Providing flexible and engaging distance learning opportunities to students keen to succeed in today's challenging health and social care environment.
This part time programme leads to the academic awards of PGCert/PGDip/MSc in Applied Health Studies and was revalidated in July 2020.
The Postgraduate Certificate can be completed over one year and is awarded after successfully completing 60 credits at level 7. Students have the choice of five pathway options each consisting of 2, thirty-credit modules.
The pathways are:
The programme responds to the desire of current graduates working within the area of health and social care as they seek to develop their practice and better equip them to meet the demands of advanced practice roles and responsibilities. Changing health and social care requirements demand highly knowledgeable and skilled graduates from the health and social care professions. The programme particularly extends the knowledge base necessary for practitioners to function at an advanced level, to develop into expert or advanced practitioners, advisers, managers or educators within their particular area of expertise offering sound judgement, personal responsibility and initiative, in complex and unpredictable professional environments. There is emphasis upon the application of knowledge to practice, thus enhancing the leadership capacity.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
This part time programme leads to the academic awards of PGCert/PGDip/MSc in Applied Health Studies and was revalidated in July 2020.
The Postgraduate Certificate can be completed over one year and is awarded after successfully completing 60 credits at level 7. Students have the choice of five pathway options each consisting of 2, thirty-credit modules.
The pathways are:
The Postgraduate Diploma requires the successful completion of a further 2 thirty-credit compulsory modules at level 7, Advanced Methods in Research and Development in health and Social Care and Global Perspectives in Transforming Health.
The MSc involves the completion of a 60 credit level 7 evidence based dissertation project.
91% of staff in the School hold a recognised teaching qualification and
More than 80% of staff are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy, 5 are Senior Fellows and 2 are Principal Fellows. Six hold Fellowships of the Centre for Higher Education Research and Practice (CHERP). One member of staff has received the University’s Distinguished Teaching Award Fellowship while another 2 have received the University’s Distinguished Research Fellow and Distinguished Research Fellowship Award. The School has a track record of academic promotions up to, and including, professorial level for Learning and Teaching related activities
Results of the 2014 Research Excellence Framework show that 96% of Nursing and Health Science research was judged to be of international excellence or world leading.The Institute of Nursing & Health Research takes the lead in delivering research and evidence based practice education to ensure that students are exposed to research active staff and are given the opportunity to reflect upon the impact research and evidence have on practice.
The School has an active Educational and Professional Issues Research Group which links with CHERP and several members of the Subject Team have been awarded CHEP (Ulster) Development Funding, Teaching Development Grants from the Higher Education Academy which has supported innovations in the areas of small group teaching and online assessment.
In addition, a number of the Subject team are both current and previous presidents of their specialty's relevant European associations, EANN and EAUN.
This is a fully online part-time programme, students are expected to engage regularly with the programme and online activity and interaction will be monitored and recorded.
Students with special needs will receive a personal assessment of additional support required in line with the recommendations as outlined in The Special Education Needs and Disability (NI) Order 2004 (SENDO) outlined here: http://www.studentsupport.ulster.ac.uk/disability/faq.html
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses typically 15 or 30 credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study.
In Masters degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
In this section
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
This module prepares graduate students to meet the complex and specific needs of people with acute and continuing neurological disorders through developing their knowledge of disordered physiology. Students are enabled to critically evaluate their practice informed by new knowledge and perspectives to deliver dynamic, informed care. Students will also develop further their insights into the lived experience of having a neurological disorder. Assessment is 100% coursework.
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
Students undertaking this module will engage with a critical reflective process to evaluate their practice alongside developing new knowledge on the continuing care needs and experiences of people with neurological disorders. This will be include enhancing their understanding of the ethical challenges related to decision-making in situations when autonomy is compromised. Assessment is 100% coursework.
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
This level 7 module provides conceptual frameworks for the critical study of advanced compassionate professional communication and behaviour within health and social care, providing critical knowledge and skills for students to develop professional and critically reflective competence in the delivery of compassionate communication in all health care contexts. Assessment is by 100% coursework.
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
This Level 7 module facilitates healthcare students to develop the necessary knowledge and skills to explore the key principles underpinning innovative developments in practice, in order to enhance person-centred cultures. It focuses on learning skills needed to critique current practice, plan an innovative change to their practice and critically evaluate outcomes when to introducing new ways of working.
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
This Level 7 module provides a theoretical basis for the enhanced delivery of evidence-based, personalised continence care. The treatment modalities for both urinary and faecal incontinence are explored and the role of the healthcare professional as an agent of change is actively investigated. The role of local, national and international policies and competencies to provide a mechanism to promote a standard of care delivery nationally is explored.
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
This level 7 module helps to prepare care professionals to better understand and deliver high quality care for patients with urological disorders by equipping them with essential knowledge, skills and attitudes that promote effective, knowledgeable and holistic intervention. Ultimately the module seeks to assist the professional to acquire a high level of knowledge and personal reflection to facilitate the future development of evidence based urological care. Assessment is by coursework.
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
In this Level 7 module the student will be able analyse common stoma care issues encountered in neonates and children and 'out of the ordinary' issues in stoma care and propose appropriate responses to such events. The module will explore key issues associated with multi-professional care, professional development and the future-proofing of service and will examine ethical challenges involved in advocacy and working with healthcare industry agencies.
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
This Level 7 module provides the student with an enhanced theoretical basis for the understanding of the issues essential for the provision of evidence based, individualised care for people who live with incontinence. Normal anatomy and physiology are explored as the basis for a thorough understanding of the genesis of continence problems and their resolution and local, national and international perspectives in continence care are explored. The module will be offered online, with the assessment being 100% coursework.
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
This Level 7 module prepares members of the professional care team to deliver high quality care for patients with urological disorders by equipping them with the essential knowledge that underpins urology. Ultimately the module seeks to assist professionals to acquire high level understanding of the science that informs urological assessment and intervention so promoting well-being in the person. Assessment is by coursework.
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
This level 7 module helps students to develop an in-depth understanding of the basic sciences and disease processes that can lead to stoma formation. Students will be assisted to discuss critically the care challenges that can be experienced by people who have a stoma and identify how they can play an influential role in assisting the person living with a stoma to improve their well-being and life quality.
Year: 2
Status: C
This 30-credit module is compulsory for the student to achieve their MSc award. This module builds upon previous study of research methods and enables students to develop and apply theoretical and scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills, extending their understanding of the philosophical and practical aspects of research, service evaluation and project development initiative. Students are required to write an identified research question relevant to research, service evaluation or a project development initiative. This module is assessed by 100% coursework.
Year: 2
Status: C
The aim of this module is to enhance knowledge of the issues emerging in global healthcare that have a direct bearing on health and social care practice in order to creatively develop evidence-based solutions and lead developments in practice.
Year: 3
Status: C
This 60-credit module is compulsory for the student to achieve their MSc award. Students are allocated an MSc supervisor. The student completes either a traditional research project or a service evaluation or a project development initiative. Students must write a project proposal, apply for ethics, collect data, analysis the data and the write the final report. This module is assessed by 100% coursework.
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
Applicants must:
(a) have gained
i) an Honours or non-Honours degree from a University of the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland or from the Council for National Academic Awards, the National Council for Educational Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, from an institution of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or
ii) an equivalent standard in a Postgraduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate or an approved alternative qualification;
AND
(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent); or in the case of international applicants whose first language is not English is a minimum acceptable score for the British Council IELTS of 6.0 (with no contributing band of less than 5.5) or equivalent.
OR
(c) In exceptional circumstances, as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) and/or (b), where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.
AND
In addition, applicants must:
i) demonstrate that they are working with the appropriate client base to facilitate study; and
ii) be currently registered with a Professional Health Care or Regulatory Body within their own country (where that is available).
English language requirements for international applicants
All applicants to the University (from the UK and overseas) are required to show evidence of English language proficiency.
The Applied Health Studies Programme requires applicants to provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent); or in the case of international applicants whose first language is not English is a minimum acceptable score for the British Council IELTS of 6.0 (with no contributing band of less than 5.5) or equivalent.
If you do not meet the English language requirement we will give you a conditional offer subject to you meeting the requirement before the commencement of the course.
Studies pursued and examinations passed in respect of other qualifications awarded by the University or by another university or other educational institution, or evidence from the accreditation of prior experiential learning, may be accepted as exempting candidates from part of the programme provided that
(a) they shall register as students of the University for modules amounting to at least the final third of the credit value of the award at the highest level in respect of a Master’s award and at least 50% of the credit value of the award in respect of a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate award
[(b) no exemption shall be permitted from the dissertation
In this section
Students on this programme are expected to be working within the fields of healthcare and/or social care. On completion of this programme of study we expect students to continue in their employment with an enhanced range of transferable and subject specific skills to benefit their employer, communities, individual patients/clients and their families. We also expect graduates to achieve a higher personal profile within their organisation thus enhancing their prospects of promotion and/or career development. A number of students may progress to other postgraduate and doctoral level studies and choose from a range of courses available in the School of Nursing and the wider University.
Work-based learning forms a key element in these programmes especially but not exclusively for the completion of the clinical modules and their assessment. All students undertaking the Applied Health Studies programmes at postgraduate level will be working in some capacity within a health and social care environment (see entry requirements). This will enable students to combine procedural knowledge with declarative knowledge in context in order to produce professional knowledge, impacting positively on employability and career progression.
Postgraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2025/26 fees will be announced in due course.
See our tuition fees page for the current fees for 2024/25 entry.
There may be an additional cost of a set of headphones with integrated microphone to use during online lectures and some assessment types. These headphones are essential to cut down background noise when participating in Blackboard Collaborate Ultra which is an audio / visual virtual classroom, however they do not need to be an expensive item and simple headphones such as those provided with mobile phones can be used.
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
“I am pleased to tell you that my post grad certificate with yourselves has led to me gaining a full-time post as a specialist nurse!" - V. Adams, County Antrim.
Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.
At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.
We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships: Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Our work in this area is already being recognised globally. Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.
Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.
