Course Description/Details

The Work-Based Learning module is a Level 7 course designed for healthcare professionals and postgraduate students who wish to critically explore and improve an aspect of their own professional practice. The module provides a flexible, practice-focused approach to learning, enabling students to apply academic theory directly to real-world challenges within their workplace.

Students will undertake a structured project based on either a Situational Analysis or a Clinical Audit, using recognised frameworks such as WHO situational analysis, PESTLE, SWOT, and audit methodologies. This allows them to examine organisational, clinical, or system-level issues in depth and develop evidence-informed recommendations for improvement.

A key component of the module is critical reflection, where students evaluate their own professional development and decision-making using established reflective models. This supports the development of leadership, analytical thinking, and quality improvement skills.

The module is delivered fully online, with self-paced learning materials supported by flexible one-to-one tutorials, making it particularly suitable for busy clinicians balancing study with professional responsibilities.

By the end of the module, students will have developed the ability to:

• Critically analyse complex workplace challenges
• Apply structured analytical and quality improvement tools
• Integrate evidence with professional practice
• Reflect on and enhance their own professional development

This module is particularly relevant for those involved in service improvement, patient safety, clinical leadership, and healthcare innovation, and offers a valuable opportunity to produce work that can have a direct impact on practice.

Assessment details

The module is assessed through a single 5,000-word coursework assignment (100%), designed to evaluate the student’s ability to apply theory to their own professional context.

The assessment consists of two parts:

Part 1: Practice-Based Project (4,000 words)
Students will undertake either a Situational Analysis or a Clinical Audit focused on a relevant issue within their workplace. This includes applying appropriate frameworks (e.g. WHO situational analysis, PESTLE, SWOT, or audit methodology), critically analysing the issue, and developing evidence-informed recommendations for improvement.

Part 2: Critical Reflection (1,000 words)
Students will reflect on their learning and professional development using a recognised reflective model (e.g. Gibbs). This section focuses on insights gained, challenges encountered, and how the experience will influence future practice.

Students are encouraged to select a topic that aligns with their current role or professional interests, ensuring the work is both academically rigorous and practically relevant.

Formative support is provided through one-to-one tutorials, and students have the opportunity to submit a draft for feedback prior to final submission.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be able to:

• Critically analyse a workplace issue relevant to their professional practice.
• Apply appropriate frameworks and methodologies (e.g. situational analysis, clinical audit, PESTLE, SWOT) to investigate complex problems.
• Evaluate evidence and organisational factors influencing practice, including clinical, operational, and system-level considerations.
• Develop evidence-informed recommendations for service improvement or quality enhancement.
• Demonstrate critical reflection on their learning, professional development, and future practice using a recognised reflective model.

What our students say

These feedback were collected from module feedback form as well as their reflection writing:

 “This module was one of the most relevant parts of my studies, I was able to apply everything directly to my workplace and actually make a difference.”

 “I really valued the flexibility. Being able to shape the assignment around my own clinical role made it much more meaningful than a traditional essay.”

“The one-to-one tutorials were incredibly helpful. I felt supported throughout, especially when refining my project idea.”  “It challenged me to think more critically about my organisation, not just clinically but also at a systems and leadership level.”

This module can contribute to the following programme(s)

LMHMEMSC: MSc/PG Cert Health and Medical Education

LMHMSIMSC: MSc Health and Medical Simulation/PG Cert in Health and Medical Simulation