Medical Education PGCert

Program Overview

Through core modules and research opportunities, participants develop knowledge and skills in teaching, curriculum development, and educational research. Upon completion, graduates gain a competitive advantage for leadership roles in education and a foundation for further academic advancement.

Program Outline

The program's objectives are:

• Develop knowledge and skills as educators using your own practice and workplace setting as a research context.

• Critically understand curriculum theory, policy, and practice, and the history of curriculum development in clinical education.

• Improve teaching and learning practice and skills.

Additional details:

• one year of experience in practice as a clinical educator
• This program is taught at the Institute of Health Sciences Education (IHSE), which has a long history in medical and clinical education.

Outline:

This program consists of three core modules and an opportunity to undertake research for either a dissertation or research proposal.

Modules:

• Short courses: Opportunity to study medicine and dentistry short courses on campus or online.
• Compulsory/Core modules:
• Teaching and Learning for Clinical Contexts:
Introduces students to key theories in teaching and learning relevant to the clinical context; enables research discussions around set topics; involves involvement in day blocks of teaching; requires completion of reflective tasks, group assignments, and open discussions.
• Innovative Practices and Theories in Clinical Education: Examines contemporary clinical education topics including simulation, assessment of competence, e-learning for health professionals, clinical communication skills, and social learning; involves student presentations, group exercises, and open discussions; entails reflection, group and individual study.
• Clinical Curricula Evaluation and Development: Focuses on a critical understanding of curriculum theory, policy, and practice, from individual level through national initiatives; explores the history of curriculum development in clinical education; requires analysis of student experiences, critical reflections on current trends, development of curriculum evaluation skills.
• Dissertation or Research Proposal: Involves independent research on aspects of teaching and learning or a relevant topic related to medicine or health, which allows students to apply critical thinking skills and analysis to a chosen area or specific research project.

Assessment:

Assessment methods vary between modules and assignments but generally include a combination of exams, written essays, group projects, research proposals, presentations, and reflective assignments. All assessment formats aim to engage you in research and develop critical abilities in your professional field.

Teaching:

Additionally, the program utilizes guest speakers and online resources to supplement learning experience.

Careers:

Completion of the program provides graduates with significant advantages when applying for leadership roles in education. It equips graduates with competitive advantages when seeking positions as consultants, advisors, educational research developers, lead clinicians and academics in higher education institutions and professional bodies or professional education institutions associated with medical, dental or other healthcare programs. Additionally, graduates gain a valuable foundation for continued academic advancement through further research in higher education.

Other:

• Program fees range from £4,000 for part-time study (EU/EEA/Swiss students) to £8,000 for part-time study (international students), depending on chosen start date.
• Applications require a 2:2 or above at undergraduate level and preference for candidates with one year of post-qualification experience in clinical practice as educators.