Study information

Programme Specification for the 2025/6 academic year

MSc Extreme Medicine (Part-Time, Distance Learning, 2-year)

1. Programme Details

Programme nameMSc Extreme Medicine (Part-Time, Distance Learning, 2-year) Programme codePTS2HCSHCS02
Study mode(s) Academic year2025/6
Campus(es)St Luke's (Exeter)
 NQF Level of the Final Award7 (Masters)

2. Description of the Programme

This unique programme is delivered in partnership between the University of Exeter Medical School (UEMS) and World Extreme Medicine (WEM). Combining one of the UK’s top research universities with the world's leading provider of specialist training courses for clinicians taking their skills into challenging environments, the MSc, PGDip and PGCert Extreme Medicine programme offers you unparalleled opportunities to develop your practical, theoretical and research skills, enabling you to work in clinical, leadership and research roles in this field.

The course provides unrivalled choices to develop your expertise through first-hand practical teaching in remote and austere environments from the bottom of the sea to outer space, and equatorial jungles and deserts to the arctic.   It is a distance learning programme, delivered through a combination of online learning and attendance at residential courses in the UK or overseas. Throughout the programme, you will develop the skills needed to work in physically demanding environments under circumstances of rapid change and uncertainty. Learning both practical skills and developing your knowledge and understanding across geographical and professional boundaries, you will develop capabilities that extend beyond clinical competence into areas including leadership, teamwork, resilience, conflict resolution and humanitarian relief. Students come from the wider healthcare community, including paramedics, nurses, doctors and military medics. 

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

As a student of the MSc programme, you will critically examine the challenges of providing safe and effective healthcare in a range of challenging environments. This will focus not only on evaluation of health issues to be expected in the field, but also the planning and preparation phase for any remote or wilderness activity. You will also learn to recognise and evaluate the unique ethical, professional and legal challenges of delivering medical care in challenging environments. The programme will develop the skills necessary to evaluate research literature, and manage the challenge of implementing health interventions where evidence may be weak or conflicting.

Short residential courses form key elements of the programme. They are designed to provide the challenge of learning in an unfamiliar environment and relying on collaboration and support of the other participants. Expert tutors will facilitate group discussions and project work and provide support for independent learning. Assessments are designed to provide opportunities for personal reflection, critical appraisal, evaluation and analysis to demonstrate the knowledge and skills gained throughout the programme. Students on the MSc programme also have the opportunity to undertake an extended independent research project on a topic relevant to their practice and the Extreme Medicine programme.

4. Programme Structure

The MSc Extreme Medicine is a 2-year part-time programme of study at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ) comprising 180 credits.

 

WEM residential courses

Students must undertake 6 different WEM residential courses overall as part of the 30 credit modules to complete the MSc.

Compulsory 30 credit modules:

HPDM100 Core Concepts: This module includes two residentials, one focusing on essentials of expedition management and one on human factors.

HPDM213 Extreme Physiology: Students select two WEM residentials from a menu that includes UK and international locations, in line with their academic and career interests.

HPDM212z Evidence-based Wilderness Medicine: This module does not include any residential courses.

For the optional modules:

HPDM167 Humanitarian and Disaster Relief: This module includes a compulsory Humanitarian Medicine residential and students will select one other from the WEM menu, in line with their anticipated theatre of practice.

HPDM211 Clinical Practice in Austere Environments: Students select two WEM residentials from a menu that includes UK and international locations, in line with their academic and career interests.

 

Interim / Exit Awards

Exit awards of PG Diploma and PG Certificate are available to students who have completed the relevant modules.

PG Certificate: Core Concepts and Extreme Physiology 

PG Diploma: All three x 30 credit compulsory modules and one further 1 x 30 credit optional module.

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: Extreme Medicine MSc (Distance) | Postgraduate Taught | University of Exeter

Stage 1

Compulsory Modules

Students must complete the following compulsory modules:

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
HPDM100 Core Concepts 30No
HPDM213 Extreme Physiology 30No
HPDM212z Evidence-based Wilderness Medicine 30No
HPDM148 Independent Research [Year 2]60Yes

Optional Modules

MSc students must choose one of the following optional 30 credit modules:

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
HPDM167 Humanitarian and Disaster Relief [Year 2]30No
HPDM211 Clinical Practice in Austere Environments [Year 2]30No

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. Critically evaluate the ethical and professional challenges and framework of providing healthcare in remote and/or extreme environments.
2. Plan and deliver healthcare support in a wide range of remote and austere environments, with consideration of wider logistical aspects of care including advance planning, communication, risk management and safety.
3. Demonstrate breadth of theoretical and conceptual knowledge of pathophysiology of illness and mechanisms and response to physical trauma, in the context of out-of-hospital injury in remote and austere environments.
4. Using the principles of evidence-based medicine, appraise the key decision-making processes to provide safe, effective healthcare in challenging environments where competing priorities and dealing with uncertainty are key components.

Residential course, including specialist tutorials, group discussion and project work, collaborative exercises, formative feedback from facilitators and peers, independent learning, in-depth reading and analysis in preparation of assignments.

1. Written assignment evaluating risk assessment, planning and implementation of expedition support in specified remote and extreme environments (ILOs 1,2,4).

2. Written assignments critically appraising the scientific basis of clinical practice (ILOs 3,4).

3. Formative feedback in scenario management in context of trauma workshop (ILOs 3,4).

4. Creation of teaching and management tools to support the delivery of evidence-based care in extreme environments (ILOs 3,4).

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:

5. Formulate research questions, identify aims and objectives, and clarify and justify choice of methodological approach.
6. Present a logically argued and clearly written project report that will aim to enhance knowledge and understanding of an area of practice at an advanced level (MSc only).
7. Prepare academic outputs in the form of a journal article and either an oral presentation or a poster.

Lectures, workshops, group discussion and project work, collaborative exercises, formative feedback from facilitators and peers, independent learning, in-depth reading and analysis in preparation of assignments.

Written assignments focusing on systematic review of evidence and recommendations for intervention, research design and delivery (ILOs 5,6,7).

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:

8. Reflect on the process and findings of your own scholarship and research and use this to inform your practice.
9. Communicate evidence-based practice effectively in writing and in person to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Residential course, including specialist tutorials, group discussion and project work, collaborative exercises, formative feedback from facilitators and peers, independent learning, in-depth reading and analysis in preparation of assignments.

Formative feedback, facilitator led but including peer feedback throughout residential course workshops and activities (ILOs 8 & 9).

Written assignments including management plans, research proposal (MSc only), independent research project (MSc only), Creation of learning aids and management tools (ILOs 8 & 9).

7. Programme Regulations

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

The University of Exeter Medical School (UEMS) follows the University policy to have in place a system of academic and personal tutors and a pastoral mentor. The role of academic tutors is to support you in your studies and each module lead will be the first point of contact in terms of advice and guidance; the programme lead will have oversight of the types of support needed as you progress through the programme; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with academic advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on issues such as personal difficulties. The Department of Health & Community Sciences Pastoral Mentor monitors the progress of all students and you can make an appointment with them to discuss your progress.  You can also make an appointment to see other staff members. During the residential components of the course, WEM faculty will be available to provide pastoral support, with remote backup available from UK-based staff.

All online learning resources for the MSc Extreme Medicine are published to students on an electronic learning environment, called Exeter Learning Environment (ELE). Students have access to the ELE site for each module on which they are enrolled, and also to the FHLS Postgraduate Taught (PGT) ELE site.

All Extreme Medicine students have access to services provided by the university for all postgraduate students, including study skills support, the library and wellbeing services, all of which can be accessed remotely:

Study Zone | Study Zone | University of Exeter

Library | Library | University of Exeter

Wellbeing Services | University of Exeter

Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.

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.

Applicants would normally be registered health professionals (In the UK or elsewhere). Where prospective students have significant training and experience (e.g. Mountain rescue) applications will be assessed in an individual basis, to ensure students have the academic background to underpin their learning. This course is unique in that it is taught in the field, on expeditions that can be physically demanding and without easy access to modern amenities. Due to the nature of the residential components with experiential learning in challenging environments, prospective students need to be able trek across challenging terrain for up to 8 hours a day and be prepared to sleep in basic accommodation including camping.

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.

(Quality Review Framework.

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

World Extreme Medicine (WEM)

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

Not applicable to this programme.

18. Final Award

MSc Extreme Medicine (Part-Time, Distance Learning, 2-year)

19. UCAS Code

N/A

20. NQF Level of Final Award

7 (Masters)

21. Credit

CATS credits

180

 ECTS credits

90

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

Level 1

23. Dates

Origin Date

31.03.25

 Date of last revision

22.05.25