Description
Programme Specification for the 2021/2 academic year
MRes Health and Wellbeing (SWDTC)
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MRes Health and Wellbeing (SWDTC) | Programme code | PTR1SHSPSYBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time |
Academic year | 2021/2 |
| Campus(es) | St Luke's (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
The MRes Health and Wellbeing aims to develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the social, biological, and environmental drivers of individual health behaviours and interventions appropriate to develop health and wellbeing. The programme is designed to extend your understanding of the social science underpinning the development of effective interventions, strategies and policies aimed at sustainable improvement in health and wellbeing, and reducing physical and psychological health inequalities. The programme examines contemporary issues related to modifiable disease risk behaviours, and the determinants and correlates of these lifestyle behaviours across the lifespan. You should develop an understanding of the interdisciplinary skills and processes to translate scientific research into practical health and wellbeing applications.
The programme aims to prepare you for a career as a professional researcher in either academic or non-academic environments. The programme aims to provide you with a range of transferable skills appropriate to Masters level research within this theme, and to provide you with a solid foundation for embarking on doctoral level studies. Upon graduation, you should be well equipped to progress to PhD study or work in the area of health and wellbeing policy and practice.
The MRes Health and Wellbeing forms part of the Economic and Social Research Council South West Doctoral Training Centre formed by the Universities of Bristol, Exeter, University of West England (UWE) and Bath to combine social sciences research excellence to create a critical mass of postgraduate training in the region. The MRes also forms the first year of a collaborative 1+3 (MRes + MPhil/PhD) pathway, which includes further collaborative elements with all three institutions.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
This programme focuses on lifestyle behaviours such as nutrition and physical activity, and their impact on public health and risks for chronic diseases. In doing so the programme will generate a unique integration of research groups. These research groups comprise researchers who engage in the latest critical thinking on health and wellbeing.
The programme links one of the ESRC ‘Research Challenges’ with a base of proven research expertise and experience in all three institutions. The programme is designed to optimise your opportunities to learn as part of the research-informed environment and to provide intensive research training that is directly linked to ongoing research. In parallel, the programme offers you opportunities to develop a range of skills (see intended programme outcomes). The distinctiveness of the programme is in the multidisciplinary contributors and in the way it draws together modules in diverse yet complementary disciplines, including: psychology, exercise and physical activity, geography, and public health. The research-intensive learning environment will expose you to the most current research in the field and provide a grounding in advanced research methods and techniques which will enable you to succeed in carrying out your own research at both master’s and doctoral level. The MRes programme is designed to provide research training that prepares graduates to move straight on to doctoral study, but also provides an exit point for those who do not wish to progress to the PhD.
The aims of the programme are to:
- Provide high quality core, subject-specific and interdisciplinary training in the field of Health and Wellbeing.
- Prepare you to become an effective researcher in your chosen field and to support you in successfully completing your MRes/PhD in a timely manner.
- Ensure that graduates of the MRes/PhD programme are well equipped for a range of careers and are desired by employers for their academic ability and high-level personal skills. Skills may include extensive and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the field, analytical and problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills in different media, and leadership and team working skills.
4. Programme Structure
Teaching will be on the St Luke’s and Streatham campuses with the exception of the two inter-institutional modules that will be co-delivered with the Universities of Bath, Bristol and West of England as part of the ESRC Doctoral Training Centre requirements.
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
http://sshs.exeter.ac.uk/students/modules/pg/
You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. You may also take optional modules from Bath and Bristol (timetabling and pre-requisites permitting). Due to the different credit rating of modules offered by Bath and Bristol Universities you may take up to a maximum of 190 credits.
You may take up to 30 credits of elective modules outside of the programme as long as you have obtained the explicit permission of the Programme Director, any prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.
Stage 1
135 credits of compulsory modules, 45 credits of optional modules made up of subject-specific modules from Exeter, Bristol or Bath
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| POLM063 | Qualitative Methods in Social Research | 15 | No |
| SSIM903 | Advanced Interdisciplinary Research Design | 15 | Yes |
| SHSM024 | Research Methods and Analytical Procedures | 30 | No |
| SHSM025 | Dissertation (Journal Article) | 60 | Yes |
| SHSM050 | Contemporary Debates in Lifestyle Behaviours and Public Health | 15 | Yes |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHS MRes H&W 2020-1 | |||
| GEOM106A | Contemporary Debates in Human Geography | 15 | No |
| PSYM202 | Behavioural Science Research Skills | 15 | No |
| PSYM204 | Advances and Methods in Social and Organisational Psychology | 30 | No |
| PSYM211 | Current Research Issues in Social and Organisational Psychology | 15 | No |
| PSYM214 | Methods in Cognitive and Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience | 30 | No |
| SHSM014 | Paediatric Exercise and Health | 30 | No |
| SHSM022 | Physical Activity in the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Disease | 30 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Define the social science underpinning the development of effective interventions, strategies, and policies aimed at (i) sustainable improvements in health and well-being and (ii) reducing physical and psychological health inequalities. | Lectures/presentations, seminars, group work, lab based sessions and virtual learning environment. | ILOs 1, 3 – Group presentations |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
5. Apply an interdisciplinary understanding and methodology to real-world health and well-being issues. | Lectures/presentations, seminars, group work, lab based sessions, virtual learning environment and work placement when applicable. | ILOs 5-12 – Group presentations ILOs 5-12 – Essay assignments ILOs 5-12 – Analysis of existing data sets |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
13. Examine the format and mechanisms for the dissemination of health and well-being research through involvement with professional bodies, including presenting conference papers, posters and journal articles, and the process of peer review. | Lectures/presentations, seminars, group work, lab based sessions, virtual learning environment and work placement when applicable. | ILOs 13-17 – Group presentations ILOs 13-17 – Essay assignments ILOs 13-17 – Analysis of existing data sets |
7. Programme Regulations
Programme-specific Award Rules
Under the SWDTC partnership agreement in order to accommodate differences in module size offered by the Universities of Bristol and Bath, students on this programme are allowed to take up to 190 credits.
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
You will be based in Sport and Health Sciences and will be allocated a Personal Tutor on arrival and can expect reasonable access to all teaching staff for academic tutorials through appointments. There is also a Director of Postgraduate Studies who will monitor student absences and progress, and meet any students needing additional support. In addition there is a Programme Director who will offer support and advice to all students on a programme and a dedicated careers and employability tutor to co-ordinate the interaction between you, careers service and the discipline.
In addition, you will be provided with
- Induction course before the start of the MSc
- Library induction sessions
- Student handbook and module guides
- Access to Discipline Disability Officer
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
(http://as.exeter.ac.uk/support/admin/staff/qualityassuranceandmonitoring/tqamanual/fullcontents/)
12. Indicators of Quality and Standards
The programme is not subject to accreditation and/ or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).
13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards
The University and its constituent Colleges review the quality and standard of teaching and learning in all taught programmes against a range of criteria through the procedures outlined in the Teaching Quality Assurance (TQA) Manual Quality Review Framework.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
University of Bath, University of Bristol, University of West England
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
MRes Health and Wellbeing (SWDTC)
19. UCAS Code
N/A
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | ECTS credits |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 01/10/2011 |
Date of last revision | 11/06/2019 |
|---|