Infection Prevention and Control MSc
Course code B990
What is special about this course?
Promoting and developing best practice in the field of infection prevention and control is a pressing issue for professionals and the community as a whole. The issues facing hospital and community staff evolve quickly and IPC practitioners must be equipped to respond appropriately.
This innovative postgraduate course in Infection Prevention and Control has been designed to help you deal safely and effectively with infection risks. You will develop your confidence and expertise in the management and implementation of infection control change.
If you have to deal with infection as part of your job, or if you’d like to widen your knowledge and be in a position to apply for more senior posts in infection control, the MSc Infection Prevention and Control can help you achieve these goals.
Special features
- The course is delivered online through the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE), enabling you to fit your study around your personal and professional commitments, wherever you are in the world
- You can choose to study individual modules for continuing professional development (CPD), or work towards the PgCert, PgDip, or full masters degree
- Specialist modules at PgDip and MSc level allow you to specialise in areas of particular relevance to your career
- The course content contributes to the development of the core dimensions in the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF): communication; personal and people development; health, safety and security; quality; and equality and diversity
- Students can complete the university’s Skills and Employability Award whereby you gain recognition (not academic credit) for a range of activities you take part in addition to your studies to help you stand out from the crowd and demonstrate the skills you have, prepare for a real interview and impress prospective employers
Entry requirements
- 2:1 honours degree in a health subject
- Applicants with an ordinary degree or below, but with a minimum of three years experience and/or evidence of successful completion of relevant CPD study at SCQF level 10
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) may also be considered
- All students should be in employment in a relevant area
Access routes
- Three years relevant experience and/or evidence of successful completion of relevant CPD study at SCQF level 10
PgCert
Core modules are:
- Micro-organisms and disease
- Decontamination
- Epidemiology and surveillance of healthcare associated infections
PgDip
Core module:
- Host defence and protection
Option modules, from which you choose two, may include:
- Healthcare outbreak management
- Informatics in health and social care
- Qualitative inquiry*
- Research methods and techniques*
- Introduction to patient safety in integrated health and social care environment
- The built environment
*You must choose one of these modules if you wish to continue to the MSc
MSc
To achieve the award of MSc Infection Control you must complete a research dissertation related to your professional field.
How will I study my course?
- Part-time (structured): 60 credits in an academic year
- Part-time (unstructured): less than 60 credits in an academic year
- You will study through supported online learning using the university's virtual learning environment (VLE)
- We also strongly recommend that you attend a 1.5 day online induction during the university's postgraduate weekend which is offered at the beginning of September
- Assessments are varied and include essays/case study essays, reflection on laboratory visits, discussion board contributions, reports, electronic or poster presentations, research proposal and dissertation
How long will my course last?
- Part-time (structured) (MSc): 3 years is available to students who can commit 28 hours study per week for two of the six semesters (14 hours per week for the remaining semesters)
- Part-time (unstructured) (MSc): 4 years @ 14 hours per week
The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in discussion with tutors and your own time spent on individual study and research.
Where can I study my course?
- Inverness - You can study this fully online programme from anywhere in the world. You will be enrolled and supported by staff at UHI Inverness.
Start date
- September
- January
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.
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £584 | £610 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £1,752 | £1,830 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) | £3,504 | £3,660 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) | £5,256 | £5,490 |
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:
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £780 | £840 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £2,340 | £2,520 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) | £4,680 | £5,040 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £7,020 | £7,560 |
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.
| 2024-25 | With scholarship | 2025-26 | With scholarship | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £1,110 | £833 | £1,200 | £900 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £3,330 | £2,499 | £3,600 | £2,700 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) | £6,660 | £4,998 | £7,200 | £5,400 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £9,990 | £7,497 | £10,800 | £8,100 |
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:
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £1,110 | £1,200 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £3,330 | £3,600 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) | £6,660 | £7,200 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £9,990 | £10,800 |
This course is not available to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
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.
Funding
Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying part-time can apply for a tuition fee loan from SAAS. You must be intending to complete the course in no longer than twice the length of time it would take for a full-time student. For example, if your course is available to full-time students as a one-year programme, you will be funded for a maximum of two years' part-time study. If your course does not have a full-time option, you must complete within three years. You can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £7,000, which will be paid pro-rata for each academic year of study.
Full details can be found on the SAAS website. Applications for loans open in April.
Students from the rest of the UK who meet the eligibility requirements may be able to apply for a loan from the Student Loan Company.
Additional costs
- Travel and accommodation costs for the induction weekend
- Dissertation printing costs (approx. £100.00)
What can I do on completion of my course?
- This MSc Infection Prevention and Control opens up opportunities for career advancement through continuing professional development (CPD)
- NHS staff currently on bands 5 and 6 of the NHS Career Framework Ladder can progress to bands 7, 8 and to Consultant
- You will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to apply for senior posts in infection control and other health protection related posts
Can I progress into further study?
Progression to PhD study may be possible.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
Apply for Infection Prevention and Control MSc
If you are a returning student and wish to continue your studies from PgDip level, please contact msc.ic@uhi.ac.uk for more information.
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.