Healthcare Quality Improvement PgCert
Course code B9HQ
What is special about this course?
Are you interested in influencing or effecting changes that will lead to better outcomes for patients or users of health and social care services? Do you wish to encourage quality improvement across your organisation? If you would like to be a future quality improvement leader then this PgCert Healthcare Quality Improvement will be of interest to you.
There is increasing interest across the world in innovative approaches to improving quality, and reducing waste, harm and variation in both the public and private sector. Despite a decrease in mortality from cancer, heart disease and stroke, and an associated increased life expectancy, there is a growing demand for health and social care services. There is therefore an urgent need to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of health and social care services to ensure they meet the current and predicted future needs of the population.
This programme will give you the opportunity to learn quality improvement methods and approaches. You will combine the practical application of several quality improvement methods, including the Model for Improvement, Lean, and Patient Safety approaches, with a deep theoretical understanding that can be applied to a wide range of health and social care contexts. The course includes an emphasis on the critical analysis of improvement methods and the use of quality improvement tools and techniques, to address waste, harm and variation in the health and social care system. It also reviews person-centred quality care including principles, key drivers and the impact of human interactions on adverse events.
The course is open to a wide range of individuals including nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, care workers, health care scientists, health care managers and administrators, facilities and estates staff. It is also suitable for people working in health and social care settings in charities or the independent sector, and who have an interest in, or responsibility for, quality improvement.
Special features
- 100% overall student satisfaction (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2021 and 2022)
- The course is delivered part time, online, which means you can fit your studies around your work and personal commitments
- Developed and taught in collaboration with a team of healthcare professionals, academic and industry experts
- You will develop a toolbox of techniques that can be applied to a wide range of health and social care contexts
- You will have the opportunity to meet fellow students and tutors by attending the online virtual induction, usually held early September. This is a half day event, and we strongly recommend that all new students attend
- You can study individual modules for personal or professional development, or work towards the full PgCert
- Successful completion of this programme will allow you to progress on to our MA Health and Wellbeing.
- Staff teaching on the programme won the UHI HISA Award for Best Online Tutor in 2019 (and were Highly Recommended in 2020)
Entry requirements
- 2:1 honours degree, or equivalent, OR
- Postgraduate diploma award or a professional qualification recognised as being equivalent to an honours degree
- Applicants with a 2:2 honours degree or below, an ordinary degree or DipHE in a relevant subject, plus relevant professional experience may also be considered through successful completion of the admissions essay.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and/or Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) may also be claimed
- All students should be in employment and/or engaged in voluntary activities
PgCert
You will study the following modules:
- Introduction to Lean quality improvement in health and social care (S1)
- Lean is a quality improvement approach that developed in industry and is now widely used in service industries and in health care. This module aims to increase your job competencies and develop professional potential by improving skills and understanding of Lean methods in quality improvement. You will also develop your knowledge of quality improvement definitions and principles, as well as key policy drivers, and the impact that management and supervisory practices have on the conduct of quality improvement.
- Improvement science: enhancing quality in health and social care (S2)
- This module aims to contribute to the development of a cadre of effective improvement leaders who focus on the centrality of person-centredness to quality care; essential within the broad health and social care professions. It includes review of the application of the Model for Improvement in health care environments.
- Introduction to patient safety in integrated health and social care environments (S1)
- This module aims to increase your job competencies and develop professional potential by improving skills and understanding in patient safety. You will also develop your knowledge of patient safety definition and principles as well as key policy drivers and the impact human interactions have on the reduction of adverse events.
How will I study my course?
- Part-time (unstructured)
- Your lectures, tutorials and other materials will be accessible via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE). Online seminars will be arranged for set times
- You will receive regular support from your tutors and peers through online discussions and email. Telephone support can be available by arrangement
- Modules are normally studied in order, one per semester, taking 18 months to complete the award of PgCert Healthcare Quality Improvement
- Assessment is varied and includes discussion board contributions and reflections, case study assignments and reports
How long will my course last?
- Part-time (unstructured): 18 months
Where can I study my course?
- North, West and Hebrides
- This is a fully online course. You will be enrolled and supported by staff at UHI North, West and Hebrides
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 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) studying online from home, 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 |
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 |
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 |
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
This course is not available for 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
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.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Successful completion of the PgCert Healthcare Quality Improvement will lead to enhanced employment opportunities.
Can I progress into further study?
Successful students may wish to progress on to a masters level qualification such as our MA Health and Wellbeing.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
I developed an interest in quality improvement and healthcare safety throughout my nursing career, and I wanted to take this to the next level. The various approaches the tutors brought, looking at quality improvement in the healthcare environment, in different way. The highlight for me was being able to lift the theory from the course content and apply it to different healthcare settings. The variety of the students on the course was really valuable- I learnt to relate the course content to a variety of healthcare settings.
The Improvement science: enhancing quality in health and social care module, being able to apply the methodology and tools for change, was directly applicable for my work, and has helped me to do my job better. What you get from studying and understanding the theory behind what it is you are trying to do, is so powerful, it just encourages you to keeping learning.
Sara studied the PgCert Healthcare Quality Improvement at UHI North, West and Hebrides.
I’ve been interested in quality improvement within the NHS, where I’ve worked for 20 years. I work in clinical governance and wanted to study quality and patient safety. The highlights have been meeting different people, sharing ideas and hearing what they are doing in their areas of work, and learning about the innovate ways of improving quality in the workplace. The online course provides flexibility, so you can fit in study around work and family.
I currently work in clinical governance, and I deal with adverse events, and looking at sharing advice from adverse events. One of the main aspects is quality and patient safety, so this course will help me in my day to day. I’d say to go for it! I’ve really enjoyed the course, the experience has definitely been worthwhile.
Lorraine studied the PgCert Healthcare Quality Improvement at UHI North, West and Hebrides.
The experience I gained on the course was invaluable: not only did it provide detailed information on the methodology of quality improvement, it also gave us the rare opportunity to discuss ideas and opinions with our peers and lecturers.
The experience has made me more considered and reflective in my work: I find myself questioning and seeking information and alternative views more regularly to gain greater insight. My confidence has grown and it's rewarding to see the improvements reflected in my work environment.
Sue studied the PgCert Healthcare Quality Improvement at UHI North, West and Hebrides.
Apply for Healthcare Quality Improvement PgCert
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