses the diversity of learner characteristics and matters of equality and inclusion. The opportunity is therefore provided to critically reflect upon and evaluate various approaches utilised within teaching practice, such as lectures, group work, one-to-one supervision, virtual platforms, and simulation.

The course examines underpinning theories and concepts associated with teaching and learning. It will explore how these theories/concepts can be integrated with evaluations to sharpen knowledge and understanding of practical teaching delivery. It will also consider the role of education in supporting wider organisational aims.

All course material will be available online through Staffordshire University’s virtual learning environment. This offers you choice and flexibility about when you access learning content, and you are able to study at a pace that suits you.

The course also considers the complexity of approaches to teaching in healthcare, including the variety of different types of learning context. It also addresses the diversity of learner characteristics and matters of equality and inclusion. The opportunity is therefore provided to critically reflect upon and evaluate various approaches utilised within teaching practice, such as lectures, group work, one-to-one supervision, virtual platforms, and simulation.

The course examines underpinning theories and concepts associated with teaching and learning. It will explore how these theories/concepts can be integrated with evaluations to sharpen knowledge and understanding of practical teaching delivery. It will also consider the role of education in supporting wider organisational aims.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 3 compulsory modules
There are no compulsory modules for this year.
Show 2 optional modules

Entry requirements

A degree from a UK Higher Education Institute, or international equivalent, in Medicine, Nursing, or another relevant health or social care subject.

Applicants with a Diploma of Higher Education, complemented by strong recent evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), will be considered. If necessary, applicants will be invited to take part in a short informal interview via Microsoft Teams or telephone.

It is strongly recommended that you will be actively involved in teaching/supervision in some capacity within your working role. This is because the modules draw upon your experience of learning delivery. However, it is not a requirement to hold a formal teaching position.

A degree from a UK Higher Education Institute, or international equivalent, in Medicine, Nursing, or another relevant health or social care subject.

Applicants with a Diploma of Higher Education, complemented by strong recent evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), will be considered. If necessary, applicants will be invited to take part in a short informal interview via Microsoft Teams or telephone.

It is strongly recommended that you will be actively involved in teaching/supervision in some capacity within your working role. This is because the modules draw upon your experience of learning delivery. However, it is not a requirement to hold a formal teaching position.

Facilities

Off-campus library services

Distance learners benefit from a range of services including access to e-books, postal loans of physical books, online support from subject librarians and more. Read more

Library services and learning resources

We offer an extensive range of library services to our off-campus students and help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our comprehensive online catalogue of eResources are available for you to search for and access material such as eBooks, journals and databases. Our team of librarians can help you find your way around the electronic resources and library catalogues, or if there’s something specific you need, they can help you to source it.

Our LibGuides provide information and advice on using our online resources, with specific pages for each subject area, and can help you search for quality-assured websites. 

Find out more: Library Resources

Libraries

We have Libraries and service desks at both sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford. Our experienced and friendly staff can answer your IT queries, help you to access resources, show you how to research for your assignments and help with referencing.

Careers

The Medical Education course can assist with your career progression by offering valuable evidence of professional development relating to teaching and learning in healthcare. The course develops lifelong learning skills that can enhance your professional practice and career prospects. The course will also be very valuable for practitioners who are seeking to extend the educational aspect of their role or pursue a formal position in an educational setting.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

All modules are provided on a part-time basis with one module per term. In the MSc, your final year will be focused on your Dissertation or Project Based Change module. The distance-learning format enables you to engage with the materials from any location and at a time that suits you best.

To help you schedule your time for learning, there will usually be a weekly release of new topic materials during the early stages of each module. The initial introduction to these materials occurs at a set time each week but, once ‘live’, these materials remain available to you for the duration of your course.

The course will enable you to acquire the relevant knowledge and skills regarding all aspects of teaching and learning. This will help you to contribute to the advancement and promotion of teaching and learning practice within your workplace. It will also enable you to develop effective problem-solving, decision-making and communication skills that can be applied to the scrutiny of the professional and organisational norms and values that shape teaching and learning opportunities within the workplace.

Virtual Learning Environment

The use of the Virtual Learning Environment will enable sharing and collaboration, with the opportunity to watch live webinars, video recordings, power point presentations, simulations (recorded and real time) and to achieve collaborative working on projects and discussions. As part of establishing an online community, through the platform you will be able to create smaller groups for project work and group discussions. A small number of optional group tutorials will be available via MS Teams each term. These provide a valuable means for peer support.

All modules are provided on a part-time basis with one module per term. In the MSc, your final year will be focused on your Dissertation or Project Based Change module. The distance-learning format enables you to engage with the materials from any location and at a time that suits you best.

To help you schedule your time for learning, there will usually be a weekly release of new topic materials during the early stages of each module. The initial introduction to these materials occurs at a set time each week but, once ‘live’, these materials remain available to you for the duration of your course.

The course will enable you to acquire the relevant knowledge and skills regarding all aspects of teaching and learning. This will help you to contribute to the advancement and promotion of teaching and learning practice within your workplace. It will also enable you to develop effective problem-solving, decision-making and communication skills that can be applied to the scrutiny of the professional and organisational norms and values that shape teaching and learning opportunities within the workplace.

Virtual Learning Environment

The use of the Virtual Learning Environment will enable sharing and collaboration, with the opportunity to watch live webinars, video recordings, power point presentations, simulations (recorded and real time) and to achieve collaborative working on projects and discussions. As part of establishing an online community, through the platform you will be able to create smaller groups for project work and group discussions. A small number of optional group tutorials will be available via MS Teams each term. These provide a valuable means for peer support.

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods are used throughout the course. All the assessment methods used are commensurate with University regulations for Master’s level work and are designed to verify that learning outcomes have been achieved.

As part of the assessment strategy, both formative and summative assessments will be included. One-to-one tutorial support and guidance on draft work will also be available to help you negotiate the assessment requirements for each module.

A variety of assessment methods are used throughout the course. All the assessment methods used are commensurate with University regulations for Master’s level work and are designed to verify that learning outcomes have been achieved.

As part of the assessment strategy, both formative and summative assessments will be included. One-to-one tutorial support and guidance on draft work will also be available to help you negotiate the assessment requirements for each module.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your own progress, so ongoing feedback will be available via tutorials and comments on draft work.

For formal assessments we provide feedback within 20 working days.

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your own progress, so ongoing feedback will be available via tutorials and comments on draft work.

For formal assessments we provide feedback within 20 working days.

Each 20-credit module has an associated guide of 200 learning hours, some of which will be through contact hours and some directed study. Additionally, progression of your own knowledge and understanding will be achieved through your reading and applying theory and research evidence to real world examples from your practice. By encouraging reflection, the course is designed to help you develop your skills so they can be applied to effective teaching practice in the workplace.

Each 20-credit module has an associated guide of 200 learning hours, some of which will be through contact hours and some directed study. Additionally, progression of your own knowledge and understanding will be achieved through your reading and applying theory and research evidence to real world examples from your practice. By encouraging reflection, the course is designed to help you develop your skills so they can be applied to effective teaching practice in the workplace.

Independent learning

Your independent learning activities could involve:

  • Reading journals, articles and books
  • Working on projects
  • Researching in the library
  • Preparing coursework

We’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities to help you make the most of your private study time. The e-library at Staffordshire University is an extensive and robust resource for your studies.

Your independent learning activities could involve:

  • Reading journals, articles and books
  • Working on projects
  • Researching in the library
  • Preparing coursework

We’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities to help you make the most of your private study time. The e-library at Staffordshire University is an extensive and robust resource for your studies.

Staff

Dr Edward Tolhurst

Associate Professor

I am a Senior Lecturer and qualitative researcher in the field of dementia, ageing and care. I am based in the Postgraduate team and course leader for the MSc in Medical Education. I am also a member of the University Research Ethics Committee.

Edward's profile

Dr Peter Kevern

Professor

Peter's expertise includes dementia studies, ageing and religion and religious communities and their role in health promotion. Peter is a member of the British Association for the Study of Spirituality and is a Trustee of Age Concern.

Peter's profile

Dr Jessica Runacres

Senior Lecturer

Senior Lecturer in Research Practice in the school of Health, Science, and Wellbeing. Mixed methods researcher, PGR Lead, and PhD Course Lead.

Jessica's profile

Fees

The expected study pattern on this programme enables you to complete modules totalling 60 credits in your first year of study. If you are on the MSc award you will complete the additional 120 credits over your second and third years of study. If you follow this pattern of study you will pay the shown amount per year of study. You will be invoiced for the modules that you register for each year, so if your study pattern is different from the expected route, you will pay more or less each year accordingly.

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Our students

Lecturer support and feedback was good and easily accessible via email, telephone and blackboard. The assignment briefs worked for me, as I stuck to them rigidly, which obviously worked as I exceeded my initial expectations. Referencing and academic writing became second nature, which is a fantastic skill to have.

Rebekah Edwards

Professional Development Nurse

Apply

Applications are not currently available for this course.

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations. 

Have you considered?

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021