Medical Education MMedEd, PGDip, PGCert
Explore medical educational practice with our MMedEd, PGDip and PGCert Medical Education.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2023
Overview
The course will suit health professionals and those interested in medical education. This course is relevant if you train others through formal teaching or supervise trainees at work. Our course will suit development as ‘professional’ educators.
Our list of module topics includes;
- teaching in formal environments – lectures, seminars, etc
- teaching in workplace environments – clinics, operating theatres, etc
- curriculum planning and delivery
- design and delivery of assessment
- online teaching and learning
- self-improvement of teaching practice through practitioner enquiry (Diploma-level only)
- trends in medical education, and what drives them
- critiquing educational research (Diploma-level only)
- the master's dissertation allows you to design a small research project on any educational topic of your choosing
The course is recognised by the Higher Education Academy (HEA). It is also accredited by the Academy of Medical Educators.
Most of our current students are medical doctors. We do have representation from other health care professions. Our content is also relevant for them. Previous students include teaching staff at:
- medical schools
- vets
- medical companies
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Important information
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Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you'll learn
You'll learn the fundamentals of ‘how to teach’. More importantly, we give you the knowledge and skills to manage unusual educational situations. We do this by introducing you to the literature on ‘how we learn’. If you understand more of how your learners learn in a particular scenario, it becomes easier to teach them.
Qualifications
MMedEd – Postgraduate Masters (full-time)
This qualification is awarded if you successfully complete six 20-credit taught modules plus a 60-credit dissertation module (180 credits). If you do not complete all the modules you can exit with:
- a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) if you successfully complete three 20-credit taught modules, including the core module for the PGCert (Teaching and Learning in the Classroom)
- a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) if you successfully complete six 20-credit taught modules
MMedEd – Postgraduate Masters (part-time)
This qualification is awarded if you successfully complete the PGDip (120 credits) plus one 60-credit dissertation module.
Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) (part-time)
A PGDip is awarded if you successfully complete the Certificate plus three 20-credit taught modules (120 credits).
Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) (part-time)
A PGCert is awarded if you successfully complete three 20-credit taught modules (60 credits).
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Teaching and Learning in the Classroom | 20 |
| Scholarship in Medical Education | 20 |
| Advancing Teaching and Learning | 20 |
| Advanced Study Module (Full-Time Delivery) | 60 |
Compulsory Module
Advanced Study Module (Part-Time Delivery) (60 credits)
Masters students will have previously completed 120 credits of taught modules whilst studying on the PGCert and PGDip.
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Scholarship in Medical Education | 20 |
| Advancing Teaching and Learning | 20 |
| Advanced Study Module (Part-Time Delivery) | 60 |
Accelerated Masters students complete the 60 credit Advanced Study Module (the dissertation module), plus three of the above 20-credit taught modules. They will have previously completed 60 credits of taught modules whilst studying on the PGCert.
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Advancing Teaching and Learning | 20 |
The following module is also compulsory if you want to progress to the Masters: Scholarship in Medical Education
PGDip students complete three of the above modules. They will have previously completed 60 credits of taught modules whilst studying on the PGCert.
The following optional module is also available Scholarship in Medical Education (this module is compulsory if you want to progress to the Masters)
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Teaching and Learning in the Classroom | 20 |
| Advancing Teaching and Learning | 20 |
The following module is also compulsory if you want to progress to the Masters: Scholarship in Medical Education
The following optional module is also available: Scholarship in Medical Education (this module is compulsory if you want to progress to the Masters).
Accelerated PGDip students complete six of the above 20-credit taught modules.
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Teaching and Learning in the Classroom | 20 |
PGCert students complete three of the above modules.
How you'll learn
The e-learning Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and Master's are studied completely via distance learning. Overall 20-credit modules run over either 11 or 12 weeks. The 60-credit dissertation module runs over the full academic year.
Each module will be in two-week strands. They have various activities and you can complete them at any time. There are also weekly tutorials which are optional. We record these in case you are unable to be present. There is a day of practical activity and further discussion, for each module. This will be accessible face to face but is also recorded.
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Essay
- Oral examination
- Oral presentation
- Written examination
- Written exercise
Assignments focus on the application of content to your own educational circumstances. This helps develop deeper insights into educational challenges in your own practice.
All assignment structures and expectations are available at the start of each module. You'll show your understanding and application of module content to their own teaching.
There is an opportunity to discuss draft work with tutor support before submission.
For the Utilising Technology in Medical Education, you submit a portfolio assignment including a written component and one component in a technology of your choosing eg video, PowerPoint
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Our teaching staff includes:
- Dr Bryan Burford, BSc (Hons), MSc (Eng), PhD. Lecturer in Medical Education
- Dr Sonia Bussey, SFHEA, Degree Programme Director for Medical Education
- Dr Fiona Clarke MBBS, FRCP, MMedEd. Lecturer in Medical Education
- Dr Sophie Hill, PhD, PgCert, BSc (Hons). Lecturer in Medical Education
- Dr Gwyndaf Roberts PhD, MA, PGCE, BSc (Hons), FHEA. Lecturer in Medical Education
- Dr David Thewlis MBBS, FHEA, MEd, Lecturer in Medical Education
Your development
Upon completion you'll be able to:
- use theories and principles of medical education to inform your own practice and others'
- show advanced knowledge in specific areas of professional relevance. This is for diploma and master's
- justify the decisions made when designing methods for investigating medical education. This applies to master's
- relate educational issues in clinical practice to a wider educational context
- appraise theory, ‘evidence’ and empirical data, as well as your own practice
- take a strategic approach to your own identified educational needs
- plan to address these needs
- engage in academic debate about educational research and educational practice. This is for diploma and master’s
- contest and contribute to the body of knowledge about medical education. This is for master's
- design and deliver educational interventions
- select the most appropriate educational strategies or methods for specified contexts
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2023 entry (per year)
Home and international fees are the same for our e-learning courses.
If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.
Find out more about:
- additional costs
- living costs
- tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
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For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
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Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2023 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
How to apply
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Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
School of Medicine
Email: emeded@ncl.ac.uk
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