Study at Cardiff | Postgraduate

Advanced Surgical Practice (MSc/PgDip/PgCert)

Course Aims

To offer knowledge and expertise to enhance evidence-based practice and to be able to teach others, especially from an interprofessional perspective. The course does not attempt to incorporate all surgical specialities but draws together a collection of fundamental information in an e-Learning format. The course provides a transition in knowledge between theory and the students own clinical practice. Emphasis is placed on the general principles of surgical practice rather than on the management of specific conditions.

Special Features

• Unique – presently there are no other distance learning, interprofessional surgical and perioperative care courses at this level.
• Interprofessional approach to enhance group work, discussion sessions and case-based presentations.
• Emphasis on a biopsychosocial approach.

Course Description

An e-Learning, inter-professional course. The taught component introduces the student to the multifaceted nature of caring for surgical patients, from admission through to discharge. The modular approach allows students to evaluate care from an evidence-based perspective, starting with admission and preoperative preparation through to postoperative care and discharge. Professional issues, including clinical governance and inter-professional practice, will be covered. Some of the modules are core; others allow student choice. The e-Learning assessments are structured to allow students to evaluate the topic in relation to their practice areas of interest and professional base.

There are approximately forty places are offered each year and the majority of students are self-funded; however some students obtain awards from charities and trusts. The course takes two years to complete inclusive of the dissertation component (9 months for the Postgraduate Certificate level; 9 months for the Postgraduate Diploma level and a further six months for the dissertation stage) spanning just over two academic years.

Assessment: Students are assessed through six modular assignments (three leading to a Certificate and six leading to the Diploma). In addition to successfully completing these assessments, MSc students must complete a dissertation.

Students will access the modules through the medium of Learning Central which is Cardiff University’s Virtual Learning Environment (or VLE) which delivers the course materials. This is accessible via all forms of computer (desk top / lap top / tablet), smart phones and iPads; via a dedicated Learning Central application (downloadable from the Apple App. Store).

Course Structure

Students will access the modules through the medium of Learning Central which is Cardiff University’s Virtual Learning Environment (or VLE) which delivers the course materials. This is accessible via all forms of computer (desk top / lap top / tablet), smart phones.

Approximately 10-15 hours per week required on independent learning and assessment. As the programme is purely e-Learning there are no direct contact hours with the programme team. To support students in their learning, the course team are available 09.00-17.00 Monday-Friday (excluding certain holiday periods) and we guarantee to respond to student queries within two working days.

Available Modules

• Module 1: Research & Evidence Based Practice.
• Module 2: Preoperative Management.
• Module 3: Fundamentals of Postoperative Practice.
• Module 4: Management Options.
• Module 5: Operative and Clinical Options.
• Module 6: Professional Practice – Options.
• Module 7: DISSERTATION

Skills Acquired

Enhanced understanding of evidence based medicine through academic appraisal of the relevant resources.

Career Prospects

Valued added to CV with many students reporting that attainment and / or current participation on the MSc lead directly to promotion. Many students were also stimulated to pursue academic careers via further study up to PhD.

Entry Requirements

Suitable applicants should:

• Hold a UK higher education qualification, minimum of a BSc (Hons) or BA (Hons) grade 2:2 or above, from a UK institution with relevant degree awarding powers as detailed by the Department of Education and Skills;
• OR Hold a non-UK qualification equivalent to CQFW credit level 6 or above as defined and detailed by the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (NARIC);
• OR Be able to demonstrate equivalent skills that are sufficient to meet the demands of the programme of study in question and be approved as such by the Head of School;
• AND have held for a minimum of two years a position of responsibility of relevance to the proposed programme, i.e. have been a qualified health care professional for a minimum of two years before entry into the programme;
• AND satisfy any applicable University language competency requirements as detailed in the Cardiff University Senate regulations – please see the Cardiff University website Senate Regulations for further detail (briefly detailed below).

PLEASE NOTE that all students enrolling for this programme must be in relevant paid employment, i.e. in a relevant clinical area. If you are unsure of the required detail of this specification please contact the programme team for advice.

Applicants whose first language is not English must satisfy the Cardiff University General Entrance Requirements including the English Language requirements*. Please see our English language requirements webpages for further information.

*Applicants who do not meet the qualification criteria listed under the English language requirements in the above link should contact the course team to discuss whether alternative evidence of English language competence may be sufficient (e.g. evidence of successful completion of a first or subsequent degree entirely in the medium of English, for a minimum of one year).

Students should have taken either the TOEFL or the IETLS, no more than TWO years BEFORE the proposed date of entry to the University.

There is no formal application deadline, however it is advised that applications are submitted before the end of July in the year of entry (e.g. 31 July 2013).

Available Funding

There are limited scholarships available for international/overseas students through the International Office. Please refer to the information on this page for further detail.

Next intake: September 2013

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