Programme Specification for the 2024/5 academic year
PGCert Primary Care
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | PGCert Primary Care | Programme code | PCT1EMSEMS22 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Level 1 |
Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Campus(es) | St Luke's (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
Primary Care is recognised by the World Health Organisation as the most effective method of reducing healthcare and other social inequalities. However, primary care is poorly understood, underfunded, and sometimes overlooked, despite policy often emphasising its importance. Lack of understanding concerning the evidence and core principles of primary care is often the cause of this. This programme aims to address these issues whilst providing you with a career enhancing, internationally recognised qualification.
As care moves into more community-oriented settings, it is important that clinicians and health professionals from a wide range of areas have a basic understanding of the principles of primary care. These principles bring coherence to the many clinical conditions that present in generalist medicine. The University of Exeter has internationally recognised expertise in this area, having developed national and international curricula and novel teaching methods to deliver principle-based generalist medicine. The Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Care uses new ways of delivering healthcare education to give primary healthcare practitioners and policymakers the chance to develop expert, up-to-date knowledge, using cutting-edge technology. Developed by the University of Exeter’s Exeter Collaboration for Academic Primary Care (APEx), a nationally recognised centre of excellence in primary care research, in collaboration with the Royal College of General Practitioners, the programme aims to bring primary care professionals together from a wide variety of backgrounds to address shared problems. By focusing on the principles of primary care, rather than clinical knowledge (now widely available online), this programme aims to give you a thorough knowledge of the evidence behind primary care and enhance your ability to communicate the key principles of primary care through a thorough grounding in its fundamental principles and evidence base.
As the evidence for the effectiveness of primary care becomes more widely known, demand for expert knowledge will likely increase. Through participation in a meaningful change project (undertaken as part of this programme), you will have the opportunity to become a meaningful change agent, with the ability to shape and strengthen primary care from local to global levels.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The programme philosophy is the application of underlying principles, evidence and theories to real life practice. Through consistent focus on this, you will leave with transferable critical, analytic, communicative and change capabilities that take you well beyond undergraduate study.
The programme aims:
- To provide all students with a thorough knowledge of the evidence and key principles of modern primary care.
- To provide all students with the ability to apply the evidence and principles in clinical practice.
- Using knowledge of evidence and principles of primary care, to provide all participants with the necessary skills to engage successfully in changing and strengthening primary care – wherever they are and at whatever level they operate at.
We will deliver this by using a curriculum and resources that have been developed in Exeter and are used nationally and internationally such as digital textbooks, digital video textbooks and smart-glass technology. These resources are supplemented by an internationally renowned faculty, many of whom are engaged in the research behind much of the teaching material. Interactive, pre-programme learning will be applied to real-life clinical scenarios supported by specialist masterclasses and project work.
4. Programme Structure
The Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Primary Care is offered over one year, consisting of 60 credits of taught modules. It is Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). Programmes are divided into units of study called modules which are assigned a number of 'credits'. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work.
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the Faculty website: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/
In addition to the credit-bearing modules of this programme, all students on Postgraduate Taught Programmes must complete the 0-credit Master’s Level Learning module (click here) as part of their Induction.
Stage 1
30 credits of compulsory modules and 30 credits of optional modules
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPDM127 | Principles of Primary Care | 15 | Yes |
| HPDM185 | Applied Principles of Primary Care | 15 | Yes |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPDM163 | Advanced Clinical Reasoning in Primary Care | 30 | No |
| HPDM059 | Leading Change in Health Services | 15 | No |
| HPDM080 | Leadership in Healthcare | 15 | No |
| HPDM081 | Management in Healthcare | 15 | No |
| HPDM103 | Teaching Practitioner | 15 | No |
| HPDM105 | Education Essentials | 15 | No |
| HPDM142 | Principles of Supervision, Mentoring and Coaching | 15 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Understand and apply to clinical situations advanced clinical reasoning and communication strategies. | Online interactive preparation and learning (the flipped classroom), face-to-face masterclasses, small group video case analysis, real-time analysis of consultations using smart-glass technology. |
|
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
3. Understand the evidence that underpins primary care as the most effective discipline of care. | Online interactive preparation and learning (the flipped classroom), face-to-face masterclasses, small group work developing change strategies. | Critical analytic account, practical sessions, presentations |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
5. Demonstrate ability to clearly communicate complex ideas relevant to primary care in both clinical and managerial contexts. | Online interactive preparation and learning (the flipped classroom), face-to-face masterclasses, small group video case analysis, real-time analysis of consultations using smart-glass technology. |
|
7. Programme Regulations
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed Faculty assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both Faculty and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Student Handbook: A student handbook is available online on the Exeter Learning Environment.
Academic tutoring: It is University policy that all Faculties should have in place a system of academic tutors to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.
The University of Exeter Medical School provides support for postgraduate students. If you have a general query please contact PGT support via info.stlukes@exeter.ac.uk or call in to the Info Point in South Cloisters on the St Luke’s campus.
Student/Staff Liaison Committee: The SSLC enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision. SSLCs are set up for postgraduate programmes where this is requested by students and can meet on-line, if necessary.
Library Resources: There are three libraries at the University: the Health Library at RILD (Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital site); at the Medical School on the St Luke’s campus and the main library on the Streatham campus. Computing and printing equipment are available at these libraries. You will need your student card to access these. There is also an online library through the University website.
Student Feedback: Your feedback is important to us and you will be provided the opportunity to feedback through the Accelerate system. The link for this is found within each module on ELE.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
Not applicable to this programme.
18. Final Award
PGCert Primary Care
19. UCAS Code
Not applicable to this programme.
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | ECTS credits |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 30/05/2024 |
Date of last revision | 23/07/2024 |
|---|
