CPD Navigator

We offer a coordinated framework of accredited courses and modules as well as a range of non-accredited CPD for both qualified and unqualified individuals.

The role of the CPD Navigator is to offer advice and support for individuals, employers and commissioners who are interested in our educational provision for those employed in the health and social care environment. We offer a coordinated framework of accredited courses and modules as well as a range of non-accredited CPD for both qualified and unqualified individuals.

Meet our CPD Navigators:

Continuing Professional Development Staff member

Name: Chris Duncan

Bio: As a registered nurse and lecturer, I enjoy supporting students to achieve their educational development goals and to succeed in their programme of study. I am currently course leader for the BSc and BSc (Hons) Professional Practice in Healthcare top-up awards and lead modules across the level 6 and level 7 provision.

Click here to view Chris's full staff profile.


Name: Caroline Lowe

Bio: I have been course leader for both undergraduate and postgraduate awards within the Institute of Health for many years, developing expertise in assessment, teaching and learning in clinical practice, leadership, management, tissue viability and critical professional development. I am currently the programme leads for both the Return to Practice (Nursing) programme and the MSc Professional Practice in Healthcare awards. I am passionate about helping other healthcare professional to achieve their potential.   

Click here to view Caroline's full staff profile.

The Professional Practice Framework is designed for qualified healthcare professionals who wish to undertake further studies to pursue their career aspirations and/or meet clinical or professional development needs.  The Framework consists of a range of courses and modules that can be studied on their own or as part of an award.

For help in deciding which course or modules to study please contact one of our CPD Navigators on CPDNavigator@wlv.ac.uk .

Key to Courses:

Undergraduate Awards

Credits

Academic Level

Entry Level*

Graduate Certificate

60

 

Level 6 (Degree)

No relevant Diploma or Foundation Degree or have already topped up to a degree

BSc (non Hons)

60

A relevant Diploma or Foundation Degree

BSc (Hons)

120

A relevant Diploma or Foundation Degree

Postgraduate Awards

Credits

Academic Level

Entry Level*

Postgraduate Certificate

60

 

Level 7 (Masters)

No relevant first Degree

Postgraduate Diploma

120

A relevant first Degree (normally)

MSc

180

A relevant first Degree

*Please refer to the Course Page for any additional course specific entry criteria.

If you already know your module code, find the application links by visiting our 'How to Apply - Health CPD' webpage.

We understand that the higher education credit system can be difficult to navigate between different institutions; it can be difficult to keep track of credits and understand when and how they can be counted towards studies and awards. In order to help you with this, we provide an opportunity for those who are wishing to apply for a course within Institute of Health and our standalone module students who would like some advice help and guidance.

Click here for further information and to book an academic advice session. 

Health and/or Social Care Professionals: If you are working in a health and /or social care setting, we are here to guide you through our Professional Practice Framework of undergraduate and postgraduate Continuing Professional Development courses and modules. Many people call to find out how to top up their Diploma or Foundation Degree into a Degree, or how to progress to a Master’s Degree.

1:1 Academic Advice: We offer an opportunity to receive specific academic advice tailored to your educational history or career aspirations (for example credit rating of previous studies (against entry criteria for a course); Recognition of Prior Learning that might contribute to a course or Pathway selection or you might want to update your knowledge and/or skills in order to remain a member of a professional body. Whatever your query we will do our best to offer support and advice and help you to choose the CPD best suited to your career aspirations.

To book an academic advice session please contact us on: CPDNavigator@wlv.ac.uk 

The Institute of Health aims to support employers and commissioning organisations in their workforce development strategy. As CPD Navigators we can provide information relating to our planned educational provision and respond to queries regarding bespoke delivery. We will publish an Outreach Calendar detailing both formal and informal events including an opportunity to book on-site surgeries. 

Please send us an email and we can help you develop your potential - CPDNavigator@wlv.ac.uk 

Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP)

For enquiries specifically about the ACP course please email: ACPenquiries@wlv.ac.uk

RPL

RPL aims to acknowledge your prior learning and avoid the repetition of prior learning that can be evidenced. Our preference is to identify potential RPL before you commence your course of study although we can also facilitate RPL within the course. RPL, for entry requirements to study, should adhere to RPL principles and evidencing.

Explore our tabs:

Here in the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) team we have a long history of recognising and valuing the diversity of the professional learning experiences within the healthcare sector. We therefore seek to prevent unnecessary repetition of learning through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. This process can ‘give credit where credit is due’ by reducing the number of academic credits you will study in order to achieve the named course or award and can potentially reduce the length and cost of your course (FEHW RPL Handbook 2020; QAA 2016).

‘The term 'recognition' is used to describe different forms of prior learning:

  • Recognition of Prior Certificated Learning (RPCL) relates to prior learning which has been assessed and certificated, it may or may not have led to the award of credits or qualifications positioned on the relevant higher education qualifications framework, (such as professional development awards or employment based awards). A process of assessment enables a decision to be made about whether the learning is suitable for recognition and includes consideration of the content studied, matched against current course/modules, generic academic levels and performance descriptors. It is important that the ‘certificate’ is for assessed learning and not a certificate of attendance. Certificated credits should be ‘free standing’ and normally have not previously been used/traded in towards a full award, although they may have been used for all or part of an interim award or entry requirements.

  • Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) relates to expertise gained through your experiences at work which do not carry any recognised qualification. RPEL involves an assessment process by academic staff that leads to recognition of learning, normally through the award of credit. The essential feature of this process is that it is the learning gained through experience which is being assessed, not the experience You must demonstrate your prior experiential learning, which may have been achieved through a non-accredited course, experience or a combination of both. This is usually done via a Learning Contract, which identifies learning outcomes to be assessed, the evidence required to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes, the academic credit level and the number of credits sought. The Learning Contract is agreed in advance of submission of the claim.

  • Credit Transfer relates to the transfer of credits already achieved either at the same or another University.

    • Internal credits have been awarded by the University of Wolverhampton. The Course Leader reviews your course application and evidence of prior learning and will determine if the learning achieved meets the criteria for the course, RPL and Academic Regulations. If the credits meet all requirements they can be transferred to your course programme at the point of entry at the written request of the Course Leader.

    • External credits have not been awarded by the University of Wolverhampton. The CPD RPL Review Group (comprising subject specialists, Course Leaders and the CPD Navigator) will review your RPL application and supporting evidence to confirm that the learning achieved meets the criteria for the course for which you are applying or studying, as well as the RPL and Academic Regulations.

    • Non UK credits awarded by a non UK awarding body then their UK equivalence must first be established prior to transfer. Normally equivalence is verified on application for a course by Admissions using the NARIC database. If accepted as equivalent they are then considered as above.

    • Challenge Assignment is a term used to describe when you have already achieved considerable learning deemed to be comparable with the learning outcomes of a module. Your Course/Module Leader will consider your previous learning (from a non-accredited formal taught programme or experiential/workplace learning or a combination of both) and decide if you are able to demonstrate achievement of the outcomes/content by undertaking the assessment part of the module only (at a reduced cost). The decision regarding your eligibility to undertake a challenge assignment is that of the module leader.

Information coming soon - please keep checking this page for regular updates. 

Timescales (Dates of CPD Review Group & RPL Board meetings)

Information coming soon - please keep checking this page for regular updates.