Course overview
This award enables you to select and explore specific areas of professional practice or academic study. You critically evaluate relevant theory and research, linking such theory to your chosen area. Independent and reflective approaches to learning are encouraged and facilitated by your tutor.
You are largely responsible for your own learning although you will be guided by your tutor. A learning contract will be negotiated between you and your supervising tutor and this will provide a framework for learning and teaching strategies. The form of assessment is also negotiated within your learning contract and includes a reflective paper of 4,000 words which evaluates the impact of the study on personal learning and professional practice. A seminar in week one of the term is used to discuss the process of negotiating a learning contract. Advice and guidance is available on Blackboard. A maximum of six hours of individual tutoring takes place at agreed times during the term with your supervising tutor. The use of email for tutorial advice is encouraged.
Course details
What you study
Award content includes:
- the use of critical thinking to identify your learning needs
- synthesising and evaluating evidence from a range of sources that informs the area under study
- demonstrating a comprehensive and detailed knowledge of the area under study
- analysing and evaluating the impact of this study on your personal learning and professional practice
- providing recommendations for practice development
- developing and implementing a learning contract, which enables you to:
- address an aspect of professional practice or academic study for investigation, development and reflection
- demonstrate your achievement of specific learning and award outcomes
- plan, negotiate and manage your own learning whilst making effective professional use of others to support you.
How you learn
The emphasis of this course is not on weekly attendance at lectures, seminars and tutorials but on 'student-led' independent learning. There are two one-hour seminars in the first three weeks of the term to introduce you to the award and allow you to discuss the process of independent study. You allocated an academic mentor qualified to support you in your chosen topic - they provide individual tutorial contact time as agreed within your learning contract.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
You should be working in the field of health and social care and undertaking postgraduate study.
