PGCert Public Health (International)

Year 1

(Award available for year: Postgraduate Certificate)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the programme students should have shown evidence of being able to:

- demonstrate in-depth specialist knowledge of techniques relevant to the discipline or to demonstrate an advanced understanding of concepts, information and techniques informed by knowledge across, or in aspects at, the forefront of the discipline;
- exhibit competence in the exercise of generic and subject-specific intellectual abilities;
- demonstrate an advanced understanding of techniques applicable to their own research, advanced scholarship or area of specific interest within the broader discipline;
- take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and developing professional relationships;
- proactively to formulate ideas and hypotheses and to evaluate these; and
- evaluate current issues and research in the discipline.

And also:
- use epidemiological/statistical skills to analyse health needs and trends;
- appraise different strategies for control of diseases and other priority health services;
- design coherent programmes and prepare action plans for implementation of programmes including the management of resources;
- understand health, health care and organisational systems; and
- discuss current issues in health policy and those related to improving quality, access and acceptability of health services.

Transferable (key) skills

Postgraduate Diploma & Postgraduate Certificate students will have had the opportunity to acquire the following abilities as defined in the modules specified for the programme:

- the skills necessary to undertake a higher degree and/or for employment in a higher capacity in professional practice;
- a capacity to evaluate their own achievement and that of others;
- self direction and effective decision making in complex and unpredictable situations;
- a capacity for independent learning and the ability to work in a way which ensures continuing professional development;
- the ability to engage critically in the development of professional/disciplinary boundaries and norms; and
- the skills required for postgraduate study including literature searching, critical reading, groupworking, assignment planning, data presentation and ICT skills.

Assessment

Achievement for the Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the programme and will involve the achievement of the students in:

- demonstrating the ability to apply breadth and/or depth of knowledge to a complex specialist area;
- drawing on a range of perspectives on an area of study;
- evaluating received opinion; and
- applying theoretical principles to specific situations.

Learning context

For Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate students the learning context will include the analysis of, and decision making in, complex and unpredictable situations. The structure of the programme will provide breadth and/or depth of study and opportunities for drawing upon appropriate resources and techniques.

Opportunities will be provided for students to develop:
- interests and informed opinions;
- their involvement in the design and management of their learning activities;
- communication of their conclusions.

within a learning environment providing interactive modes of teaching, tutor support, encouragement of study groups and the 'learning community'.