Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education

Who is the course designed for?

The Postgraduate Certificate is aimed at doctors and other professionals allied to medicine who have a teaching role and/or a role in training and appraising healthcare professionals. This includes doctors working in: primary care; secondary care at all levels from foundation year 2 to consultant grades; and other professionals allied to medicine that have a role in teaching both undergraduates and postgraduates. Hear what our current students have to say.

Applicants may wish to continue onto the linked Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Education which provides a further 60 credits at FHEQ Level 7.

Aims of the programme

The programme is designed to provide practical solutions to teaching undergraduates or postgraduates as individuals, small groups and larger groups. It will look at the theory behind teaching in medical settings and how these apply in real life situations. It is also designed to provide help in developing skills in giving feedback, appraisal and assessment. Where possible the teaching will be adaptable so that it can help specific groups of teachers in their particular environment.

The programme is designed to meet recommendations of the GMC and Academy of Medical Educators, and aims to contribute to continuing professional development of doctors and allied professionals in an integrated clinical and teaching environment to stimulate more inter-professional education; and to develop a cohort of professionals who will pursue and develop their roles as teachers in the field of medical education. Students successfully completing the programme will have gained skills and knowledge to:

• Ensure safe and effective patient care through training
• Establish and maintain an environment for learning
• Teach and assess learning and apply core theoretical principles to their own educational contexts
• Support and monitor educational progress
• Guide personal and professional development

Upon successful completion of the programme you may apply for membership of the Academy of Medical Educators (AoME); you may also apply for Fellowship status of the Higher Education Academy (HEA).

For further information please see our FAQs below.

Teaching and learning

The Postgraduate Certificate comprises three modules and combines face-to-face study days providing a total of approximately 90 contact hours with additional between-module reflection, study and assignment work. The three modules are below. 

Two iterations of the course are offered in 2021-22. Although we are unable to guarantee a place on a particular cohort, you will be given the opportunity to indicate your preference when applying. You will be offered a place on a specific cohort and you will need to ensure you are able to attend all of the dates for that cohort before accepting an offer. You will only be able to attend teaching sessions for your designated cohort.

Please note that all teaching dates are provisional and may be subject to change.

Cohort 1

Core skills in medical education

• 30 September - 1 October 2021
• 27 October 2021
• 2 December 2021

Applying teaching skills

• 5 January 2022
• 16 February 2022
• 16 March 2022

The role of assessment

• 22 April 2022 (joint with cohort 2)
• 18 May 2022

Cohort 2 

Core skills in medical education·       

• 15 - 16 October 2021
• 29 October 2021
• 3 December 2021

Applying teaching skills

• 7 January 2022
• 18 February 2022
• 18 March 2022

The role of assessment

• 22 April 2022 (joint with cohort 1)
• 20 May 2022

Please note that these dates are provisional at this time and will be confirmed in due course .

A virtual learning environment will support students’ learning throughout the programme.

Fees and funding

The fee for 2021 will be £4,122 per annum (home) and £6,000 (overseas).

The fee status of EU nationals for 2021 entry onwards will be International by default until the UK government announce further details and amendments of the current regulation. EU students should regularly check for updates at: www.cam.ac.uk/eu

Students will be expected to cover the application fee (£70 online) and any costs of travel, accommodation and subsistence incurred during teaching sessions in Cambridge.

Bursary funding for a limited number of places will be available from Health Education East of England (HEEoE) . If you wish to apply for the bursary please ensure you follow the HEE EoE process (deadline for bursary applications to be announced but likely to be end of March; more details can be found here https://heeoe.hee.nhs.uk/faculty-educators/educators-development-and-networking/bursaries). All other applicants should apply direct to the Institute of Continuing Education.

Please note that places on the Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education are offered on merit rather than funding.

How to apply

Applications will be accepted until 31 May 2021. Please click the APPLY NOW button at the top of the page and follow the steps.

The programme is likely to be oversubscribed with suitably qualified applicants and, within a context of a balanced cohort, preference will be given to those who meet the academic criteria and those able to demonstrate a clear commitment to the programme of study. Candidates must be available to attend all of the teaching sessions and meet assessment deadlines. All eligible candidates will be considered for interview, which will be scheduled in June and early July 2021. Interviews may be conducted by Zoom. Candidates will be informed of final decisions towards the end of August.

Applicants will be required to either submit or provide details of the following as part of the application process:

• Original qualification transcripts 
• Employer letter of support to confirm release of time to study.
• Evidence of funding
• Details of two academic referees

·       If applicable, appropriate visa to attend the course.