MSc in Caring for Children and Young People with Complex Needs
Belfast, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 21,500 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* EU and international student
Introduction
Advances in medical care and technology now mean many more children are living with complex healthcare needs and life-limiting illnesses. The programme aims 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.
Caring For Children And Young People With Complex Needs Highlights
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
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.
Modules of 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.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
We offer prestigious, competitive scholarships of up to 50% off tuition fees to new international students. You must have an offer to study a full-time course with us in 2025 to apply for a scholarship.
Curriculum
Core Modules
- Perspectives of family-centred health & social care (20 credits)
- Applied Research Methods and Statistics in Healthcare (20 credits)
- Qualitative Research Methods (20 credits)
- Dissertation (60 credits)
- Childhood and Youth Research in Practice (10 credits)
- Enhancing care and practice for children with complex health care needs (20 credits)
- Perspectives on Childhood and Youth (10 credits)
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 provide 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 research in the dissertation module.
Assessment
Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:
Modules are assessed by a variety of methods, for example, written assignments, exams, 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 an 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.
The MSc will be awarded with Distinction to a student who achieves a dissertation and an average mark exceeding 70 per cent.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
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.
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 by a world-leading university, but you'll also have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this the Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
Student Testimonials
Program delivery
Duration
- 3 years (Part-time)
- 1 year (Full-time)
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 practices in learning, teaching and student support to enable students 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 and 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.