Skip to Content
MSc|Postgraduate Taught

Caring for Children and Young People with Complex Needs

Entry year
2024/25
Entry requirements
2.2
Duration
1 year (Full-time)
3 years (Part-time)
Places available
- (Full Time)
- (Part Time)

Advances in medical care and technology now mean many more children are living with complex healthcare needs and life-limiting illnesses. The aim of the programme is to provide you with the knowledge, skills, training and education to work in caring for children and young people with complex health needs in a hospital and community setting. This interdisciplinary MSc is part of a suite of specialist programmes in childhood studies developed in conjunction with the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work.

This course will appeal to people working in relevant organisations including, children's nurses, allied health professionals involved in caring for children and young people, as well as those working for charities or non-governmental organisations.

Caring for Children and Young People with Complex Needs highlights

Student Experience

The MSc in Caring for Children with Complex Health Needs is flexible and designed to meet the needs of local and international professionals. The programme is delivered via a blended format of online and face-to-face learning and there are two exit points for this course.

Career Development

Graduates of this programme go on to leadership positions, developing evidence based improvements in the delivery of healthcare for children and young people with complex conditions.

Student Experience

Modules on this programme are delivered in a blended format, using online resources and tutorials, combined with interdisciplinary workshops where students from differing backgrounds can come together and share expertise and reflect on their experiences.

Student Testimonials

Course Structure

0

Core Modules

Perspectives on Childhood and Youth
Childhood and Youth Research in Practice
Enhancing Care and Practice for Children with Complex Health Care Needs
Perspectives of Family-centred Health & Social Care
Qualitative Research Methods OR Applied Research Methods and Statistics in Healthcare
Dissertation module

Introduction

The MSc programme includes two short compulsory modules, which run across three programmes that relate to childhood studies in the University, and three core modules. Further optional modules will enable students to choose a range of substantive health-related modules and provides the opportunity to choose modules from the associated programmes in the Schools of Social Science, Education and Social Work and the School of Psychology. Students will also undertake their own research in the dissertation module.

Optional Modules

Qualitative Research Methods
Applied Research Methods and Statistics in Healthcare
Independent Study Module
Successful Leading for Health & Social Care Professionals
Economic Impact of Childhood Interventions
Qualitative Research in Childhood & Youth
Foundations of Children's Rights
Evidence Based Practice
Childhood Disability and Rights


Please note that programmes may change and are subject to a minimum enrolment

People teaching you

Senior Lecturer

School of Nursing & Midwifery
f.lynn@qub.ac.uk

Contact Teaching Hours

Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial

9 (hours maximum)
blended teaching methods

Teaching Times

Morning / Evening / Afternoon

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities associated with this course are outlined below:

Learning Environment

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.

On the MSc in Caring for Children and Young People with Complex Health Needs we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners.

Teaching is across a combination of morning, evening and afternoon classes using a blended learning approach of face to face and online teaching. While many of the modules are taught online, this will include weekly scheduled online tutorials through group video calls.

Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course include; lectures, practical experiences, E-Learning technologies, Self-directed study and added value qualifications to enhance employability.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

  • Modules are assessed by a variety of methods, for example, written assignments, exam, project reports, and contributions to online forums. Students will have the option of undertaking research work to submit as part of their dissertation. The award of MSc requires the accumulation of 120 M points from the taught modules and a 15,000-20,000 word dissertation, equivalent to 60 M points.

What our academics say

PREV
Overview

NEXT
Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

  • Year 1

    Core Modules

    Dissertation (60 credits)

    Optional Modules

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in Nursing, Midwifery, Allied Health and Social Care Services, or related discipline.

Applicants with a 3rd Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) plus level 7 Post Graduate study will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants who do not meet the entry requirements but have a professional qualification may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Such applicants should contact the Programme Co-ordinator for advice.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31st July 2024 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

PREV
Modules

NEXT
Careers

Career Prospects

Introduction

There is increasing demand for postgraduates with high-level skills in interdisciplinary research, participatory research methods and knowledge of caring for children and young people with complex health needs. This degree is ideal for professionals involved in caring for and supporting these children/young people and their families within health and social care services and NGOs such as public officials, social workers and allied health professionals. Graduates of this programme progress into management and leadership roles, or continue into a research or education capacity.

Prizes and Awards

Applicants are welcome to apply for the Patricia Napier Scholarship. Details on this and other scholarships can be found here: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofNursingandMidwifery/Study/Scholarships/

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £7,300
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £7,300
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £9,250
EU Other 3 £21,500
International £21,500

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How do I fund my study?

The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.

A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.

More information on funding options and financial assistance - please check this link regularly, even after you have submitted an application, as new scholarships may become available to you.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

PREV
Careers

NEXT
Apply

How to Apply

Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Download a prospectus