Who is this programme for?

This three year, part-time online MSc programme in Patient Safety and Clinical Human Factors aims to support any graduate health care professionals - ranging from nurses to surgeons and anaesthetists - in using evidence-based tools and techniques to improve the reliability and safety of everyday health care systems and processes.

As an applicant of this degree, you will be looking to distinguish yourself as being experienced in patient safety and looking to move towards specialising or taking a management lead in this field. The programme will draw on teaching materials from a global network of enthusiasts.

Due to the unique, completely online nature of the teaching, the programme is an attractive option if you are a professional wishing to secure academic credit or a higher degree in patient safety and are unable to commit to attend on-campus teaching.

Career opportunities

As a graduate of this programme, you may be looking to develop specific skills in this area within your current position. You may also be looking to secure an appointment as a patient safety officer, a position that is increasingly promoted and advertised in the UK.

We anticipate that this qualification would not necessarily result in a change in career for graduate health care professionals so much as develop your current role.

The demand for individuals with knowledge and skills in teaching and assessing patient safety and quality improvement is growing rapidly. Both NHS England and Scotland are driving initiatives in this area and this is being observed globally.

As a graduating student, you will have a significant advantage in signalling not only your commitment to patient safety and quality improvement, but you will have also demonstrated the skills needed in identifying and measuring patient safety risks from a Human Factors science perspective.

Online learning

The programme is delivered by recognised experts in the various subject areas and will draw upon the extensive staff expertise at the University of Edinburgh and at other Institutions internationally.