Advancing Practice in Peripheral Vascular Disease - MSc - 2023/24 Entry

Overview

This newly designed course has been developed to meet the needs of interdisciplinary healthcare practitioners working in partnership with people in relation to peripheral vascular disease (PVD), which encompasses both arterial, venous and lymphatic diseases. This 100% online course aims to address the very significant challenges associated with PVD, providing a global perspective, whilst drawing upon existing expert knowledge and experience of working with international partners. The course team are dedicated and committed staff who are experts in the speciality and this course is a collaboration between Birmingham City University and the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust Vascular Team.

This innovative online course is designed to help students to gain a greater and advanced understanding of the complexities of diagnosing and managing peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and how best to support and enable effective individualised self-management and develop limb salvage. It is suitable for healthcare professionals including hospital-based doctors, specialist nurses and podiatrists, sonographers and specialist roles in other healthcare sectors. The primary aim of the course is to support and enable students to critically explore and analyse existing and developing theories and concepts that underpin PVD and will equip students to embrace a strategic leadership role in the development and delivery of efficient, innovative, evidence based PVD services.

Students will develop a wide range of skills, learn about new and emerging evidence, advance their knowledge and practice and gain critical understanding in the management of peripheral vascular disease. Students will acquire knowledge to develop and improve clinical practice in the care of people at risk of or living with PVD across the age span. Through taking an evidence-based holistic approach to the provision and delivery of individualised PVD care.

This course is open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

This course has been designed in close collaboration with clinical colleagues and blends theoretical approaches with practicalities of service development and person-centred care approaches. The international dimension and application of culturally appropriate surgical interventions in different environments and resources underpins this course. Through different modules, students will explore their employment situation, recognise the potential for excellence in practice-led care, extend and enhance their employability and extend their career progression. Students will also identify ways in which they can improve their practice and services in order to pioneer new interdisciplinary service developments.

There will be a strong focus on relevance to practice, practice development, leadership, transformation and strategic planning. An important focus will be the development of higher levels of understanding with decision-making, critical analysis appraisal of evidence-based practice and clinical guidelines as a strong theme throughout the course.

The programme will enable practitioners working in various aspects of care, with people either at risk of or living with PVD, to develop knowledge and skills in diagnosis and management. Students will develop analytical skills through interactive online learning opportunities so that they are able to critically examine practices within the context of the legislative and professional frameworks of their own countries.

Why Choose Us?

This newly designed innovative course has been developed to meet the needs of interdisciplinary healthcare practitioners working in partnership with people living with PVD.
This course aims to address the global increase in the number of people both at risk of developing PVD and living with PVD, and the developments in care needed to support these people.
The course has a global perspective and draws upon existing expert knowledge and experience of working with national and international partners.
This approach aligns with the vision of the University to learn from the best, with practice-based research supporting curriculum design whilst fostering an interdisciplinary approach to education in this field.
The Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences (HELS) has a history of provision in healthcare and diabetes education previously with optional taught modules being available for practitioners in the region. This new course extends the reach of practice through online education to all multi-disciplinary and multi professional partners.

Studying with us during the Covid-19 pandemic

The University has put in place measures in response to Covid-19 to allow us to safely deliver our courses. Should the impact of the pandemic continue in future years, any additional or alternative arrangements put in place by the University will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.

OPEN DAY

Join us for an on-campus open day where you'll be able to explore our campus and facilities in person. Booking for the next event isn’t open yet. Register your interest below and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.

Next Event: Saturday 24 June

Register Your Interest

Entry Requirements

UK students

This course is suitable for experienced and employed healthcare professionals who hold current professional registration with a UK regulatory body (e.g., NMC, HCPC, GMC) provided that they have:

A minimum of three years in their area of clinical practice and a first degree or evidence of recent professionally related study at diploma or degree level.

OR

Accredited degree level study within the last five years.

EU students

This course is suitable for experienced and employed healthcare professionals who hold current professional registration in their home country provided that you have:
A minimum of three years in their area of clinical practice with a first degree or evidence of recent professionally related study at diploma or degree level OR
Accredited degree level study within the last five years
Additionally, An IELTS score of 6.0 with no element below 5.5 or equivalent.

International students

This course is suitable for experienced and employed healthcare professionals who hold current professional registration in their home country provided that they have:
A minimum of three years in their area of clinical practice and a first degree or evidence of recent professionally related study at diploma or degree level. OR
Evidence of study at degree level including in research methods.
Additionally, A certified IELTS score of 6.0 is required with no element below 5.5 or equivalent.

International Student entry requirements

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply

UK Student
International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MSc

Starting: Sep 2023

Distance Learning
3 years (Part Time)
£783 per 20 credit module

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MSc

Starting: Sep 2023

Distance Learning
3 years (Part Time)
TBC

If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead.

Access to computer equipment

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms.

Printing

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

Field trips

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees.

Access to Microsoft Office 365

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

Key Software

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research.

Key subscriptions

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

Specialist equipment (mandatory)

You may want to purchase your own stethoscope for use in clinical environments. They cost approximately £80-100.

Excess printing (optional)

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet.

Books (optional)

All module key texts will be in the University library, but in limited numbers. You may choose to purchase a copy.

Subscriptions (optional)

You may wish to purchase subscriptions to additional journals and websites.

Memberships (optional)

You may wish to join a union or professional body related to this course.

Accommodation and living costs

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

Personal statement

Students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.

Your postgraduate personal statement is going to shine a light on your personal experience, academic success, personal skills and any other factors that will support your application for further study.

Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:

Your passion and motivations

Studying a postgraduate course usually means you want to specialise in something. So what’s driving you?

Why this course?

Show that you’ve researched the course offering. What is it about this particular course that appeals to you? Is it the lecturers? The modules? Etc.

What makes you a good postgraduate candidate?

Tutors want to know that you can handle postgraduate study, so show them how your undergraduate experiences or work life has equipped you for a more advanced level of study. Key areas to address are research and group work but this can vary depending on your chosen course.

Relevant academic or work experience

Add anything relevant that relates back to your chosen course and shows how your skills will contribute towards your learning. What extra-curricular activities have you taken part in? What awards have you won? What employment or voluntary experience do you have that has helped you develop transferable skills? How do these specifically relate to the course you are applying for?

You should also mention your future plans and how a postgraduate qualification fits in. Try to look beyond your postgraduate study – do you plan to jump straight into a specific career or follow your studies with a research degree? Lastly, use plain, professional English and, where possible, utilise the language of your chosen industry.

Get more information on writing personal statements.

Course in Depth

Level 7 - Core Modules

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules, totalling 110 or 130 credits. In addition to core modules, a total of either 50 or 70 credits from optional modules will also need to be completed. This will therefore ensure 180 credits is gained in total.

Assessment and Management of Peripheral Vascular Disease 20 credits

Research: Methods of Enquiry 20 credits

Leadership in Peripheral Vascular Disease 10 credits

Principles of Limb Salvage 20 credits

MSc Dissertation 40 or 60 credits

Level 7 - Optional Modules

A student must successfully complete one of the CORE MSc dissertation modules. The choice of this will be dependent on the optional modules taken (see below).

Wound Healing and Tissue Repair 20 credits

Debridement and Advanced Wound Care 20 credits

Wounds Affecting the Lower Leg 20 credits

Wound Care Theory and Practice 20 credits

Pressure Ulcers: Prevention and Treatment 20 credits

Prevention, Recognition and Management of Sepsis 20 credits

Managing Behaviour of Self, Teams and Organisations (Online) 20 credits

Quality Improvement in Wound Healing and Tissue Repair 20 credits

Psychological and Psycho-social Aspects of Peripheral Vascular Disease 10 credits

Foot Care Complexities and Treatments in Diabetes and Peripheral Vascular Disease 10 credits

Care and Prevention of Diabetes Related Complications 20 credits

Safeguarding Contemporary Issues 20 credits

Download course specification

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Teaching Approaches

During the course students will experience a range of learning and teaching approaches delivered online in both a synchronous and an asynchronous manner. They will attend online lectures, discussion forums, small group discussions, simulations and chat facilities with their peers, visiting experts and members of the teaching team. These approaches recognise that students have different learning styles with some reacting best to the voice while others prefer the written word, therefore a range is offered to suit all needs. Students can access the learning materials via the University’s Virtual Learning Environment – Moodle, Microsoft Teams and other means subject to the modules undertaken.

In addition to the scheduled teaching, students will be given directed learning activities pre and/or post classroom activities and they will be expected to undertake any reading required e.g., access to policy documents or guidelines. They will also be expected to spend time on their own independent study to give them the opportunity to explore subjects in more depth in preparation for assessment activities. It is expected that students will fully engage with all of the resources available to them to maximise their learning opportunities. The library will play a key role in the learning journey and students will receive both written and verbal guidance regarding accessing and utilising library resources.

Guidance

In addition to the course leader, students will be allocated a personal tutor who will be with them throughout their learning journey, an important resource and the person to go to if they have concerns, issues or anything that may impact on the successful completion of the course.

Each of the modules is led by a module lead and students will be encouraged to discuss any specific issues regarding the module with them as required. They will brief students on the assessment/s associated with each module to ensure they are clear of the expectations for successful completion.

Students will be exposed to a range of assessment tasks including written case histories, recorded presentations, course work, a quality improvement/service development project to name but some – each module has its own assessment and discussion will take place with the students to consider their specific modular choices, to ensure they select the most appropriate offering to balance the associated workload.

Employability

The course specifically aims to enable a range of healthcare professionals from across the world to share and reflect on their own experiences and gain a deeper insight into advanced PVD practice and leadership.

The programme will enable practitioners working in various aspects of care, with people either at risk of or living with PVD, to develop knowledge and skills in diagnosis and management. Students will develop analytical skills through interactive online learning opportunities so that they are able to critically examine practices within the context of the legislative and professional frameworks of their own countries.

The underpinning philosophy of the course will support you, as a specialist student, to blend new learning with your existing knowledge and experience in a way that is highly relevant to your own professional practice and chosen clinical area to impact positively on PVD practice and service delivery.

International

Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.

The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.

Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
Learn where to find financial support for your studies.

Facilities & Staff

Our Advancing Practice in Peripheral Vascular Disease course is delivered through the an online learning resource, with online study materials to guide you through the appropriate topics, as well as providing links to other resources. You will also need textbooks, and a full reading list is provided with each module syllabus.

Although it is taught by distance learning, you will still have regular contact with your module tutor by email or telephone. We also offer optional periodic seminar talks where you can meet the course team, along with your fellow students.

Our staff

Dr Anne Phillips

Professor in Diabetes Care

Anne Phillips is a Queens Nurse and a National Teaching Fellow with the Higher Education Academy. After a career in specialist and community diabetes nursing in London and Yorkshire, Anne previously worked with colleagues at the University of York and established a countrywide and international collaborative curriculum for Health Professionals in...

More about Anne

Jayne Robbie

Senior Lecturer in Diabetes Care

Jayne qualified as a podiatrist from Brighton Polytechnic in 1987 and has had a varied career in primary and secondary care working extensively as a diabetes specialist in multi-professional teams as well as having experience managing a large primary care podiatry unit.

More about Jayne

Joanna Swan

Senior lecturer in Tissue Viability

Jo is qualified as an RGN in 1994 from the Queen Elizabeth College of Nursing in Birmingham and gained a job on a liver unit where her interest in tissue viability (TV) began. Jo became a TV link nurse, a role she carried on into her job as an intensive care nurse. BSc (Hons) in Nursing was completed at BCU, during this time Jo started a critical...

More about Joanna

Dr Emma Craddock

Senior Lecturer in Health Research

Emma completed her PhD in Sociology at the University of Nottingham in 2017 (thesis titled: ‘Emotion and Gender in Local Anti-Austerity Activist Cultures’). Her research utilised a feminist methodology and a combination of qualitative research methods to produce an in-depth exploration of anti-austerity activist culture.

More about Emma

Professor Alok Tiwari

Visiting Professor of Vascular Surgery

Professor Alok Tiwari has been a consultant vascular surgeon at University Hospitals Birmingham since 2011 and is Visiting Professor of Vascular Surgery at Birmingham City University.

More about Alok