Online course

PGCert Medical and Health Education

  • Qualification: PGCert, CPD
  • Duration: 12 months, part-time
  • Workload: Approx 20 hours per week
  • Next enrolment: September 2024
  • Fees: £5000 (PGCert), £1,667 (CPD)
Health workers learning

Introduction

Empower future healthcare leaders

The health landscape is changing. With our population living longer and demands on healthcare increasing, we need world-class educators to teach the practitioners of tomorrow.

Our PGCert in Medical and Health Education was created in collaboration with the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE). Though focusing your professional development on teaching, you will play a crucial role in educating the essential workers of the future. 

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Key features

Global and multidisciplinary

Enrich your learning by working alongside international peers from diverse disciplines and building a global community of practice.

Benefit from targeted teaching

The content of our course units is directly related to clinical and healthcare teaching and assessment, with a focus on real-life scenarios and topical issues.

Collaborative design

This course has been designed in collaboration with an expert team of academics and clinicians from the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).

Natalie's Story

Throughout my career, I always thought it was interesting that nobody ever taught me how to teach. This course has helped me to develop different approaches to teaching and learning so I can engage with all students. 

Dr Natalie Medley 

Clerkship Coordinator

University Hospital of The West Indies

Dr Natalie Medley

Designed with the RCPE and accredited by the Academy of Medical Educators

RCPE and Academy of Medical Educators

Benefits of our collaborative approach

  • Expert insight from RCPE medical professionals underpins the course.
  • The latest in theory and practical approaches to education geared towards challenges in healthcare.
  • This accredited course provides a shorter route to membership of the Academy of Medical Educators (MAcadMEd).

Key information

  • Delivery

    Online course developed to fit around your lifestyle and circumstances.

  • Duration

    12 months, part-time

  • Enrolment dates

    September 2024

  • How to apply

    For more information on how to apply and what documents to submit with your application, please visit our application and selection section

  • Workload

    Approx 20 hours per week

  • Course director

    Dianne Burns

Fees and funding

Total course tuition fees for Sept '24 are:

  • UK/EU students and International students: £5,000
  • Individual CPD units: £1,667 each

You can save up to 10% on your tuition fees.

Please see our fees and funding section below for more details. We offer payment by instalments , so you can spread the cost of studying with us.

Explore a range of scholarships and bursaries available for this course below.

Find out more about fees and funding

Entry requirements

We require either a primary medical degree or other registered health care/social work professional qualification, or a 2:1 (or overseas equivalent) in a subject allied to medical or health education.

Non-standard applicants may be considered at the discretion of the course director.

You'll also need to meet the required standard of English.

Find out more about entry requirements

Contact us today

Complete the form below and our Course Advisor will contact you with the additional course information and relevant event invitations.

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Course overview

Who this course is for

"The course is aimed at anyone with an interest in teaching and learning, whether looking to transform their own teaching practice or consolidate and share what they already know." – Dianne Burns, Course Director PGCert Medical and Health Education

This course is suitable for all experienced clinicians and health care scientists, including medical doctors, dentists, nurses and all other allied health professionals involved in teaching, learning or assessment in the workplace, whether formal or informal. Non-standard applicants who have significant relevant professional experience may be considered on an individual basis by the Course Director.

What you will learn

  • Apply evidence and theoretical principles to your individual teaching practice.
  • Work with peers across disciplines to compare experiences and evaluate how different approaches can enhance learning.
  • Reflect on your practice, and what is needed to effectively contribute to teaching and learning in various settings.
  • Consider the influence of meaningful assessment on learning.

Where and when you will study

Our flexible PGCert is delivered exclusively online to enhance your practice and broaden your professional expertise while you work.

Through extensive online materials, as well as opportunities for peer discussion and tutorials from our world-class experts, we’ll support you to deliver transformative and future-focused teaching and learning in your discipline.

How it will benefit your career

  • Develop the professional confidence and the recognition to effectively facilitate teaching and learning within a variety of settings.
  • Studying alongside peers from varied backgrounds, widening your knowledge and building a multidisciplinary community of practice.
  • Broaden your role and apply your educational know-how in the workplace through this recognised postgraduate qualification that reflects core teaching competencies set out by relevant professional bodies.
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Hear Dr James Young's story

Course units

  • The Reflective Educator

    • Study the theory that underpins effective practice in teaching, learning, assessment and evaluation. 
    • Analyse your role as an educator and reflect on developments in your discipline.
    • Develop innovative approaches to learning opportunities, curriculum and learning tools. 
  • The Art and Science of Teaching

    • Explore curriculum in terms of interprofessional education, leadership, mentoring and professionalism.
    • Present the principles of curriculum design and course development.
    • Introduce a range of teaching and learning methods for critical appraisal.
    • Facilitate the selection of appropriate teaching and assessment methods aligned to curriculum to enhance learning.
    • Demonstrate a personal teaching style and consider the factors which can influence teaching and learning, from both a learner and educator perspective.
  • Pass or Fail, Who Decides?

    • Explore current assessment practices within the context of your discipline
    • Consider how assessment fits into the broader remit of evaluation and quality assurance
    • Understand the impact and value of feedback

Course structure

Our course is aimed at those who want to further develop their teaching skills through a course with a strong emphasis on professional practice. Interprofessional learning is central to the ethos of the course and provides the added value of learning alongside colleagues from other disciplines. You will benefit from the wisdom and experience of your peers, as well as the expertise offered by healthcare teaching professionals. This course is designed to be completed alongside work commitments.

There are three units in this PGCert in Medical and Health Education. You'll start your learning with 'The Reflective Educator', then in November with 'The Art and Science of Teaching' and finally, 'Pass or Fail, Who Decides?'

Course units may be taken as standalone 20-credit CPD units or taken together to make up a PGCert qualification. To learn more about taking individual CPD units, please contact our Course Advisor.

Course learning aims

This course is suitable for all experienced clinicians, including medical doctors, dentists, nurses and all other allied health professionals involved in teaching, learning or assessment in the workplace, whether formal or informal.

You'll build the professional confidence and the recognition to effectively facilitate teaching and learning within a variety of settings.

As a recognised postgraduate qualification, this PGCert reflects the teaching competencies set out by relevant professional bodies, giving you a unique opportunity to broaden your role and apply your educational know-how in the workplace.

Teaching and learning

This course is 100% online and delivered flexibly to suit your lifestyle, specifically designed to help you learn alongside your career.

Our teaching and learning methods include videos, webinars and other online learning exercises. These provide insights into key concepts and guide you towards where to focus directed study.

Through discussion boards and tutorials, you'll take part in guided discussions around issues related to teaching practice. This will establish the links between theory and practice, helping you to create practical strategies to deal with these real-world problems.

'Drop in' tutorial sessions will provide you with opportunities to discuss your personal goals and progress. Reflective activities will allow you to consider your own skill and project development.

You will be assigned a Study Advisor who will be with you throughout your studies with us. Your Study Advisor will be your first point of contact - by phone or email - for any queries that aren't directly related to course content. You'll take an active role in your learning, committing to approximately 20 hours per week.

Academic teaching start dates:

September 2024 entry - 2 September 2024

The welcome event and induction take place one week before the academic teaching start date. Our admissions team will confirm your induction date closer to the time.Please ensure that you complete your registration ahead of your chosen entry date to gain access to the online learning material and library services.

Coursework and assessment

Each unit on this PGCert in Medical and Health Education is assessed through a number of methods including presentations, papers and other coursework, both individually and in groups.

Coursework and assessments are tailed to the specific learning objectives of each unit. These allow you to demonstrate your progress, showing your ability to gather and critically analyse relevant information to form logical, coherent arguments.

Each 20-credit unit lasts 11 weeks. For the first eight, each week will be split like this:

Online learning - 10 hours

Tutor and peer-led discussion - 1 hour

Live and recorded tutorials - 1 hour

Independent reading and study - 5 hours

The final two weeks of each unit are dedicated to assignment preparation and submission. Your time will be divided as follows:

Live and recorded tutorials - 1 hour

Independent reading and study - 20 hours

Throughout the course, you will be able to take online quizzes and self-assessment tests to gauge your progress and potential areas for improvement.

Admissions information

From your initial expression of interest right through to graduation, you’ll receive all the support you need. We can support you with enrolment and subject assistance, administrative logistics and fee options, online learning skills, workload management and special circumstances including a possible professional entry route.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

We require you to hold either:
  • a primary medical degree or other registered health care/social work professional qualification
  • an Upper Second class degree (2.1) or overseas equivalent in a subject allied to medical or health education, such as biosciences, psychology or physician associate studies.

Non-standard applicants for the course from other experienced healthcare professionals/educators who have relevant professional experience and/or where the academic qualification falls below an Upper Second class degree will be considered on an individual basis, and may be admitted, at the discretion of the Course Director.

English language

International students must demonstrate English proficiency through a secure and approved testing system. We ask for English language proof if you are from non-majority English speaking countries (a list of majority English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Home Office, can be found here ).

Specifically, we require a minimum of:

English language test validity
Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Application and selection

How to apply

To begin the application process please click here

Your application can only be considered when the application form is complete and your supporting documentation has been received.

  • Application form
  • As part of the application process you will be asked to provide contact details for one referee, professional or academic.  The University will contact your referee directly after you submit your application and direct them to complete our online reference form.
  • Degree certificate and transcripts/Professional qualification documents (with an official English translation if the original is not in English)
  • English language score report (if applicable) or alternative evidence to demonstrate your English language competency
  • A copy of your CV
  • A personal statement (maximum 500 words)

For support and advice, please contact us at  studyonline@manchester.ac.uk

Advice to applicants

As this course is popular we advise students to apply as soon as possible to secure a place on the next course intake.

Scholarships and bursaries

Postgraduate loans (UK/EU)

If you're an English or EU student living in the UK, you may be eligible for a loan.

Manchester Master's Bursary (UK)

We're committed to helping students access further education.

Manchester Alumni Scholarship Schemes

If you completed your degree at Manchester, you could receive a discount.

Funding for students with disabilities

If you have a disability, we can help you apply for relevant funding.

Explore more funding opportunities

Fees and funding

Total course tuition fees in Sept '24 are:

  • UK/EU students and International students: £5,000
  • Individual CPD units: £1,667 each

Please note the tuition fees are subject to an incremental rise in September.

Tuition fee discounts

  • Alumni discount (5%): If you have successfully graduated from a credit-bearing qualification at The University of Manchester or UMIST, you can receive a 5% discount on the tuition fees that you are personally funding.
  • Corporate discount (up to 10%): If 5-9 fellows are sent from the same trust: 5% discount, if 10-14 fellows are sent from the same trust: 7% discount, if 15+ fellows are sent from the same trust: 10% discount
  • NHS employee discount (10%)

One-discount policy: Discounts and scholarships are not accumulative. If you qualify for more than one, you will be awarded the one that is the highest amount.

Employer funding

If you are looking to secure funding from your employer, we can help you build a business case or talk to your employer directly. Contact us on studyonline@manchester.ac.uk to arrange a consultation.

Payment by instalments

During registration you will have the opportunity to pay your fees in three equal instalments. Learn more.

Additional cost information

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.