Medical Education PgCert

Develop your skills, knowledge and understanding of medical education at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Grow in your role as a teacher or supervisor in the clinical workplace as well as the classroom. Take your first steps towards a fulfilling career in medical education or higher education.

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Overview

The PgCert in Medical Education is designed to bridge the gap between theory, evidence, and practice, with a strong emphasis on the practicalities of medical education. The course is delivered by both experienced clinicians and academics, including a range of external contributors with specialist expertise in the field of medical education, via a mix of online and face-to-face workshops, seminars and support sessions.

The PgCert in Medical Education is aimed at all staff who educate healthcare professionals or medical students, and for those looking to develop their career in medical education. On completion of the course, you will have developed your skills and knowledge as a teaching professional and have a greater understanding of the delivery and governance of medical training across all levels.

Why us?

Expert guest speakers from diverse backgrounds will share real-world insights and practical examples to enhance your learning.
You'll be taught by a range of recognised academics and clinicians from the field of medical education, ensuring the teaching is relevant, practical, and directly applicable to your educational work.

The course emphasises the real-world delivery of training, helping you navigate the complex clinical and educational environments you work in.
Flexible learning options are available to fit around your professional commitments.

Course structure

The course combines online lectures, group seminars, interactive workshops, self-study, as well as activities via the Canvas platform, such as:

Regular in-person study days provide opportunities for you to network with fellow students and engage in creative and interactive learning activities.
In person writing days and online academic writing sessions help develop your academic writing skills, provide protected time for writing your assignments and opportunity for feedback from course and library staff.
Online drop-in and presentation sessions provide opportunities for you to gain feedback on your work in progress.

You'll be formally assessed using multiple methods including critical reflective and essay writing, individual presentation, and portfolio.

Throughout the course, you will have numerous opportunities for formative assessment, allowing you to receive constructive feedback to support your development.

Modules

Core module

Planning, Delivering and Assessing in Medical Education (30 credits)

This module is designed for those involved in undergraduate or postgraduate medical education and training within classroom-based settings. It focuses on enhancing your understanding of the theory and evidence behind medical education practices while encouraging critical reflection on your own teaching. With immediate practical relevance, it is ideal for anyone who teaches regularly and seeks to further develop their educational knowledge and skills.

Optional modules

Teaching, Learning and Assessment in the Clinical Workplace (30 credits)

This module is designed for those engaged in undergraduate or postgraduate medical education within workplace-based settings. It aims to deepen your understanding of the theory and evidence underpinning clinical workplace-based education while introducing a variety of assessment and feedback tools. You'll also explore key debates and best practices in clinical teaching.

Supervision and Support of Medical Learners (30 credits)

Examine the support and supervision aspects of medical education, extending beyond teaching to roles such as postgraduate educational supervisors, personal tutors, and programme leads. Grounded in GMC supervision domains, cover essential areas including learning environments, educational culture, governance, and support for both learners and educators.

Facilities

This course is based in the School of Medicine, within Murray Health at our City Campus. Teaching may also take place online in-person.

Entry requirements

We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.

You are expected to be a regular teacher or supervisor of medical students or doctors/healthcare professionals in current UK practice. Applicants will hold a medical degree (MB BS, MBChB) or a first degree of 2:2 or above.

University of Sunderland staff will apply via the HR staff qualifications policy, agreeing workload remission and support with their line manager.

Candidates are encouraged to contact the course admin team if there are any questions or uncertainties, to ensure that the course learning outcomes can be achieved and that the route is suitable for you. Please email postgraduatemeded@sunderland.ac.uk to arrange this.

We accept Accreditation of Prior Learning in terms of credit value from accredited university educational qualifications and these credits will count directly towards your qualification. We will ask for proof of the credits before an offer is issued.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

The tuition fee for this course is:

£2,833 if you are from the UK/Ireland/EU settled/pre-settled
£5,666 if you are an international student

As this course is part-time, we can only consider international students currently residing in the UK on a suitable visa that covers the duration of your studies (e.g. Tier 2).

Learn more about settled status, pre-settled status, special discounts, visa requirements, and Common Travel Area (CTA) agreements for the Republic of Ireland applicants in our Help and Advice article.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Students graduating at the Stadium of Light

Career ready

On completion of the course, you may look to find employment at higher education institutions, or clinical teaching roles in the public and private sector (subject to meeting the role specification requirements).

Your career in medical education

The majority of students who study this course will be qualified healthcare professionals seeking to develop their career in medical education. The course is designed to develop your skills and knowledge as a teaching professional and as such, will ensure that you are able to offer high quality student-centred teaching and learning experiences for your students.

Further study

On successful completion of the course, you can use this as advanced standing if you wish to continue your studies and enrol onto the Master of Medical Education. This Masters course is an internationally recognised higher degree in medical education, with a major emphasis on developing participants as contemporary educators in medicine. You would enter year two of this course.

Meet the students

The PG Cert course has been supportive, interesting and flexible.

Leah Williams

Related courses

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing

Page last updated: 03 March 2025

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.

Overview

Why us?

Course structure

Modules

Core module

Planning, Delivering and Assessing in Medical Education (30 credits)

Optional modules

Teaching, Learning and Assessment in the Clinical Workplace (30 credits)

Supervision and Support of Medical Learners (30 credits)

Facilities

Entry requirements

Fees and finance

Career ready

Your career in medical education

Further study

Meet the students

Leah Williams

Meet the team — PgCert in Medical Education

Related courses

Contact