Programme Overview
- The benefits of undertaking a Programme of study with us
- The Programmes we offer
- The credit system
- Duration & Cost
- How to Apply
Further Programme Information:
The benefits of undertaking a Programme of study with Education for Health
Undertaking an individual module will enable you to develop skills in a specific area of clinical care. These modules are validated by the Open University at either degree level (NQF Level 6), diploma level (NQF Level 5) or Masters level (NQF Level 6). Many students undertake several individual modules throughout their clinical career. Undertaking a programme of study allows you to bring these modules together in a cohesive manner resulting in you achieving a qualification that is recognised and valued by employers.
The modular design of our degree and diploma programmes ensures that there is flexibility for you to adapt your programme throughout your studies to allow you to study modules that are directly relevant to your ever-changing clinical role. Masters level modules are available only as part of one of the postgraduate or Masters programmes. Within these programmes you will have flexibility to chose optional modules which compliment your clinical role.
By successfully completing a programme of study with us you and your employers can be confident that you have developed skills which will be of significant benefit to you, your workplace and the patients you care for.
The Programmes we offer
Education for Health offer the following programmes, all of which are validated by the Open University. For both the Degree and Diploma programmes you can chose to study either a Long Term Conditions, Respiratory or Cardiovascular pathway. Clicking on the link for the programme that you are interested will provide you with more information about that programme:
- Diploma of Higher Education in Long Term Conditions
- BSc (Honours) Degree in Long Term Conditions
- Masters in Respiratory Care
For more information about Degree and Diploma programmes visit the Programme Overview (PDF)
Diploma of Higher Education in Long Term Conditions
The Diploma of Higher Education in Long Term Conditions is a flexible programme for health professionals working with people with long term conditions. It has been designed to enable you to study for modules which are directly relevant to your workplace, and to offer flexibility to adapt to changes in your role during your studies.
The programme is suitable for practitioners with an interest in developing their skills and knowledge base in the care of people with Long Term Conditions. By completing the diploma programme you will be able to provide enhanced care in line with national guidelines. The practical focus of the training will ensure that knowledge and skills developed throughout the programme are directly transferable to the clinical setting, having a positive impact on patient outcomes.
The programme offers flexibility for you to choose a pathway to suit your individual needs.
There are three options within the Diploma Programme:
- The Diploma of Higher Education in Long Term Conditions
- The Diploma of Higher Education in Long Term Conditions (Cardiovascular Pathway)
- The Diploma of Higher Education in Long Term Conditions (Respiratory Pathway)
For each of the options within the diploma programme you will need to complete the following:
- Total number of credits required: 240
- Total number of credits awarded for Health Professional registration (or equivalent): 120
- Total number of credits to be obtained through study: 120
Please note that modules are validated in accordance with the National Qualification Framework (NQF) academic levels; NQF Level 5 is diploma level, equivalent to HE Level 2. NQF Level 6 is degree level, equivalent to HE Level 3.
1. To complete this award you would need to study the following compulsory modules:
| Compulsory modules | Academic Level |
Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Holistic Care for people living with Long Term Conditions | NQF Level 5
|
15 |
| Bringing Evidence to Practice | NQF Level 5
|
15 |
2. And 30 credits from any of the cardiovascular optional modules shown below:
| Diploma level Cardiovascular modules (NQF Level 5) | Credit points |
Degree level Cardiovascular modules (NQF Level 6) | Credit points |
|---|
| Heart Failure | 30 |
Heart Failure | 30 |
| Diabetes as a Cardiovascular Disease | 30 |
Diabetes as a Cardiovascular Disease | 30 |
| Cardiovascular Disease Risk | 30 | Cardiorespiratory Symptoms: Assessment & Diagnosis | 30 |
| Coronary Heart Disease | 30 | Cardiorespiratory Symptoms: Long Term Management & Palliative Care | 30 |
| Stroke in Primary Care | 30 | Principles of Managing Long Term Conditions | 15 |
| Smoking Cessation | 15 | Evidence based Healthcare | 15 |
| Hypertension | 15 | ||
| Atrial Fibrillation | 15 | ||
| Improving Health | 15 | ||
3. And 30 credits from any of the respiratory optional modules shown below:
| Diploma level Respiratory modules (NQF Level 5) | Credit points |
Degree level Respiratory modules (NQF Level 6) | Credit points |
|---|
| Asthma (includes paediatric route) | 30 |
Asthma (includes paediatric route) | 30 |
| COPD | 30 |
COPD | 30 |
| Allergy (includes paediatric route) | 30 | Allergy (includes paediatric route) | 30 |
| Working with children living with Long Term Conditions | 30 | Working with children living with Long Term Conditions | 30 |
| Smoking Cessation | 15 | Cardiorespiratory Symptoms: Assessment & Diagnosis | 30 |
| Tuberculosis | 15 | Cardiorespiratory Symptoms: Long Term Management & Palliative Care | 30 |
| Spirometry | 15 | Spirometry | 30 |
| Improving Health | 15 | Principles of Managing Long Term Conditions | 15 |
| Evidence based Healthcare | 15 |
4. And a further 30 credits from any of the optional modules shown above.
Please note that when selecting your modules, you will be unable to study the same module at both Level 5 and Level 6 (eg, Asthma at NQF Level 5 and Asthma at NQF Level 6). Modules which appear as both respiratory and cardiovascular optional modules can only be studied once as part of your programme.
Diploma of Higher Education in Long Term Conditions (Cardiovascular Pathway)
1. To complete this award you would need to study the following compulsory modules:
| Compulsory modules | Academic Level |
Credit points |
|---|
| Holistic Care for people living with Long Term Conditions | NQF Level 5
|
15 |
| Bringing Evidence to Practice | NQF Level 5
|
15 |
2. And 90 credits from any of the cardiovascular optional modules shown below:
| Diploma level Cardiovascular modules (NQF Level 5) | Credit points |
Degree level Cardiovascular modules (NQF Leve 6) | Credit points |
|---|
| Heart Failure | 30 |
Heart Failure | 30 |
| Diabetes as a Cardiovascular Disease | 30 |
Diabetes as a Cardiovascular Disease | 30 |
| Cardiovascular Disease Risk | 30 | Cardiorespiratory Symptoms: Assessment & Diagnosis | 30 |
| Coronary Heart Disease | 30 | Cardiorespiratory Symptoms: Long Term Management & Palliative Care | 30 |
| Stroke in Primary Care | 30 | Principles of Managing Long Term Conditions | 15 |
| Smoking Cessation | 15 | Evidence based Healthcare | 15 |
| Hypertension | 15 | ||
| Atrial Fibrillation | 15 | ||
| Improving Health | 15 | ||
Please note that when selecting your modules, you will be unable to study the same module at both Level 5 and Level 6 (eg, Heart Failure at NQF Level 5 and Heart Failure at NQF Level 6).
Diploma of Higher Education in Long Term Conditions (Respiratory Pathway)
1. To complete this award you would need to study the following compulsory modules:
| Compulsory modules | Academic Level |
Credit points |
|---|
| Holistic Care for people living with Long Term Conditions | NQF Level 5
|
15 |
| Bringing Evidence to Practice | NQF Level 5
|
15 |
2. And 90 credits from any of the respiratory optional modules shown below:
| Diploma level Respiratory modules (NQF Level 5) | Credit points |
Degree level Respiratory modules (NQF Level 6) | Credit points |
|---|
| Asthma (includes paediatric route) | 30 |
Asthma (includes paediatric route) | 30 |
| COPD | 30 |
COPD | 30 |
| Allergy (includes paediatric route) | 30 | Allergy (includes paediatric route) | 30 |
| Working with children living with Long Term Conditions | 30 | Working with children living with Long Term Conditions | 30 |
| Smoking Cessation | 15 | Cardiorespiratory Symptoms: Assessment & Diagnosis | 30 |
| Tuberculosis | 15 | Cardiorespiratory Symptoms: Long Term Management & Palliative Care | 30 |
| Spirometry | 15 | Spirometry | 30 |
| Improving Health | 15 | Principles of Managing Long Term Conditions | 15 |
| Evidence based Healthcare | 15 |
Please note that when selecting your modules, you will be unable to study the same module at both Level 5 and Level 6 (eg, Asthma at NQF Level 5 and Asthma at NQF Level 6).
BSc (Hons) in Long Term Conditions
The BSc (Hons) in Long Term Conditions is a flexible programme for health professionals working in the cardiovascular and respiratory fields. It has been designed to enable you to study for modules which are directly relevant to your workplace, and to offer flexibility to adapt to changes in your role during your studies.
The programme is suitable for practitioners with an interest and responsibility for managing patients living with long term conditions and developing and providing services to this group. By completing the BSc programme you will be able to provide high quality care in line with national guidelines. The practical focus of the training will ensure that knowledge and skills developed throughout the programme are directly transferable to the clinical setting, having a positive impact on patient outcomes.
The programme offers flexibility for you to choose a pathway to suit your individual needs.
There are three options within the Degree Programme:
- The BSc (Hons) in Long Term Conditions
- The BSc (Hons) in Long Term Conditions (Cardiovascular Pathway)
- The BSc (Hons) in Long Term Conditions (Respiratory Pathway)
For each of the options within the degree programme you will need to complete the following:
- Total number of credits required: 360
- Minimum number of credits awarded for Health Professional registration: 120
- Maximum number of credits to be obtained through study: 240
Please note that modules are validated in accordance with the National Qualification Framework (NQF) academic levels; NQF Level 5 is diploma level, equivalent to HE Level 2. NQF Level 6 is degree level, equivalent to HE Level 3.
1. To complete this award you would need to study the following compulsory modules:
| Compulsory modules | Academic Level |
Credit points |
|---|
| Principles of Managing Long Term Conditions | NQF Level 6
|
15 |
| Evidence Based Healthcare | NQF Level 6
|
15 |
| BSc Project | NQF Level 6
|
30 |
2. And 60 credits from any of the cardiovascular optional modules shown below (at least 30 at Level 6):
| Diploma level Cardiovascular modules (NQF Level 5) | Credit points |
Degree level Cardiovascular modules (NQF Level 6) | Credit points |
|---|
| Heart Failure | 30 |
Heart Failure | 30 |
| Diabetes as a Cardiovascular Disease | 30 |
Diabetes as a Cardiovascular Disease | 30 |
| Cardiovascular Disease Risk | 30 | Cardiorespiratory Symptoms: Assessment & Diagnosis | 30 |
| Coronary Heart Disease | 30 | Cardiorespiratory Symptoms: Long Term Management & Palliative Care | 30 |
| Stroke in Primary Care | 30 | ||
| Smoking Cessation | 15 | ||
| Hypertension | 15 | ||
| Atrial Fibrillation | 15 | ||
| Improving Health | 15 | ||
| Holistic Care for people living with Long Term Conditions | 15 | ||
| Bringing Evidence to Practice | 15 | ||
3. And 60 credits from any of the respiratory optional modules shown below (at least 30 at Level 6):
| Diploma level Respiratory modules (NQF Level 5) | Credit points |
Degree level Respiratory modules (NQF Level 6) | Credit points |
|---|
| Asthma (includes paediatric route) | 30 |
Asthma (includes paediatric route) | 30 |
| COPD | 30 |
COPD | 30 |
| Allergy (includes paediatric route) | 30 | Allergy (includes paediatric route) | 30 |
| Working with children living with Long Term Conditions | 30 | Working with children living with Long Term Conditions | 30 |
| Smoking Cessation | 15 | Cardiorespiratory Symptoms: Assessment & Diagnosis | 30 |
| Tuberculosis (includes paediatric route) | 15 | Cardiorespiratory Symptoms: Long Term Management & Palliative Care | 30 |
| Spirometry | 15 | Spirometry | 30 |
| Improving Health | 15 | ||
| Holistic Care for people living with Long Term Conditions | 15 | ||
| Bringing Evidence to Practice | 15 | ||
4. And a further 60 credits from any of the optional modules shown above.
Please note that when selecting your modules, you will be unable to study the same module at both Level 5 and Level 6 (eg, Asthma at NQF Level 5 and Asthma at NQF Level 6). Modules which appear as both respiratory and cardiovascular optional modules can only be studied once as part of your programme.
BSc (Hons) in Long Term Conditions (Cardiovascular Pathway)
1. To complete this award you would need to study the following compulsory modules:
| Compulsory modules | Academic Level |
Credit points |
|---|
| Principles of Managing Long Term Conditions | NQF Level 6
|
15 |
| Evidence Based Healthcare | NQF Level 6
|
15 |
| BSc Project | NQF Level 6
|
30 |
2. And 180 credits from any of the cardiovascular optional modules shown below (at least 60 at Level 6):
| Diploma level Cardiovascular modules (NQF Level 5) | Credit points |
Degree level Cardiovascular modules (NQF Level 6) | Credit points |
|---|
| Heart Failure | 30 |
Heart Failure | 30 |
| Diabetes as a Cardiovascular Disease | 30 |
Diabetes as a Cardiovascular Disease | 30 |
| Cardiovascular Disease Risk | 30 | Cardiorespiratory Symptoms: Assessment & Diagnosis | 30 |
| Coronary Heart Disease | 30 | Cardiorespiratory Symptoms: Long Term Management & Palliative Care | 30 |
| Stroke in Primary Care | 30 | ||
| Smoking Cessation | 15 | ||
| Hypertension | 15 | ||
| Atrial Fibrillation | 15 | ||
| Improving Health | 15 | ||
| Holistic Care for people living with Long Term Conditions | 15 | ||
| Bringing Evidence to Practice | 15 | ||
Please note that when selecting your modules, you will be unable to study the same module at both Level 5 and Level 6 (eg, Heart Failure at NQF Level 5 and Heart Failure at NQF Level 6).
BSc (Hons) in Long Term Conditions (Respiratory Pathway)
1. To complete this award you would need to study the following compulsory modules:
| Compulsory modules | Academic Level |
Credit points |
|---|
| Principles of Managing Long Term Conditions | NQF Level 6
|
15 |
| Evidence Based Healthcare | NQF Level 6
|
15 |
| BSc Project | NQF Level 6
|
30 |
2. And 180 credits from any of the respiratory optional modules shown below (at least 60 at Level 6):
| Diploma level Respiratory modules (NQF Level 5) | Credit points |
Degree level Respiratory modules (NQF Level 6) | Credit points |
|---|
| Asthma (includes paediatric route) | 30 |
Asthma (includes paediatric route) | 30 |
| COPD | 30 |
COPD | 30 |
| Allergy (includes paediatric route) | 30 | Allergy (includes paediatric route) | 30 |
| Working with children living with Long Term Conditions | 30 | Working with children living with Long Term Conditions | 30 |
| Smoking Cessation | 15 | Cardiorespiratory Symptoms: Assessment & Diagnosis | 30 |
| Tuberculosis (includes paediatric route) | 15 | Cardiorespiratory Symptoms: Long Term Management & Palliative Care | 30 |
| Spirometry | 15 | Spirometry | 30 |
| Improving Health | 15 | ||
| Holistic Care for people living with Long Term Conditions | 15 | ||
| Bringing Evidence to Practice | 15 | ||
Please note that when selecting your modules, you will be unable to study the same module at both Level 5 and Level 6 (eg, Asthma at NQF Level 5 and Asthma at NQF Level 6).
Masters Level: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Respiratory Care
The MSc in Respiratory Care is a flexible programme for health professionals working in the respiratory field. It has been designed to enable you to study for either a Post Graduate Certificate, Post Graduate Diploma or a full MSc in Respiratory Care. The programme includes compulsory modules in respiratory disease and research methodology as well as a number of option modules including education, palliative care, global perspectives, non-pharmacological management and psychosocial factors of respiratory care.
The programme is suitable for practitioners with a specialist interest in respiratory services and will enable you to provide high quality respiratory care in line with National Guidelines. It will develop leaders in respiratory care, able to influence change and educate others to drive the respiratory agenda forward.
Year 1:
| Compulsory Module | Advanced Respiratory Management (45 credits) |
|---|
| Optional modules to complete one of the following in Year 1: |
|---|
| Education to influence practice (15 credits) |
| Global perspectives in Respiratory Care (15 credits) |
| Non-pharmacological management of respiratory disease (15 credits) |
| Palliative care in end stage respiratory disease (15 credits) |
| Psychological factors of respiratory disease: impact on patient management (15 credits) |
Year 2:
| Compulsory Module | Advanced Respiratory Management (15 credits) |
|---|
| Optional modules to complete one of the following in Year 2: |
|---|
| Education to influence practice (15 credits) |
| Global perspectives in Respiratory Care (15 credits) |
| Non-pharmacological management of respiratory disease (15 credits) |
| Palliative care in end stage respiratory disease (15 credits) |
| Psychological factors of respiratory disease: impact on patient management (15 credits) |
Year 3:
| Compulsory Module | Individual project (60 credits) |
|---|
You have the flexibility to step off the programme at the end of year 1 or year 2 and you will be awarded the appropriate qualification.
All study days for the MSc are held in Warwick.
Students for whom English is not their first language need to provide proof of their proficiency in the English Language, such as IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 5.5 together with proof of their identity.
View our MSc programme page for further details...
The credit system
To successfully complete your programme you must obtain a number of credits. Each module that you undertake has been assigned a certain number of credits under the Credit Accumulation Transfer (CAT) scheme. Individual modules are usually assigned 15 or 30 CAT points at a designated academic level Diploma, Degree or Masters.
The credit value and level have been determined by the Open University. This decision is based on a number of factors but includes the length of the module and the depth of knowledge required.
How many credits do I need to complete a programme?
- Diploma level programmes - 240 CAT points
- Degree level programmes - 360 CAT points
- Postgraduate certificate - 60 CAT points at NQF Level 6
- Postgraduate diploma - 120 CAT points at NQF Level 6
- MSc in Respiratory Care - 180 CAT points at NQF Level 6.
Students who enrol on our Degree or Masters programmes must be a registered health professional. If you are not a registered health professional but have experience working in a relevant field, you may be able to undertake our diploma programme. Please contact us to discuss your needs.
For our degree and diploma programmes your health professional qualification will automatically give you 120 credits towards your programme, leaving you only a further 120 to obtain for your diploma or 240 credits for your degree. These credits can be obtained from a combination of study and / or accreditation of prior study at either Education for Health or another institution.
For all diploma programmes a maximum of 60 credits can be transferred, which when added to the credits you receive for your Health Professional registration means that you will only have 60 credits left to study.
For degree programmes you can transfer a maximum of 120 credits from previous study, leaving only 120 credits to study to obtain your degree. If your nursing qualification was a nursing diploma, this will automatically exempt you from needing to undertake any diploma level modules, and you will need to complete only 120 credits at degree level.
For all postgraduate courses you can transfer up to 50% of the total number of credit points required, as long as your previous study is directly relevant to your programme.
All transfer of credits is considered on an individual basis. Please contact the relevant programme administrator for further information. To obtain your credits through study you will need to complete a range of different modules. Please follow the link to the programme that you are interested in studying for more information about the modules that are included within your programme.
Duration & Cost
Undergraduate Degree and Diploma programmes:
For diploma programme you have a maximum of 3 years from the time of your registration to complete your programme. Most students take between 2 and 3 years. For the degree programme there is a maximum time of 5 years from the time of registration, but again, many students take less time than this.
The cost of completing a programme will vary for individual students depending on the combination of modules studied and the number of credits from prior study that you are entitled to use as exemptions. Once you have decided which modules you would like to undertake you can calculate the cost of your programme using the following information.
| Diploma Level Module | Degree Level Module |
|---|---|
| 15 credits - £415 | 15 credits - £415
|
| 30 credits - £595 | 30 credits - £655
|
You are free to change the modules that you wish to study at any time during your programme, as long as you fulfil the requirements of the specific programme that you are studying.
Please note: There is an additional Open University registration fee of £335 for the degree programme and £315 for a diploma programme. This is a one-off fee that must be paid in full at the time of your application as this registers you as a student on an Open University programme.
Postgraduate programmes:
Our Post Graduate programme of study is designed to offer you flexibility in your learning. It is therefore possible for you to register purely for the Post Graduate Certificate or the Post Graduate Diploma. You can also register for the Post Graduate Diploma and step off at the Post Graduate Certificate, or register for the MSc, but step off at either the Postgraduate Certificate or post Graduate Diploma.
It usually takes 3 years to complete the full MSc programme, however it is possible to extend this to allow you to step off and back on again within a reasonable timeframe.
The cost of completing the Post Graduate programme is shown below:
UK or BFPO Students:
Post Graduate Certificate £1,950 (1 year)
Post Graduate Diploma £3,800 (2 years)
Full MSc Degree £4,995 (3 years)
Overseas Students:
Post Graduate Certificate £2,500 (1 year)
Post Graduate Diploma £5,000 (2 years)
Full MSc Degree £7,000 (3 years)
Please note: There are additional Open University registration fees for any of the postgraduate programmes:
PostGraduate Certificate £90
PostGraduate Diploma £150
Full MSc Degree £240
These are a one-off fee that must be paid in full at the time of your application as this registers you as a student on an Open University programme.
How to Apply
Undergraduate Degree and Diploma programmes
Applicants for admission to the degree programme must be a health professional with an interest in respiratory or cardiac disease or long-term conditions.
Applicants for the diploma programme may also be health professionals. We also accept applicants from a relevant clinical area who are not health professionals. Please contact us directly to discuss your application and the suitability of the programme for you.
There are no requirements for previous levels of formal academic study but if you have not studied for a period of time we advise you to contact us prior to enrolling for a programme.
For further information please contact:
Laura Edwards - Undergraduate Programmes
Tel: +44 (0)1926 838969
Email General Enquiries
Please forward the relevant completed Application Form along with your payment to:
Laura Edwards
Undergraduate Programmes
Education for Health
10 Church Street
Warwick CV34 4AB
Post Graduate programmes
Applicants for admission to the programme must normally be one of the following:
- A health professional with a special interest in respiratory disease
- A graduate with a relevant honours degree (e.g. clinical science) from a recognised UK degree awarding body
- Holder of a relevant postgraduate certificate or diploma
Other applicants who do not meet these criteria must be able to demonstrate their ability to study at masters’ level.
For further information please contact:
Jan Cook - Msc & Academic Team Administrator
Tel: +44 (0)1926 836842
Email General Enquiries
Please forward the relevant completed Application Form along with your payment to:
Jan Cook
MSc & Academic Team Administrator
Education for Health
10 Church Street
Warwick CV34 4AB.
