Health Studies – (M.Sc.)

Contents

Students select two modules for the PGCert, four modules for the PGDip and four modules plus a dissertation for the award of MSc. Typically students choose modules that complement their professional interests.

* Research Methods is designed to develop understanding about the research process, health services research, epidemiological research, audit and assessment of quality in research. You will gain an understanding of, and an ability to apply the basic principles of quantitative and qualitative research methods in this module.
* Public Health examines the major aspects of public health in the UK today. It includes: measuring health status, identification of risk factors, health needs assessment, health promotion, and surveillance and communicable disease control. You will study key determinants of behaviour change and different strategies used to instigate change.
* Quality Leadership and Management provides opportunities to develop understanding and competencies in leading and managing, and to facilitate your own personal development. Principles, concepts and procedures relating to health and allied professional environments will form the focus of the curriculum.
* Policy and Politics of Health reviews the rise of managerial influence in health services, and the shifts in power relationships between the medical profession, other health professionals and managers in the modern NHS. You will examine policy shifts in the service; the idea of a primary care led NHS; the changing role of consumers; the search for efficiency and quality in health care and the measurement and evaluation of health services.
* Society and Health introduces the socio-economic basis of health, illness and inequalities. In addition you will examine different theoretical perspectives on health and illness.
* Work Based Evaluation Module offers you the opportunity to develop, implement and evaluate an activity you are carrying out in the workplace. You are required to select a project within your area of expertise, work independently and present an assessed project review. Individual tutorial support will be provided throughout the module.
* Dissertation provides the opportunity for in-depth study within your field of interest. A member of the course team will approve your research proposal before you register for the award. You are then allocated a supervisor who will offer guidance and will monitor progress towards submission of the dissertation. Formal supervisory contact during the module will normally be about ten hours. You may be expected to give interim statements on the progress of the research at specific points during the dissertation period.