Postgraduate

PGCert, PGDip and MSc in

Health Professions Education

Develop the skills and knowledge to deliver exceptional teaching, assessment, course design and educational research, so you can inspire and lead in your area of practice and ultimately improve health outcomes.

Course length 1 year full-time, 1-3 years part-time

Start date January or September 2023

Location Distance learning, or blended with face-to-face study days at the University of York

Discover Health Professions Education

Course content
Teaching and assessment
Careers
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Applying

Postgraduate Online Open Day

7 June 2023

If you're interested in developing your knowledge and skills through postgraduate study, then join us online on Wednesday 7 June 2023 when we will be attending the University of York's Postgraduate Online Open Day.

Find out more about the Postgraduate Online Open Day

About the programme

At Hull York Medical School, we not only deliver exceptional education, but also train others to do so too – using the latest pedagogical evidence-based practice. If you are as passionate as we are about delivering high quality medical education, then your journey starts here.

Our Health Professions Education programme will equip you with the skills and knowledge to deliver exceptional teaching, assessment, course design and educational research, so you can inspire and lead in your area of practice and ultimately improve health outcomes.

We offer three routes for you to choose from – a Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and MSc – all of which are flexible and designed to fit around your busy work schedule and home life.

Accredited by the Advance HE, you will be able to apply for Fellowship upon completion of the Certificate and completing a reflective portfolio, a status recognised by professional bodies as reaching international standards to deliver high quality education, with the right to use the post-nominal letters FHEA. Obtaining FHEA is highly recommended for those looking to work in the education sector.

In recognition of the excellent standards of teaching, assessment, research and scholarship provided on the programme, our Certificate is also accredited by the Academy of Medical Educators (AoME) – the multi-professional body which sets the standards for clinical teachers in the UK. Upon successful completion of the Certificate, students can apply for membership of the Academy (MAcadMEd), signifying that they have met the Academy’s Professional Standards for educators in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science. Obtaining MAcadMed is highly recommended for those looking to work in senior education roles within the clinical workplace.

Study routes

Certificate (PGCert)

The Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) allows you to develop an understanding of the key principles of learning, teaching, assessment and professional practice which relate to clinical education. We also offer more specialist aspects of learning in a clinical environment such as bedside teaching and clinical assessments, which are not commonly included in many other more generic programmes.

Credits: 60 credits over three 20-credit modules
Study length: Part-time, one year
Start date: January or September 2023
Online, self-directed learning and assessment: Up to 200 hours per module
Face-to-face (blended learning option): 8 hours per module (1 day)

Diploma (PGDip)

In the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip), you can explore aspects of leadership and management and contemporary practices in education, supporting you to deliver quality health professions education in your clinical and teaching practice. Diploma modules are designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills upon which you can continue to build your own career, and build the foundations for a successful MSc dissertation project.

Credits: 120 credits over six 20-credit modules
Study length: Part-time, one year
Start date: January or September 2023
Online, self-directed learning and assessment: Up to 200 hours per module
Face-to-face (blended learning option): 8 hours per module (1 day)

Masters (MSc)

In the Masters (MSc) programme, you will undertake a high-quality research project in health professions education, relevant to you own discipline and research interests. Our Masters programme has an excellent record of publishing work in research journals. You will have a dedicated supervisor who is research active and will guide you through your research journey.

You can also choose to do the MSc by thesis (research), and if you are interested in this option, you can arrange this by contacting the Programme Director at pgtadmissions@hyms.ac.uk

Credits: 180 credits over six 20-credit modules plus 60-credit dissertation
Study length: Full-time: 1 year, part-time: 3 years
Start date: January or September 2023
Research and dissertation preparation: 600 hours per academic year

Apply now Meet us Download a brochure

CONTACT US

pgtadmissions@hyms.ac.uk 01904 321690

Dr Paul Crampton,
Programme Director

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Course content

Modules

The Postgraduate Certificate consists of three modules (60 credits, part-time 1 year); the Postgraduate Diploma consists of six modules (120 credits, part-time 2 years); and the MSc programme (180 credits, part-time 3 years) consists of six modules (120 credits) and a research project (60 credits).

Intercalation

An ideal option for intercalation

We welcome applications from Medicine students to intercalate on our Masters level programme, to be completed in one year.

The programme uniquely enables intercalating students to gain an excellent understanding of education and research principles at an early stage, which can facilitate and shape future clinical academic careers, as well as those aspiring to senior leadership positions.

Intercalating at Hull York

Medicine students on a hospital ward at Hull Royal Infirmary

Health Professions Education students in discussion at at a study day

Teaching and assessment

How is the programme taught?

Our programmes are delivered primarily through distance learning, with optional face-to-face opportunities. Teaching is delivered by experienced clinical and non-clinical academics and researchers from our Health Professions Education Unit (HPEU), a research group dedicated to advancing health professions education. We extend knowledge boundaries on workforce research, recruitment, selection and widening access, workplace-based learning, curriculum development, professionalism and assessment to enhance practice and understanding.

You will experience:

Weekly online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) activities
Online communications with your peers and the Programme Team
Face-to-face study days (optional) - one per module
Meetings with your Programme Tutor

Teaching and assessment

How is the programme assessed?

Certificate and Diploma

The modules are assessed using a range of approaches, please see each module for details. The assessments include written assignments and online activities. You will also map your learning to the UK Professional Standards Framework through a reflective journal.

Masters

Your assessment consists of a literature review, or a major research project (dissertation) covering a subject of interest to you. The Masters programme has a strong record of publishable work.

Teaching and assessment

What support is available?

You have the option to meet with your Programme Tutor online or via phone meetings for any guidance or support, depending on your preference and convenience.

You will also be in communication with your peers and the Programme Delivery team. Your peers hold a wealth of knowledge and experience, and we recognise that peer contribution is especially important in learning. You will discuss and collaborate on activities and part of the summative mark on selected modules will be awarded for online engagement.

Our optional face-to-face study days (one per module) involve interactive workshops to explore ideas with your peers. They are a brilliant opportunity to share good practice and network with colleagues from a range of healthcare professions.

In addition to the student support services at the University of Hull, we also have our own dedicated student support team providing a range of pastoral services to all our Hull York Medical School students.

Support and wellbeing

Become a visiting researcher in Health Professions Education

HULL YORK MEDICAL SCHOOL Stories

Since starting the MSc, I have led a research project for Health Education England, published a paper, and written an award-winning essay. I am about to start a role as the Head of Psychiatry at a major medical school, and the journey through this programme has certainly helped me to get where I am today.

MSc in Health Professions Education graduate

Dr Jigna Patel

About the programme

Career prospects

Teaching experience and the associated skills and knowledge you will develop on this programme are increasingly in demand by employers.

Many of our graduates from the Certificate go on to study the Diploma and Masters programmes, and forge exciting careers as educators, leaders, researchers, practitioners and clinicians. Previous alumni now hold senior roles such as Dean, Head of School, Education leads, Senior Lecturer and more. We hope their stories will inspire you to take this next step on your career path. The programme is also an excellent stepping-stone for pursuing a PhD or clinical academic career in the field.

Published dissertations

Students studying the MSc in Health Professions Education are very much part of our research community, and experience much of their learning through research and inquiry. This leads to our students producing high quality research for their dissertation, which we encourage and support them to publish in academic journals and conferences.

A selection of their publications include:

Bray, L., Meznikova, K., Crampton, P., & Johnson, T. (2022). Sustainable healthcare education: A systematic review of the evidence and barriers to inclusion. Medical Teacher, 1-10.

Wilkinson, C., Finn, G., & Crampton, P. (2022). Responsibility with a Safety Net: Exploring the Medical Student to Junior Doctor Transition During COVID-19. Medical Science Educator, 32(1), 121-129.

Morgan, L. J., Finn, G. M., & Tiffin, P. A. (2021). Are efforts to recruit to psychiatry closing the stable door after the horse has bolted? Knowledge and attitudes towards a career in psychiatry amongst secondary (high) school students: a UK-based cross-sectional survey. Journal of Mental Health, 1-8.

Boland, J. W., Brown, M. E., Duenas, A., Finn, G. M., & Gibbins, J. (2020). How effective is undergraduate palliative care teaching for medical students? A systematic literature review. BMJ open, 10(9), e036458.

Laughey W, Sangvik Grandal N and Finn GM. Medical communication: the view of simulated patients. Medical Education. (2018). 52 (6), 664-676.

Entry

Entry requirements

Part-time Certificate: Applicants to the Certificate must hold a relevant undergraduate degree or its equivalent and have access to an appropriate level of teaching activity (we recommend around 18 hours which should ideally consist of a few separate events) during the year of the programme.

Part-time Diploma or Masters: Applicants who have completed the certificate and/or diploma modules elsewhere and wish to progress to the Diploma or MSc may apply for transfer of credit. Applicants without an existing qualification can, in exceptional circumstances, apply for credit for experiential learning.

Full-time Masters: Applicants to the full-time MSc must hold a relevant undergraduate degree or its equivalent. Students must have access to an appropriate level of teaching activity (we recommend around 18 hours which should ideally consist of a few separate events) during the year of the programme.

Intercalating students

Intercalating medical students must have successfully completed a minimum of three years of an MB BS or comparable medical qualification.

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must have one of the following:

IELTS: 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in each component
PTE Academic: 61, with no less than 55 in each component
CAE and CPE: 176, with no less than 169 in each component
TOEFL: 87, with a minimum of 21 in each component
Trinity ISE: level 3 with Merit in all components
LangCert B2 Communicator High Pass (minimum score 33/50)

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

UK (Home) and International (including EU)

The fee per stage is £4,000 (stage 1 - Certificate; stage 2 - Diploma; and stage 3 - Masters).

Fees listed are for 2023 entry; fees for subsequent years are subject to confirmation as fees are reviewed on an annual basis and may change.

Reduced tuition fees

We are delighted to support the professional development of the Hull York Medical School community – our staff, alumni and partners – by offering reduced fees for our MSc Health Professions Education Programme. The reduced fees are outlined below:

50% reduction in tuition fees

This is applicable to contracted or seconded members of Hull York Medical School staff with substantive teaching and leadership role in the delivery of our curricula (for example Problem Based Learning Tutors, Associate Directors of Clinical Studies, or Directors of Clinical Studies).

20% reduction in tuition fees

This is applicable to employees of our NHS partner organisations including our community of honorary clinical tutors in the NHS, Clinical Teaching Fellows and our MB BS Medicine and Physician Associate alumni. Please visit our partners web page for details of our partners.

The fees for part time study are for the current year only, fees for subsequent years are subject to confirmation.