If you're a health professional engaged in teaching, our programme is crafted with you in mind.
Our course is for health professionals who are involved in the education and training of undergraduates and postgraduates. The PGCert allows you to develop your knowledge of theory and practice in teaching and learning, assessment and curriculum design. The PGDip and MEd focus on your skills as a researcher in education.
This course helped me to be successful in my application to become and Academic Clinical Fellow as it provided me a good grounding in medical education research and I was able to present the findings of my mini project at national and international conferences.
This part-time course runs for three years. Each year is self-contained and leads to a qualification.
In our course, you'll delve into theory and its practical applications in your educational setting.
We offer two one-year part-time PGCert courses, each tailored slightly differently:
Designed for doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, midwives and other health professionals.
Designed for clinicians currently working as clinical teaching fellows who deliver teaching to University of Birmingham undergraduate students in local NHS trusts.
On both courses:
The University of Birmingham is also ranked as the first choice for leading graduate employers in the UK.
Our Postgraduate Certificate is HEA accredited.
Our programme is structured around the UK Professional Standards Framework and has been accredited by the Higher Education Academy since 2009.
Our Education for Health Professionals course includes a combination of taught lectures, seminars, and workshops. You’ll learn from academics and researchers at a top 100 UK university. From the outset we’ll encourage you to become an independent and self-motivated learner.
This three-year course consists of six taught modules and a dissertation.
You'll have the opportunity to study in our Doug Ellis Learning Hub, featuring spacious open study areas where you can access laptops for free.
This three-year programme comprises 120 credits of taught material. There is also a 60 credit dissertation project.
The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.
As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.
Year: 1
2025/26 Session
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment and Health Professionals | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Developing and Sustaining A Curriculum for Health Professionals | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Teaching and Learning for Health Professionals | 20 | Semester 1 |
Year: 2
2026/27 Session
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Project in Education for Health Professionals | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Researching Education for Health Professionals | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Reviewing Education for Health Professionals | 20 | Semester 1 |
Year: 3
2027/28 Session
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation in Education for Health Professionals | 60 | Full Term |
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
You should have a first degree or equivalent professional qualification.
To join us, you need:
Our applicants are typically employed in the health service and involved, formally or informally, in training health professionals.
For the Diploma, you must satisfactorily complete the Certificate or an equivalent course. For the Masters, you need to complete the Diploma or an equivalent course.
If you believe you have equivalent qualifications, please contact us to discuss your situation.
Before Your Course Starts
Pre-sessional English courses are available for students whose IELTS scores do not meet entry requirements. Completing one of these courses means you won’t need to retake IELTS.
During Your Studies
The Birmingham International Academy (BIA) offers free English language services for international students, including:
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate taught programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
Our students typically work in the NHS, universities, the military, or other health organisations.
PG Certificate:
The PG Certificate is HEA accredited. Upon successful completion, you can apply for professional recognition as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), subject to fulfilling additional HEA requirements, further details can be found in the programme handbook. Note that the HEA currently charges for this widely recognised teaching qualification.
Diploma and Masters:
Both the Diploma and Masters are research-based, making them ideal if you want to develop your academic skills.
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Find out why we are the most targeted UK university by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2024) by meeting some of our successful alumni.
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham is a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.
