MSc Practice Development

Course overview

If you’re an experienced practitioner looking for a professional edge, our masters course will provide a stimulating and engaging learning experience, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to be an innovator in your field.

We make it easier for you to reach your potential because flexibility and choice sit at the heart of our programme, so you can fit your studies around your busy life.

Why Choose University of Cumbria

Choose bespoke modules to suit your individual needs, create your own programme title and select whether you want to study full or part-time, at one of our campuses or from your own home.

Whatever your area of professional practice, our multidisciplinary modules enable you to evidence your learning in relation to your workplace.

If you’d like to take things gradually, start with a single module, building towards a Post Graduate Certificate (60 credits), followed by a Post Graduate Diploma (120 credits) and then a full Masters degree (180 credits).

Our aim is to see you become the best practitioner you can be and so we endeavour to give you the freedom and choice to study in a way that fits with your interests and lifestyle, even module-by-module, with support right along the way.

Course summary

As well as the core modules, you'll be able to take your pick from our list of optional modules, or from the stand-alone modules belonging to the department.

The core modules make up 100 credits of the course, and includes a 20-credit research methods module, a 60 credit dissertation module and a 20-credit module in either leadership or evidence based practice. This leaves you with 80 credits to study optional modules.

A unique feature of the course is that you will have the option to name your own award. To take this option, you will be required to complete a proposal form indicating the proposed title, providing evidence that at least 60% of the credit for the award is specifically focused upon the indicated subject area.

You will need to complete an induction prior to starting your first module. We have a comprehensive online induction package to welcome you to both the university and your programme of study; alternatively classroom-based induction days take place at our Lancaster and Carlisle campuses and are usually scheduled for the first week of each semester.

If you have studied at the University of Cumbria in the past two years, the requirement to attend the induction day may be waived.