Rural Medicine

Entry requirements

• Applicants should hold at least 2:2 degree in related subject.
• Applications from all candidates will be considered on their merits in the light of the nature and scope of the programme and if they have experience.
• A detailed admissions procedure will be forwarded on application.
• IELTS: Score of at least 6.5 or equivalent.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

Whether you practise medicine in a rural primary care setting, a small district general hospital far from regional centres, or care for patients in much more remote or austere environments our MSc Rural Medicine course is designed to give GPs and other healthcare professionals the confidence and skills to provide the best care irrespective of the distances involved.

When you’re a GP or other healthcare professional, you need to be able to deal with whatever you encounter. This course will equip you with the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to operate successfully in a rural environment.

From the better-known primary care conditions, through to life-saving interventions in hostile environments, you’ll be trained to enhance care and improve outcomes. Remote settings present challenges to any healthcare professional – it’s all very good being able to diagnose sepsis in the community, but unless you can treat it, all you’ve done is delayed the care and increased the mortality. By implementing the skills you learn into your everyday practice, you’ll make a positive difference to patient care in remote and rural areas.

This course is based at our Westlakes Campus, located in Whitehaven in Cumbria. You'll benefit from smaller class sizes and personalised support in a friendly, close-knit environment. If you're looking for a refreshing change of lifestyle and opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors and endless leisure opportunities, then you'll love your time at Westlakes. The campus offers a bright, modern learning environment, with access to clinical laboratories, a well-stocked library, computer suite and restaurant. Being based in Westlakes also opens up opportunities for placements in rural communities. At weekends you'll be free to venture into the Lake District, England's largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

WHY STUDY WITH US

• Teaching takes place in the stunning surroundings of West Cumbria – you’ll be taught at at the National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine (NCRRM), based at our Westlakes campus near Whitehaven.
• You can choose to study this course in ‘bite-size chunks’ to enable you to enjoy a good work-life balance.
• You’ll be taught by an experienced team of academic staff, clinicians, leaders and managers who are experts in their fields.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• You can tailor your learning to the needs of your own professional practice – so you could learn about delivering medicine and urgent care from a fixed base, or as part of a medical team supporting other pursuits – such as mountain medicine, expedition medicine, medicine relating to extreme sports, or pre-hospital emergency care.
• If you're looking for a refreshing change of lifestyle and opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors and endless leisure opportunities, then you'll love studying at Westlakes.
• You’ll develop and apply research methodologies to help build your confidence in conducting independent research.

LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT

Teaching takes place on campus at the NCRRM which is based at our Westlakes campus in Cumbria and online. You’ll be taught by an experienced team of academic staff, clinicians, leaders and managers.

The Centre trains professionals to deliver healthcare at a gold standard, regardless of their environment or location, by using innovative training and technology techniques. Rural medicine has been under-served for a number of years, and the Centre aims to provide a focus for remote and rural medical education and research in collaboration with colleagues globally.

Teaching is likely to be delivered in blocks, so weekly attendance may not be required.

You’ll be assessed using various methods. These are likely to include case study presentations, case-based demonstrations, practical demonstrations and written assessments.

In order to achieve the full MSc qualification, you’ll be required to complete either a dissertation or professional project.

INDUSTRY LINKS

This programme has been developed through working closely with GPs, NHS Trusts, CCGs and clinicians to ensure that it’s fully aligned with the needs of the health economy.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Many of our courses will start in January and September, and online/virtual delivery may be available. Please speak to our team to find out more. Email PGMed@uclan.ac.uk

Credits for previous learning

This programme allows you to convert certified CPD that you’ve already gained and implemented in daily practice, into academic credits to enter the programme at an appropriate stage. You then choose from a wide range of modules to build a programme suited to your own individual needs.

The School recognises:

• Successful achievement of a relevant University of Central Lancashire CPD programme or short course
• Successful achievement of a recognised partner’s CPD programme or short course
• Demonstration of achievement of a relevant level of functioning or attainment within your career that could be considered equivalent to the level of the proposed postgraduate study
• Professional and Personal Development in General Practice (PED) course with Health Education England North West

In order to be recognised, you will be asked to show how the prior learning relates to improvement in your practice and undergo an assessment by the course team.

Any prior learning can be considered from the last 10 years but must be relevant to your current role. The maximum credit for prior learning that we can offer is two-thirds of the total credit required for the award.

You will discuss your prior learning with our career coach and agree your bespoke progression towards successful completion of the next short course and relevant postgraduate award.

For more information please email PGMed@uclan.ac.uk.

Although short courses in remote and rural care are available, these programmes give you the opportunity to gain skills and work towards a university accredited award.

The suite of courses can provide the ideal opportunity to develop and enhance your portfolio career.

The programme can be studied in ‘bite size chunks’ to facilitate work-life balance and is delivered on site or at the UCLan Westlakes campus, near Whitehaven, West Cumbria. Students are guided through the programme by a UCLan mentor. The teaching team comprises experienced academic staff, clinicians, leaders and managers.