Programme Specification
PgCert Intellectual Disabilities and Complex Needs
Academic Year 2025/26
A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.
| Programme Title | PgCert Intellectual Disabilities and Complex Needs | Final Award (exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes) |
Postgraduate Certificate | |||||||||||
| Programme Code | NAM-PC-IN | UCAS Code | HECoS Code |
100625 - Disability studies - 100 |
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| ATAS Clearance Required | No | |||||||||||||
| Mode of Study | Part Time | |||||||||||||
| Type of Programme | Postgraduate | Length of Programme |
Part Time - 1 Academic Year |
Total Credits for Programme | 60 | |||||||||
| Exit Awards available | No | |||||||||||||
Institute Information
Teaching Institution |
Queen's University Belfast |
School/Department |
Nursing & Midwifery |
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Quality Code Higher Education Credit Framework for England |
Level 7 |
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Subject Benchmark Statements The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies |
Nursing (2009) |
Accreditations (PSRB) |
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No accreditations (PSRB) found. | |
Regulation Information
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Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations None. |
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Programme Specific Regulations The pass mark for summative assessments for each module undertaken is 50%. |
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Students with protected characteristics No impediments are anticipated for applicants of this programme. |
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Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations (Please see General Regulations) Yes |
Educational Aims Of Programme
The overall aim of the Postgraduate Certificate in Intellectual Disabilities and Complex Needs is to offer a high-quality supportive teaching and learning environment that provides graduates with:
1.Intellectual and practical skills necessary to promote and sustain innovative and emerging practice and leadership in the care and support of people with intellectual disabilities across the lifespan.
2.Intellectual and transferable skills necessary to function in positions of care delivery and leadership in intellectual disability settings.
3.Skills enabling graduates to critically review and introduce current evidence in intellectual disability practice.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes: Cognitive SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Critically appraise evidence and research regarding the health concerns and care and support needs of children, adults and older people with intellectual disabilities. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops, group discussion, formative learning activities, directed and independent reading and independent study. Methods of Assessment Assessment will be by written assignments. |
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Critically appraise service models and practice developments in services for children, adults and older people with intellectual disabilities. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops, group discussion, formative learning activities, directed and independent reading and independent study. Methods of Assessment Assessment will be by written assignments. |
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Analyse, evaluate and synthesise new and complex ideas, information and issues to make informed judgements regarding leadership and management for health and social wellbeing. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops, group discussion, formative learning activities, directed and independent reading and independent study. Methods of Assessment Assessment will be by written assignments. |
Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & UnderstandingOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Apply knowledge of the national and international evidence of the changing demographics of children, adults and older people with intellectual disabilities. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops, group discussion, formative learning activities, directed and independent reading and independent study. Methods of Assessment Assessment will be by written assignments. |
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Apply knowledge of contemporary care models and best practice in service provision to enhancing care delivery to children, adults and older people with intellectual disabilities. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops, group discussion, formative learning activities, directed and independent reading and independent study. Methods of Assessment Assessment will be by written assignments. |
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Demonstrate and develop critical and advanced knowledge and understanding of principal theories, principles, concepts and research related to leadership and management for health and social wellbeing relevant to the care and support of children, adults and older people with intellectual disabilities. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops, group discussion, formative learning activities, directed and independent reading and independent study. Methods of Assessment Assessment will be by written assignments. |
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Utilise evidence to underpin practice that improves health and wellbeing of children, adults and older people with intellectual disabilities. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops, group discussion, formative learning activities, directed and independent reading and independent study. Methods of Assessment Assessment will be by written assignments. |
Learning Outcomes: Subject SpecificOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Use an advanced level of knowledge, theory and skill associated with intellectual disability care delivery and leadership. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops, group discussion, formative learning activities, directed and independent reading and independent study. Methods of Assessment Assessment will be by written assignments. |
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Lead and execute post-graduate level investigation or development projects to deal with new challenges and issues related to intellectual disability care. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops, group discussion, formative learning activities, directed and independent reading and independent study. Methods of Assessment Assessment will be by written assignments. |
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Demonstrate the development and application of advanced knowledge, understanding and practices in intellectual disability. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops, group discussion, formative learning activities, directed and independent reading and independent study. Methods of Assessment Assessment will be by written assignments. |
Learning Outcomes: Transferable SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Demonstrate the ability to engage in critical debate at an advanced level and the ability to utilise a wide range of resources to support advanced decision making. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops, group discussion, formative learning activities, directed and independent reading and independent study. Methods of Assessment Assessment will be by written assignments. |
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Have confidence to deal with complex professional issues in ways that demonstrate reflective, autonomous and evidence-based practice. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops, group discussion, formative learning activities, directed and independent reading and independent study. Methods of Assessment Assessment will be by written assignments. |
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Appropriate use of information technology to access national and international databases. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops, group discussion, formative learning activities, directed and independent reading and independent study. Methods of Assessment Assessment will be by written assignments. |
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Utilise skills in reflective practice and apply to individual and team-work contexts. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops, group discussion, formative learning activities, directed and independent reading and independent study. Methods of Assessment Assessment will be by written assignments. |
Module Information
Stages and Modules
| Module Title | Module Code | Level/ stage | Credits | Availability |
Duration | Pre-requisite | Assessment |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | S2 | Core | Option | Coursework % | Practical % | Examination % | ||||||
| Contemporary Care Delivery in Intellectual Disability Practice | HSN7082 | 7 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | -- | 70% | 30% | 0% |
| Advances in Health Evidence and People with Intellectual Disabilities | HSN7081 | 7 | 20 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | YES | -- | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Evidence Based Practice | HSN7076 | 7 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | -- | 100% | 0% | 0% |
Notes
The pass mark for summative assessments for each module undertaken is 50%.
Students who fail one or more taught modules are permitted one further attempt to pass at the next available opportunity. Second attempt assessments are capped at a maximum grade of 50%.