Medical Education (MSc)

How will I be taught?

In the taught stage, you will complete high quality level 7 evidence-based practice assessments, which are directly relevant to your clinical educational practice, and you will be encouraged and supported to gain knowledge within the field of medical education. This course will be delivered entirely by online distance learning and therefore you can access it from anywhere within the international healthcare professional community.  This also allows for a degree of flexibility of study to suit your individual needs and support will be provided wherever possible with these. 

The course is delivered via Cardiff University’s virtual learning environment, Learning Central. The course uses a wide range of online approaches to learner support and development. Learning and teaching methods encompass a range of strategies and techniques to promote co-operative, purposeful learning. The teaching takes place online in group settings, which are facilitated by online tutors. 

There are a variety of tasks in each module where there is the opportunity for discussion, debate, exploration and peer interaction designed to enhance learning in addition to guided and independent study. Online tutors play a key role in the delivery of teaching for each module. Practical application is a key feature of the course, and you will be encouraged to try out new approaches to teaching and learning throughout the programme. Synthesising your knowledge and applying theory to practice within your own clinical teaching setting will be a central requirement of both formal assessment and formative work. Opportunities to develop your team working and collaboration skills will be available through your tasks and activities within discussion lists, webinars and general engagement in debate and exploration with tutors and peer groups. Teaching will be delivered by a multi-professional teaching team from within the Cardiff University School of Medicine’s Centre for Medical Education (C4ME). You also will receive regular constructive feedback throughout the course, to stimulate your enthusiasm and provide support, thus ensuring that you will have the opportunity to achieve the learning outcomes. The use of multiple approaches for you to learn will build a community of practice and enhance your collaboration with your peers and the faculty. 

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed in a variety of ways both to inform learning (formative) and to assess learning (summative) and all assignment tasks are linked to your educational practise. For example, typical assignments may relate to exploring evaluation, designing an education research proposal and a series of reflections on your role as an educator. The assessments have been chosen to ensure that the learning outcomes are appropriately tested and that the teaching methods leading up to these assessments are suitable.  The module formative assessments are wide ranging to allow you to focus on areas that best suit your learning needs and clinical role. The summative assignment aims ensure they are appropriate for your learning needs, area of practice and interest, making them very educationally focused.

How will I be supported?

A team of academic, administrative, learning technology and library staff are available throughout the year to support you. You will receive written feedback on all your assignments, in addition, there are many opportunities throughout the course to receive peer and tutor feedback. You will be allocated a personal tutor /research supervisor who will support your progress on the course, monitoring your general progress, discussing relevant issues and providing advice, guidance and support. They will contact you at various points in the course. There are a variety of tasks and activities in each module and you will discuss a range of educational issues through engagement in these with online tutors and peers. Personal tutors will comment on your reflective blog if you wish, and this exchange is an opportunity for you to engage in a dialogue about your educational roles, responsibilities and experiences in your clinical setting. This will also be done through your personal development maps and educational discussion in the discussion fora.  

Formative feedback will be communicated through electronic and written means in a timely manner. Summative feedback on assessment will be delivered within the timeframe set by the University. 

Students are expected to actively take part in the online schedule of activities offered by the course which will also help them meet other students online.  The course content is housed on Learning Central, a platform that is designed to deliver a great student experience on-line. Engagement on the learning platform is enhanced by a number of discussion boards.

Fellowship support is available via personal tutors, online webinars, discussion forums and reflective blogs.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you. 

On successful completion of your Programme you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

KU 1 Critically review learning and teaching approaches in clinical educational settings and professional practice.

KU 2 Critically evaluate education, theories and models to inform current educational practice.

KU 3 Synthesise the evidence to design inclusive learning environments with coherence, integration and relevance to meet and support diverse learning needs and in line with professional standards for engagement and effective learning.

KU 4 Reflect on and demonstrate alignment of learning and teaching practice with UK professional standards and professional values recognition.

KU 5 Apply learning and teaching principles to inform improvements within own professional setting and synthesise appropriate tools and methods to evaluate worth.

KU 6 Evidence scholarship in designing, undertaking and evaluating an educational research project informed by evidence and principles of best practice.

Intellectual Skills:

IS 1 Develop a critically informed approach to searching for and evaluating evidence, reflecting on the quality of the evidence, and synthesising the outcomes to inform clinical education practices  

IS 2 Use a range of educational strategies, tools, models and frameworks, critically reviewing their strengths and weaknesses to inform educational practice

IS 3 Engage with research, scholarship and practice and deal with complexities, contradictions, and gaps in the current evidence base, further develop independence of thought  

IS 4 Foster creativity, innovation and ethical practice in educational developments within clinical education 

Professional Practical Skills:

PS 1 Master the skills needed to be a life-long learner through the ability to robustly seek evidence, challenge evidence and introduce best evidence to influence clinical education.

PS 2 Navigate digital environments, familiarisation with Learning Central, study skill and library resources, Grade Centre and Turnitin

PS 3 Synthesise concepts in order to further develop personal and professional practice

PS 4 Apply professional self-awareness and self-reflection to your own professional development in ways that enhance your practice.  

PS 5 Demonstrate effective communication skills in a postgraduate student arena.

Transferable/Key Skills:

KS 1 Evidence commitment to lifelong learning, engaging in the process of post graduate study, demonstrating scholarship, integrity and accountability.

KS 2 Plan, organise and manage coursework effectively, demonstrating independence, initiative and originality.

KS 3 Apply your educational skills to provide constructive feedback to learners and colleagues and respond to educational challenges and opportunities.

KS 4 Manage effectively yourself, learners and the educational environment.

KS 5 Communicate accurately, clearly and concisely in a variety of approaches, using a range of media to a variety of audiences.