Year three

How do I know if this is the right pathway for me?

This is the pathway for you if …

• You have an interest in the subject areas covered by the Year 2 courses and would like an opportunity to study those courses that you didn’t study in Year 2.
• There is no requirement in your current or future roles to complete a dissertation.
• Completing a dissertation research project would not be of benefit to you or your employer. 
• You would find it difficult to gather research data and undertake a research project in your current role, for whatever reason.
• Rather than graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma, you can achieve the full MSc qualification by studying 3 taught courses.

What will my timetable look like?

• The diagram on this page shows your timetable for the academic year and you would study from September to May.
• The Critical Literature Review course is a core (compulsory) course and runs from September to mid-November.
• You will choose one course in each of Semesters 2 and 3 that you did not study in Year 2.
• You will study courses in Semesters 2 and 3 alongside the Year 2 students.
• Please be aware that the order of the Semester 2 and 3 courses may change from those currently listed – but we will keep you updated.

What is the format of the assignments for these courses?

• For the Critical Literature Review course, you will submit a short formative assignment mid-course which does not carry marks.  The summative assignment is a written, structured critical review of no more than 3,000 words.
• For the other courses, the assignment will differ depending upon the courses you choose.
• Please email us for specific information: clinicaleducation@ed.ac.uk

Are these taught courses still at Master’s Level?

Yes, the courses are at Level 11 (in Scotland) and are at the same level as the 60 credit Dissertation and the Pathway 2 courses.

For this Pathway, which does not result in a dissertation, will this be looked upon less favourably by a future employer?

All 3 pathways are equally weighted and have been through a due diligence process with the University’s senior management team.  The scholarship and personal development involved in each pathway is the same and the end qualification is at the same level for all 3 pathways. 

All pathways result in the same exit award and there is no mention of the courses studied on the degree certificate (only on the transcript).

The main difference between the pathways is that in Pathways 1 and 2 you will study a breadth of topics, but with Pathway 3 (the dissertation), you will study one topic in much more depth. 

If you think you will be undertaking educational research in your current or future role, then you may wish to choose the dissertation so that you have the benefit of working one-to-one with an experienced dissertation supervisor.

If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances with us, please email us: clinicaleducation@ed.ac.uk

How do I know if this is the right pathway for me?

This is the pathway for you if …

• You are currently involved in, or will be involved in, work-based QI projects in your current or future role.
• You wish to study and examine the methods and factors to facilitate QI approaches and to apply this practically to your own professional practice.
• You wish to undertake an extended piece of scholarship which adds to the body of knowledge in the field of quality improvement.
• Completing a dissertation research project would not be of benefit to you or your employer. 
• There is no requirement in your current or future roles to complete a dissertation.

What will my timetable look like?

• The diagram on this page shows your timetable for the academic year and you would study from September to August.
• The Critical Literature Review course is a core (compulsory) course and runs from September to mid-November.
• You will start to plan your QI project prior to the start of the academic year (September), but won’t formally commence this 40 credit course until mid-November when you have completed the Critical Literature Review course.

Will I have a supervisor for the QI project proposal?

No, individuals won't have a supervisor in the same way you would if you studied the 60 dissertation research project.  All students will continue to have access to their Personal Tutor.

What is the format of the assignments for these courses?

• For the Critical Literature Review course, you will submit a short formative assignment mid-course which does not carry marks.  The summative assignment is a written, structured critical review of no more than 3,000 words.
• For the QI project proposal course (called Adopting quality improvement methodology approaches to clinical education) you will present your planned approach mid-course.  The summative assignment is in two parts: a presentation about your planned approach, and a comprehensive plan of your QI project (no more than 5,000) words.
• Please note that this does not include the execution of the planned project.  You will learn the planning process, the strategies for and the tools and theories behind, undertaking a Quality Improvement Project in your workplace.  You will also learn the strategies of evaluating your project once carried out, and how to maintain and improve your project in your workplace.

For this Pathway, which does not result in a dissertation, will this be looked upon less favourably by a future employer?

All 3 pathways are equally weighted and have been through a due diligence process with the University’s senior management team.  The scholarship and personal development involved in each pathway is the same and the end qualification is at the same level for all 3 pathways. 

All pathways result in the same exit award and there is no mention of the courses studied on the degree certificate (only on the transcript).

The main difference between the pathways is that in Pathways 1 and 2 you will study a breadth of topics, but with Pathway 3 (the dissertation), you will study one topic in much more depth. 

If you think you will be undertaking educational research in your current or future role, then you may wish to choose the dissertation so that you have the benefit of working one-to-one with an experienced dissertation supervisor.

If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances with us, please email us: clinicaleducation@ed.ac.uk

Your dissertation can either be empirical work collecting or generating new quantitative or qualitative data as a way of approaching your research.  Or a literature-based (sometimes called desk based) dissertation.  Or you may wish to submit your dissertation as a paper for publication with a supporting commentary.

How do I know if this is the right pathway for me?

This is the pathway for you if …

• You wish to study, in depth, a topic which has high personal and professional interest to you.
• You wish to undertake an extended piece of scholarship which adds to the body of knowledge in the field of clinical education.
• You are involved in, or wish to be involved in, educational research and wish to undertake a piece of work in greater depth which demonstrates your skills of investigation, analysis and research methodology.

What will my timetable look like?

You will start to plan for your dissertation prior to the start of the academic year (September) and will be asked to complete a dissertation proposal in July, and join some live conversations in the summer.

You will complete your dissertation between September and the end of July, working with your dissertation supervisor.  You will also be invited to join regular live conversations with your fellow dissertation students.

What is the format of the dissertation?

• A dissertation of maximum 15,000 words; or
• A paper for publication with supporting commentary (totalling a maximum of 15,000 words).

Will I have a supervisor?

Yes. An academic supervisor will be allocated for you if you choose the dissertation pathway. Although you are responsible for guiding your own learning through the dissertation, your supervisor will support you through this process.  All students will continue to have access to their Personal Tutor.

What about ethical approval for my research project?

We would ask you to speak with your dissertation supervisor as early as possible.  They will advise you on the process.

When will I need to decide?

We will email you in late April/early May to ask you to make an initial decision if you can.  We will run a live online Q & A session and will be happy to answer individual queries. 

You can discuss your options with us and make a final decision by the end of August.

Can I change my mind and move to another pathway?

Yes, it’s possible to do so if you give us some time to make alternative arrangements for you.  We would prefer your final decision by the end of August, but if there are exceptional circumstances, we can discuss these with you.  It will not be possible to change pathways once the academic year has started, so please take time to make the right decision for you.

What if I have other commitments and/or professional exams during Year 3?  What would you advise?

We would ask you to consider your other commitments during the academic year when making your decision.  For example, is it better to have more structure in your timetable, so will Pathway 1 or 2 be the best choice?  Or is it better to be more self-directed, if so Pathway 3 may be the best choice?  Ultimately, you need to decide what would suit you best based on your own learning style and your other commitments.  Talk to your family and friends, talk to your supervisor and talk to your Personal Tutor on the programme before you make your decision.

If I wish to study the dissertation pathway, can I also take individual courses from pathway 1 alongside it?

This would be very intensive and we not recommend this unless you have protected study time or are taking a sabbatical.  Please email us if you wish to discuss your situation: clinicaleducation@ed.ac.uk

Is it possible to pay for a 4th year and do the dissertation first, then study Pathway 1?

Yes, this is possible.  Please email us to discuss this further: clinicaleducation@ed.ac.uk

For Pathways 1 and 2, which do not result in a dissertation, will these be looked upon less favourably by a future employer?

All 3 pathways are equally weighted and have been through a due diligence process with the University’s senior management team.  The scholarship and personal development involved in each pathway is the same and the end qualification is at the same level for all 3 pathways. 

All pathways result in the same exit award and there is no mention of the courses studied on the degree certificate (only on the transcript).

The main difference between the pathways is that in Pathways 1 and 2 you will study a breadth of topics, but with Pathway 3 (the dissertation), you will study one topic in much more depth. 

If you think you will be undertaking educational research in your current or future role, then you may wish to choose the dissertation so that you have the benefit of working one-to-one with an experienced dissertation supervisor.

If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances with us, please email us: clinicaleducation@ed.ac.uk