MSc Clinical Dermatology
Hatfield, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
5 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: The MSc Clinical Dermatology at The University of Hertfordshire trains clinicians in dermatology. It recruits UK, EU and international doctors, nurses and pharmacists with two years' experience. Assessment includes assignments, presentations, tests, projects and OSCE. Includes a Quality Improvement Project and evidence-based, inter-professional learning. Completion doesn't confer specialist status; British Association of Dermatologists guidelines apply.
Career Outcomes: Graduates manage chronic skin conditions and boost employability, progressing to senior, specialist, academic, private or government roles, taking leadership to improve patient care. Many students self-fund; some obtain awards from governments, scholarships or employers, with career opportunities in NHS and global healthcare.
"Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, examinations may be replaced by an alternative form of assessment during the academic year 2021/2022. Please refer to the Programme Specification on these pages for further details."
The M.Sc. Clinical Dermatology has been developed to meet the needs of practitioners with a special interest in skin disease whilst benefiting from shared, inter-professional learning. This dermatology programme is unique in that it recruits both UK/EU and International doctors and allied health professionals to this specialist masters degree and provides a range of taught postgraduate dermatology modules. Places are limited, so early application is recommended.
The M.Sc. Clinical Dermatology is aimed at practitioners wanting to undertake further specialist training and develop career aspirations in dermatology and skin integrity. This postgraduate course offers a structured academic programme in clinical dermatology with an emphasis on the management of chronic skin conditions but does not focus on cosmetic dermatology procedures. Aesthetic practitioners with clinical experience in dermatology who wish to increase their knowledge of chronic skin disease are welcome.
Who should apply?
Clinicians wishing to develop expertise and gain experience in dermatology and skin disease including hospital doctors, family practitioners, aesthetic practitioners, specialist nurses and pharmacists.
Students will be allowed time for vacation over Christmas, Easter and August. The majority of students are self-funded, though some obtain awards from their respective Governments, scholarships and employers.
*Disclaimer: This programme is designed and intended for educational purposes only. Completion of the course and possession of the MSc does not endorse the practitioner to consider themselves a specialist in dermatology. The current British Association of Dermatologists guidelines outlines the essential requirements for fulfilling the role of GPwSI in Dermatology and Consultant Dermatologist in the UK. Local guidelines apply to overseas students who should consult with the relevant governing body.
Assessment
The M.Sc. Clinical Dermatology is assessed using a variety of assessment strategies including written assignments, presentations, poster development, short-answer tests, projects and clinical performance (O.S.C.E.). Students are expected to apply coursework to their own clinical practice environments.
Completion of a Quality Improvement Project at the end of the programme provides an opportunity to learn more about quality improvement methodologies such as data collection, problem definition and diagnosis, generation and selection of potential changes and implementation and evaluation of those changes with support from specialist supervisors. Many students go onto implementing their specific project, making changes in dermatology practice, leading teams, and enhancing patient care.
The MSc Clinical Dermatology consists of six modules (30 credits each) of 12 weeks duration covering the core dermatological curriculum delivered using a mix of face-to-face teaching and online learning at the School of Postgraduate Medicine, University of Hertfordshire, UK.
Key features
- Part-time and Full-Time mode of delivery
- A flexible programme of study
- A choice of specialist modules
- Flexible delivery modes (technology-enhanced learning)
- Shared multidisciplinary learning
- A range of exit options: MSc, PGD, PGC
- Lectures from respected subject specialists
- Clinical skills teaching and focus on practice
- A mix of home & international students provides a global perspective
- Approachable tutors providing a high level of student support
- Clinically relevant assessment strategies
- Two intakes per year: September and January
- Credits may be awarded for prior learning (APCL)
MSc Clinical Dermatology 180 credits
Postgraduate Diploma Clinical Dermatology 120 credits
Postgraduate Certificate Clinical Dermatology 60 credits
Level 7
- 7LMS0251 - Evidence-Based Practice – Online Learning
- 7LMS0174 - Chronic Skin Conditions
- 7LMS0176 - Health Technology & Innovation
- 7LMS0175 - Mind and Skin
- 7LMS0266 - Service Development Project - Online learning
- 7LMS0172 - Recognition and Management of Skin Lesions
- 7LMS0171 - Skin Surgery Skills
- 7LMS0173 - Therapeutics of Skin Conditions
- 7LMS0158 - Leadership in Practice
Course Description
Topics covered include the burden of skin disease, diagnostic techniques, skin histopathology, disorders of the skin and mucous membranes, environmental and lifestyle factors, immunology and biology, cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease, inflammatory skin conditions, the microbiology of the skin, pigmented skin diseases, skin cancer, surgical intervention, evidence-based practice, information retrieval and critical analysis, research methods, practical skills, the psychological impact of skin disease, patient education and optimal service delivery.
A practical skills theme runs throughout the programme. This is supported by significant clinical teaching and assessment.
Modular Structure
Specialist compulsory modules (30 credits each)
- Therapeutics Skin Conditions
Optional specialist modules (30 credits each)
- Chronic Skin Conditions
- Mind and Skin
- Recognition and Management of Skin Lesions (requires professional registration in the UK)
- Skin Surgery skills (requires professional registration in the UK)
Optional modules common interest (30 credits each)
- Leadership in Practice
- Health Technology and Innovation
Compulsory core modules (30 credits each)
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Service Development Service
- develop methods of inquiry and skills required to research and advance dermatology practice using an in-depth current and relevant evidence base.
- provide knowledge and understanding to foster the further development of critical, contemporary, evidence based and patient-centred practice in dermatology
- develop a systematic advanced knowledge and understanding of the application of specialist dermatology to practice in the context of multi-professional and inter-professional working in the contemporary healthcare setting
The programme is offered in full time (12 months) and part-time modes (2-5 years), and leads to the award of M.Sc. Clinical Dermatology or the following interim awards Postgraduate Diploma Clinical Dermatology, Postgraduate Certificate Clinical Dermatology or any specialist dermatology module can be studied on an individual basis.
The part-time pathway is for UK & EU practitioners and is designed to be studied alongside full-time employment or international students who are studying/residing in the UK on an appropriate visa due to significant commitment to study.
The full-time pathway is reserved for either UK & EU practitioners who are not currently employed for more than 2 days per week due to a significant commitment to study or International students studying in the UK with a Tier 4 Student Visa. Modules are taught throughout the academic year. Students are required to attend all timetabled teaching sessions which are arranged into study blocks usually of 2 – 3 days duration which provides flexibility for part-time students to fit study commitments into their busy professional lives. Part-time students are expected to study approximately ten hours per week in order to successfully complete this programme, full-time students significantly more.
The M.Sc. Clinical Dermatology tailor’s knowledge, skills & assessment to the needs of NHS employers and the global healthcare sector to provide a highly relevant curriculum that facilitates the development of specialist practitioners and increases students employability.
The M.Sc. Clinical Dermatology is designed specifically for clinicians with a special interest in dermatology after gaining at least two years of general clinical experience. The programme aims to develop methods of inquiry and skills required to advance dermatology practice using an in-depth current and relevant evidence base. It has an emphasis on clinical skills as well as the scientific, evidence base underpinning contemporary dermatology practice. At the end of the programme, you will feel confident in treating and managing patients with a range of commonly presenting skin disease.
Other students have pursued the career pathway of academic lecturers and specialist dermatology practitioners while some international graduates have gone on to work in private practice and specialist government positions in their own countries. On graduating, students benefit from increased employability and are often promoted to senior leadership positions.
