The details
Location: Online Mode of study: Part-time Qualification: MSc Indicative duration: 2 years
Start date: Awarding body: University of Essex Delivered by: Kaplan Open Learning For queries: Call +44 (0) 1206 489 358

Do you believe that a prevention is better than a cure? Are you interested in finding out about the wide range of global diseases and how you can help to prevent outbreaks? Then look no further than our online MSc Infection Control.

On this advanced-level postgraduate course you will learn how to prevent and control the spreading of infection. You will gain the latest knowledge and understanding of infection control practice, enabling you to make improvements in your chosen area. You’ll learn how to develop and implement strategies to reduce the spread of infection and respond appropriately to future outbreaks. You’ll improve your ability to advise policy makers and other clinicians on matters relating to infection.

Throughout this course, you’ll explore a broad range of topics including:

  • the science of identifying and isolating pathogenic organisms to assist in the diagnosis, management and treatment of patients
  • the scientific concepts underpinning infection control and prevention
  • the impact of infectious diseases and their control in a variety of settings

Finally, you’ll get an opportunity to conduct an original research project on a topic of interest aligned to an area that is of relevance to your industry.

Why we’re great

  • You’ll have to opportunity to attend Question and Answers sessions with fellow students where you can ask questions that are relevant for your own area or expertise.
  • You’ll be assessed through a variety of methods including discussion forums, assignments and presentations. You’ll also be able to pick optional modules to tailor your learning to your interests.
  • You’ll have the opportunity to gain feedback from fellow students, giving you a chance to network with other students from around the globe and gain insight about global practices from them.

The MSc Infection Control is made up of the following modules and, upon completion, is equal to a total of 180 credits.

Optional modules: choose three.

Explore the fundamentals of microbiology, including the historical significance, transmission phase and finally, infection control. This engrossing module will encourage you to think critically about microbiological discovery and current practices, while contemplating future scientific research in this area.   

Communicable disease control varies significantly across the globe. In this insightful module, you’ll gain an insight into epidemiology, infectious diseases and communicable disease control in practice. Advance your studies further by managing real outbreaks of infection in community or hospital environments and discover how to successfully mitigate future risks.  

This innovative module provides an in-depth overview of infection control across healthcare and clinical settings. You'll consider a range of infection control interventions and quality improvement tools, giving you the ability to explain the importance of control for staff and patient protection, as well as the wider impacts on public health.  

This in-depth module introduces you to both the theoretical and practical issues in the research process, with a strong emphasis on health and social care. By the end, you’ll have developed a critical awareness of the ethical issues that can arise and be able to successfully demonstrate both quantitative and qualitative analysis upon completion.  

Take your studies to the next level with this defining module.  Align a topic of interest within your postgraduate journey with an independent research project and develop a valuable array of transferable skills, such as time management, organisation and communication.  

Throughout this insightful module, you’ll discover how health promotion activities can drive positive health-related behaviours. Engage with case studies from peer-reviewed literature to further examine how health promotion can be applied using real-world scenarios. 

Looking to progress into management? Develop an advanced skillset that’s valuable across a range of roles with this exciting module. All key theories and methods are shaped across six overarching themes: communication, leadership & management, reflective practice, problem-solving, personal development and action learning.  

In this comprehensive module, you’ll discover the main principles of epidemiology, while embarking on interesting statistical concepts and the analysis of key trends. Apply a theoretical and practical approach to learning and become better-informed about the broader public health environment.  

Form a fundamental understanding of the key sciences linked to disease management with this informative module. You’ll study a wide range of topics – including physiology, pathology and pharmacology – and on completion, you’ll feel empowered to evidence clinical manifestations of disease and their management.   

How do effective management and leadership skills drive healthcare organisations towards their objectives? In this innovative module, you’ll look at the theory behind leadership and ways to successfully judge performance using diagnostic tools. Then upon completion, you'll create your own personal development objectives based on assessments.  

Teaching methods

Studying online gives you the freedom to study when and where it suits you – at home, during your lunch hour or anywhere else you have internet access.

Our courses are delivered through a virtual learning environment (VLE) instead of a traditional campus. This means you will have access to your study materials 24/7, including:

  • multimedia lecturecasts made up of written content, short videos, animation, audio recordings, infographics, short tests and mini-assignments
  • discussion forums for you to chat about the course content with fellow students
  • live Q&A sessions with your tutors
  • a comprehensive eLibrary of textbooks and academic journals
  • support from academic staff and your dedicated Student Support team

To ensure you receive the support you need from your tutor, we cap our class sizes at 20 students.

 

Assessment methods

Rather than fretting about exams, you will be assessed exclusively through assignments. This can be by engaging in discussion forums throughout your modules, completing reflective journal entries, or by submitting longer written pieces.

We are committed to providing frequent and transparent feedback through the following ways:

  • Our assessment criteria are designed to be simple and transparent.
  • You will always be aware of your current provisional grade, right from the start of the programme.
  • You will be able to view your marks clearly in your gradebook whenever you log onto the learning platform.
  • There is a 7-day turnaround for marking and feedback of assessed work.
  • You will have regular contact with your Student Support team, with whom you can discuss any concerns as soon as they arise.

 

Study duration

Our MSc Infection Control has an indicative study duration of 2 years, which is a guide to how long your course will take to complete. The actual duration may be longer or shorter depending on your speed of study, study options chosen and module availability.

It’s possible to complete your studies faster than the indicative course duration by doubling up on modules at certain times; however, minimum study durations do apply.
Our academic year is organised into modules, typically with a one- or two-week break between modules and a structured three-week break for the Christmas period. Students will receive a course timetable during the application process.

All of our courses have regular start dates throughout the year.

On successful completion of your degree, you will be invited to attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Essex, Colchester Campus.

You may already be working within a specialist infection control role. Studying this course will help you gain a more senior position – either in infection control, environmental health or other healthcare professions. Plus, you’ll develop key skills such as report writing, communication, time management and critical thinking.

Gaining a postgraduate qualification with the University of Essex Online also puts you in good stead for your career prospects. Results from our 2021 student survey showed:

  • 92% of students said their course helped develop their research skills
  • 89% of students say their studies fit with their future plans
  • Almost 60% said their studies had a positive effect on their career
  • 25% of students saw their salaries increase by up to 10%

We know that many people from non-traditional backgrounds would succeed on our courses! That’s why we offer two different entry routes, taking into account your prior work experience and relevant qualifications. You will also need to meet our English Language Requirements.

Additionally, you will need to pass your first assignment set within your two-week induction period of the course in order to continue with your studies.

 

Academic entry route

In order to satisfy the academic entry route requirements for our MSc Infection Control, you must have the following qualifications as a minimum:

  • an undergraduate degree from an approved institution, equivalent to a UK Honours degree, or a relevant professional qualification

 

Work experience entry route

In order to satisfy the work experience entry route requirements for our MSc Infection Control, you must meet the following criteria:

  • at least three years’ post-registration experience in a relevant field, supported by appropriate references

 

English language requirements

As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency with English is required. If English is not your first language, your English ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5. Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.

You don’t need to prove your English ability if you are a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries.

Full tuition fee:  

£12,167 UK / £12,428 International (2023-24) Δ 

  • Designated for postgraduate student loans in England. 
  • Simple monthly payment plan available, enabling you to spread the cost over the duration of your studies. 
  • Full payment discount of 5% if you pay upfront. 
  • Regional scholarship available for international students based overseas in eligible countries. 
  • Alumni discount of 10% of the tuition fee available if you are a previous graduate with the University of Essex or University of Essex Online. 
  • 10% corporate discount available when three or more of your employees study with us. 
  • 10% anniversary scholarship available to students who enrol from 1 July 2023.

 Please note, a maximum of two discounts or scholarships can be applied. The corporate discount can only be used in combination with our upfront payment discount, but not in conjunction with any other discount or scholarship. Find out more information about our discounts and scholarships here. 

Our course fees are fully inclusive – all teaching materials and required reading are included, and there are no hidden charges for assessments or resits.  

Δ All tuition fees shown are net of any applicable sales tax payable by you in your country of residence. Where we are required to add sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the tuition fees shown and confirmed during the payment process. 

Subject specialists, industry authorities and experienced academics: the tutors who teach modules on our MSc Infection Control are experts in the field of healthcare.

testimonials

Obinna Orjingene - Master of Public Health (MPH)

I was part of a medical team that supported Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) in North-East Nigeria. I was working in the emergency room and intensive care unit providing critical care to paediatric emergencies. In particular, I was looking after children who had fled armed conflict and were living in slum dwellings either with their parents or guardians. It was here that I was convinced Public Health was the way to go to progress my career.

Nine months of hard work later I was treating over 45,000 people.

I had a mandate to provide emergency primary health care as part of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) working in one of the newly liberated areas formally occupied by Boko Haram. As scary as this task was, failure was not an option for me. I was the only medical doctor deployed to the town of Banki. I had to establish a functional healthcare...

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