Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Research, Education and Leadership

The programme has been developed by Cambridge University Health Partners (the academic health sciences centre), in conjunction with the School of Clinical Medicine and University of Cambridge Continuing and Professional Education (PACE). 

It is taught part-time and is designed to be flexible and accessible to working healthcare professionals contributing towards research and professional development through reinforcement of Good Clinical Practice (GCP). 

Watch the information session for the Clinical Medicine Pathway from our Medical Open Week 2025. 

Who is the course designed for?

This course is designed for doctors, dentists, nurses, veterinary surgeons and allied health professionals.  

Aims of the programme

All parts of the course (the postgraduate certificate, the postgraduate diploma, and the Master of Studies) are delivered with the following overarching educational aims to: 

• provide professionally relevant teaching and learning informed by research in an integrated clinical and teaching environment.
• create an international cohort of healthcare professionals able to pursue and develop their roles in a rapidly-changing and challenging environment of clinical medicine.
• develop the confidence within this cohort to lead service improvement for safe and high-quality patient care, with the required knowledge, skills and capability to have a positive personal impact on the work of others in their clinical team and wider service.
• develop clinicians with an understanding of teaching, professional development and assessment in the field of clinical medicine.
• develop clinicians with an understanding of research methodologies and ethical considerations relevant to clinical medicine.
• encourage participants to develop as reflective practitioners with the emotional intelligence, resilience and astuteness required to be effective clinical leaders.
• encourage a commitment to intellectual challenge and evidence-based clinical practice informed by the latest conceptual and theoretical knowledge of clinical education, research methods, ethics and clinical leadership and governance.  

Progression

The Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Research Education and Leadership forms the first year of the progression route to the MSt in Clinical Medicine. Upon successful completion of the postgraduate certificate, students would be eligible to apply for the one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Medicine, and following this the one-year MSt in Clinical Medicine.

Please note that the postgraduate diploma and MSt are not guaranteed to run each year. The postgraduate diploma will be paused in 2026-27 and the MSt will be paused in 2027-28.

Please note: the maximum break in study between awards is 5 years, provided that you maintain relevant clinical experience. The full MSt in Clinical Medicine must be completed in a maximum of 8 years.

We welcome applications from healthcare staff, including doctors and other allied health professionals. As part of our admissions process, you’ll need to meet certain requirements and make sure you’re able to attend teaching sessions in the UK.  

Standard entry requirements

Typically, we expect a good UK undergraduate degree, such as a 2.1, or international equivalent.

If your degree is not from the UK, check international qualifications on the University’s postgraduate site to find the equivalent in your country.

Non-standard applications  

If you do not meet the standard entry requirements, we still encourage you to apply. You’ll need to show you have relevant, professional experience that makes you a strong candidate, and/or have completed higher-level study. Please include this information when you apply. 

English language requirements 

Our courses are taught in English and require a good level of fluency. If English is not your first language, you'll need to prove you have sufficient fluency before admission. If we offer you a place, it will be subject to you meeting this requirement. For more information, visit Postgraduate and Master's admissions and the University’s English language requirements.

Visa information

We welcome applications from international students. If you’re coming from overseas, you would attend the in-person teaching sessions for this course with visitor immigration permission. 

It's important to be aware that entering the UK as a visitor for study purposes comes with certain expectations and restrictions. To make sure you understand the requirements, we advise you to read the in-depth information on the University’s International Students website.

The course is delivered through in-person teaching sessions requiring in-person attendance in Cambridge. Attendance at all contact days is compulsory. Pre-attendance content may be available to view in advance. Additional content and tutorials will be delivered synchronously online, requiring attendance in ‘real time’.  The course delivery is supported through the Virtual Leaning Environment [VLE]. 

Teaching 

This course comprises 3 modules and combines in-person study days with on-line activity, study and assignments. Below are the expected teaching dates for this course. If they change, we'll update offer-holders in line with the University's Terms of Admission. Exact teaching dates will be added to this webpage in due course. 

Clinical Leadership (also available as stand-alone study) 

In-person teaching dates: October 2026 (4 days) and June 2027 

There are 8 themes within the Clinical Leadership module:

• Theme 1: Clinical leadership in the NHS
• Theme 2: Self-awareness and personal leadership qualities
• Theme 3: Project/change management theories and practice
• Theme 4: The impact of effective leadership within the clinical arena and how to enhance leadership. Leadership resilience strategies
• Theme 5: Teams: An evidence-based approach to people management and developing high-performing teams
• Theme 6: Rescuing failing teams, managing difficult behaviour
• Theme 7: Improvement, strategic development, business planning & marketing
• Theme 8: Presenting projects, change management, organisational theory.  Change within large organisations – the NHS, learning from other industries 

Clinical Research 

In person teaching dates: January 2027 (4 days) and February 2027 

There are 8 themes within the research module:  

• Theme 1: Understanding the role of research in clinical practice and the role of clinicians in conducting research, and the elements of good clinical practice
• Theme 2: Effective review of the literature
• Theme 3: Understanding research methodologies
• Theme 4: The clinical study design process and ethical approval
• Theme 5: Publication and dissemination
• Theme 6: Funding applications and grant writing skills
• Theme 7: Statistics, data analysis and data presentation
• Theme 8: Critically appraising the literature
• Theme 9: Research career pathways 

In addition, a Good Clinical Practice Course is completed electronically.  

Clinical Education (also available as stand-alone study) 

In-person teaching dates: May 2027 (5 days) 

There are 5 themes within the education module:   

• Theme 1: Educational theory
• Theme 2: Educational supervision
• Theme 3: Evaluation and quality of teaching
• Theme 4: Technology in education
• Theme 5: Academic and teaching skills   

Assessment 

Students are assessed formatively throughout the course using a variety of techniques and interrelated strategies including evidence of regular reflection. Demonstration of active participation in the programme will be required. There may also be a requirement for the students to take part in peer review of other students.

Summative assessment (counting towards the final mark) will be through a range of formats which may include coursework, written and oral examinations, posters, presentations and projects.

Fees

The total fees for this course are shown above in 'Course details'.

To understand which fee status applies to you, whether as a home or overseas student, visit the University’s fee status page.  

To help you manage your finances more comfortably, you can pay the fee in instalments. See how to pay for more.  

There are also some additional costs you’ll need to cover as part of this course. These are usually: 

• an application fee of £85, unless you're eligible for a fee waiver, payable online
• any travel, accommodation and subsistence costs for the residential teaching sessions held in Cambridge

Funding

We're dedicated to reducing and removing financial barriers to learning. Visit financial support ahead of the application deadline to find out what options may be available to help you in your studies. You can explore external funding and stay up to date on our concessions and bursaries.

Considering applying? We look forward to receiving your application. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Should the course become full, we reserve the right to close for applications early. We encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible.    

Key timings for your application 

• The application deadline is 28 May 2026.
• We’ll hold interviews for shortlisted candidates from March 2026.
• If you're shortlisted, we'll contact you in the weeks before interviews to arrange a time and format for yours.

How to apply and what you'll need 

The ‘Apply now’ button will take you to the Applicant Portal. There, you can:

• create, save, and submit your application
• upload your supporting documents
• submit and manage your references
• pay your application fee
• track your application

Supporting documents 

When you submit your application, you’ll need to provide supporting information. 

Qualifications and transcripts   

Upload details of degree-level courses you have completed or are studying.  

Employer letter of support 

Upload a letter from your employer confirming release of time to study. 

Evidence of funding 

Upload details for any funding you have secured for this course.  

References  

Submit contact details for 2 academic referees, who we will contact on your behalf.  

For more information on applying and admissions, see Postgraduate and Master's admissions.

We're committed to supporting you in your learning journey, and we offer a variety of support opportunities to meet individual needs. Visit student support to find out more about how we can help.