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Postgraduate Certificate

ECTS: 30 credits
Duration
: 9 months part-time
(standalone course)

Postgraduate Diploma

ECTS: 60 credits
Duration
: 2 years part-time
(including PG Cert)

Master’s degree

ECTS: 90 credits
Duration
: 2 or 3 years part-time
(including PG Cert and PG Dip)

Overview

 

This course aims to enhance your understanding of evidence-based child health, the scientific basis of childhood diseases and their diagnosis, and treatment of important paediatric conditions.

 

Study programme

 

This course is made up of three progressional levels (PG Cert, PG Dip and MSc), and you must apply to the PG Cert in the first instance. 

 

Postgraduate Certificate

 

The Postgraduate Certificate will develop your understanding of areas such as: the ontogeny of systems from conception to maturity, early life programming, evidence-based paediatrics, and normal patterns of infant growth.

 

Postgraduate Diploma

 

You turn your focus to the diagnosis and management of the more complex problems and challenges encoutered within paediatrics and child health.

 

Master’s degree (MSc)

 

You will acquire detailed knowledge and understanding of the essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relevant to the your chosen topic of research project.

Additionally, the research project aims to improve management and communication skills and provide a solid foundation for those who with to continue on to further study at PhD level.

Careers

 

With the knowledge, skills, understanding and contacts you gain through the study programme of your choice, you will be far better placed to achieve your career goals.

Structure

Modules shown are for the current academic year, and are subject to change depending on your year of entry.

The PG Cert is comprised of four core modules:

 

  • Child Population Health and Social Paediatrics
  • Nutrition, Growth and Development of the Child
  • Recognition and Management of the Seriously Ill Child
  • Science and Evidence in Paediatric Practice

These modules cover basic science, statistics and research methodology, child growth and development and public health through to clinical management of common childhood conditions, all topics vital for staff engaged in the care of children.

You will choose four optional modules from a wide choice of paediatric subspecialty topics.

 

  • Adolescent Health
  • Infectious Diseases and Host Defence
  • Law and Ethics in Paediatrics
  • Paediatric Sleep
  • Paediatric Ventilation
  • Principles of Paediatric Allergy
  • Serious Infection and Critical Care in Children
  • Stabilisation and Transport of the Critically Ill Child

Having successfully completed the PG Cert you have the opportunity to continue your postgraduate studies in Paediatrics by studying for the full MSc in a further 1 or 2 years.

If you opt for the 2-year option, you will study your optional modules alongside your research project. If you do the 3-year option, you will complete your optional modules in year 2 and your research project in year 3.

 

Research Project

 

You can conduct your project at Northampton or at your own institution (provided appropriate supervision can be established). If you conduct your research at your own institution, your primary supervisor should be local to you but you will also have access to a named secondary supervisor at Northampton.

The research project promotes experience in research methodology and techniques, research project design, data analysis and presentation, literature search, critical appraisal and presentation of work.

Projects can be laboratory-based, community-based or be a systematic review of an area having implications for Paediatrics and Child Health. Assessment will be by both the submission of the written research project and a face-to-face viva voce.

Teaching and assessment

 

Teaching methods

   

  • Blackboard
  • Lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops
  • Independent research project (MSc)

 

Assessment methods

 

  • Coursework
  • Oral Presentations
  • Written assignments
  • Written examinations
  • Dissertation (MSc)
  • Viva (MSc)

Entry requirements

 

We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis.

Minimum academic requirement

Our minimum requirement is a 2.1 degree in biological or biomedical sciences, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy or similar subjects.

Students with a diploma and substantial work experience in a healthcare field may be considered, subject to successful completion of an entrance examination.

International qualifications

We also accept a wide variety of international qualifications.

The academic requirement above is for applicants who hold or who are working towards a USA qualification.

For guidance see our Country Index though please note that the standards listed here are the minimum for entry to the College, and not specifically this Department.

If you have any questions about admissions and the standard required for the qualification you hold or are currently studying then please contact the relevant admissions team.

English language requirement (all applicants)

All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.

For admission to this course, you must achieve the standard College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for postgraduate applicants.

How to apply

 

You can submit one application form per year of entry, and usually choose up to two courses.

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Choosing your course

This course is divided into three progressional levels of study. Each level of study leads to a separate qualification:

  • PG Certificate (PG Cert) 
  • PG Diploma (PG Dip)
  • MSc 

You must apply to the PG Cert in the first instance.

Making an application

All applicants to our Master’s courses must apply online.

Making an application

All applicants to our Master’s courses must apply online.