Continuing Professional Development FAQs
About the CPD units
Why am I registered on a Professional Development Programme?
All our students taking one of the CPD units in the Department for Health, will be registered on the University of Bath’s Professional Development Scheme (PDS). The Health CPD units can contribute towards the Professional Development Certificate/Diploma/MSc award and can also contribute as credit towards one of the Health postgraduate programmes (up to a maximum of 18 credits).
What is a unit?
We call modules ‘Units of Study’. Each unit has a unit specification, which describes the content, learning outcomes, teaching methods and assessment. Unit specifications can be accessed through our Programme & Unit Catalogue links.
How are the units delivered?
All our individual CPD units are part-time and taught by distance and online learning. Online learning is delivered using our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Moodle.
Studying a CPD unit
How many CPD units can I study for?
We would advise you to study for one unit at a time.
What are credits?
You will gain credits from successful completion of a unit. CPD credits are worth either 6 or 12 credits. Credit is valuable for CPD purposes in its own right or aggregated towards an award.
How long does each CPD unit take to complete?
Online units take either three months (6 credit unit) or six months (12 credit unit) to complete.
How many hours a week should I allocate for study?
There is a minimum expectation that 100 study hours are associated with a 6 credit unit and 200 study hours with a 12 credit unit. We recommend that you spend on average 8-10 hours per-week studying.
What support can I expect to receive?
You will receive the same support as students registered for the Diploma/MSc. All our students will be registered on the online induction unit, which will introduce you to the workings of your course and to Moodle, the Virtual Learning Environment. You will be added to this a week before the unit starts.
The various study units contain the subject specific resources, your virtual seminars, where subject experts will be available to advise you during the scheduled online discussions, and where you can debate and discuss topical issues with your colleagues, guided by the online activities throughout the unit.
Do I need to come to Bath for my studies?
There is no face to face teaching for a CPD unit; all teaching is via distance learning and our Virtual Learning Environment Moodle.
Where can I find the aims and objectives of a unit?
Unit learning aims and objectives are outlined in in the unit specifications, which can be accessed via the Programme & Unit Catalogue links.
Assessment
Do I have to complete an assessment as a CPD student?
You do not have to complete the unit assessment if you are a CPD student; however if you wish to gain credit for the CPD unit, which you will need if you are thinking of converting to a Diploma/MSc at a later date, you do have to complete and pass the assessment, subject to the individual unit’s assessment regulations.
What is the type of assessment required to pass each unit?
Assignments take a variety of forms. They can be essays, case studies, reflective commentaries, literature reviews, short answer questions. Assignments are submitted at the end of 6 credit unit and or various stages throughout the 12 credit unit. Clear instructions are available about what is required for each assignment.
How do I submit assignments?
Assignments are uploaded to Moodle.
Will I receive feedback for my assessment?
Feedback will be uploaded to Moodle within three weeks of the assignment deadline.
What if I fail the assessment?
You are given 28 days in which to resubmit your assignments, once the results have been considered by a Unit Board of Examiners. If you fail on resubmission, then you can pay to retake the unit. Please see the New Framework of Assessment for CPD students which details the assessment regulations for students studying CPD.
Will I receive a certificate of attendance and/or award of credit?
You can request a transcript of results, once results have been ratified by a Unit Board of Examiners, by emailing cpd@bath.ac.uk
Fees
What refund will I be due if I leave the programme?
If you withdraw ahead of the unit start date you will receive a full refund less an administration fee of £100. No refund will be payable if you withdraw after the unit start date.
Conversion to an MSc programme in the Department for Health
What programmes can I use my CPD credits towards?
If you have successfully completed a CPD unit then you can also apply to use the credits gained to join one of the Postgraduate Programmes in the Department for Health. Please note that a maximum of 18 credits may contribute towards an award.
What is the application process?
Applications for an award programme are made using the online application system. Further details of our Postgraduate Programmes can be found online, including information on the application deadline. Please read through the further information and FAQs for the programme you are interested in. All our postgraduate programmes are part-time and studied online via Moodle.
What are the tuition fees for the full programme. Will the fees I’ve paid already be deducted?
The current Health tuition fee schedule is published on the web. If you have made previous payments for CPD which count towards your award, your tuition fees will be amended accordingly.
What are the Assessment regulations for the postgraduate programmes?
The MSc in Sport and Exercise Medicine and MSc in Sports Physiotherapy are considered under the New Framework of Assessment for Postgraduate Programmes. Please see the New Framework of Assessment for CPD students, for the MSc in Primary Care.
