TVU - education that works
Courses
At a glance
Attendance
Study mode: Supported distance learning
Location: Slough campus
(Slough)
Duration: 4 years. Maximum permitted 4 years.
Start date: October 2009
About this course
Study level: Masters (Level 7)
Faculty: Faculty of Health and Human Sciences
Department: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare
MA Leading, Managing and Partnership Working
 
Summary
This programme is designed for health and social care professionals who are involved with national and local strategic service planning, management, commissioning and development in health and social care, and who are seeking to improve services from a user perspective.

The Masters programme consists of five modules totalling 180 Level 7 credits. There are four modules of 30 credits each to complete before doing the Inquiry Project module. The first three are compulsory and then, depending upon student numbers, there is a possible choice of modules between Achieving Continuous Service Improvement, and Influencing the Broader Health and Social Agenda.
Details

Course content

The modules are:

- Strategic Service Planning
This module will introduce you to clear frameworks and tools for strategic service planning, commissioning and development. We define leadership in terms of ways of thinking and acting strategically within the dynamic healthcare environment, and consider equity and diversity as integral to our approach. This will help you to broaden your thinking, your operational and analytical skills, and encourage you to consider strategic options.

- Building Partnerships
This module will stimulate your ability to form and sustain effective, cross-professional partnerships in both health and social care settings. Helping you to work and to lead change effectively, the module will deepen your skills in managing relationships, power dynamics and communication processes both within and outside your organisation.

- Leadership in the Current Health and Social Care Environment
This module will help you to build on your existing experience and capabilities in leading and managing healthcare teams. You will learn how to analyse critically a variety of theoretical frameworks focusing on leadership at a cross-professional, organisational, team and individual level.

- Achieving Continuous Service Improvement
This module will help you to meet the needs of diverse service users by introducing you to a blueprint for continuous improvement. We use methods that take a wide range of backgrounds, communities and identities into account - minority ethnic groups, differing sexual orientation, disability - and we also cover new requirements such as clinical governance and best value.

and finally

- Inquiry Project (60 credits)
This module explores the philosophical underpinnings of research and looks at the range of research methods open to you. You will be required to inquire into a work-based issue that relates to leadership/management within the organisation or in partnership with others.

Students achieving 60 Level 7 credits may exit with a Postgraduate Certificate in Leading, Managing and Partnership Working.

Students achieving 120 Level 7 credits may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Leading, Managing and Partnership Working.

Students achieving 180 Level 7 credits will be awarded a Masters Degree (MA) in Leading, Managing and Partnership Working.

The Certificate and Diploma modules can be taken as individual stand-alone modules.


Entry criteria
A first degree or equivalent professional qualification plus significant professional experience related to the intended programme of study. Your manager’s support is required where appropriate.

International entry criteria
International students need to meet our English language requirement at either IELTS at 6.5 or above, TOEFL paper based test score at 575 or above, TOEFL computer based test score at 232 or above, TOEFL internet base test score at 90 or above. Contact our International Office to find out what international qualifications you need to get onto a course www.tvu.ac.uk/international
During the course

Teaching methods
There is an expectation that you will be taking responsibility for your learning. A wide range of teaching and learning strategies will be employed in the programme, which requires your active participation. These include:
- lectures
- seminars
- workshops
- independent study
- tutorials
and a variety of other techniques, all designed to foster a spirit of enquiry to guide you to becoming an active and independent learner.

Learning materials
Students will be issued with a Programme Handbook at the start of the programme.

Module Study Guides will be provided at the start of each module and these will indicate essential texts, journals and website addresses. Each module has a learning pack that has a broad range of readings and additional learning materials reflecting the content of the study days.

Lecture notes and handouts will also be available from the programme team.

Student support
Module Leaders provide support, guidance and advice during the modules and the preparation of assignments. The Programme Leader, linked to you for the complete programme, acts as a personal tutor.

Learning Resource Centres (LRCs) within the University have specialist subject librarians who can provide assistance on locating journals and other resources.

A dedicated Distance Learning Help Desk is available for supported distance learning students.
TQI information
Higher education institutions produce a set of teaching quality information (TQI) with a view to assuring quality and standards of teaching, and meeting the information needs of stakeholders, particularly students and their advisors.