Healthcare Education and Clinical Leadership MSc : Teaching and learning FAQs

What is the overall duration of the masters degree?

A masters degree by learning agreement is normally expected to take one/two years for full-time students and two/three years for the part-time option. Extension beyond three years may be considered following written justification and with organisational and the academic supervisor's support, but this may incur further fees. Maximum registration period for this programme is four years.

What is a 'learning agreement'?

A learning agreement is a set of agreed objectives between a student and a supervisor. It relates to the learning and personal development that the student aims to achieve within a given period of time. It describes the way in which learning and development will be demonstrated and assessed.

What days does the course run on?

The course runs on alternate Wednesdays for 12 days in year one and six days in year two. The next course will start on 20 October 2010.

What are the entry criteria?

Please see the entry requirements section for details.

What is the structure of the course?

The course has five taught modules and three work-based learning modules.

In year one, there are three taught modules and one work-based module. In year two, there are two taught modules and one to two work-based modules.

How is course assessed?

The course is assessed by seen assignments. There are 10 large assignments which must be passed to complete the course.

How much time will the required work take?

Each masters level credit is equivalent to 10 hours' work. The MSc course carries 180 credits.

How much academic supervisor time is allowed?

It is the student's responsibility to maintain regular contact with their academic supervisor. While there is no fixed limit of contact time, we recommend that planning discussions prior to making contact in order to gain maximum benefit from supervisor guidance. Face-to-face meetings take place where possible, although email and telephone contact are most frequently used.

Can I get feedback on drafts of my assignments?

Drafts for the first assignment will be read in full; thereafter plans and short extracts up to two pages will be read and feedback given. However, there will be an opportunity to discuss all your assignments.

What happens if I change employment?

This is generally not a problem. If you need to change jobs or company, or if your responsibilities change, you can continue with the degree. The learning agreement may need to be re-written to reflect the changed learning environment, and re-approved by the University in the normal way. Please advise the course director as soon as possible - in writing - of such moves, with the name, address and your contact number at the new organisation.

What if I need to take some time out?

Experience has shown us that candidates studying for a masters degree by learning agreement often require 'time out' for various reasons. For example, you may change job and need time to settle in before you resume study, or you may have to go travelling with work.

If you anticipate that you will be unable to work on your degree for a significant amount of time, you should be suspended from studies and enrolment. This is not a punishment - it is a University mechanism to freeze enrolment thus preventing an invoice being sent out to you a year after your initial enrolment, delaying it by the number of months you had time out. This also allows the dates in the learning agreement to be shifted forward by the amount of time out from study.

You must write a letter to both your academic supervisor and the course director detailing why you need time out, when your time out should commence, and when you anticipate resuming your studies again.

What if I change my mind about undertaking the masters programme?

Should you decide to withdraw from the masters by learning agreement programme, you should write a letter or email to both your academic supervisor and the course director. Unfortunately, if you withdraw over a month after enrolment, normally we will be unable to refund your fees.

Please note: Any work completed should be submitted for examination as the student may still obtain credit for this.

If you complete 60 credits and then withdraw from the course, you will gain Postgraduate Certificate in Healthcare Education and Clinical Leadership. Should you withdraw with 120 credits, you will gain Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Education and Clinical Leadership.