This programme was historically delivered at University College London as the MSc in Neurophysiotherapy under the direction of Dr. Margaret Mayston and in consultation with Dr. Mayston, we have developed this programme to incorporate emerging interventions and innovative clinical practice. This modular programme offers continuing professional development for therapists with an interest and some experience in the clinical management of neurological conditions including stroke and long-term neurological conditions. The aim of the programme is to extend clinical competency in this area of work and to help participants develop specialised theoretical and practical knowledge and skills which are directly applicable to their work practice. All students take two core modules.

1. Clinical Practice in Neurological Rehabilitation
   This clinical practice module provides opportunity to engage in specialised practice and critically discuss the evidence base for practice. The module incorporates current theoretical and evidence-based approaches to management of neurological conditions and provision of specialist rehabiitation services.
2. Neurological Theory and Evidence Based Practice
   This module provides opportunity to develop specialised knowledge of neurological conditions, critically evaluate concepts and exisiting and emerging knowledge pertinent to the management of neurological conditions within the context of interdisciplinary team work. The programme is therefore, designed to give clinicians the opportunity to explore and evaluate the evidence base for their practice enabling them to develop more effective and innovative approaches to practice.

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Students will all have:-

• A first degree in a professional health discipline classified as second class or above
• Current registration with relevant UK Regulatory body
• Relevant work experience is desirable but the applicant’s overall profile will be considered during the admission’s process

We anticipate that the programme and modules offered may be of interest to a range of health disciplines including Physiotherapists, Podiatrists, Occupational Therapists, Rehabilitation Nurses, and Medics. In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.

Students who apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.

The programme forms part of our Post Graduate Framework for Health Professions which offers a wide range of accredited short courses and modules focused around patient centred care and evidence based practice.

Full time Students complete the programme in 5 months.

Part time students may take one to three years - undertaking modules at a pace to suit their busy lives.

Students are required to complete two core modules:-

• Clinical Practice in Neurological Rehabilitation
• Neurological Theory and Evidence Based Practice

• A wide variety of activities including lectures, seminars, workshops, web-based learning and practice-based learning are incorporated in this programme to provide an interesting and stimulating learning environment.
• Students are expected to read extensively in their own time- both tutor-directed reading in preparation for lectures/seminars and self-directed reading in relation to the perceived learning needs and clinical interests.
• Student learning will be supported by tutors, both in the academic and clinical environment. Where appropriate, computer assisted and web-based support will be provided to facilitate independent study.

This Masters level programme has been developed in accordance with underlying principles currently held at the forefront of the professional and academic disciplines. Students are asked to show originality in the application of knowledge and understanding of how the boundaries of knowledge are advanced through practice.

Assessment includes:-

• Practice Based Examination that assesses specialised theoretical and practical knowledge and skills and critical evaluation of current and emerging evidence in the management of neurological conditions.
• Written assignments that present a current view of research and innovation in practice and critically evaluate the evidence to support therapeutic interventions and their impact upon the central nervous system. Additionally a case study will explore the contribution of members of the inter-professional team to the rehabilitation process

The programme involves both university-based and practice-based learning environments. The modules are closely related to the work setting they encourage the transferability of higher level skills and knowledge in order to review or change or transform current practice.

The students become more confident to articulate their practice in an interdisciplinary setting. This leads to advances in implementing continuing professional development, research or advanced practice in their departments and in wider context.

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Students completing this programme are eligible to transfer onto the MSC in Advanced Practice for Health Professions, where they will have opportunities to further develop their practice by undertaking other related modules and a research dissertation.

The recommended route would include the module Gait, Balance and Posture plus one other from the matrix and a research dissertation.

Most of the students will return to the clinical environment and will be in a position to seek a post at a higher level on the Career Framework e.g. Specialist or Advanced Practitioner status. In the past, some have continued to undertake research, acted as consultants to related commercial enterprises or have been promoted to higher grades as a direct result of completing our MSc programmes.

Several students have moved on to a career in Higher Education

The School Help Desk provides immediate help with day to day problems. This is normally the first point of call for a student and if further advice is required the Help Desk staff will advise the student on where to go for support.

All students are allocated a personal tutor who will support them throughout the programme. Tutors are able to provide information and advice about services available to support learning or to cope with the stresses that study may bring.

Personal tutors can provide feedback and help on draft coursework essays but where the material lies outside their area of expertise the help will focus on presentation and writing style rather than on content.

Module leaders and the module teaching team provide support for students seeking help with understanding of detailed concepts being studied.

On clinical practice modules, clinical tutors will provide support to enable students to identify learning needs and to maximise opportunity to develop and extend professional skills.

The Programme Leader provides support for the students from the time they enrol until they graduate. Advice is available on module choices and practical aspects undertaking part time study.

English language support is available for all students whose first language is not English.

Our School International Student Support Officer will help overseas students comply with legislation and support them to settle into the UK

The modules have been mapped against the Skills for Health competences. Clinicians will find this helpful in planning an educational programme that supports their career development and in negotiating their access to educational opportunities. This information can be accessed at the Skills for Health website. To access the website log on with user name UEL and password E154LZ