Curriculum Information

Document Version

QAA Benchmarks

Educational Aim

Learning Outcomes

Course Structure

Level 7 Modules

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and Teaching Methods

Employer Engagement

Industry Projects

As the students are already engaged in employment they are tasked throughout the course with personalising their submissions to the Academic Forum and in their individual module assignments and relate them directly to their own experience in industry and within their own healthcare setting. Those who are not currently in employment can draw upon their past experiences in order to build upon the knowledge gained to progress in their careers on completion of the course.

Where opportunities exist to enhance the practice area students are encouraged to engage with employers, particularly for the professional project in their Master’s year.

Work-based Learning

During the admission phase, students must demonstrate how they will directly apply the knowledge gained on the course to their everyday working practice. During the running of the course, they are required to provide examples of this in their reflective journal component, which equates to 10% of their overall module grade.

Means of Assessment

PGDip and MSc module 1

Online tutor assessment for the modules based upon student contributions to the individual components comprising of:

Weekly case based scenarios and discussion: 40%

Reflective portfolio: 10%

Group activity: 20%

Time limited, multiple choice, case based exam 30%

MSc Module 2

Professional Practice Project – an in-depth exploration of a relevant topic

Learning Support

Student induction includes introduction to the Library, navigation of the learning platform Moodle, and access to Blackboard and study skills support.

Each module is 6 weeks in duration. Students have access to the online module 24/7 for the duration of the module with regular interaction between them, their fellow students and their assigned tutor.

Students also have access to:

The full range of University support facilities including a student drop-in centre, student services, the Faculty Advice Centre and USW chaplaincy services

A Student Handbook

An on-line tutor

The Learna student administration team

Course Exit Points

Progression Route

Students who have successfully completed the 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma may continue to the Master’s (year 2).

Following the MSc, students would be likely to take on roles in wider healthcare systems and can access further opportunities in their field.

Many previous students have found that the skills and confidence provided by the course have resulted in promotions in their current roles, some of which occurred while the students were still studying for the postgraduate diploma.

Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

Applicants will be assessed on an individual basis, but typically, applicants for the programme will: 

Possess an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject awarded by a UK university or overseas equivalent.

Provide evidence in the personal statement as to how they can apply learning to a practical setting and reflect on practice.

Basic IT skills (e.g., word-processing, email and internet)

If English is not the student’s first language they must hold an English language qualification

English Requirements:

IELTS with an overall score of 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each band)

GMC / NMC (Nursing Midwifery Council) / IMC (Irish Medical Council) registered - with a licence to practise

OET with an average of 440-350 overall and a minimum of 350 in each component

TOEFL with a score of 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing (including Home Edition)

English GCSE grade C or above

Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)- exams taken from January 2015- overall score of 169 with at least 162 in each component; exams taken before January 2015- Grade C and no less than borderline in each skill

Trinity College English Language qualifications: ISE II Distinction or ISE III Pass

PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI with a score of 64 overall and 59 in each component. Please note that where a UKVI SELT is not required, we can also accept the scores in the PTE Academic Online

Language Cert International ESOL B2 Communicator or SELT Exam with a High pass with a minimum score of 33 in reading, writing and listening, and 38 in speaking

WAEC is graded A-E. Anything above C6 is acceptable, so C6, C5, C4, B3, B2, and A1 are acceptable. Anything under C6 will not be accepted (D7, E8).

PSI Service (UK) Ltd Skills for English UKVI B2 (4 component) with a pass in all 4 components (listening, speaking, reading, writing)

Kaplan International Tools for English (KITE) online test: Overall score of 458, with 425 in each component.

Password Skills Plus with an overall score of 6.0 and no less than 5.5 in each component.

English Medium of Instruction (EMI)

Proof of study at a UK, USA, Australian, New Zealand or Canadian University of membership to a medical body from one of these countries.

Inclusive Curriculum Statement

The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/

Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution

N/A