Clinical Education PGCert

Course overview

The MEd Clinical Education Programme is an interprofessional programme designed to transform healthcare professionals into exceptional education practitioners. This course offers a responsive, work related, and academically rigorous pathway for all healthcare practitioners involved in teaching and learning. Whether you are based in a clinical setting or a higher education institution, this programme will enhance your understanding of cutting–edge education and assessment pedagogies.

You will develop various skills and deepen your understanding of core clinical education concepts while learning from expert academics and clinicians from the Faculty of Medicine and Health, and seasoned practitioners from NHS Trusts.

In the first year of the programme, you can choose between campus-based or online delivery, while the second and third years are delivered entirely online.

This provides a unique opportunity to study alongside peers from around the world, enriching your learning experience with diverse perspectives in clinical education.

Additional Highlights

• Choice of delivery mode for Year 1 increasing flexibility and accessibility
• Eligibility to register as a fellow of Advance HE
• Interprofessional, opportunity to learn with and from other healthcare professionals with an interest in clinical education
• Development of pedagogical research skills
• Provides a career pathway for healthcare professional educators
• Interprofessional programme team

Accreditation

The PG Certificate in Clinical Education (Year 1) is mapped to the Advance HE PSF Standards. The PG Certificate was reaccredited to descriptor 2 standards of the PSF standards 2023 and has accreditation till 2027. This enables students who successfully complete Year 1 to be eligible to apply for Fellowship of Advance HE and use the postnominals FHEA.

Course details

This programme is available on a part-time basis and focuses on integrating your workplace learning experiences. It encourages you to make critical and creative connections between your own and your students’ practice and theoretical perspectives on teaching and learning.

In Year 1, you can choose between an online or campus-based delivery while Years 2 and 3 are delivered exclusively online. The programme includes direct observation of teaching in practice and regular opportunities for peer assessed micro-teaching as part of the PG Certificate. Additionally, there are sessions on practical research skills and peer review of research practice, integral to the diploma and master’s modules. The programme provides extensive support for the development of academic and research skills, specifically tailored for practice-based adult learners.

The first year of the programme, the PG Cert Clinical Education is aligned with the Advance HE professional skills framework (2023) and its completion meets the requirements for an Advance HE Fellowship.

A distinctive feature of this programme is its inter-professional and interdisciplinary nature. The programme team draws on expertise from a range of clinical professions and academic disciplines across the social and healthcare sciences, coupled with diverse teaching experience in both clinical and non-clinical workplaces and tertiary institutions.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Clinical Education PGCert in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Learning and teaching

You will engage in a dynamic learning experience through workshops, lectures, direct observation of your teaching and peer review of teaching practice (microteaching). The programme’s teaching philosophy is grounded in interprofessional and constructivist social learning, enhanced by cutting edge digital tools. Collaborative work and active learning are integral components, ensuring that you maximise your educational journey. You will be encouraged to seamlessly integrate the skills and knowledge acquired during the modules into your practice as an educator.

This research – led teaching is delivered by a highly experienced interdisciplinary team of expert educationalists. A wide variety of learning resources will be accessible through the University of Leeds’ virtual learning platform, MINERVA, which is integrated with our extensive online library facilities.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

The PgCert Clinical Education year will provide you with a variety of assessment opportunities. Formatively, you will engage in microteaching. Summative assessments will include an observation of your teaching, an essay, a case study, an educational change proposal, and a blog or vlog. In the second year, you will collaborate with peers on a briefing paper and work on a case study and presentation.

The final PgDip module will involve creating a research protocol, which will serve as the foundation for your dissertation in the final year of the MEd programme.

The Clinical Education programme team has meticulously reviewed and redesigned the assessments over the three years, to reflect contemporary educational practices. These assessments encompass a diverse range of approaches, aiding in the development of the various skills required of a modern-day educator as you progress from Year 1 to Year 3. The redesign introduces authentic assessment opportunities, allowing you to apply relevant educational pedagogical literature to your day-to-day practice. This approach aims to meet the diverse needs of our student cohort, ensuring a more fair and inclusive learning environment.

Throughout all three years on the programme you will receive constructive feedback from both academic tutors and peers, supporting your learning journey. Successful completion of each module and its associated coursework is required before proceeding to the next module, with results contributing towards your final qualification.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor (hons) degree 2.2 or above in a health-related subject.

A minimum of two years’ experience (or part-time equivalent) in practice. Involvement in education and training in current role.

Non-standard entry application routes are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Entry on the appropriate professional register. It is expected that applicants will be a member of the relevant professional body. Referees must therefore include a statement indicating whether or not the applicant is a member of a professional body.

International students

Due to the nature of teaching on this programme, this programme is not available to study by applicants who are resident outside the UK. We do offer a fully online Clinical Education PG Cert for UK or international applicants. Details can be found on the course page.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component. .

How to apply

Application deadlines may differ dependent on application pathway. Places are limited and, where necessary (for example, due to unprecedented demand), the University reserves the right to amend application deadlines, which may inlude closing applications early.

Applications are reviewed and places offered to those who meet entry requirements as they are submitted. If the course is full you may be offered a place on a PgCert Clinical Education programme pathway should it be running in the next academic year.

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Documents and information you MUST include as part of your application:

• A letter of support from your manager at the workplace you will be based at during your Clinical Education programme studies. The letter needs to confirm that you are and will be engaged in teaching in your workplace as part of your role and that you will be given sufficient teaching time to meet the assessment requirements for the course. Additionally, the referee needs to confirm whether you are currently on a professional register relevant to your clinical practice and provide details of this. The reference should be provided on a headed document with either a stamp from the institution or an electronic signature.

• A personal statement (minimum one paragraph) – outlining your reasons for wishing to undertake the course, details of relevant experience and how you will be able to satisfy the teaching requirements for the assessment. You should demonstrate through the supporting statement how the course will be of direct benefit to your personal and professional development.

• Sponsorship/funding confirmation letter, where applicable. Find more information about sponsorship here.
• Applicants must upload a copy of their academic certificates upon submission of their application.

Admissions policy

School of Medicine Taught Postgraduate Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Medicine

Contact us

School of Medicine Postgraduate Admissions

Email: pgmed-admissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £4,750 (Total)

International: £11,000 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Additional cost information

The course received Higher Education Academy accreditation at Level 2 of the Professional Standards Framework for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education in 2010. The course was successfully revalidated in 2023. Recognition as a Fellow is available to all students who successfully complete the PgCert programme.

A one-off fee is payable by students who do not hold a current teaching contract with a subscribing higher education institution. This, however, is not compulsory.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Career opportunities

This programme is designed to support your career pathway in clinical education and is specifically aimed at healthcare professionals employed by the NHS and higher education institutions (HEIs). Many of our graduates have achieved promotions in their respective fields of education and training, while others have progressed to doctoral studies in Clinical Education.

Careers support

Studying in the School of Medicine at Leeds is an amazing opportunity, but we know that the cost can be difficult for many people to meet. If you are keen to join us, a range of funding opportunities are available.

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.