Course information
UK fee ÂŁ10,700
International fee ÂŁ24,500
Course description
Course description
Due to the ongoing impact of the global pandemic we have had to evaluate all of our courses to ensure that we adhere to Government guidelines to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff and students. This means that as we work through these changes the modules, delivery methods and assessments shown, including those shown for future years, are subject to change.
Harm resulting from unsafe healthcare is one of the ten leading causes of death and disability in the world today. While it seems inherently obvious that patient safety should be at the heart of everything we do in healthcare, the mechanisms for doing so are not always simple. Learning about quality and patient safety will equip you to lead change in healthcare that can make a real impact on the experiences and outcomes of patients. A sound theoretical knowledge of quality improvement and patient safety will help you to identify and design interventions for change that have the greatest chance of decreasing patient harm, improving patient experience and generating a sustainable positive working environment.
On our MSc, you will learn the practice and theories of healthcare quality and patient safety from our academics, who are leading world-class research in this area, and from experts in quality and safety at our NHS partners. Among the topics you will study are quality improvement methods, the influences on patient safety, methods and knowledge in the discipline of ergonomics and human factors, and the use of data for quality improvement and patient safety. You will also be supported to develop key transferable skills in critical appraisal, academic writing, project management and communication.
You can study full-time or part-time, giving you the flexibility to fit study around your existing work commitments, meaning you can enhance your career prospects without having to leave employment. It is, therefore, ideal for healthcare professionals who wish to increase their skills and knowledge of patient safety and healthcare quality.
Alternatively, you can gain a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) if you complete the two modules ‘Quality and Quality Improvement in Healthcare’ and ‘Patient Safety and Applied Human Factors’.
This postgraduate qualification can also be taken by students studying for an undergraduate medical degree as an intercalated MSc (iMSc).
Modules on this degree are also available as stand-alone CPD courses:
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
A good undergraduate degree (2:1) in a related field of study.
Or an equivalent professional qualification or substantial equivalent experience in a relevant field.
Intercalating medical students
You will need to have completed year 3 or 4 of your medical course, and be in the 9th decile or above of your degree. External candidates require a permission to intercalate letter from their current medical school. Learn more about intercalated degrees.
Accredited Prior Learning (APL)
If you have relevant Masters-level (level 7) credits completed during the last three years you may be eligible to apply for credits against your course modules. The maximum accreditation of prior learning is 60 credits for the PGDip and the MSc, and 30 credits for the PGCert. Exemptions are considered on a case by case basis.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 7.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum score of 6.5 in each element. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
Fees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in September 2024 (full-time or part-time)
- MSc: £10,700
- PGDip: £7,135
- PGCert: £3,565
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Did you know you can apply for a Government Postgraduate Loan? Find out if you're eligible. (MSc only; not available for PGDip or PGCert)
If you are a University of Leicester alumni, you may be eligible for the Centenary Alumni Discount which offers a 20% fee reduction.
International Students
Starting in September 2024 (full-time or part-time)
- MSc: £24,500
The PGDip and PGCert are not available to non-EU students.
You will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
From 2022 onwards, EU nationals will pay the International fee. If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
If you are a University of Leicester alumni, you may be eligible for the Centenary Alumni Discount which offers a 20% fee reduction.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Understanding quality and improvement will enable you to add value to any health care service you work in. This MSc will enable you to deliver tangible change to your environment in a way that inspires others to do the same and create a culture of better patient care. It can contribute to your career by offering skills that are in acknowledged shortage in healthcare.
Our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you – by email, phone or skype – with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience and more. From registration to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.
Related courses
Course structure
Modules
Modules
Core modules
- Quality and Quality Improvement in Healthcare
- Patient Safety and Applied Human Factors
- Measuring and Monitoring in Healthcare
- Leading, Managing and Organising Quality and Safety in Healthcare
Plus your Dissertation
Option modules
Choose two option modules from the following:
- Fundamentals of Applied Health Research
- Quantitative Methods for Quality and Safety in Healthcare
- Qualitative Methods in Applied Health Research
Individual modules are also available as stand-alone CPD courses.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
The University of Leicester has a world-renowned reputation. We are ranked in the top 20 in the world (and the top 5 in the UK) for clinical medicine, according to the 2020 Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities.
Our flexible approach allows you to balance study with your professional commitments. Choose to study standalone CPD modules, with the opportunity to build into a PG Cert, PG Dip or MSc.
Learn from the experts. Our experienced, research-active clinical and academic staff will share their expertise, providing you with the knowledge and practical skills to apply your professional life.
The Department of Population Health Sciences has approximately 140 academic, research, teaching, and support staff and around 100 taught postgraduate students, meaning that you will be supported throughout your time with us.
Teaching and learning
There is a balanced mixture of lectures, seminars and group work. Most modules are taught using a variety of methods in blocks of two teaching days a week for a total of six, or twelve, days per module. When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, and preparing coursework assignments and presentations.
Assessment includes written assignments (case studies, reports and essays) and presentations.
You will be allocated an academic supervisor for your dissertation exploring a current topic in quality and safety, which will be assessed by a 12,000-word written submission and a presentation.
Key dates
September 2024 start
- Application deadline: 9 September 2024 (Please note if you require a visa to study you will be required to submit your course application by 26 July 2024)
- Deposit payment deadline: 9 August 2024
- CAS request deadline: 6 September 2024
- 70% tuition payment deadline: 6 September 2024
Applying to intercalate
If you are a Leicester medical student wishing to apply to intercalate then you should follow the local application process as described in the process map on Blackboard. Intercalating students from other medical schools should apply via the relevant link below.
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Start Dates | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Quality and Safety in Healthcare | Qualification MSc | Duration 1 year, full-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Quality and Safety in Healthcare (intercalated) | Qualification MSc | Duration 1 year, full-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Quality and Safety in Healthcare | Qualification MSc | Duration 2 years, part-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Quality and Safety in Healthcare | Qualification PGDip | Duration 1 year, full-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Quality and Safety in Healthcare | Qualification PGDip | Duration 2 years, part-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Quality and Safety in Healthcare | Qualification PGCert | Duration 6 months, full-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Quality and Safety in Healthcare | Qualification PGCert | Duration 1 year, part-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
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