Applied Health Studies – (M.A.)

Contents

You are offered an advanced programme of study in the application of knowledge from the disciplines of management, health and social policy and research methodology to the rapidly changing world of health and social care. The course is multidisciplinary, establishing a theoretical and research base from which to develop a critical understanding of current organisational, professional and political challenges. On entry to the course you'll choose a pathway in research or management. Each pathway consists of three core modules, one option module and a dissertation. All taught modules attract 30 Master's-level credits. You can expect to study the following modules:

* Research Designs in Health will develop a critical understanding of socio-political aspects of research, to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different research designs
* Health Policy and Strategy examines the broad UK health policy context within which professionals, patients and the public engage
* Healthcare Management provides you with the opportunity to examine a number of distinct and specialist topics that reflect key management issues in health.

Options include:

* Research Dilemmas and Strategies develops advanced and specialist knowledge in relation to research strategies and the philosophical assumptions underlying the use of different research methods
* Contemporary Issues in Healthcare Management enables you to explore and analyse a range of topical issues in order to evaluate critically various management techniques

Dissertation (60 credits):

* Research Dissertation allows you to explore a topic of interest paying particular attention to methods and methodological issues
* Management Dissertation allows you to explore a topic of interest which is relevant to healthcare management.

Teaching/assessment

The course uses a combination of lectures, workshops, visiting speakers and self-directed study. You will enjoy a stimulating learning environment and will be taught by experts from a variety of academic disciplines and professional backgrounds.

You should be prepared for a challenging experience that requires a significant commitment in terms of both time and energy. For example, a 30-credit module represents 300 hours of learning, of which only 40 hours is likely to be class time.

There are no formal exams. Continuous assessment is by module-based assignments, essays, assessed presentations, reports and mini-projects, plus a research-based dissertation.

To obtain the MA, you complete a dissertation of 18,000 - 20,000 words under the guidance of an individual supervisor. A Postgraduate Certificate can be awarded on completion of 60 credits. A Postgraduate Diploma can be awarded on completion of 120 credits. The MA requires 180 credits.