Professional Practice MSc

Program Overview

The MSc in Professional Practice is a customizable work-based postgraduate program that allows students to progress from various postgraduate certificates. It emphasizes a substantial work-based project, supported by individual learning and development, and offers flexible pathways tailored to students' needs and organizational goals. Students benefit from a highly relevant, bespoke course that delivers outcomes for their organizations and supports their personal and professional growth.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This MSc in Professional Practice is a flexible, bespoke work-based route to a postgraduate qualification. It allows students to progress from several of the university's postgraduate certificates, including:

• Professional Practice
• Professional Development
• Leadership and Management
• Leadership and Management (Healthcare)
• Organisation Development
The program focuses on a work-based project, supported by individual learning and development. Students benefit from a highly relevant, customized course that delivers outcomes for their organizations. The program emphasizes bespoke learning related to the delivery of work-based projects.

Outline:

The program structure includes:

• Core Modules:
• Delivering a Work-Based Project:
This 60-credit module focuses on engaging in a substantial work-based, investigative project. It requires students to:
• Plan and conduct a practitioner inquiry that contributes to knowledge creation and interpretation in their organizational context.
• Develop mastery of key methods and techniques for undertaking practitioner inquiry, including action planning and problem-solving.
• Identify, select, justify, plan, and deliver a complex and multifaceted task related to the implementation of a work-based project.
• Make a relevant and useful organizational impact; deploying resources effectively.
• Negotiating your Professional Development: This module supports students in customizing their postgraduate program.
Students will:
• Develop learning objectives to meet their personal development needs, the needs of their workplace, and the requirements of the university.
• Update their personal development plan.
• Engage with key stakeholders to determine organizational needs and the requirements for a substantive work-based project.
• Negotiate their future postgraduate program, selecting modules to best meet their needs.
• Outline a proposal for a work-based project to fulfill personal, organizational, and university requirements.
• Personal Learning and Development: This mandatory module initiates the program by facilitating activities to raise self-awareness about students' strengths, development needs, and the skills and knowledge required for personal and professional development.
It enables students to negotiate a program of study that best fits their needs, with support from a learning mentor. The module's purpose is to facilitate 'learning about learning' and develop this critical lifelong and work-based skill.
• Optional Modules: Students choose a range of optional modules in line with their specific needs, including a 60-credit work-based project.

Assessment:

Assessment methods vary and may include:

• Coursework
• Project proposals
• Reports
• Reflective commentary
• Oral presentations

Other:

• The program is an approved pathway to the Senior Leaders Apprenticeship, so students may be able to fund their program through the Apprenticeship Levy.
• Students may be eligible for module exemptions with the university's Recognition and Accreditation of Prior Learning.
• The program offers flexible pathways to allow students to tailor their program timescales, target award, and award title.
• The program duration is 3-5 years.
• Start dates are available throughout the year.
• Applicants will typically have at least three years of experience in a role which allows for the scope to undertake postgraduate work-based projects.
• All applicants require employer or stakeholder support.
While it highlights the program's focus on work-based learning and customization, it lacks details about individual modules, teaching methods, or career outcomes.

• Fees for 2024/25 (Per 10 credit module)
Home and International: £500
• MSc/MA = 180 credits
PGDip = 120 credits PGCert = 60 credits