Musculoskeletal Medicine PGCert

Course overview

Advance your career with a flexible, expert-led online course in musculoskeletal medicine.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) medicine is a rapidly developing field of medicine practised by a variety of clinicians including general practitioners and allied healthcare professionals. Our online Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in MSK Medicine is designed to offer maximum flexibility, allowing you to study around your professional and personal commitments.

Developed by leading UK MSK clinicians, this course equips you with the knowledge and practical skills needed to work confidently in both primary care and community MSK services. Whether you're looking to begin or advance your career in MSK medicine, this comprehensive programme provides a strong foundation for clinical excellence.

Course highlights

• Study flexibly through our dedicated online learning platform.
• Join monthly live tutorials led by experienced clinicians.
• Learn from UK-based experts in specialist MSK fields.
• Receive personalised academic and career support from our tutor team.
• Aligned with the joint MSK Diploma exam of the Primary Care Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Medicine Society and the Faculty of Sport & Exercise Medicine.

Our teaching faculty

Our teaching faculty consists of a wide range of academics and clinicians including sport & exercise medicine consultants, GPs with an extended role in MSK medicine, advanced practice practitioners, consultant physiotherapists and orthopaedic surgeons. The course was developed by Dr Richard Collins, Sport & Exercise Medicine Consultant and experienced GP with an extended role in MSK, who was the lead author for the syllabus of the PCRMM-FSEM’s MSK Diploma exam, meaning our course will prepare students wishing to sit this exam in the future.

Our Postgraduate Certificate is delivered via the Faculty of Biological Sciences and includes a variety of expert clinicians within their specialist field.

• Dr Dane Vishnubala MBBS MSc (Med Ed) FRCGP (MSc SEM) DipSEM(UK) FFSEM PGCert MSK US SFHEA PhD | Clinical Lead | Consultant Physician in SEM.
• Dr Camilla Nykjaer BSc MSc PhD FHEA | Programme Lead | Lecturer in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health | Honorary Research Fellow Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
• Dr Craig Zalecki BSc(Hons) MBBS FFSEM MRCGP DipSEM(UK) PGCert MSK US – Clinical Lecturer | Consultant Physician in Sport & Exercise Medicine.

Course details and modules

The course is fully online with approximately 4-5 hours of pre-recorded material for students to review week by week. Learning is supported by live Q&A tutorials every third Wednesday evening covering the preceding weeks' topics.

Aimed at doctors, physiotherapists, allied healthcare professionals and others working in the field of MSK medicine, your programme is divided into the following modules:

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

Year 1 compulsory modules

Learning and teaching

This course is delivered through a flexible, fully online format designed to support busy healthcare professionals. You’ll engage with a variety of learning methods, including:

• Pre-recorded lectures and interactive course workbooks.
• Regular online tutorials and discussion forums to encourage peer learning and academic support.
• Self-directed study, guided by recommended reading and reflective practice.
• Clinical logbooks and case-based learning, allowing you to apply theory to real-world scenarios.

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

Assessment will be through completion of all the online modules, formative workbooks and summative linked MCQs, participation in online tutorials and forum discussions, creation of logbooks and reflection on these along with case presentations. There will also be a poster presentation and a viva assessment with two course tutors to validate the knowledge gained.

Applying

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally have at least a 2:2 honours degree (or international equivalent). Currently, we are accepting candidates with degrees in medicine, physiotherapy, sports therapy, sports rehabilitation/training, podiatry, osteopathy, or other allied healthcare professions. Appropriate professional registration should also be held with the GMC, Health and Care Professions Council, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy or British Association of Sport Rehabilitators and Trainers. Applicants without professional registration with governing bodies are required to have at least one year of relevant post-graduation clinical experience.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional. 

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

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.

Next steps

• We process your application.
• We inform you of our decision.
• If we make you an offer, you respond by accepting or declining.

Requirement application documents

Applications must include all of the following to be considered:

• Completed online application form (for Taught Postgraduate Study).
• Full CV.
• Transcript of degree examination marks achieved to date.
• Copy of final degree certificate (if completed).
• Evidence of English language qualification (non-native English speakers only).
• Copy of passport (if an overseas student).

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2026

This course is taught by

Faculty of Biological Sciences

Contact us

Faculty of Biological Sciences postgraduate taught admissions team

Email: fbspgt@leeds.ac.uk

Fees

UK: £4,500 (Total)

International: £4,633 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Additional cost information

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

Many of our students are currently working in the field of MSK medicine or looking to enter it. This PG Cert will provide you with the knowledge needed to work in MSK in a primary care or community setting. Throughout the course, you’ll be supported by a dedicated clinical mentor who will help you explore career pathways, identify development opportunities, and build a professional network.

Graduate roles and destinations

• Sport and Exercise Medicine Doctor
• NHS Physiotherapist
• Police Rehabilitation Unit Specialist
• Military Rehabilitation Practitioner
• MSK Sonographer
• First Contact Practitioner (FCP) Physiotherapist
• General Practitioner (GP) with extended role in MSK
• GP Trainee

Careers support

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 at the Careers website.

Alongside the support, advice and guidance from the University’s Careers Centre, you will have a clinical mentor who will meet you regularly. They will help you to plan your career path and identify the experiences, qualifications and people that can help you on your way.