Neonatal Medicine (MSc)
This programme provides a highly marketable academic qualification for hospital practitioners and trainees, nursing, paramedical and other professionals who are involved in the multidisciplinary care of neonates and very young children.
The MSc in Neonatal Medicine is open to medical doctors, nurse practitioners and other health professionals involved in neonatal healthcare. Entry to the dissertation stage for the MSc award requires completion of the Cardiff University Postgraduate Diploma in Neonatal Medicine.
This part-time distance learning course focuses on the study of clinical problems and therapeutic approaches specific to neonatal healthcare. The physiological and anatomical changes that occur during gestation and after birth influence clinical presentation and effective treatment strategies for sick and premature infants. Understanding the scientific basis for neonatal healthcare is vital to clinical decision making and managing the ethical and communication challenges faced by clinical teams every day.
The course aims to prepare clinicians to identify, critically appraise, plan and implement more effective treatments based on a sound knowledge of relevant research evidence, clinical practice, anatomy and pathophysiology.
Distinctive features
- The distance-learning format gives clinicians the flexibility to gain a postgraduate qualification alongside busy jobs
- The active involvement of clinical neonatologists and academics ensures there is both scientific rigour and relevance to day to day clinical work
- The dissertation allows students to explore an area of personal interest or relevance to their own clinical setting with the support of an academic supervisor
Key facts
| Next intake | October 2020 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years |
| Qualification | MSc |
| Mode | Part-time - distance learning |
| Other ways to study this course | |
| Contact |
Admissions criteria
To be eligible, applicants must have completed the Cardiff University Postgraduate Diploma in Neonatal Medicine.
In addition to satisfying the Cardiff University General Entrance Requirement, including English Language requirements, applicants will normally be:
- Qualified medical doctors holding the clinical professional qualification recognised as the required entry qualification for their clinical profession (i.e. MB.ChB. or equivalent).
- Qualified Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (ANNP) holding the clinical professional qualification recognised as the required entry qualification for their clinical profession (i.e. BN or equivalent) and in addition the training qualifying them to work as an ANNP (BSc / BSc and Postgraduate Certificate at MSc level / MSc, or equivalent).
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements
Entry to the MSc (dissertation stage) is dependent upon successful completion of the Cardiff University Postgraduate Diploma in Neonatal Medicine (not more than three years prior to the date you are applying to start the MSc).
The MSc stage continues for a further academic year after the Postgraduate Diploma, making a total of three academic years for the full MSc. This stage includes a 20,000-word dissertation worth 60 credits at Level 7, to achieve a total of at least 180 credits (including 120 credits from the Postgraduate Diploma) at Level 7 to complete the MSc programme.
The dissertation is weighted 50% for the purpose of calculating the final mark:
Stage Weighting
- Taught modules (from the Cardiff University Postgraduate Diploma in Neonatal Medicine) 50%
- Dissertation (stage R) 50%
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2020/21 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2020.
Year one
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Respiratory Care in Neonatal Medicine | MET851 | 20 credits |
| Cardiovascular Care in Neonatal Medicine | MET852 | 20 credits |
| Critical Care in Neonates | MET853 | 20 credits |
Year two
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Neurological Care in Neonatal Medicine | MET854 | 20 credits |
| Nutrition and Gut Function in Neonates | MET855 | 20 credits |
| Transportation of Neonates and Children | MET871 | 20 credits |
Year three
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation: Neonatal Medicine | MET850 | 60 credits |
How will I be taught?
Studies at MSc dissertation level will largely consist of guided independent study making use of the extensive learning and research facilities available. A project supervisor will be allocated to support and advise you on researching and writing up your specific dissertation topic. Supporting, formative material on research methods is delivered online via our online learning platform.
How will I be supported?
You will be allocated a personal tutor, for help and support with academic and pastoral needs, who you can contact to discuss progress and for advice and guidance as needed.
Feedback
Students will receive feedback throughout the duration of the programme from their supervisor/tutors. Formative feedback will be communicated through electronic and written means in a timely manner. Summative feedback on assessment will be delivered within the timeframes set by the University.
How will I be assessed?
The MSc dissertation stage will be wholly assessed based on the final dissertation.
What skills will I practise and develop?
By fully engaging in this course, you will have the opportunity to develop a wealth of skills and abilities you can apply to any professional setting. In addition to greater conceptual understanding of current knowledge, issues and methods, you will have the opportunity to practise and develop abilities in critical analysis, in the application of evidence based medicine and in dealing with complex issues systematically and creatively. Your studies should also help you develop your problem-solving and decision-making abilities by enabling you to utilise evidence effectively and communicate important concepts to colleagues and others. Through the dissertation you will have the opportunity to develop and enhance skills in such as literature review, critical evaluation, research design, research methodologies, data collection, data analysis and research principles.
In addition to the outcomes from the pre-requisite Postgraduate Diploma in Neonatal Medicine, by fully engaging in this course, you should be able to:
- Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of specialised and/or complex area(s) of study, and an ability to relate these to the subject chosen and their own professional context.
- Describe clearly the work carried out supported by cogent, evidence-based arguments to support the conclusions drawn.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and critical analysis of a level commensurate with Master’s level (QAA level 7) study research projects.
- Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and apply new ideas and concepts to your own professional setting.
- Systematically review literature and other evidence sources demonstrating critical analysis, synthesis and reflection to evaluate the strength and provenance of evidence.
- Explain clearly the methods used in the project and justify the choice of methods based on available evidence and logical argument.
- Deal with complex issues systematically and creatively.
- Demonstrate problem solving and/or decision making abilities in utilising evidence effectively and communicating important concepts.
- Explore a topic relevant to Neonatal Medicine and write a comprehensive project report that demonstrates good practice in research/audit and contributes to the development of the body of knowledge and/or clinical practice in the field.
As this programme is three years or over in duration and has a one year full time equivalent you will not be eligible for a postgraduate loan. The UK Government has more information about eligibility for postgraduate loans.
Tuition fees
UK and EU students (2020/21)
| Tuition fee | Deposit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| £4,850 | £1,000 |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
EU students entering in 2020/21 will pay the same tuition fee as UK students for the duration of their course. Please be aware that fees may increase annually in line with inflation. No decisions regarding fees and loans for EU students starting in 2020/21 have been made yet. These will be determined as part of the UK's discussions on its membership of the EU and we will provide further details as soon as we can.
Students from outside the EU (2020/21)
| Tuition fee | Deposit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| £7,850 | £1,000 |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Will I need any specific equipment to study this course/programme?
You will need a reliable computer with high speed Internet access (and up-to-date virus and malware protection) and appropriate software.
This programme is aimed at those who have completed the Diploma in Neonatal Medicine and wish to complete a research project or literature review to expand their academic knowledge on the subject.
This Masters programme enables you to demonstrate your abilities in critical analysis, problem-solving, decision-making, finding and using evidence and dealing with complex issues. Whilst we do not formally assess clinical skills or competencies in a face-to-face context (so the programme is not a substitute for a formal specialty training programme), studying at this level should help successful students demonstrate academic skills that are likely to be highly regarded for their career development and progression.
In particular, the programme offers opportunities to demonstrate the development of knowledge and skills in relation to the application of evidence-based medicine and the potential enhancement of local, regional and national services and governance frameworks. As such, it should provide evidence of commitment and potential that may assist you in taking on greater responsibilities or seeking management, research, scholarship, or leadership roles.
“After working as an Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner for over 20 years I was in need of a comprehensive update. The course provided an evidence-based review of neonatal care and is an ideal foundation for a career in neonatal medicine/advanced neonatal nursing practice or as an update for experienced clinicians. Year 3 provided an opportunity to undertake a detailed project in order to enhance care. Being supported to address an issue pertaining to my own area meant that I was able to address the prevention of CPAP failure in a low dependency neonatal unit in a systematic and structured way.
The weekly release of course materials divided into distinct parts made it easier to find short time slots to undertake the all the e-learning tasks in stages throughout the week. The shared discussion forums with tutors and fellow learners helped maintain momentum and motivated us all.
The MSc in Neonatal Medicine provides academic credibility to those in clinical roles and is suitable for trainees, non-specialist paediatricians with a commitment to the neonatal unit and senior nurses aspiring to develop within the role of Nurse Consultant.”
George Brooks, Neonatal Nurse Consultant and MSc in Neonatal Medicine alumnus
