Clinical Assessment PGCert

Course overview

This exciting programme meets the expanding needs of healthcare practitioners and is bolstered by our reputation of delivering high quality clinically-focused modules.

PGCert Clinical Assessment is suitable for all healthcare practitioners involved in the clinical assessment of patients.

The programme offers the knowledge and skills to enable you to assess patients from 'head-to-toe' and develop evidence-based management strategies. You’ll develop practical skills in taking health history, auscultation, percussion and palpation in addition to diagnostic reasoning skills. Depending upon your choice of optional module you will develop knowledge and skills in the interpretation of blood results or the interpretation of medical images.

The programme shares modules with the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice.

The programme leader is Ian Goulden.

Course details

The compulsory modules are fundamental building blocks in your learning. The Clinical Examination module provides essential knowledge and skills necessary for a patient-centred, systems-based assessment of patients.

The Management of Patient’s Clinical Conditions gives the student the opportunity to take assessment data a stage further. It requires you to evaluate information elicited from patient assessment and develop diagnostic reasoning skills.

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 Assessment PGCert in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Learning and teaching

School of Healthcare programmes are designed to allow you as much variety as possible in the way that you study.

Methods are highly participative, with a combination of tutor-led input and support, learning through group work and discussion, and individual exercises and supervised skills development.

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

You will be assessed by a combination of unseen examination, OSCE and written assignment.

Applying

Entry requirements

• A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a health science from a recognised higher education institution or certified evidence of an ability to study at level 5 (Masters level).

• Current registration with a UK healthcare professional governing body (eg Nursing and Midwifery Council).

• Applicants should have written endorsement from their employing organisation that they will be supported to undertake the programme of study.

Opportunities for the accreditation of prior learning and prior experiential learning exist through the School's credit accumulation and transfer procedures.

English language requirements

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.

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

How to apply

Application deadlines

We traditionally accept applications until the end of July for September intakes and the end of November for January intakes.

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.

Admissions policy

Taught Admissions Policy 2025-26

This course is taught by

School of Healthcare

Contact us

School of Healthcare Admissions Team

Email: admissions@healthcare.leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £4,625 (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.

If you are an NHS employee working for an approved provider in West Yorkshire or your employing organisation offers services directly to the NHS, you may be eligible for Specialist Skills and Post Registration Development (SSPRD) funding for the cost of your course fees. This funding is subject to availability.

For more information regarding the eligibility criteria for funding please download the NHS Health Education England funding guide. You can also email admissions@healthcare.leeds.ac.uk for further advice.

Please be aware that employer support does not guarantee the availability of funding.

Career opportunities

The programme will enable practitioners to move towards advanced practice roles. Students who have successfully completed similar modules at the School of Healthcare have gone on to become nurse consultants and advanced and specialist practitioners.

Careers support

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.