MSc in Clinical Anatomy and Education

Develop the skills to be an exceptional researcher and teacher of anatomy

If you are interested in developing a deep understanding of the clinical anatomy of the human body, and to acquire skills in teaching and assessing clinical anatomy, the MSc in Clinical Anatomy and Education is ideal.

This programme combines the core modules from the MSc in Clinical Anatomy programme with our Higher Education Academy-accredited MSc in Health Professions Education programme – putting you on a pathway to become an Associate Fellow of the Academy and gain the right to use the post-nominal letters AFHEA.

About the programme

Unlike a basic anatomy course, this programme will allow you to develop a deep understanding of the complex nature of the human body and how that relates to clinical practice – so you can effectively evaluate, diagnose and treat illnesses in your future career.

You will also be trained in pedagogical techniques that will equip you with the skills to teach anatomy to students and healthcare professionals in your future clinical career.

The programme is built around core dissection-based modules covering the whole body. You will carry out whole-body dissection in small teaching groups during formal dissection sessions, and at your own pace in your own self-directed learning time, using cadavers embalmbed with both Thiel, that ensures material is as close to living tissue as possible, and Formalin, that keeps the material in defined anatomical relationships.

This programme also provides a comprehensive professional education that focuses on developing teachers and researchers of anatomy. You can choose from a range of Education electives, where you will study alongside students on the MSc in Health Professions Education programme, accredited by the Higher Education Academy. Your research project/dissertation will also cover an educational topic.

You will have the unique opportunity to learn from experts in their field who are at the forefront of new developments in clinical anatomy and health professions education, as well as visiting surgeons and consultants. As well as learning from their expertise, you will be challenged to think differently and learn skills to become a self-directed learner as you continue to develop your anatomy knowledge throughout your clinical career – and ultimately make a difference to patients’ lives.

You will benefit from guest seminars from visiting surgeons and consultants, who will bring patient cases to share with you, so you can apply your knowledge to a clinical setting. These experts come from a range of specialities including plastic, thoracic and orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists, radiologists and emergency medicine doctors.

You can choose to study full-time for one year, or part-time over two or three years to fit around your work and home life.

Modules

The programme is a 180 credit Master’s programme, with 4 core taught modules (20 credits each), a core research project/dissertation (60 credits) and a choice between optional taught modules (5 - 20 credits each for a total of 60 credits). You will need to choose at least two education elective modules.

Core modules

Clinical anatomy of the trunk

This module offers the opportunity to develop an advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the normal and variant clinical anatomy of the human trunk (the thorax, abdomen and pelvis), applying this to medical practice and clinical decision making.

You will perform both tutor-led and self-directed dissection sessions and seminars. It further offers the opportunities to develop/refine dissection skills and manual dexterity.

Tutor: Lauren Clunie
Term: Autumn
Credits: 20
Assessment: Written portfolio assessment 30%, timed exam 40%, anatomy spotter exam 30%

Clinical anatomy of the limbs and spine

This module offers the opportunity to develop an advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the normal and variant clinical anatomy of the limbs, vertebral column and back; applying this to medical practice and clinical decision-making.

You will perform both tutor-led and self-directed dissection sessions and seminars. It further offers the opportunities to develop/refine dissection skills and manual dexterity.

Tutor: Dr Kat Sanders
Term: Spring
Credits: 20
Assessment: Written portfolio assessment 30%, timed exam 40%, anatomy spotter exam 30%

Clinical anatomy of the head and neck

This module offers the opportunity to develop an advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the normal and variant clinical anatomy of the human head and neck, applying this to medical practice and clinical decision making.

You will perform both tutor-led and self-directed dissection sessions and seminars. It further offers opportunities to develop/refine dissection skills and manual dexterity.

Tutor: Dr Kat Sanders
Term: Spring
Credits: 20
Assessment: Written portfolio assessment 30%, timed exam 40%, anatomy spotter exam 30%

Research project/dissertation

In this module, you will undertake an in-depth research project in a topic related to the programme. You will be encouraged to select a topic relevant to your own practice or developing interests.

With the support of your supervisor, you will review recent and significant literature, formulate a research question, write a proposal, undertake original research, write up your research in a 15,000 word dissertation, and present your major findings as a 15 minute presentation.

Tutor: Dr Paul McKeegan
Term: Summer
Credits: 60
Assessment: Project presentation 20%, dissertation 80%

You must also complete two of the following Education modules:

Learning and teaching

This module introduces you to the basic principles in learning and teaching within a health profession and clinical environment.

The module will enhance your skills as effective clinical teachers by providing a good grounding in educational theory, and will equip you with basic teaching skills such as writing outcomes.

This process will be informed by a good knowledge based and practical experience of how learning can be supported by an appropriate learning framework and informed teaching and learning activities.

Tutor: Dr Paul Crampton
Term: Autumn
Credits: 20
Assessment: Written assessment 100%

Anatomy pedagogy

This module will prepare you to teach anatomy by introducing different pedagogic approaches, assessment methods that are unique to anatomy, and concepts relating to legislation, storage and preparation of cadaveric material.

Tutor: Dr Kat Sanders
Term: Spring
Credits: 20
Assessment: Written assessment 100%

Contemporary issues in health professions education

This module provides theoretical awareness and takes you from educational theory and the context of teaching through to factors influencing curriculum reform and design.

The module addresses contemporary issues such as inter-professional education and simulation.

This module is the building block for student development as health professions and basic science educators.

Tutor: Dr Marie Cohen
Term: Spring
Credits: 20
Assessment: Group wiki project 10%, written assignment 90%

Assessment and feedback

This module covers the key principles and practices underpinning effective assessment and feedback. It explores links between assessment and learning.

It recognises that assessment is a significant part of the curriculum and that assessment and feedback are ‘constructed’ by various stakeholders within a range of ideologies.

Tutor: Dr Andrew Brown
Term: Spring
Credits: 20
Assessment: Written assessment 90%, group wiki 10%

Anatomy elective modules

Embryology and clinical neuroanatomy

This module offers the opportunity for a exploration of embryological development and the anatomy of the central nervous system. You will develop the skills to apply embryological and neuroanatomical knowledge to decision making in clinical practice.

Tutor: Professor Peter Bazira and Dr Paul McKeegan
Term: Autumn
Credits: 20
Assessment: Oral presentation 30%, written assignment 40%, spotter 30%

Clinical microanatomy

This module offers the opportunity for a critical exploration of the micro-structure of the tissues and organs of the body related to function.

This module will also relate alterations in structure to the outcomes in terms of function, covering the basic pathological processes and applying these to many organ systems.

Crucially, the module will develop your skills in interpretation and evaluation of normal and pathological samples and knowledge of how tissue biopsies are prepared and analysed. It will provide the basis for pursuing research in medical sciences.

Tutor: Professor Peter Bazira
Term: Autumn
Credits: 20
Assessment: Timed exam 50%, written assignment 50%

Radiological anatomy

You will develop skills in the interpretation of normal and variant anatomy in radiological images, and gain technical skills in the acquisition of ultrasound scans. This module will provide the basis of pursuing research in medical sciences based on experimental models involving structural imaging.

Tutor: Lauren Clunie
Term: Spring
Credits: 20
Assessment: Practical workbook 60%, written exam 40%

Research skils elective modules

Educational research

This module will provide you with a robust introduction and overview of educational research. You will explore the philosophies, methodologies and key research methods in the area of pedagogic-focused research.

You will be given enough foundational understanding to formulate a researchable question and choose an appropriate method to explore the question.

This module will facilitate the development of a substantive research protocol for the purposes of a dissertation in anatomical/medical education.

Tutor: Dr Jimmie Leppink
Term: Autumn
Credits: 20
Assessment: Project proposal 100%

Research methods and statistics

During this module you will learn quantitative data analysis techniques, use of SPSS software (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences), qualitative data analysis methods including interviews and focus groups and the process of research design, ethical issues and approval.

Tutor: Andrew Simpson
Term: Spring
Credits: 20
Assessment: Research report 100%

An ideal option for Intercalation

If you are considering taking a year out from your undergraduate Medicine programme to intercalate, and you are interested in developing your clinical anatomical and educational knowledge and skills, this programme is ideal.

We believe that that our MSc in Clinical Anatomy will give you the skills to be a better clinician, as well as giving you a competitive edge when applying for foundation year training and jobs.

How is the programme taught?

This MSc is a demanding postgraduate programme, led largely by your own self-directed learning. You will have a high number of contact hours to support you as you deepen your anatomical knowledge, providing you with the practical and critical thinking skills to translate your experience of handling cadaveric anatomy to the functional anatomy of the living person.

The programme is built around a core of whole-body dissection, with seminars, extensive practical classes and workshops as well as self-directed learning.

The education modules are delivered by teaching staff of the MSc in Health Professions Education and will involve online distance learning and face-to-face study days (one per term) at the University of York.

Clinical Anatomy students with Kat Sanders

How is the programme assessed?

Throughout the programme, you will be evaluated through a combination of means, please see the module information for details. The assessments include exams, portfolio submissions, written assessments, oral presentations, group projects, research reports and a dissertation.

Clinical Anatomy students with Peter Bazira

What support is available?

This MSc is intensive and challenging but ultimately hugely rewarding. In addition to the student support services at the University of Hull and University of York, we also have our own dedicated student support team providing a range of pastoral services to all our Hull York Medical School students.

This programme develops you to become a self-directed learner – and therefore a lifelong learner. This may be a new skill to you to learn, but you will not be on your own; you will benefit from small teaching groups and high contact hours during your programme, so you always have someone to help you throughout your learning.

Health Professions Education students

MSc Clinical Anatomy and Education student Walter Mercer-Holland

As someone who is interested in pursuing a career in medical education, the opportunity to study a joint MSc in Clinical Anatomy and Education was and remains an unrivalled opportunity, not offered by any other University. Gaining this qualification will not only help me to achieve my aspirations of becoming involved in medical education in the future alongside pursuing my passion for anatomy, but it will also be of value when applying for jobs and specialist training once I finish my Medicine degree.

Dr Walter Mercer-Holland FY1 Doctor, MSc in Clinical Anatomy and Education graduate

Published dissertations

Students studying the MSc in Clinical Anatomy are very much part of our research community, and experience much of their learning through research and inquiry. This leads to our students producing high quality research for their dissertation, which we encourage and support them to publish in academic journals.

Our students' latest published dissertations for the MSc in Clinical Anatomy and MSc in Clinical Anatomy and Education are:

Jones, J. D., Castanho, P., Bazira, P., & Sanders, K. (2020, Jul 26). Anatomical variations of the circle of Willis and their prevalence, with a focus on the posterior communicating artery: A literature review and meta-analysis. Clin Anat.

Brown, M. E. L., Coker, O., Heybourne, A., & Finn, G. M. (2020, 2020/09/01). Exploring the Hidden Curriculum’s Impact on Medical Students: Professionalism, Identity Formation and the Need for Transparency. Medical Science Educator, 30(3), 1107-1121.

Brown, M. E. L., Hunt, G. E. G., Hughes, F., & Finn, G. M. (2020, Aug 13). 'Too male, too pale, too stale': a qualitative exploration of student experiences of gender bias within medical education. BMJ Open, 10(8), e039092.

Curlewis, K., Leung, B., Perera, M., Bazira, P. J., & Sanders, K. A. (2020, Jun 22). Clay-Based Modeling in the Anatomist's Toolkit: A Systematic Review. Anat Sci Educ.

Careers

Students on these programmes come from a diverse range of backgrounds and go on to develop careers in surgery, clinical practice and allied health disciplines. This programme is also invaluable if you are a practising clinician or healthcare professional considering an academic career or a career in medical education.

Entry requirements

Applicants must have a 2:1 (Hons) degree in Biomedical Science, Anatomical Science, Veterinary Medicine, Zoology or a related subject, to include training in human or mammalian biology with considerable emphasis on anatomy.

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate evidence of proficiency in English Language with an IELTS score of 6.5 in the academic test, with minimum score of 6.0 in all four language competences (listening, reading, speaking and writing).

Intercalating medical students must have successfully completed a minimum of three years of an MB BS or comparable medical qualification.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

The fees for part time study are for the current year only, fees for subsequent years are subject to confirmation.

Fees for 2021/2022 are:

UK (home) tution fees

Full time (1 year): £9,730
Part time (2 years): £4,865
Part time (3 years): £3,243

International (including EU) fees

Full time (1 year) £23,300
Part time (2 years): £11,650
Part time (3 years): £7,767

Funding

Graduate Scholarship

We are pleased to offer a 10% reduction in fees to University of Hull and University of York undergraduate students and alumni applying to this Masters programme.

More information

Loans

Government Master's Loan

If you're starting a Masters you may be entitled to a government-backed loan. Visit the Government website for details.

Other sources of funding

Our parent universities also have details of further funding opportunities. Please see the University of Hull and the University of York websites for details.