The University of Cambridge Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Education has been designed collaboratively by University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE), and the University of Cambridge, School of Clinical Medicine’s Clinical Deanery. The postgraduate diploma is a continuation of the postgraduate certificate and both are one-year, part-time Master’s-level programmes resulting in 60 level 7 credits each and the University of Cambridge award.
The programme is only open to those who have successfully completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education.
The course is delivered through in-person teaching sessions requiring attendance in Cambridge, self-directed and peer learning, and synchronous and asynchronous approaches provided via the course Virtual Learning Environment [VLE].
Course Dates
Course details
Tutors
Key course information
Watch the information session for the Medical Education pathway from our Medical Open Week 2025.
Who is the course designed for?
The programme is only open to those who have successfully completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education at Professional and Continuing Education (PACE).
The postgraduate diploma is aimed at doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals involved in supporting the learning and development of students and/or more junior colleagues. This includes those working in primary/secondary/community care settings, at all levels from Foundation Year 2 onwards.
This means they are medical, dental or healthcare professionals who are engaged in education and training activities commensurate with their level of experience and as is relevant to their professional roles and responsibilities. It is suitable for ‘early career’ educators as well as those with more experience.
Aims of the programme
The programme aims to develop individuals able to adopt an informed and critically reflective stance to their own and others’ practice as medical educators and leaders.
This will include:
- consideration of strategies to create and sustain safe working and learning environments, including supporting and developing faculty to deliver high-quality education and training
- the features of high-quality formative and summative assessment practices and how these are used to assess performance and support the development of students and trainees (including differentiation of performance and supporting trainees who are failing to progress)
- a focus on curriculum and course design at 2 levels i.e. firstly, to enable an informed critique of adopted curriculum, their limits and potentials and secondly to familiarise participants with core curriculum design skills
- exploration of active inclusion practices in clinical education and training
Progression
The Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Education forms the second year of the progression route to the MSt in Medical Education. Upon successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma students would be eligible to apply for the one-year MSt in Medical Education. Please note that the postgraduate diploma and MSt are not guaranteed to run each year.
The programme is only open to those who have successfully completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education at PACE.
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.
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.
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.
Teaching
The Postgraduate Diploma comprises 3 modules and combines in-person study days with online activity, study and assignments. There are 8 contact days in total, in-person attendance is mandatory.
Module 1
Curriculum and assessment: design and development
- October 2026 (one-day teaching session)
- November 2026 (two-day teaching block)
- December 2026 (two-hour online session)
Module 2
Supporting work-based learning
- January 2027 (one-day teaching session)
- February 2027 (two-day teaching block)
Module 3
Developing practice and leading learning
- March 2027 (one-day teaching session)
- May 2027 (one-day teaching session)
Assessment
There are 3 assessment points, one formative (first term) and two summative (second and third terms).
Assessment 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.
Bursary funding for a limited number of places may be available from Health Education East of England (HEEoE). If you wish to apply for the bursary please ensure you follow the HEEoE guidance (deadline for bursary applications to be announced but likely to be end of March). The bursary process is separate to the course application process.
Some students receive funding or sponsorship from their employers, but please note that places on the Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Education are offered on merit rather than funding.
We recommend that you explore any potential funding well in advance of the application deadline.
Considering applying? We look forward to receiving your application. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Interviews will be held as part of the selection process if required. 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.
- Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
- Shortlisted applicants may be required to interview, in which case we’ll contact you 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.
Employer letter of support
Upload a letter from your employer confirming release of time to study.
Evidence of funding, if applicable
Upload details for any funding you have secured for this course.
Qualifications and transcripts
Upload details of degree-level courses you have completed or are studying.
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.
