This is a bespoke unit for Dorset HealthCare University Trust and is part of the Dorset HealthCare Leadership Development Pathway. 

Aims

All professionals are required to continuously engage in professional development, which is not only to identify and meet learning needs but also to apply the learning to practice. Professional development can be achieved either through work-related courses or activities, attendance at conferences/masterclasses, courses outside the university, sessions within the university or self-study. The aim of this unit is to provide a structure through which the learning gained can be acknowledged, and the student can critically reflect on the impact of the learning on both themselves and their workplace. Thus, the unit aims:

• To develop advanced scholarship knowledge/skills in a particular area through attending a structured learning event. 
• To develop skills in reflection and critical evaluation of self as a lifelong learner.
• To develop the application of learning in a complex and unpredictable professional context.
• To demonstrate reflection and evaluation of change in professional practice.

Important information: Please note that a one-hour group tutorial session will follow the teaching day.

At the master’s level, there is an emphasis on the requirement for an informed and critically considered stance to be apparent in both practice development and theory.

Students may study this unit at Level 7 if they have been awarded: 

• Undergraduate degree (honours or non-honours) 
• An equivalent qualification (the learning outcome of which is demonstrably appropriate in terms of knowledge, understanding and skills) equivalent to 120 credits at Level 6. 

If you do not meet the criteria, you are still able to apply for this unit, but we may ask you for evidence to confirm your employer will support you and/or ask you to complete pre-admission work. 

Fees and funding 

This unit is funded by Dorset HealthCare University Foundation Trust. Please ensure you have secured funding before applying. 

Your assignment will be in the form of a reflective essay and action plan.  It will need to demonstrate reflective critical analysis and evaluation of relevant acquired knowledge and learning, plus any impact/change this has had on others already via any feedback received, i.e., team members or colleagues. It should include an identified objective in terms of improving your effectiveness. It will be accompanied by an action plan that will be inserted at the end of the assignment, outlining the remaining tasks required to achieve the specified objective. It must also integrate some additional reading (via your organisation’s intranet materials for the programme, plus Bournemouth University library resources). 

Having completed this unit the student is expected to:

1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding and critical awareness of a body of knowledge gained as a result of a learning event(s). 
2. Critically evaluate the impact of the learning on yourself as an autonomous and independent learner.
3. Demonstrate application of new knowledge/skills in identifying and solving problems at a professional level.
4. Critically reflect on and evaluate any change/improvement in professional practice.
5. Critically review how the results of your new learning can be disseminated.

Course review:

In order to take advantage of new approaches to learning and teaching, as well as developments in practice to benefit our students we regularly review all of our courses. This course is currently going through this process and we will update this page to give you full information about what we will be offering once the review process has concluded.  These changes will come into effect for all new students from September 2025. Applicants will be notified by our admissions team of any changes.