Programme Specification1
1. Programmes: UCAS GU Programme Title Code Code
MSc in Cardiovascular Practice B724-5100
2. Attendance Type:
Both Full Time and Part Time
2.1 SCQF Level:
11
2.2 Credits:
180
3. Collaborative:
Select...
4. Awarding Institution(s):
University of Glasgow
5. Teaching Institution(s):
6. College:
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
7. School/Institute:
Medicine [REG20200000]
1 This 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 full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course can be found in course handbooks and other programme documentation and online at www.gla.ac.uk The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed periodically by the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
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8. Location(s):
Glasgow
9. Language of Instruction:
English
10. Language of Assessment:
English
11. Programme Accredited By:
None
12. Entrance Requirements: Please refer to the current graduate prospectus at: http://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/ Anyone with a relevant health professional qualification and a first degree or equivalent may apply. If you graduated more than five years ago you should display evidence of recent academic work. Applicants should normally have at least 2 years post qualification experience because of the specialist elements of the programme. Overseas and EU students need a British Council IELTS score of at least 6.5 (with no subunit less than 6.0) or other evidence of English language proficiency. For further details see the PGT prospectus: www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/cardiovascularpractice/
Applications for APL may be accepted, for further information see Senate information: http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/senateoffice/academic/policies/apl/aplguidelines/
Applicants who wish to transfer credits gained within the last five years from courses which are part of the MSc in Cardiovascular Practice programme are required to provide the credit transcripts on entry. These credits must not have been previously used towards an HEI academic award.
Applicants for full time study may not be able to access all specialist cardiovascular courses.
12.1 ATAS Certificate Requirement:
ATAS Certificate not required
13. Programme Aims: This novel multi-professional programme is offered collaboratively from a consortium of three UK higher Education Institutions (HEIs) (University of Glasgow, Coventry University, and Glasgow Caledonian University) and supported by the British Heart Foundation to enable students to undertake a variety of highly specialist cardiovascular courses. Students choose the awarding institution where 50% of credits will be gained. In addition a further four UK HEIs provide specialist cardiovascular courses. The programme, as offered by the University of Glasgow, uses the existing courses currently offered as part of the MSc (Med Sci) in Health Care. MSc in Cardiovascular Practice aims to:
Enable Healthcare Professionals to achieve advanced knowledge and skills to care for patients with cardiovascular disease.
Equip students with intellectual abilities applicable to their work environment and share in the advancement of innovative health practices.
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Develop a mastery of professional and research skills within cardiovascular disease.
Enhance the intellectual ability of specialist and extended role practitioners to deliver cardiovascular practice through a variety of theoretical frameworks.
Enable the development of academic foundations to support the delivery of evidence based cardiovascular care within a dynamic health care environment.
Develop graduates who will emerge with the capacity to be leaders within their own profession to shape and direct policies through strategic thinking.
Develop graduates able to critically appraise the evidence base and contribute to the delivery of advanced and specialist cardiovascular practice.
Demonstrate achievement of professional competencies for cardiovascular specialist and extended roles.
14. Intended Learning Outcomes of Programme: This collaborative programme provides opportunities for any health care professional to develop and to demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas.
Knowledge and Understanding: By the end of this programme, students will be able to:
Critically discuss the principles, theories and concepts that underpin specialist and advanced cardiovascular practice through critical appraisal of the evidence base.
Utilise evidence based approaches to cardiovascular practice through the synthesis and detailed critique of the primary literature.
Evaluate, analyse and synthesise current topical issues which underpin the effective delivery of cardiovascular care.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding through the synthesis of information from multiple sources.
Critically explore and apply relevant research based practice when caring for patients with cardiovascular disease.
Critically reflect upon personal care delivery in pursuit of excellence in practice.
Demonstrate autonomy when problem solving and making informed judgements when caring for patients with cardiovascular disease.
Articulate specific knowledge and skills appropriate to cardiovascular specialist and advanced roles.
Critically evaluate educational support strategies for high quality cardiovascular health care delivery.
Demonstrate the ability to develop and conduct a research / audit / service evaluation project using research principles.
Subject-specific/practical skills By the end of this programme students will be able to:
Display specific skills appropriate to a career in specialist / advanced roles Assess diagnose and treat health care needs
ProgrammeSpecification2015-V1 Page 3 of 10 Develop educational support for quality health care delivery Facilitate professional role development and patient advocacy Respect culture and diversity
Intellectual skills By the end of this programme, students will be able to:
Display high level evaluation skills through critical appraisal of primary, recent, relevant literature Demonstrate strategic thinking to facilitate the promotion of evidence based practice Analyse and synthesise evidence from multiple data sources for application in the delivery of high quality health care Analyse the context of advanced and specialist practice through in depth analysis and reflection on practice Discuss, describe and evaluate innovative approaches to enhancing quality care delivery Develop problem solving skills through participation in scenario based learning Assimilate data from multiple sources to enhance the evidence base for care delivery Demonstrate leadership skills and work effectively within a multidisciplinary context through the use of service and case management exemplars
Transferable/key skills By the end of this programme, through the use of seminars and student centred approaches to learning, students will be able to display:
Oral and written communication and presentation skills Interpersonal skills
Through coursework, a blended approach to learning using a virtual learning environment and the planning and execution of a project students will be able to demonstrate :
Time management IT skills Information retrieval and research skills Teamwork Leadership skills through group working Negotiation skills through peer review and assessment Critical thinking skills Forward planning
Through, such as creation of a portfolio, audio recording and the use of video, students will be able to:
Reflect on practice Self directed learning Maintain CPD, life long learning, Self evaluation Interprofessional working Peer support
15. Assessment Methods: Within this multi-interdisciplinary collaborative programme University of Glasgow and the other UK HEIs use a wide variety of assessment methods in the courses offered. Further detail of assessment for each course is provided in a supporting course descriptor document These include:
Formative Assessment Formative assessment is used to support students and allow identification of potential issues with individuals. This helps students identify what is required of them and clarify assessment requirements. The
ProgrammeSpecification2015-V1 Page 4 of 10 feedback they receive informs them about how they are performing in relation to the learning situation, strengths as well as weaknesses are highlighted. This will utilise: Use of audio and videotape Peer and self assessment. . Review of written work Summative Assessment Course work allows demonstration of the analysis and application of theories and concepts underpinning the subjects under study. Methods used are:
Literature Review
Case Study Analysis
Examination
Portfolio Based Learning
Clinical Skills Suite Based Assessment
16. Learning and Teaching Approaches: The courses delivered from the consortium utilise a variety of delivery methods: Face to face (100%), blended learning (varying amounts of course material taught face to face supplemented by e-learning), e- learning (100%). In addition there are multiple approaches to learning and teaching. Lectures Workshops Small group sessions Seminars / Student presentations. E-learning
17. Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Statements and Other External or Internal Reference Points: The British Heart Foundation (BHF) The BHF, the national heart disease charity, supports over 450 healthcare professionals to diagnose, treat and care for people with heart disease. A key feature is a fully funded individualised continued professional education based upon an education pathway that leads to masters level. The final stage of the pathway maps closely to the advanced practice role as described in NHS Education for Scotland’s advanced practice toolkit (NES 2008). The BHF currently endorses masters level courses for specific professional practice roles. BHF healthcare professionals study these as continuing professional development students. However when seeking to transfer these academic credits to an established masters programme these credits cannot receive accreditation of prior learning (APL). In addition the BHF consider there is a need for a named cardiovascular masters award for multidisciplinary health care professionals. To overcome these problems with progression to complete a masters programme the BHF seeks to work in partnership with the following UK Universities to deliver an innovative MSc in Cardiovascular Practice across: Coventry University; Glasgow Caledonian University and University of Glasgow. The following resources have been used to underpin the development of this programme: National Standard Framework: coronary heart disease
Better Health, Better Care: Action Plan
Better Heart Disease and Stroke Action Plan
Nursing: Modernising Nursing Careers (SEHD 2006)
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Clinical Academic Careers for Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals ( UK Clinical Research Collaboration, 2009)
Skills for Health: All Health Care Professionals
Advanced Level Nursing: A Position Statement (DoH, 2010)
18. Programme Structure and Features: This collaborative and innovative programme offers a flexible approach to students enabling them to undertake a wide variety of highly specialist cardiovascular courses only able to be economically offered by a few HEIs across the UK.
Students can choose to apply to complete the programme at any of the three consortium HEIs. Students registering to complete the MSc programme at the University of Glasgow must successfully complete core courses (Research Methods & Statistics [KRPS] Research Dissertation [KRES] 100 credits) and one generic course which are normally studied at the University of Glasgow.
In addition 60 credits must be successfully completed from any of the 18 specialist cardiovascular courses to gain the MSc award. These credits may be accepted from one or more of the named courses listed from the seven UK HEIs in the collaboration (see table 1). Any student choosing to take one or more of the University of Glasgow specialist cardiovascular courses towards an exit award from another member of the collaborating HEIs must register and pay fees to University of Glasgow for those courses. Any student choosing to take one or more specialist cardiovascular courses from another member of the collaborating HEIs towards an exit award from University of Glasgow must register and pay fees for those courses to the collaborating HEI.
APL & Assessment of Grades from other Institutions. APL regulations apply as described in section 8.
Comparability of grades will be considered at an early stage, once it is known that students are taking courses at other institutions. The aim will be to reach an agreement with the other institutions in order to indicate to the student the way that their marks will be treated by Glasgow, though this may be provisional and will be subject to the approval of the Exam Board.
This process will be supported by the MSc in Cardiovascular Practice Expert Advisory Group.
This programme will be governed by the generic regulations for Taught Masters degrees. These regulations include the requirements in relation to: (a) student progress to the dissertation stage of the programme, and (b) the award of the degree (180 credits), and (c) early exit awards of postgraduate diploma (120 credits) and postgraduate certificate (60 credits). See: http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/senateoffice/calendar/calendar2011-12/contents/ “
Programme Structure CORE COURSES (Total 100 Credits) Research & Statistics course (KRPS) (40 credits) Research Dissertation(KRES) (60 credits)
SPECIALIST CARDIOVASCULAR COURSES (Minimum 60 M credits)
ProgrammeSpecification2015-V1 Page 6 of 10 Course Title University Credits Teesside & London Southbank 1. Arrhythmia Management 30 University 2. Invasive and none invasive management of Teesside University 20 arrhythmia 3. Chronic Heart Failure: Maximising Health and Well Glasgow Caledonian University 30 Being 4. Supportive Palliative Care for Patients with Glasgow Caledonian University 15 Advanced Heart Failure 5. Rehabilitation in Cardiology Glasgow Caledonian University 30
6. Management of Altered Cardiac Function Coventry University 20
7. Management of Inherited, Congenital or Acquired Coventry University 20 Arrhythmias 8. Chronic Disease Management in Congenital Heart Coventry University 20 Disease 9. Simple and Complex Congenital Heart Disease Coventry University 20 Management 10. An Integrated Approach to Adult Congenital Heart Coventry University 20 Disease 11. Practical Genetics for Health Professionals University of Plymouth 20/30
12. Counselling Skills for Genetic Health Professionals University of Plymouth 20/30
13. Genetic Science University of Plymouth 30 14. Managing Cardiovascular Risk (KTRS) University of Glasgow 20 15. Managing Cardiac Care (KTSS) University of Glasgow 20 16. Principles of Acute Cardiac Management (NZLS) University of Glasgow 20 17. Advanced Communication University of Surrey 15
OPTIONAL GENERIC COURSES ( Minimum 20 M credits) Nursing & Health Care at University of Glasgow such as:
Education for professional practice (KRNS) (20 credits) Ethics for professional practice (KVLS) (20 credits) Management for change in health care: leadership and policy issues (KPTS) (20 credits) Promoting Specialist / Advanced Practice (KSAS)(20 credits) Communication in Psychological, Social and Spiritual Care (NPHS) (20 credits) Assessing and Managing Symptoms (KQBS) (20 credits) Providing Spiritual and Religious Care (MUAS) (20 credits)
There are 3 exit points within the programme (See table 2):
Postgraduate Certificate in Cardiovascular Practice (PGC) 60 credits Postgraduate Diploma in Cardiovascular Practice (PGD) 120 credits Master’s Degree (MSc in Cardiovascular Practice) (MSc) 180 credits
Table 2: Credit and Course Requirements for Exit Awards (Cardiovascular Practice) from University of Glasgow Credits from Core Credits from Credits from Total Exit Award Courses Cardiovascular Generic Courses Credits University of Glasgow Specialist Courses University of Glasgow (M level) Nursing & Health Care (7 collaborative UK HEIs Nursing & Health Care 50% at Courses including University of Courses
ProgrammeSpecification2015-V1 Page 7 of 10 Glasgow Nursing & Health University of Care) Glasgow
PG Certificate in 60 (40 must Cardiovascular be specialist Practice Min 40 credits remaining 20 either core or generic) PG Diploma in Research Methods & Cardiovascular Max 60 credits 20 credits 120 Statistics (40) Practice MSc in Research Methods & Cardiovascular Statistics (KRPS) (40 Practice credits) Max 60 credits 20 credits 180 Research Dissertation (KRES) (60 credits)
The MSc in Cardiovascular Practice is offered both full time, over one year, or part time over a maximum of five years. When students have successfully completed cardiovascular specialist courses from the collaboration of 7 UK HEIs (see table 1) the marking schedules and course marks will be made available to the awarding HEI of the consortium (University of Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian University, and Coventry University) to enable decisions on awards and progress to dissertation. The consortium cardiovascular courses have credits ranging from 15 to 30 credits. Students may require to complete the programme with additional credits depending on their choice of specialist cardiovascular courses undertaken with consortium HEIs as part of the MSc in Cardiovascular Practice.
For the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Cardiovascular Practice (120 credits) from the University of Glasgow Students require to have undertaken: - Research Methods and Statistics (KRPS) (40 M credits) normally from University of Glasgow - Named specialist cardiovascular courses as listed in table 1from either University of Glasgow or the 7 HEI collaboration (maximum of 60 M credits). - Generic course (20 M credits) normally from University of Glasgow as listed in table 1.
19. Additional Relevant Information: Support for students is provided by the Postgraduate/Undergraduate Adviser(s) of Studies supported by University resources such as the Effective Learning Adviser located in the Student Learning Service (www.gla.ac.uk/services/tls/sls/), the Student Counselling and Advisory Service (www.gla.ac.uk/services/counselling/), the Student Disability Service (www.gla.ac.uk/services/studentdisability/) and the Careers Service (www.gla.ac.uk/services/careers/). Support for students is provided by the Postgraduate/Undergraduate Adviser(s) of Studies supported by University resources such as the Effective Learning Adviser located in the Student Learning Service (www.gla.ac.uk/services/tls/sls/) and the Careers Service (www.gla.ac.uk/services/careers/).
The Programme The MSc in Cardiovascular Practice, aimed to be introduced in September 2011, is designed to enable health care professionals to study a wide variety of specialist cardiovascular courses within a masters framework delivered from a consortium of UK HEIs. The philosophy underpinning this programme reflects the need for tomorrow’s cardiovascular health care professional to be involved in life long learning whilst being adaptive to the changing needs of a dynamic care environment while supporting quality care delivery. The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, expertise in critical appraisal, develop transferable
ProgrammeSpecification2015-V1 Page 8 of 10 skills and have the ability to lead and innovate in the advancement of cardiovascular practice. This programme meets the demand for the preparation of advanced practitioners. Due to the innovative approach of this BHF consortium of UK HEIs a unique opportunity has been made available for specialist cardiovascular health care professionals. The wide choice of clinically relevant courses alongside generic and research focussed courses provides a rich educational programme to meet the needs of a modern health care profession. University of Glasgow has a long standing association with cardiovascular education and research. This new programme will strengthen this status among a wider population of health care professionals. This programme was developed in conjunction with the BHF and cardiovascular education leads from across the UK. It was recognised that, as well as the growing number of UK graduate nurses seeking education at Master’s level, there are individuals wishing to work in specialist clinical leadership or extended roles in cardiovascular clinical practice as nurse practitioners or consultant nurses. With the increasing rates of morbidity related to cardiovascular disease across the developing world such a specialist course will be marketed internationally. Close involvement of NHS clinical staff in the planning and delivery of courses ensures that courses are current and relevant.
Personal Support All students are allocated an Advisor of studies for the duration of their programme. The advisor is a member of academic staff. This relationship provides students with advice on academic and pastoral matters where appropriate. Regular meetings are held with students to discuss problems or issues, student representatives are invited to attend the Student/Staff meetings. The use of formative assessments assists with initial support of students and is a useful mechanism for identifying students with problems.
Library and IT Facilities Students will have distance and full access to the main University of Glasgow Library. There is a well- equipped computer cluster in the basement of 59 Oakfield Avenue for the use of Division of Nursing & Health Care students during office hours. Postgraduate students will also have 24 hour access to the study landscape of the Wolfson Medical School Building. Full use of Moodle, the University of Glasgow’s preferred web based e-learning system, will be used for University of Glasgow courses. Support for students is provided by the Postgraduate/Undergraduate Adviser(s) of Studies supported by University resources such as the Effective Learning Adviser located in the Student Learning Service (http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/tls/sls/), the Student Counselling and Advisory Service (http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/counselling/), the Student Disability Service (http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/studentdisability/) and the Careers Service (http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/careers/).
MSc in Cardiovascular Practice Expert Advisory Group. This will act as an expert advisory group regarding the MSc in Cardiovascular Practice programme.
Objectives - Reflect upon the MSc Programme activities at each University Party, to include relevant evaluations, including the annual programme monitoring processes used by each University Party, and consider any reports received from external examiners, if appropriate. - To identify any issues identified in the evaluations / reports and suggest possible solutions - Explore areas for development and innovation in relation to the MSc Programme. - Explore areas for partnership working e.g. using experts from the University Parties. - Organise and agree how the Parties can work with BHF to jointly supervise dissertations when they have expertise in the dissertation topic chosen by the relevant HCP. - Explore potential research related to the MSc Programme and the potential for publications arising from it. The advisory group will meet twice a year initially and then once per year end of January. From time to time specific subgroups may be required. Reports of each meeting will be circulated to appropriate BHF staff and the HEI consortium. Membership consists of: - HEI course leaders related to courses that are part of the programme but not offering the full programme.
ProgrammeSpecification2015-V1 Page 9 of 10 - HEI course leaders and a member of staff responsible for quality control for those Universities offering the full programme. - Head of BHF Healthcare Professionals Education & Events - BHF Programme Lead for Healthcare Professionals and Service Innovation
20. Academic Session:
2015-16
Date of production/revision: 21/08/2015 10:12
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