Antimicrobial Resistance ,PGCert

Course overview

These courses aim to produce, skilled practitioners, researchers and change-makers to lead the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and influence strategies in infection control to improve patient outcomes and global health.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that failure to address AMR means that by 2050 the global burden may reach 350 million deaths a year. Consequently, there is an urgent need for specific training and development of healthcare postgraduates and professionals in how to tackle AMR to prevent cross-infection and outbreaks, monitor AMR and increase public awareness.

These courses aim to:

• Develop your in-depth awareness and training in global infection prevention and control practice and antimicrobial stewardship; antimicrobial resistance mechanisms; novel antimicrobial developments; and research into how AMR arises and spreads
• Offer rigorous training and practice in the research, analytical, evaluative and presentation skills valued in an independent professional laboratory scientist specialising in the epidemiology and analysis of antimicrobial resistance.
• Allow you to develop creativity, leadership and management and to practise and enhance a range of transferrable skills to enhance employability, including communication skills; independence; digital competence; teamworking; organisation; time-management; problem-solving; evaluation and implementation of infection control and antimicrobial stewardship strategies; professionalism; reflective practice; global perspective; leadership; conflict resolution; adaptability; and interpersonal skills.

Why you should study this course

These courses provide the relevant knowledge and skills to enable further focus and career progression within the field of AMR. As a result, they are aimed at both UK and overseas bioscience graduates wishing to continue their studies, specialising in AMR mechanisms, policies and procedures, research and influencing public behaviour. They are also relevant for practising healthcare professionals wishing to specialise in AMR management.

You’ll be taught by an experienced teaching team, some of whom have worked in NHS laboratories as scientists or doctors (staff may be subject to change). They can bring their professional and research expertise into their teaching through case studies as the basis for problem-based learning activities.

There is a focus on developing laboratory and other scientific skills, giving you the opportunity to learn key microbiological and molecular experimental techniques and develop essential experimental, data handling and reporting skills. Our multi-million-pound Alison Gingell Building features a suite of analytical and biological laboratories where you can gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge industry techniques. Other scientific skills, such as literature research, information technology, bioinformatics, data processing and the use of statistics are integrated into the course.

The Antimicrobial Resistance with Professional Experience MSc² is an extended programme that provides you with the option to apply for a 6-8 month professional experience with an external organisation or participate in supervised campus-based roles. While all students are assured of a professional experience placement which may be campus-based, the range of opportunities available varies from year to year. Some are also competitive and selective, so it is not possible to guarantee a specific professional experience. Students on Antimicrobial Resistance MSc with Professional Experience are assisted to apply for, and secure, professional experience opportunities during their first two semesters of study by our Talent Team and the course director².

A standalone Postgraduate Certificate Antimicrobial Resistance in Healthcare is also offered. This provides an academic understanding of antimicrobial resistance, infection prevention and control, and antimicrobial stewardship. It is intended to offer this certificate in person and online to suit a range of student and healthcare professional needs. Those who successfully complete the Postgraduate Certificate may then top-up to the MSc course at a later date.

As part of the MSc courses you will undertake a professional development module which is currently accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)¹. Upon successful completion of the module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost. Influencing change will be key to the future success of combatting antimicrobial resistance and so an understanding of how to lead and implement strategic change will be highly valuable for future career development.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of their course a student will be able to:

• Demonstrate a systematic understanding of a number of aspects of antimicrobials, antimicrobial resistance, infection prevention and control policies and procedures, and antimicrobial stewardship, and apply knowledge to problem-based scenarios, in a global context
• Demonstrate a critical awareness of key global pathogens that are driving the surge in antimicrobial-resistant illness around the world
• Critically analyse and synthesise scientific information in the subject area of antimicrobials and antimicrobial stewardship and articulate and communicate this effectively, through written, oral, and digital formats to influence behaviour and drive change amongst a diverse and global audience
• Work effectively within a team and demonstrate professional, organisational, conflict resolution, interpersonal, creative and leadership skills
• Demonstrate an independent approach to learning, reflect on their own practice and take responsibility for personal development. 

In addition, a graduate of the Antimicrobial Resistance MSc or MSc with Professional Experience will be able to:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of, and competently undertake laboratory work using, a wide range of conventional and molecular microbiology techniques, and analyse the resulting data appropriately
• Critically evaluate the principles of developing and proposing strategy for leading strategic change
• Devise, carry out and report an independent hypothesis-driven antimicrobials/ antimicrobial resistance-based research project, with due regard to health and safety and ethical requirements, and show originality in their application of knowledge to interpret these results.

In addition, a graduate of the Antimicrobial Resistance with Professional Experience MSc will be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to contribute effectively into a work environment, exhibiting professional conduct and behaviours and reflect on the learning experience.

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university’s Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.