Epidemiology and Surveillance of Healthcare Acquired Infections CPD Award

What is special about this course?

Surveillance and investigation of cases or outbreaks of infectious disease within the population is a key function of the prevention and control of infection. Anyone working in this field should have an awareness of the routine data available, its limitations and how it might best be used to influence practice.

Using current examples of outbreaks across the world, the CPD Award Epidemiology and Surveillance of Healthcare Acquired Infections is a master’s level module, introducing the concepts of epidemiology, surveillance, statistics and how to use data to inform infection prevention and control. You will develop practical, statistical and critical analysis skills that you can apply directly to your workplace.

Who should apply?

• NHS staff currently on bands 5 and 6 of the NHS Career Framework Ladder working in Infection Prevention and Control roles.
• Healthcare professionals working in roles associated with the control of infection who wish to acquire a better understanding of HAI surveillance, cohort studies and rates of infection.

For more details or informal discussion about the module, please contact: 
MSc.ic@uhi.ac.uk

Special features

• Fully online delivery gives flexible access to study and can therefore fit around work and personal commitments.

Entry requirements

• 2:1 Degree in a relevant healthcare subject and at least 3 years professional experience in a related field OR
• Evidence of study at SCQF level 10 in a healthcare subject and employment in related field

Recognised European or international equivalent qualifications are considered. If English is not your first language, you must have evidence of your English language skills. All non-UK students must have one of the three options below: 
 

• IELTS at 6.5 or above, taken no more than two years prior to the start date of the course
• TOEFL at 90-100, taken no more than two years prior to the start date of the course
• Cambridge English Qualifications: C2 Proficiency

CPD Award

The module will cover:

• An introduction to local, national and international HAI surveillance systems
• Analysis of data including an introduction to the principles of variation and statistical significance
• Basic interpretation of results inclusive of examining sources of bias and confounding and cause versus association
• Closing the surveillance cycle: application of data to practice and evaluation of interventions
• Epidemiological study design (descriptive and analytical; inclusive of cohort, case control)
• Introduction to reportable and notifiable diseases
• Measures of association
• Principles of epidemiology (time, place and person)
• Principles of surveillance of HAI
• The importance of definitions and methods in surveillance inclusive of validity and reliability

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) or assessed as rest of the UK for fee status, the following fees apply:

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. These students will get an automatic fee scholarship.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union, studying online from their home country, or assessed as international for fee status, the following fees apply:

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international postgraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

This course is not available for international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.