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Postgraduate study
Nursing & Health

Human Factors and Patient Safety MSc

This course is delivered through distance learning, making it suitable for those working in clinical or leadership healthcare roles in the UK or internationally. You study part-time, with the flexibility to engage with the interactive learning materials at a time suitable to you.

 
 

Course overview

The content of the course reflects contemporary issues in human factors and patient safety theory, including the exploration of human-centric design, understanding systems that contribute to mistakes, team effectiveness and dynamics. You benefit from opportunities to use a range of tools and techniques to explore why errors occur.

In a global society where digital technology is rapidly developing, the impact this has on reliable and safe healthcare features as part of the course.

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Supporting information for applicants

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Course details

The course comprises seven core modules, one of which is a 60 credit dissertation.

Course structure

Core modules

Advanced Human Factors

You explore ergonomics and examples of human factors influences with more complex tools and techniques explained.

Developing Research Projects

Develop the knowledge and skills you need to design and manage primary or secondary research, audit or evaluation project relevant to your practice, preparing you for dissertation. You also cover research governance and ethics, to prepare you to apply for ethical approval or release.

You are assessed through a written 4,000-word proposal for a research, audit or evaluation study, which is worth 100% of the module marks and should be submitted in week 13.

Dissertation

Here you consolidate and develop further skills and knowledge from previous modules. More specifically you synthesise learning as you apply your research-related knowledge to identify a researchable problem, plan and execute a study. You use a range of different methodologies for your study, such as quantitative, qualitative or systematic review.

Human Factors

In this module, you review the science of human factors, and you consider the tools and techniques for implementing the assessment of errors. The psychological capital and systems thinking approaches are features of the module.

Leadership, Culture and Context

This module explores how the organisational culture impacts on the leadership style and effectiveness of clinical areas. You consider how the context of where you work impacts on the safety of patients

Legal and Ethical Influences of Leadership

In this module, you study wider influences of leadership and the impact this has on performance. A personal review of ethical philosophy is a feature of the indicative content.

Principles and Practice of Patient Safety

This module focuses on the governance and involvement of service users in the service provision. You explore risk assessment and management strategies.

 

Modules offered may vary.

 

How you learn

The course is entirely on-line so there will be engagement with Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) and different strategies will be used:

  • Recorded key lectures
  • Directed reading
  • Video resources
  • Webinar type events
  • Group seminar through Collaborate Extra

The assessments also range in type and include on-line presentation.

How you are assessed

The transition to master’s level study is embedded in the first core module, which is formatively assessed.

All material is available through the virtual learning environment. Summative assessments include poster presentations, written assignments, contribution to written commentary as well as a final dissertation.

 

Entry requirements

You should have an honours degree at 2.2 classification or above.

Applicants who do not have English as their first language are expected to demonstrate an IELTS score of 6.5.

For general information please see our overview of entry requirements

 

Employability

Career opportunities

You are prepared for a career in a human factors or patient safety leadership role.

 

Learning platform

Our virtual learning environment (VLE) is the platform you use to access your online course

 

Teesside University online learning courses are delivered through the Brightspace Learning Environment.

Here are some of the benefits.

  • You can use it on your smartphone, tablet and computer.
  • And you can use it anytime, so that you can plan your learning to fit your own schedule.
  • It's easy to use and navigate.
  • Modules are set out by topics and themes. You can use the progress bar to understand where you are in your modules, and appreciate your achievements.
  • We support you to become familiar with your VLE, helping you to start learning quickly.
  • You get feedback, help and guidance from tutors throughout your course through the VLE, and you can ask questions at any time.
  • Our tutors use a live activity feed to keep you updated about your course.
  • You can create a student profile, collaborate with other students and take part in online discussion forums.

Software requirements

 
 

Online learning

Online learning allows you to get a university-level qualification from the comfort of your own home or workplace. You'll have access to all of the world-class teaching and support that Teesside University has to offer, but all of your lectures, tutorials and assessments will take place online.

Find out more

University of the Year

Teesside University was named University of the Year at the Edufuturists Awards 2022.

Full-time

  • Not available full-time
 

Part-time

2024/25 entry

Fee for all applicants
£750 for each 20 credits

More details about our fees

  • Length: 2 years
  • Attendance: 100% online
  • Start date: September
  • Semester dates

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Service user and carer involvement

Service users and carers support all aspects of our students' lifecycle from recruitment to graduation.

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Get in touch

Contact us

Email: shlsadmissions@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: 01642 738801


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