Critical Care (Online Learning)

Overview

Prospective students will often be working full time in professional roles and need a flexible approach to study. The Critical Care (Online Learning) programme at The University of Edinburgh is therefore designed as a part-time, fully online, MSc programme. 

You have the option of graduating after one, two, or three years with a postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma, or MSc respectively.

You will study core clinical subjects in year one and two of the programme, covering, but not limited to:

• recognition of critical illness

• initial treatment and stabilisation

• advanced organ system support

• coordination of care within the intensive care unit

• human factors

This will provide you with a comprehensive, practical, and evidence-based knowledge. This knowledge can easily be applied in clinical practice.

You will be able to customise your learning by choosing two elective courses at the end of year two.

Integrated into the programme is a graduated exposure to academic research practice in the core 'Unlocking the Literature' teaching theme. This starts in the second teaching block and builds over the first 2 years.

You will become equipped with the skills to access and appraise the biomedical literature. This will fuel your curiosity, and allow you to actively take part in clinical discussions:

• on the programme

• with colleagues in the workplace

You will develop as an independent and critical thinker. You will be able to appraise primary and secondary research (research synthesis), and incorporate its findings into:

• personal practice

• guidelines

• work improvement

For those choosing the MSc dissertation option, this learning will culminate in a supervised research, quality improvement, audit, or guideline development project.

Career opportunities

The programme will enhance your understanding and clinical knowledge in Critical Care, and improve your academic capabilities, providing opportunities to develop your career.

As a graduate of the programme, whether you are a nurse, doctor, paramedic or an allied health professional your professional and career development will be enhanced in the following areas:

• advanced clinical practice

• clinical leadership

• research

• training and education

By combining academic excellence with the University of Edinburgh’s world-class reputation, graduates from our programme are well placed to continue and advance their clinical careers within the NHS or other health services, pursue advanced academic study, or work in industry. Equally, graduates can expect to be academically confident and may choose to pursue academic careers in related fields.