Medical Education PG Certificate
School of Medicine and Population Health,
Faculty of Health
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Start date
September 2027 -
Duration
1 year -
Attendance
Online learning
Explore this course:
Apply now for 2027 entry or register your interest to find out about postgraduate study and events at the University of Sheffield.
Course description
Lead academic
If you are involved in teaching, supervising, supporting, or assessing learners in healthcare settings, this programme will help you develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become a more effective educator.
Designed for healthcare professionals from all disciplines, the Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education combines educational theory with practical application, enabling you to enhance learning within your own workplace. You will explore how people learn, how effective teaching can be designed and delivered, and how assessment, feedback, and curriculum development can improve learner experiences and outcomes.
Delivered fully online and part-time, the programme offers the flexibility to study alongside professional and personal commitments. You will learn alongside a diverse community of healthcare professionals, sharing experiences and perspectives that reflect the collaborative nature of modern healthcare practice.
A key feature of the programme is its focus on authentic workplace learning. Rather than working on hypothetical scenarios, you will apply educational concepts and evidence directly to your own educational role and context. Assessments are designed to support real world improvements, allowing you to address educational challenges, evaluate practice, and develop initiatives that enhance learning in clinical and healthcare environments.
Throughout the programme, you will be supported to reflect on your development as an educator, identify areas for growth, and build a foundation for future educational roles and leadership opportunities.
Applications
This course has limited capacity, and we review applications on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that we may have filled all our places before the advertised application deadline.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Academy of Medical Educators
Modules
This course requires attendance at mandatory in-person study days. The relevant dates can be found in the second tab in the box below.
The course consists of three 20-credit modules. Each participant will be expected to participate in approximately eight weeks of online activity.
Core modules:
- Effective Learning and Teaching
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This module focuses on how to design and facilitate effective learning, particularly within more 'managed' settings, for example in lectures, seminars, skills-based sessions and one-to-one tutorials. Through two face-to-face study days and online learning, students are introduced to a range of practical and theoretical concepts. These concepts inform students, for example, on how to write effective learning outcomes, how to create teaching sessions which reflect particular types of learning, and how to choose appropriate learning, teaching and assessment activities. Students take part in tutor and student-led sessions, developing knowledge and skills which are transferable to their own practice and context.
20 credits - Work Based Learning
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This module focuses on how to develop effective learning in workplace settings. Through two face-to-face study days and online learning, students are introduced to a range of practical and theoretical concepts. These concepts inform students, for example, on how to help their learners effectively integrate and participate in the workplace, assist learners to become progressively independent and support their skill development. Students will also consider how to ensure learning is safe, effective and sustainable. Students take part in tutor and student-led sessions, which involve developing a work-based learning and teaching plan for their specific workplace setting.
20 credits - Curriculum Design and Development
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This module focuses on how to use curriculum design and development concepts to evaluate part of a curriculum. Through two face-to-face study days and online learning, students are introduced to a range of practical and theoretical concepts. These concepts inform students, for example, on what a curriculum is, widely used frameworks for the design and evaluation of medical curricula, and the role of assessment. Students will also consider how policy influences curriculum design and development. Students take part in tutor and student-led sessions, which involve evaluating areas of curriculum relevant to their practice and propose ways to improve them.
20 credits
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we will inform students and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Open days
Interested in postgraduate taught study? Register your interest in studying at Sheffield or attend an online event throughout the year to find out what makes studying here special.
Teaching
Designed to fit around the demands of working in healthcare, this part-time programme combines flexible online learning with opportunities to connect with tutors and fellow healthcare professionals.
You will learn through a range of interactive activities, including online lectures, guided reading, discussion forums, and live tutorials. Throughout the programme, you will apply educational theory and evidence directly to your own workplace, helping you make meaningful improvements to your teaching and educational practice.
Assessment
Each module is assessed through written submissions.
Your career
Our graduates have gone on to a wide range of roles in medical and healthcare education, training and supervision. These include senior management roles such as NHS Training Director and Armed Forces Training Commander, as well as academic positions in higher education. They work in many healthcare settings including the NHS, private healthcare and universities around the world.
Student profiles
This course has helped me to improve my confidence and gave me an understanding of what can be done to improve the learning experience of my students
Dr Ahmed Shakir Mohammed
Consultant Paediatrician, Diana Princess of Wales Hospital,
PGCert Medical Education
This course has really helped me improve the way I teach by giving me the tools to better structure and plan my sessions.
Hannah Murphy
Practice Education Facilitator,
PG Cert Medical Education
This course helped me understand the complexities of medical education that we often take for granted
Claire Dewshi
Orthodontic Specialist Registrar, Queen Victoria Hospital,
PGCert Medical Education
The course has been invaluable in equipping me to become a more knowledgeable educator as well as increasing my awareness of the GP trainee curriculum
Ria Agarwal
Postgraduate student,
PGCert Medical Education
Entry requirements
- A recognised degree in a healthcare profession and
- Experience in teaching or supervising learning in a healthcare or related setting and
- Access to learners in a healthcare or related setting
English language requirements
IELTS 7.5 (with 7 in each component) or University equivalent.
Other requirements
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school.
Fees and funding
Additional costs
The annual fee for your postgraduate taught course may not include the costs for all compulsory elements. There are also other costs which you may need to consider. These costs may increase due to price increases outside of the University’s control and if you defer entry or change course.
Examples of what's included and excluded in postgraduate taught fees
Information for employers
NHS Trusts who want to find out more about how to access this course for their staff can contact the course director, Andrew Stork, by emailing a.stork@sheffield.ac.uk.
Apply
You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.
Contact
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.