BSPT54

2011

LOUGHBOROUGHUNIVERSITY

Programme Specification

Postgraduate Programmes in Healthcare Manual Handling Management

Please note: This 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 full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in Module Specifications and other programme documentation and online at

The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed by the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

Awarding body/institution; / LoughboroughUniversity
Teaching institution (if different); / Not Applicable
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body; / Not Applicable
Name of the final award; / MSc in Healthcare Manual Handling Management;
Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Manual Handling Management;
Postgraduate Certificate in Healthcare Manual Handling Management
Programme title; / Healthcare Manual Handling Management
UCAS code; / Not Applicable
Date at which the programme specification was written or revised. / June 2010

1. Aims of the programme:

The programme is intended for Manual Handling Managers within organisations and for independent consultants, who have responsibilities for assessing the risks involved in load movement and advising on the means of eliminating or reducing them.

The programme aims to:

  • Provide the knowledge and skills necessary for the multi-disciplinary role of effectively managing the problems and risks associated with load movement and manual handling
  • Establish qualifications which will give national recognition to the holders’ abilities.

The programme, which is part-time, is delivered by means of short courses.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

The programme is based on:

  • The Curriculum Framework for Back Care Advisors, jointly produced by the National Back Exchange, Ergonomics Society, Royal College of Nursing, College of Occupational Therapists and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
  • The Manual Handling Training Guidance and Competencies for Manual Handling produced by the Royal College of Nursing.

3. Intended Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

  • The principles of risk management and health & safety management
  • The law relating to manual handling
  • The major functions of Occupational Health
  • The principles of Ergonomics
  • The principles of training and exercise
  • Research techniques in manual handling management (M.Sc. only)

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

  • Presentations by university staff and visiting lecturers
  • Syndicate exercises requiring the analysis of case study material and the presentation and discussion of results.
  • Directed reading, post-module.

Assessment of knowledge and understanding is by:

  • A workplace – based assignment for each taught module, requiring the investigation of a manual handling situation within the student’s workplace, together with further study of the subjects via literature search and the use of databases. The subject of the assignment is chosen by the student, with guidance from the academic staff and must involve the application and extension of the knowledge and understanding pertaining to that particular module.
  • A research project, requiring the collection of original data, its analysis, interpretation and presentation (MSc only).
  • In-class tests.

Skills and other attributes:

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:-

  • Analyse and apply the law to a range of manual handling situations.
  • Identify the major issues relating to the management of manual handling.
  • Analyse human movement via the application of anatomical and biomechanical principles
  • Assess handling-related needs
  • Analyse and evaluate models of the management of people and organisational and behavioural change.

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

  • Presentations and demonstrations by university staff and visiting lecturers.
  • Case studies, presentations and discussion.
  • Practical exercises and feedback
  • Directed reading, post-module.

Assessment of subject-specific cognitive skills is by:

  • A workplace – based assignment for each taught module
  • A research project (MSc only).
  • In-class tests.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:-

  • Analyse accident data in order to identify trends.
  • Apply ergonomics principles to both the evaluation of existing situations and new workstation designs.
  • Recommend appropriate handling techniques.
  • Assess the appropriateness of manual handling equipment for a particular situation.
  • Produce comprehensive supporting documentation, including manual handling risk assessments.
  • Evaluate functional disability and design safe work activities for people with special physical and psychological needs.
  • Apply methods of fitness assessment and develop programmes of health promotion.
  • Apply the principles of organisational and behavioural change in the workplace.
  • Apply a systematic approach to the development and evaluation of training.

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

  • Demonstrations by university staff and visiting lecturers.
  • Case studies, presentations and discussion.
  • Practical exercises, individually, in pairs and in groups, with feedback and discussions.
  • Simulations of workplace situations, with appropriate equipment, with feedback and discussions.

Assessment of subject-specific practical skills is by:

  • A workplace – based assignment for each taught module
  • A research project (MSc only).
  • In-class tests.

c. Key/transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  • Apply the skills of problem identification, specification and analysis.
  • Facilitate change in the workplace.
  • Make oral presentations.
  • Make written presentations.
  • Acquire, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
  • Select investigative/research methods appropriate to a particular situation and apply them, to produce evidence-based practice.
  • Plan and manage a research project (M.Sc. only).

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

  • Case studies and presentations.
  • Practical exercises, with feedback and discussion.
  • Simulations of workplace situations, with feedback and discussion.
  • Specific input from university staff on how to plan, structure and write assignments and projects.
  • The process itself of carrying out and writing up assignments and projects, supported by written feedback from university staff.
  • Specific input from university staff on research methods and the planning and management of a research project, supported by regular, individual guidance from the student’s supervisor throughout the course of the project (M.Sc. only).

Assessment of key/transferable skills is by:

  • A workplace – based assignment for each taught module
  • A research project and report (MSc only).

4. Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards:

The awards available are the Loughborough Postgraduate Certificate (Postgraduate Certificate) (60 credits), Loughborough Postgraduate Diploma (Postgraduate diploma) (120 credits) and M.Sc. (180 credits). These are available only by part-time study.

Full details can be found in the Programme Regulations at:-

5.Criteria for admission to the programme:

Full details can be found at:

It will be a marked advantage if students have some years of relevant work experience in one or more aspects of load movement and manual handling.

6.Information about the programme assessment strategy:

Full information about our assessment strategycan be found in section 6 of our comprehensive statement to supplement this programme specification which is available on our web site at:

  1. What makes the Programme Distinctive

This programme develops the students’ skills in both, the scientific basis of manual handling management and the practical application of those skills within health care organisations.

The programme attracts as students some of the foremost practitioners in the manual handling management field in the UK, while others are involved in the programme as visiting lecturers.

  1. Particular support for learning

Information about the support offered by the BusinessSchool for this programme and the general support offered by the University for all programmes is available on our web site at:

  1. Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of learning

The official University statement about improving quality for all programmes is available on our web site at:

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