Leading change in healthcare

Work-based learning offers both a means of linking theory to practice and of valuing practice, as an integral part of professional education. The principle behind work-based learning is that you are given an opportunity to explore aspects of your work for your own personal development and that of the organisation/service in which you work.

This module places control over the learning process in your hands - you negotiate your own learning contract with your academic and practice supervisors. This will set out and structure what you want to learn, what action you will take to achieve it, and what evidence will demonstrate that achievement.

It is expected that on this course you will directly apply the knowledge and skills gained to your professional work through development of a service improvement project and specific, individualised activities to enhance your professional practice.

As this module is primarily self-directed it can be commenced within any term of the year. Individual deadlines for the assessment will be negotiated between the academic supervisor and student. On receipt of your application an academic supervisor will be allocated who will discuss further the structure, support and resources available to you during this course.

Learning outcomes

This module will enable you to:

1. tailor learning to you and your workplace’s needs
2. identify and reinforce existing knowledge and experience
3. gain academic credit for existing knowledge and skills
4. develop research skills in designing, delivering and disseminating work related projects
5. improve personal effectiveness through reflection

The learning outcomes for this module will be negotiated individually with you. You will be advised to identify a practice-based supervisor to provide support and coaching via a learning contract.

The learning contract and associated projects will be negotiated at the beginning of the module between you, the academic supervisor and the practice-based supervisor.

You are advised to speak with the module leader before deciding which work-based learning module option to take.

You may apply for the module provided you have all of the following:

• arranged for a suitable funding source
• current practice within a health or social care setting
• access to a supervisor in practice.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language we require an IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 450/200.

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Module Outline

Resources to support learning in relation to this module and the assessment tasks will be available to you via ‘Moodle’- our online learning environment. This includes our suite of 'Service Improvement' videos and tools.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

• Fees for 2024-25 (.PDF).

If you have any questions about the module fees please email msk@essex.ac.uk.

In the first instance approach your Education Liaison Manager to see if funding can be secured via the organisation you are working for.

To apply for an individual module please complete the module application form (.docx) and email to msk@essex.ac.uk for the attention of Sophie Young.