What is special about this course?
The MA Health and Wellbeing is designed to meet the career development needs of health and social care professionals in the UK.
The course will increase your awareness of the social, technological, economic, political and environmental changes taking place within health and social care, whether in the public, private or voluntary sectors, enabling you to take your career to the next stage.
You will study core modules in the development of local, national and international health and social care policy, the influence of sociology, psychology and ethics on our understanding of health and wellbeing, the issues of health and social care provision in remote and rural areas as well as gaining skills in research methods.
You will study part time through fully-supported online learning, with lectures, tutorials and other materials accessible via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE). You will receive regular support from your tutors and peers via online discussions, telephone and email; whichever suits you best.
Special features
- The course is delivered online which means you can fit your studies around your work and personal commitments wherever you are in the world
- The course content contributes to the development of the core dimensions in the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF): communication; personal and people development; health, safety and security; service improvement; quality; and equality and diversity
- You will also have the opportunity to study modules in more specialised areas, such as child and adolescent mental health, diabetes, informatics in health and social care, patient safety in health and social care environments and lean quality improvement methodology
- Students are encouraged to undertake research in relation to their specific interest or in relation to their employment for the dissertation module
- Students can complete the university’s Skills and Employability Award and gain recognition (not academic credit) for a range of activities you take part in addition to your studies to help you stand out from the crowd and demonstrate the skills you have, prepare for a real interview and impress prospective employers
Entry requirements
- 2:1 honours degree, or equivalent OR
- Postgraduate diploma award or a professional qualification recognised as being equivalent to an honours degree
- Applicants with a 2:2 honours degree or below, an ordinary degree or DipHE in a relevant subject, plus relevant professional experience may also be considered through successful completion of the admissions essay
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and/or Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) may also be considered
- All students should be in employment and/or engaged in voluntary activities
*Funding support notice*
Postgraduate Loans (SAAS) (Scottish domiciled and EU students)
Loans for tuition fees are available from SAAS for eligible Scotland domiciled and EU students, and loans for living costs for eligible Scottish students.
Access routes
- BA or BA (Hons) Health Studies
- BA or BA (Hons) Child and Youth Studies
- BSc or BSc (Hons) Psychology
- Other undergraduate or postgraduate courses in a health- or social care-related discipline
- Completion of the admissions essay at honours level SCQF level 10
PgCert
Core modules are:
- Policy into practice
- Individual and social influences on health
- You will also choose one option module from those listed in the PgDip
PgDip
If you wish to progress to the MA, the core modules are:
- Challenges and practice solutions in remote and rural areas
- Qualitative inquiry
- You will also choose one option module from those listed below
Alternatively, if you do not wish to continue to masters level you can study the first core module (Challenges and practice solutions in remote and rural areas) and two options from the list below.
Option modules include:
- Advanced diabetes
- Child and adolescent mental health
- Developing communities
- Disability and society
- Enabling self-management: developing practice
- Enabling self-management: leading change
- Ethics in health and wellbeing
- Informatics in health and social care
- Introduction to patient safety in integrated health and social care environment
- Introduction to Lean quality improvement in health and social care
MA
To achieve the award of MA Health and Wellbeing you must complete a research dissertation.
How will I study my course?
- You will study through supported online learning using the university's virtual learning environment (VLE)
- Part-time (structured) – 60 credits in an academic year
- Part-time (unstructured) – less than 60 credits in an academic year
- We also strongly recommend that you attend a one and a half days face-to-face induction at the university's postgraduate induction weekend at the beginning of September
- Assessment is varied and includes online multiple choice questions, reflective portfolio, discussion board contributions, essays and reports, case study analysis, collaborative project, electronic and poster presentations, critique of a journal paper, research proposal and dissertation
Additional costs:
- Travel and accommodation costs for the induction weekend
- Dissertation printing costs (approx. £100.00)
How long will my course last?
- Part-time (structured) (MA): 3 years @ 20-30 hours per week
- Part-time (unstructured) (MA): 6 years @ 10-15 hours per week
The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in discussion with tutors and your own time spent on individual study and research.
Where can I study my course?
- Lews Castle College UHI - You can study this fully online programme from anywhere in the world. You will be enrolled and supported by staff at Lews Castle College.
Start date
- September
- January
Fees
The following fees apply to this taught postgraduate course:
2019-20 | Scottish online | Rest of UK (inc EU) online | International online |
---|---|---|---|
Per module (20 credits) | £560 | £650 | £960 |
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £1,680 | £1,950 | £2,880 |
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) | £3,360 | £3,900 | £5,760 |
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) | £5,000 | £5,850 | £8,640 |
2018-19 | Scottish online | Rest of UK (inc EU) online | International online |
---|---|---|---|
Per module (20 credits) | £560 | £650 | £900 |
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £1,680 | £1,950 | £2,700 |
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) | £3,360 | £3,900 | £5,400 |
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) | £5,000 | £5,850 | £8,120 |
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
Enquiries from employers for multiple student registrations are welcome and special fee arrangements may apply.
Funding
From 2017, eligible Scotland domiciled students studying full time for any taught postgraduate course up to full Masters level can access loans up to 10,000 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). This comprises a tuition fee loan up to £5,500 and a non-income assessed living cost loan of £4,500. EU students studying full time can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £5500.
Part-time students undertaking any taught postgraduate course over two years up to Masters level who meet the residency eligibility can apply for a for a tuition fee loan up to £2,750 per year.
Full details can be found on the SAAS website. Applications for loans open in April.
Students from the rest of the UK who meet the eligibility requirements may be able to apply for a loan from the Student Loan Company
You may also be able to apply for a government Professional and Career Development Loan
External scholarships and financial support may be available. Contact Lews Castle College UHI for more information.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have completed your MA Health and Wellbeing course, NHS staff currently on bands 5 and 6 of the NHS Career Framework Ladder can progress to bands 7 and 8.
Completion of this course will also lead to enhanced employment opportunities.
Can I progress into further study?
Progression to PhD study may be possible.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.