Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Education

Who is the course designed for?

• The postgraduate diploma is only open to those who have, or will 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, and those holding educational leadership roles. 

Aims of the course

The course 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 

Learning outcomes

Students successfully completing the programme will have gained skills and knowledge to:  

• evidence a critical appreciation of the ways in which clinical learning and practice are conceptualised and how this is reflected in curriculum design and implementation decisions, including assessment strategies 
• purposefully draw upon a range of educational theories and concepts, as a basis for analysing and enhancing approaches to clinical education and training  
• propose novel approaches to the development of their own and/or others educational practice, in the response to changing circumstances and/or needs  
• demonstrate learner and patient-centred approaches to clinical education, training and assessment, that are appropriately aligned to relevant professional curricula and standards 

Progression

The Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Education forms the second year of the progression route to the MSt in Medical Education. Students who have, or will have, successfully completed it, would be eligible to apply for the one-year MSt in Medical Education.

For more information, watch our most recent Medical Education Pathway 'Ask-Me-Anything' AMA event recording. 

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 9 contact days in total, in-person attendance is mandatory.  

Module 1 

Curriculum and assessment: design and development  

This module explores and critiques current curriculum and assessment designs within undergraduate and postgraduate health professions education and the underpinning educational theories.

•  October 2027 (1 day in-person teaching) 
• November 2027 (2 days in-person teaching) 
• December 2027 (two-hour online session) 

Module 2

Supporting work-based learning 

This module focuses on the role of workplace-based learning, implications for clinical and educational supervisions practice, and how to make learning more inclusive, including the identification and remediation of learners in difficulty.   

• January 2028 (1 day in-person teaching) 
• February 2028 (2 days in-person teaching) 

Module 3 

Developing practice and leading learning  

This module focuses on professional conversations and approaches to mentoring, coaching and appraisal of health professions students, as well as educational leadership and faculty development. 

• March 2028 (1 day in-person teaching) 
• May 2028 (2 days in-person teaching) 

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. 

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

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 HEE EoE 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. 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 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.