Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Leadership Education and Research

This programme is for professionals in the field of health, medicine and allied health industries who wish to develop their skills in clinical leadership, clinical education and healthcare research. The course integrates these 3 core themes across each year of a 3-year progression pathway. 

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

Who is the course designed for? 

This course is only open to students who have completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Research, Education and Leadership or the Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Leadership Education and Research. 

Aims of the programme  

• The programme develops leaders who can transform healthcare systems for patients and communities, through the teaching of advanced concepts of self-awareness, resilience, and ethical leadership to enhance personal effectiveness and professional integrity in clinical leadership contexts. 
• The programme aims to advance the individual’s effectiveness of practice in teaching and/or support of learning through an understanding of the underpinning theories of practice in medical education and reflective practice. 
• The programme will develop skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods in medicine and healthcare and reinforce understanding of the importance of research for the evaluation of clinical practice. 

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

• Enable deployment of new knowledge in clinical practice and leadership to have a positive personal impact on the work of others in the clinical team and wider service. 
• Comprehensive understanding of learning and teaching theories and the application of feedback models. 
• A critical understanding of the application of quantitative methods, qualitative methods, secondary analysis and systematic reviews and evidence-based practice.    
• Develop the knowledge of leadership models and the ability as confident healthcare leaders of service improvement for safe and high-quality patient care. 
• Understanding of principles and good practice in assessment and curriculum design and justify good practice in recognising and supporting learners in difficulty or with additional needs. 
• A critical understanding of the principles of research design and the range of methods available for clinical and health related research, including translational research.

Skills and attributes

• Develop new, creative approaches and concepts in response to contemporary issues and developments within clinical leadership. 
• Evaluate and apply reflective practice and educational and psychological theories underpinning clinical education to educational roles. 
• Critically evaluate and effectively search research literature, assess data quality (statistical evidence) and synthesise/integrate this data (which may come from a range of disciplines). 
• Utilise advanced specialised evidence based clinical leadership skills for complex and evolving contexts including quality improvement.  
• Demonstrate critically evaluative, reflective and evidence-informed approaches to teaching and/or supporting learning in diverse academic or professional settings. 
• Critically appraise and analyse research designs and data collection approaches. 
• Justify ethical approaches to research and gain necessary approvals. 

Progression 

The postgraduate diploma forms the second year of the progression route to the MSt in Clinical Leadership, Education and Research (CLEaR). Upon successful completion of the postgraduate diploma, students would be eligible to apply for the final year of the course, the MSt in Clinical Leadership Education and Research. 

Please note: the maximum break in study between awards is 5 years, provided that you maintain relevant clinical experience. The full MSt in Clinical Leadership, Education and Research 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  

You must have successfully completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Research, Education and Leadership or the Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Leadership Education and Research. 

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.   

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 a combination of in-person teaching sessions, requiring in-person attendance in Cambridge, online synchronous sessions and online asynchronous learning activities. Attendance at all contact days, both in person and online, is compulsory. The course delivery is supported through the Virtual Leaning Environment (VLE). 

The course consists of 3 modules: 

• Organisational Leadership 
• Clinical Education Leadership 
• Evidence-Based Medicine 

Teaching dates will be provided here in due course. 

Assessment 

Each unit uses summative assessment approaches of 3,000 to 4,000 words or their equivalent. Assessments are designed to ensure experiential learning and work-based real-life relevance. Approaches may include but are not limited to critical analysis of case-studies, assessment of evidence-based portfolios, assessment of work and sector relevant group presentations and projects, short answer questions, essays, the ability to handle, analyse and visualise unseen datasets. 

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 27 May 2027. 
• Applications are processed on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to interview candidates where necessary 

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.