The aim of the Health Informatics programme is to provide students with a critical awareness of the processes involved in the capture, storage, manipulation and utilisation of health related data and information such that they are able to apply informatics appropriately to enhance healthcare delivery in a variety of settings. The programme will draw upon content based on practices within the NHS but also make comparisons with other countries and healthcare sectors.

The central focus of Informatics is the transformation of information. ‘Health informatics is one of the fastest growing areas within the health sector’ (NHS). The scope of health informatics can be taken to be ‘the knowledge, skills and tools which enable information to be collected, managed, used and shared to support the delivery of healthcare and to promote health’ (NHS). Potential for growth in the health informatics industry is significant. The heath sector in general is expected to grow rapidly over the next decade (UK Commission for Employment and Skills).

The programme at UEL brings together expertise from our Schools of Health, Sport and Bioscience (HSB) and Architecture, Computing and Engineering (ACE) to ensure that you receive expert tuition from both a systems designer and an end user perspective. Teaching is supplemented by expert guest lecturers who are active practitioners in the field.

The entry requirement for this MSc programme is normally satisfied by possession of one of the following:

• BSc (Hons) in a relevant health or science based subject, with an award classification of no less than a lower second class honours (2:2).

• A degree qualification of a standard equivalent to that obtained after a programme of study in a recognised university outside the UK. (Note: Sources such as the British Council Handbook and NARIC will be used as references to verify the qualifications equivalence to a UK degree)

• Applicants with other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis

• A minimum of one years work experience in a health related profession is preferred.

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.0 overall (or equivalent) is required, with minimum 6.0 in writing and speaking and 5.5 in reading and listening. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.

The programme can be taken either in a full-time or in a part-time mode. The MSc for full-time students has the possibility of being completed in one calendar year if started in September. For part-time students the minimum duration of these studies is two years and 4 months.

Enrolment on the programme is possible either in semester A (starting in September) or semester B (starting in February).

Teaching at UEL is divided into three periods, semester A, which runs from September to January, semester B, which runs from February to June, and the summer period from July to September which is referred to as semester C.  Taught modules are only delivered during semesters A and B however dissertation work may be undertaken in semester C.

The programme consists of four 30-credit taught modules plus one 60-credit dissertation. The common schedules for MSc students are included below:

The maximum registration period for part-time students is six years.

Students must successfully complete two 30-credit modules for the PGCert, four 30-credit modules for the PGDip (Intermediate awards) and four 30-credit modules plus a 60-credit Research Dissertation in the area of Health Informatics for the MSc.

Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, seminars, laboratory work and external site visits.  Web based learning is also employed particularly for the research dissertation.

A variety of assessment methods are used including essays, case studies, data analyses and examinations.

This gives you the opportunity to work independently making your own critical appraisal of a chosen subject. This may include the gathering and analysis of primary data or analysis of existing data within the context of healthcare delivery. You will be supported throughout your project by a dedicated supervisor.

The programme will provide students with employment prospects that will enable them to seek infromation management jobs within the health sector.

According to NHS Careers, the expected career opportunities for graduates from this programme are numerous and fall into the following categories:

• Knowledge management
• Information management
• Clinical informatics
• Service management

You will be supported at all levels throughout your studies.  Programme and module leaders are available for academic advice and you will be allocated a personal tutor with whom you can discuss issues of a more personal or pastoral nature. Staff may be approached for help either in person or by e-mail. A programme handbook and individual module guides provide all relevant information on the programme and the teaching resources. Your research dissertation is carried out with the help of web-based guidance notes and a project supervisor.

The University has a wide range of student support services providing support and advice on issues such as health, disability, finance and accommodation.

The programme will provide an opportunity for cross discipline interaction and close interdisciplinary cooperation between teaching staff and students of both the Schools of Health, Sport and Bioscience (HSB) and Architecture, Computing and Engineering (ACE).

The aim of the Health Informatics programme is to provide students with a critical awareness of governance issues and processes relating to the capture, storage, manipulation and utilisation of health related data together with a range of appropriate skills such that they are able to apply informatics appropriately to inform decision making and enhance aspects of healthcare delivery. Graduates should display knowledge of the standards, which apply in the Health Informatics field and their relevance in specific situations. Project work enables students to develop and display specialist research skills in a particular area of interest.

By the end of the programme students should be able to:

Knowledge

• display knowledge of legal, governance and security requirements of the profession.
• discuss the value of informatics in a range of models of healthcare delivery and from a variety of perspectives e.g. managers, health professionals, patients, public.
• discuss the purpose and technical concepts of common ICT and data standards and issues of interoperability and integration.

Thinking skills

• critically appraise and interpret informatics data.
• utilise an evidence based approach in the application of informatics data to the formulation of strategies and policies.

Subject-Based Practical skills

• select and utilise appropriate tools and techniques to obtain and analyse data.
• understand the need for, and methods of ensuring, high data quality, data, validation and audit.
• understand the need for, and benefits of, structured coding of data.

Skills for life and work (general skills)

• display evidence of teamwork and negotiation.
• communicate technical information effectively to a range of audiences.
• recognise the limits of their own competence.
• display high standards of professional conduct.

The overall credit-rating of this programme is 180 for Masters, 120 for PGDip and 60 for PGCert.

The duration of this programme is one year full time if the enrolment is in September, and two years part time. For February enrolment, the duration becomes 15 months full time, and 27 months part time.

The teaching year is divided into two semesters of roughly equal length (semester A, from September to January, and Semester B, from February to May).  A typical student registered in a full-time attendance mode will study two 30-credit modules per semester and a typical student registered in a part-time attendance mode will study one 30-credit module per semester

Knowledge is developed through:

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Seminars
• Workshops

Thinking skills developed through:

• Coursework
• Case studies
• Mini projects
• Research dissertation

Practical skills:

• Laboratory experiments
• Data analyses
• Planning of work required for the research dissertation

Skills for life developed through:

• Seminars and workshops
• Presentation of research
• Research dissertation

Knowledge is assessed by:

• Coursework
• Examinations
• Research dissertation

Thinking skills are assessed by:

• Solutions to practical problems
• Evaluation of literature
• Evaluation of experimental data
• Research dissertation

Practical skills are assessed by:

• Use of design aids
• Use of computer aided design packages
• Laboratory experiments
• Use of data analysis software
• Preparation of research dissertation

Skills for life are assessed by:

• Contribution to discussions
• Quality of presentations
• Ability to meet deadlines

Before this programme started, the following was checked:

• there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
• adequate resources would be in place;
• the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
• the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
• the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
• the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning  and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.

This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.

The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:

• external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
• statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
• student feedback.

Drawing on this and other information, programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation.  The process is monitored by the Quality and Standards Committee.

Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists.  The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions.  The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.

This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff).  The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality.  The programme committee plays a critical role in the quality assurance procedures.

The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner.

External examiners have two primary responsibilities:

• To ensure the standard of the programme;
• To ensure that justice is done to individual students.

External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:

• Approving exam papers/assignments;
• Attending assessment boards;
• Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks;
• Ensuring that regulations are followed;
• Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future.