About This Course
This is a part-time, level 7 micro-credential course delivered via flexible guided on-line learning. This means students can study at a time and place to suit their work and personal circumstances.
Why study this course?
The purpose of this online micro-credential course is to equip individuals with core knowledge and skills to promote best practice in infection prevention and control in health and social care settings. This module is suitable for all those who work within health and social care.
This course will provide an opportunity for participants to engage virtually with others with similar interests, and provide increased opportunity for networking. It will help students to explore key infection prevention and control topics relevant to their area of work and practice.
What is the length of the course?
50 hours (5 hours scheduled teaching; 45 hours guided independent study).
Tutor
Tracey Cooper
Tracey joined Bangor University in 2022 as Lecturer in Health Sciences (Infection Prevention & Control), having been an Honorary Lecturer with the University for a number of years. She has worked in the field of infection prevention and control since 1996, including as an expert Nurse Consultant, and at Director and Assistant Director level within a range of NHS organisations, taking retirement from the NHS in 2022. She remains active as a member of the Infection Prevention Society in addition to her work with Bangor University.
Course Content
What will you study on this course?
Global concerns about healthcare associated infections and antimicrobial resistance persist. The purpose of this online microcredit module is to equip individuals with core knowledge and skills to promote best practice in infection prevention and control in health and social care settings. This module will provide an opportunity for participants to engage virtually with others with similar interests, and provide increased opportunity for networking.
Learning aims
- Critically analyse the burden of healthcare-associated infections and their impact on individuals and wider society.
- Critically appraise literature pertaining to infection prevention.
How will the course be delivered?
The course will include a series of 5 online learning units with each one focussing on issues relating to best practices in infection prevention and control. Students access these in their own time (asynchronously). This learning will account for 35 hours of study time.
The module will also include two live synchronous online seminars, totalling 3 hours and two written (synchronous) discussion forums, totalling 2 hours.
These will facilitate learning of key concepts, theories, and research, and facilitate the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
A programme confirming the dates and times of live sessions will be issued to accepted applicants.
Assessment
The assessment on this micro-credential course will include a written assignment, which will account for 10 hours of study time.
Technical Requirements
This is an online course delivered via Blackboard Ultra. Students must have access to a stable internet connection, IT and up-to-date computer and software, a microphone and headphones or speakers.
Week 1:
Online learning unit
Live Seminar
Week 2:
Online learning unit
Discussion forum
Blog 1 due at end of week
Week 3:
Online learning unit
Live Seminar
Week 4:
Online learning unit
Discussion forum
Reflective journal 1 due
Week 5:
Online unit
Blog 2 due at end of week
Post week 5:
Reflective journal 2 due
Course Cost
- The fee for the 2025/26 academic year will be £292.00 (including VAT).
- Please see our Postgraduate Fees and Finance page for further information.
Entry Requirements
Prospective applicants should hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (of 2(ii) or above).
If you do not meet the academic requirements detailed above but have at least 3 years of relevant work experience and have evidence of recent study or professional development (to demonstrate an ability to study at level 7) we may consider your application.
Application
How to Apply
Please make sure you read and follow the step-by-step application guide as this will specify which sections of the application form are compulsory for the type of course you want to apply for and save you time.
Please prepare the following information (in a Word document):
- Current employment details;
- Years of experience, and employment history (where relevant)
- Name of staff member and organisation that have approved your funding for this module.
This will speed up the process of completing the application form.
To apply for this course, you need to create an account in our Applicant Portal
You will need access to the email address you specify while creating your account to confirm it.
After creating an account, you will see a homepage with several tabs:
- Personal
- Programme
- Info
- Contact
- Education
- Employment
- Language
- Finance
You need to complete all sections before submitting your application.
When a section is complete, a ‘tick’ symbol will appear below it.
- Click on ‘Non-graduating applications / Stand alone Modules’, then select ‘Non-graduating Postgraduate Taught’.
- In the next section, select ‘Non-Graduating Taught Modules in Health (NGGT/HEALTH). Click Save and Continue.
- On the next page, the default for the first question is Full Time. You need to change this to ‘Part time’:
- You now need to input the module code. For Infection Prevention 1, the code for October start is NHS-4128, and the code for January start is NHS-4131 . This section must be completed for your application to be processed.
- You also need to state the start date. This course runs twice per year (October and January). Please select one of these options, then click ‘Save and Continue’.
- IMPORTANT: You do not need to write a personal statement to apply for this course. Instead, please upload the document including employment, experience and education information that you have created prior to starting the application that contains the name of your current employer, the number of years of experience you have, and your highest qualification to date. Click Save and continue.
You only need to enter the details of your highest qualification to date, e.g. if you have a postgraduate qualification, please only only include this.
You will be asked for evidence of the qualification. Please either upload a copy of your qualification if it's easily accessible, or upload the Word document again (that you prepared earlier).
Please scroll to the bottom of the page and click on ‘I have no employment history’ (as you have already provided this in your Word document).
If you are HEIW / Health Board funded, please answer the questions as follows:
- How will you finance your studies? Sponsored
- Exact name of funding authority: Health Board
- Country: United Kingdom
- Give details of the amount of the award? Fully funded.
- Sponsorship will cover: Tuition Fees
- Have you been awarded this funding? Please select ‘yes’ * Note that you will be required to upload evidence of the funding. If you wish to confirm ‘yes’ to this question, but do not have any written confirmation to upload, you can upload your Word document here again.
If you are self-funding, please provide all details as appropriate.