Overview
Medical education is at the centre of all medical training around the world. As a medical educator, you will be training, motivating, and engaging the next generation of medical professionals in your area of expertise. Our team will help you to draw on your existing experiences. This will help you to excel in your educational practice.
At Newcastle University, we take students from all backgrounds in medical education, not just doctors. Students have joined us from disciplines including:
- nursing
- dentistry
- pharmacy
- podiatry
- veterinary sciences
You’ll be part of a global community, with students joining us from all over the world. This adds to the shared experiences and global outlook of our graduates. You’ll study with a broad range of peers, from intercalating medical students to senior clinical staff. These perspectives allow our students to develop their values and skills as part of their learning experience.
Our course is tailored for the working professional. You can start with a PG Cert and build up to a full master’s on a schedule that suits you. Our flexible programme allows you to fit your learning around your commitments. There is no need to relocate to Newcastle upon Tyne as the programmes are fully distance learning.
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you’ll learn
You’ll learn the fundamentals of ‘how to teach’. More importantly, we give you the knowledge and skills to manage unusual educational situations. We do this by introducing you to the literature on ‘how we learn’. If you understand more of how your learners learn in a particular scenario, it becomes easier to teach them.
Qualifications
MMedEd – Postgraduate Masters (full-time)
This qualification is awarded if you successfully complete six 20-credit taught modules plus a 60-credit dissertation module (180 credits). If you do not complete all the modules you can exit with:
- a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) if you successfully complete three 20-credit taught modules, including the core module for the PGCert (Teaching and Learning in the Classroom)
- a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) if you successfully complete six 20-credit taught modules
MMedEd – Postgraduate Masters (part-time)
This qualification is awarded if you successfully complete the PGDip (120 credits) plus one 60-credit dissertation module.
Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) (part-time)
A PGDip is awarded if you successfully complete the Certificate plus three 20-credit taught modules (120 credits).
Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) (part-time)
A PGCert is awarded if you successfully complete three 20-credit taught modules (60 credits).
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Medical Education MMedEd modules (full-time) 5445F
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Scholarship in Medical Education | 20 |
| Advanced Study Module (Full-Time Delivery) | 60 |
| Teaching and Learning in the Classroom | 20 |
Medical Education MMedEd Accelerated modules (part-time) 5446P
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Scholarship in Medical Education | 20 |
| Advanced Study Module (Part-Time Delivery) | 60 |
Accelerated Masters students complete the 60 credit Advanced Study Module (the dissertation module), plus three of the above 20-credit taught modules. They will have previously completed 60 credits of taught modules whilst studying on the PGCert.
Medical Education PGDip modules (part-time) 3510P
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Scholarship in Medical Education | 20 |
PGDip students complete three of the above modules. They will have previously completed 60 credits of taught modules whilst studying on the PGCert.
Medical Education PGDip Accelerated modules (part-time) 3531P
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Scholarship in Medical Education | 20 |
| Teaching and Learning in the Classroom | 20 |
Accelerated PGDip students complete six of the above 20-credit taught modules.
Medical Education PGCert modules (part-time) 3146P
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Teaching and Learning in the Classroom | 20 |
PGCert students complete three of the above modules.
Medical Education MMedEd modules (part-time) 5496P
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Advanced Study Module (Part-Time Delivery) | 60 |
Medical Education PGCert modules (part-time) 3190P
Compulsory modules
You take the following compulsory module:
Teaching and Learning in the Classroom (20 credits)
How you’ll learn
The e-learning Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and Master’s are studied completely via distance learning. Overall 20-credit modules run over either 11 or 12 weeks. The 60-credit dissertation module runs over the full academic year.
Each module will be in two-week strands. They have various activities and you can complete them at any time. There are also weekly tutorials which are optional. We record these in case you are unable to be present. There is a day of practical activity and further discussion, for each module. This will be accessible face to face but is also recorded.
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Essay
- Oral examination
- Oral presentation
- Written examination
- Written exercise
Additional assessment information
Assignments focus on the application of content to your own educational circumstances. This helps develop deeper insights into educational challenges in your own practice.
All assignment structures and expectations are available at the start of each module. You’ll show your understanding and application of module content to their own teaching.
There is an opportunity to discuss draft work with tutor support before submission.
For the Utilising Technology in Medical Education, you submit a portfolio assignment including a written component and one component in a technology of your choosing eg video, PowerPoint
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Our teaching staff includes:
- Dr Bryan Burford, BSc (Hons), MSc (Eng), PhD. Lecturer in Medical Education
- Dr Sonia Bussey, SFHEA, Degree Programme Director for Medical Education
- Dr Fiona Clarke MBBS, FRCP, MMedEd. Lecturer in Medical Education
- Dr Sophie Hill, PhD, PgCert, BSc (Hons). Lecturer in Medical Education
- Dr Gwyndaf Roberts PhD, MA, PGCE, BSc (Hons), FHEA. Lecturer in Medical Education
- Dr David Thewlis MBBS, FHEA, MEd, Lecturer in Medical Education
Your development
Upon completion you’ll be able to:
- use theories and principles of medical education to inform your own practice and others’
- show advanced knowledge in specific areas of professional relevance. This is for diploma and master’s
- justify the decisions made when designing methods for investigating medical education. This applies to master’s
- relate educational issues in clinical practice to a wider educational context
- appraise theory, ‘evidence’ and empirical data, as well as your own practice
- take a strategic approach to your own identified educational needs
- plan to address these needs
- engage in academic debate about educational research and educational practice. This is for diploma and master’s
- contest and contribute to the body of knowledge about medical education. This is for master’s
- design and deliver educational interventions
- select the most appropriate educational strategies or methods for specified contexts
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Check the government’s website for more information.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
An undergraduate degree, or equivalent qualification, in a healthcare profession or relevant discipline.
If you are applying for the PGDip you must have completed the PGCert in Medical or Clinical Education. If you are applying for the part time MMedEd you must have completed the PGDip in Medical or Clinical Education.
If you are applying for part time study you must be working in a role that involves medical education for the duration of the course.
If you are an intercalating medical student applying for the MMedEd you must have:
- completed your third or fourth undergraduate year
- passed all assignments on first attempt
We will consider relevant prior-accredited learning (RPL) for exemption from certain modules:
- up to 20 credits (for the Teaching and Learning in the Classroom module) for students studying to PGCert level
- 60 credits for students studying the PGDip or MMedEd
If you have a PGCert from another institution and want to apply for RPL please contact the School of Medical Education.
