Applied Health Studies

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The course is particularly suitable for health and social care professionals keen to enhance their career prospects and who wish to develop their knowledge and understanding of the dynamic health and social care environment.

* Based on an interdisciplinary philosophy giving you the flexibility to develop alongside those from other professional and discipline backgrounds and explore issues from a variety of perspectives
* A modular, credit-rated and flexible structure so you are able to study alongside work, at a pace that suits you
* Opportunities to relate content and assessment directly to work-focused interests
* Taught by a team of experts from various disciplines who bring a range of experience and knowledge in their teaching styles and content

Career opportunities

Our graduates are now earning an average salary of £40,000 (data generated from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Report for 2008/09 graduates). This course attracts students from a diverse range of disciplines for example, health service managers, community workers, general practice managers, nurses, health visitors, health promotion workers, and members of the professions allied to medicine. Completion of the course will enhance career development and may facilitate movement into Senior Management or Teaching.

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.

* A 2:1 Honours degree or above in a relevant subject or * A 2:2 Honours degree or above with relevant professional/work experience or * A portfolio of professional and/or academic qualifications of equivalent standing to an Honours degree (you may be required to undertake a short essay in support of your application) or * An appropriate Postgraduate Diploma at a good standard Exemptions from individual modules and advanced standing may be available for appropriately qualified candidates. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.