UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

Programme Specification

This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.

Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17

  1. Awarding Institution / Body
/ University of Central Lancashire
  1. Teaching Institution and Location of Delivery
/ UCLan Preston
  1. University School/Centre
/ Health Sciences
  1. External Accreditation
/ N/A
  1. Title of Final Award
/ MSc Delivering Quality Cancer Services
  1. Modes of Attendance offered
/ Full-time and Part-time
  1. UCAS Code
/ N/A
  1. Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s)
/ QAA framework for HE qualifications (2008)
QAA Master's degree characteristics (2010)
  1. Other external influences
/ End of Life Strategy (DoH, 2008)
Manual for Cancer Services (DoH, 2004)
Living with and beyond cancer: Taking action to improve outcomes (National Cancer Survivorship Initiative, 2013)
Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer (DoH, 2011)
Cancer patient experience survey 2011-12: National survey report (DoH, 2012)
Supportive and palliative care for people with cancer: Part A and Part B (NICE, 2004)
National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative
  1. Date of production/revision of this form
/ 16th May 2013
  1. Aims of the Programme

The MSc Delivering Quality Cancer Services provides a programme of study for those involved in provision of cancer services across health, social care and the third sectors. The course aims to:
  • enhance understanding of cancer and its impact on people, thus developing insight into the needs of people with cancer

  • develop people who can champion and promote innovative strategies for designing and delivering person-centred cancer services

  • encourage integration of experience, knowledge and new learning in order to influence delivery of cancer services

  • develop the ability to lead cancer services, and to take on leadership roles in developing future services

  1. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

A.Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of the course, you will be able to:
A1. Critically evaluate current problems and tensions in the provision of cancer services
A2. Demonstrate systematic understanding of knowledge at the forefront of practice
A3. Demonstrate originality in the use of forms of knowledge to create new insights and solutions in provision of cancer services
A4. Manage decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations
A5. Establish a broader perspective on cancer services, taking into consideration the wider context of health care
A6. Critically review and evaluate your ability to act as a leader and to promote inter-professional collaboration
A7. Critically evaluate the methods, processes and products of research and scholarly enquiry in order to create and interpret new knowledge
Teaching and Learning Methods
  • Key note lectures to provide subject overview
  • Masterclasses
  • Directed critical reading allied to student led seminars, workshops, discussions and debates
  • Workshops to promote practical skill development supporting assessment activity e.g. database access, search strategies, critical appraisal
  • Individual dissertation supervision and associated group workshops
  • The virtual learning environment (VLE), Blackboard, offers access to additional resources, email and discussion forums along with course information

Assessment methods
Written assignments – essays, reports, scholarly papers
Oral presentations
Dissertation
B.Subject-specific skills
On successful completion of the course, you will be able to:
B1. Use systematic methods to evaluate existing cancer services and shape future services tailored to patient needs
B2. Provide leadership in the planning and evaluation of improvements in cancer services
B3. Critically evaluate what constitutes quality in cancer service provision, and apply this to the development of future services
B4. Cultivate creativity, initiative and personal responsibility for continued educational and professional improvement
Teaching and Learning Methods
  • Directed critical reading allied to student led seminars, workshops, discussions and debates
  • Workshops to promote practical skill development supporting assessment activity e.g. database access, search strategies, critical appraisal

Assessment methods
Formative feedback at workshops, seminars, tutorials etc
Written assignments – essays, reports, scholarly papers
Oral presentation
Dissertation
C.Thinking Skills
On successful completion of the course, you will be able to:
C1. Think analytically, demonstrating problem-solving skills
C2. Challenge contemporary knowledge and thinking about cancer service provision
C3. Demonstrate a capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning
C4. Integrate available information to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make informed judgements in the absence of complete data, and test and refine solutions
Teaching and Learning Methods
  • Key note lectures to provide subject overview
  • Directed critical reading allied to student led seminars, workshops, discussions and debates
  • Workshops to promote practical skill development supporting assessment activity e.g. database access, search strategies, critical appraisal
  • Individual dissertation supervision and associated group workshops

Assessment methods
  • Formative feedback at workshops, seminars, tutorials etc
  • Written assignments in the form of essays and scholarly papers, reflective accounts
  • Oral presentation
  • Dissertation
  • Peer review

D.Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
On successful completion of the course, you will be able to demonstrate:
D1. problem-solving abilities characterised by flexibility of approach
D2. a capacity to articulate their knowledge and understanding in oral and written presentations
D3. a capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work
D4. the capacity to value and participate in projects which require team-work
D5. access and use knowledge and information to support practice and service delivery
D6. take an active lead in the development & implementation of healthcare policies
Teaching and Learning Methods
  • Directed critical reading allied to student led seminars, workshops, discussions and debates
  • Workshops to promote practical skill development supporting assessment activity e.g. database access, search strategies, critical appraisal
  • Individual dissertation supervision and associated group workshops
  • The virtual learning environment (VLE), Blackboard, offers access to additional resources, email and discussion forums along with course information

Assessment methods
  • Formative feedback at workshops, seminars, tutorials etc
  • Written assignments in the form of essays and scholarly papers, reflective accounts
  • Oral presentation
  • Dissertation
  • Peer review

N:\Cancer Interest Group\Proposed new course\Documentation\Prog spec.doc

13.Programme Structures* / 14.Awards and Credits*
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Credit rating
Level 7 / Core
NU4062
MB4042
Compulsory
NU4025
NU4053or
MB4003
MD4007
Options
NU4143
NU4063
MB4041
MD4061 / Understanding and living with cancer
Cancer awareness and early detection
Introduction to postgraduate research
Dissertation
Professional project
Leadership skills
Advancing care management at the end of life
Advanced communication
Developing practice through CPD
Management coaching skills / 40
20
20
60
40
20
20
20
20
20 / Masters Degree
Requires 180 credits at Level 6 or above with a minimum of 160 credits at Level 7
Postgraduate Diploma
Requires 120 credits at Level 6 or above with a minimum of 100 credits at Level 7. Must include NU4062 and/or MB4042
Postgraduate Certificate
Requires 60 credits at Level 6 or above with a minimum of 40 credits at Level 7. Must include NU4062 and/or MB4042
15.Personal Development Planning
According to QAA (2004), PDP is:
  • A structured process that is integral to higher level learning
  • Concerned with learning in an holistic sense (academic and non-academic)
  • Something done with guidance and support
  • A process that involves reflection, creation of personal records, planning and monitoring progress towards achievement of personal objectives
  • Intended to improve the capacity of the individual to communicate their learning to others who are interested in it (academic staff/ employers)
PDP is an important element in students’ development, helping them apply their academic work to their practice and career development aspirations. This course will enable students to broaden and deepen their knowledge in relation to the needs of people with cancer, thus enabling them to work with these people to meet their changing needs across the trajectory of their illness. Integral to this also will be an acknowledgement of the important role carers play in supporting people with cancer before, during and after treatment, and that cancer services need to take account of this in their design. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their learning, and to challenge received ideas about the organisation and delivery of cancer services, in order to look for new ways of addressing the health needs of people with cancer. Key skills that will be developed during the course include reflection, communication, IT skills, problem-solving, team working, research and project management.
Reference
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (2004) Recommendations for policy on PDP.
16.Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
Normally the following general entry requirements apply
  • A recognised Honours degree to a good standard (2:2 or above) or its equivalent. For international students equivalent qualifications can be found at
  • Experience of working in the cancer arena.
  • Students wishing to undertake NU4063 Advanced communication need to have undertaken the Connected® Advanced Communication Skills course
Specific entry criteria
  • Overseas applicants must haveInternational English Language Testing Service (IELTS)minimum level of proficiency equal to IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
  • Overseas applicants must be in a position to attend first taught sessions on all modules.
Applications from all candidates will be considered on their merits and in the light of the nature and scope of the programme or work proposed. Informal enquiries are welcomed and will normally be followed by an initial advisory interview.
17.Key sources of information about the programme
  • School of Health webpages ()

  • UCLan Cancer Studies webpages ()

  • School of Health NHS Contracts Unit

  • University Open Days


  • Course and module leaders

N:\Cancer Interest Group\Proposed new course\Documentation\Prog spec.doc

APPENDIX 21 - CDG

18.Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Core (C), Compulsory (COMP) or Option (O) / Programme Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding / Subject-specific Skills
A1 / A2 / A3 / A4 / A5 / A6 / A7 / B1 / B2 / B3 / B4
LEVEL 7 / NU4025 / Introduction to postgraduate research / COMP /  /  /  /  /  / 
NU4053 / Dissertation / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
MB4003 / Professional project / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
NU4062 / Understanding and living with cancer / C /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
MB4042 / Cancer awareness and early detection / C /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
MD4007 / Leadership skills / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
NU4143 / Advancing care management at the end of life / O /  /  /  /  / 
NU4063 / Advanced communication / O /  /  / 
MB4041 / Developing practice through CPD / O /  /  /  /  /  / 
MD4061 / Management coaching skills / O /  /  /  / 
18.Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Core (C), Compulsory (COMP) or Option (O) / Programme Learning Outcomes
Thinking Skills / Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
C1 / C2 / C3 / C4 / D1 / D2 / D3 / D4 / D5 / D6
LEVEL 7 / NU4025 / Introduction to postgraduate research / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
NU4053 / Dissertation / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
MB4003 / Professional project / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
NU4062 / Understanding and living with cancer / C /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
MB4042 / Cancer awareness and early detection / C /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
MD4007 / Leadership skills / COMP /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 
NU4143 / Advancing care management at the end of life / O /  /  /  /  / 
NU4063 / Advanced communication / O /  /  /  /  /  / 
MB4041 / Developing practice through CPD / O /  /  /  /  /  / 
MD4061 / Management coaching skills / O /  /  /  /  /  / 

n:\cancer interest group\proposed new course\documentation\prog spec.doc