UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

Programme Specification

This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.

Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17

1.  Awarding Institution / Body / University Of Central Lancashire
2.  Teaching Institution and Location of Delivery / University Of Central Lancashire,
Preston - Main Campus
3.  University Department/Centre / School of Sport Tourism and The Outdoors
4.  External Accreditation / No
5.  Title of Final Award / MSc Physiotherapy [Professional Practice]
6.  Modes of Attendance offered / Full-time/part time
7.  UCAS Code / N/A
8.  Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s) / N/A
9.  Other external influences / National Service Frameworks
Knowledge and Skills Framework
HPC standards of proficiency for Physiotherapists
QAA framework for higher education- postgraduate standards
QAA code of practice
DOH Liberating the NHS:Developing the Healthcare Workforce (2012)
QAA Master’s Degree characteristics (2010)
Skills for Health
NHS NW Continuing Professional Development/ Post Qualifying Learning framework (2010)
NHS NW Workforce, education commissioning and education and learning strategy (2008)
Going forward with ELearning in the NHS in the Northwest (2010)
Framing the Contribution of Allied Health Professions (2008)
WHO Framework for action on Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (2010)
Current National & International Health Agendas e.g. incidence of obesity and type II diabetes
A joint statement on continuing professional development for health and social care practitioners (RCN 2007)
10.  Date of production/revision of this form / April 2012
11.  Aims of the Programme
To enable physiotherapists to
1.  develop the higher academic skills of critical evaluation, critical reflection and systematic application of knowledge and relate these to current Physiotherapy practice and evidence base.
2.  display complex problem solving skills which show originality of thought, design and application, and which can be applied to Physiotherapy practice.
3.  have further opportunities to develop skills which enable them to be competitive in gaining employment
4.  have an awareness of the Physiotherapy contribution to inter agency and cross sector working, to promote economic and social sustainability for the health and social care sector
12.  Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
A1. Critically evaluate current Physiotherapy practice
A2. Evaluate and implement evidence based practice and protocols
A3. Research, critique and debate relevant aspects of Physiotherapy practice which may include physiological, anatomical and sociological requirements relevant to delivering effective allied health practice.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Key note lectures, group discussion, lab-based work, self-directed study/research, e-Learn facilitated discussion boards allowing off campus discussions, practice-based learning.
Assessment methods
Assignments, Literature reviews, Dissertation, Oral presentations and case studies, portfolio
B. Subject-specific skills
B1. Evaluate and utilise relevant assessment techniques and outcome measures.
B2. Evaluate and critically analyse the impact of psychosocial influences upon the client/patient
Teaching and Learning Methods
Case presentations, lab-based experimental work, group discussions & debates, practice-based learning, portfolio development, poster presentations.
Assessment methods
Assignments, case studies, portfolio
C. Thinking Skills
C1. Critically reflect upon the role of the Physiotherapist within the current health agenda
C2. Critically evaluate relevant academic literature and policy documentation within Physiotherapy practice and associated areas
C3. Rationalise and critically debate the effect of aspects of Physiotherapy practice and current protocols on a variety of pathological states
Teaching and Learning Methods
Student-led debates, lead lectures, seminars, search strategies, E learn facilitated discussion boards.
Assessment methods
Presentations and assessment of ability to field questions effectively, dissertation, literature reviews, case studies, portfolio.
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1. Demonstrate a high level of problem solving skills
D2. Disseminate research findings using a variety of presentation skills
D3. Communicate thoughts, ideas and relevant concepts at a higher level.
D4. Demonstrate understanding and use of appropriate technology within the health and social care sector.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Debates, group discussions/forums, e-Learn facilitated discussion boards allowing off campus discussions.
Assessment methods
Written assignments, Dissertation, Case studies & Literature Reviews, Poster presentation, Oral Presentations and viva/discussions using an experienced panel of clinical and academic staff, portfolio.
13. Programme Structures* / 14. Awards and Credits*
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Credit rating
Level 7 / PU4001
PU4002
PU4015
PU4009
PU4023
PU4021
PU4008
PU4007
PU4026
PU4028
PU4027 / Developing Practice through Enquiry - core
Demonstrating Practice Outcomes -core
Dissertation – core
Plus 80 credits from the following:
Assessment and measurement of movement
Leadership and business planning for Allied Health Professionals
Student Initiated Module
Developing practice through CPD
Developing practice through Practice Based Learning
MSK advanced assessment and treatment
Physiotherapy in Critical care
Neurological Physiotherapy / 20
20
60
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20 / MSc Physiotherapy Professional Practice
Requires 180 credits including a minimum of 160 at level 7 & a maximum of 20 at level 6- must includePU4001 Developing practice through enquiry, PU4002 Demonstrating practice outcomes and PZ4015 Dissertation
-
Exit awards:
PGCert Physiotherapy Professional Practice
Requires any 60 credits including a minimum of 40 at level 7 & a maximum of 20 at level 6 - not including PZ4015 Dissertation
PGDip Physiotherapy Professional Practice
Requires 120 credits including a minimum of 100 at level 7 & a maximum of 20 at level 6 (must include PU4001 Developing practice through enquiry and PU4002 Demonstrating practice outcomes – not including PZ4015 Dissertation)
15. Personal Development Planning
Physiotherapists use Personal Development Planning (PDP) a part of their on-going continuous professional development. A key component of the MSc is to make the use of personal development planning (PDP) explicit, therefore allowing the students to see where and how PDP is used effectively throughout the degree and how this relates to their professional work. The transferability of the skills will enable students to continue to use PDP throughout their professional life. The aim of PDP is to allow students to focus on strengths and weakness and develop goals/ targets to meet any identified needs both personally and professionally. The PDP process will enable students to choose the most effective modules for their practice and this process will start at the point of application to ensure that students follow the best route of study for their needs. It is envisaged that PDP may already be utilised by many students therefore the course will enable them to build on what they already use, however for those students not utilising PDP the University has produced some excellent PDP resources and these are available to all students to support the development of PDP. The personal tutor will play a key role in facilitating the development of PDP and enabling students to embed this in their professional development.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
Applications are sought from individuals possessing an Honours degree 2:2 or above in Physiotherapy, or with a relevant professional qualification e.g. Graduate Diploma in Physiotherapy, which enables the candidate to register for licence to practice as a physiotherapist either in the UK or in their country of registration. Applicants may be asked to attend for a guidance interview. Overseas applicants must also be able to demonstrate achievement of IELTS level 7.0, with no less than 6.5 in any individual component, before the start of the programme. Applicants wishing to apply for accreditation of prior learning (APL) for other M level modules (internal or external) may import credits according to University guidelines on APL. Credits must however be current and map to the outcomes of the programme and its existing modules. Applicants should note that some modules require Health Professions Council (HPC) registration; students who are not registered with HPC registration may be unable to take these options. Students who are undertaking placements will require CRB clearance, for which there may be an additional fee. The awards do not provide eligibility to apply for HPC and/or professional registration.
17. Key sources of information about the programme
1.  School website
2.  Course Information – red dot
3.  Open Day/Evening events
4.  Prospectus

Academic Quality and Standards Unit

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18. Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Core (C), Compulsory (COMP) or Option (O) / Programme Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding / Subject-specific Skills / Thinking Skills / Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
A1 / A2 / A3 / B1 / B2 / C1 / C2 / C3 / D1 / D2 / D3 / D4
LEVEL 7 / PU4001 / Developing Practice through Enquiry / C / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √
PU4002 / Demonstrating Practice Outcomes / C / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √
PU4015 / Dissertation / C / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √
PU4007 / Developing Practice Through Practice Based Learning / O / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √
PU4008 / Developing Practice Through CPD / O / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √
PU4009 / Assessment and Measurement of Movement / O / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √
PU4021 / Student Initiated Module / O / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √
PU4023 / Leadership and Business Planning for Allied Health Professionals / O / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √
PU4026 / MSK advanced assessment and Treatment / O / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √
PU4028 / Physiotherapy in Critical Care / O / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √
PU4027 / Neurological Physiotherapy / O / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √ / √

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