Clinical Education

Clinical Education - PgCert, MSc

This course is an excellent opportunity for a range of health professions, including medicine, nursing, paramedicine, radiography, pharmacy and other allied health professions who are involved with teaching and supervising students to strengthen their skill-set and progress their career. The General Medical Council and other health profession regulating bodies recognise that educators require the necessary knowledge for this role and that there is a need for greater professionalism and accountability as clinical teachers.

Month of entry

Distance Learning - October

Mode of study

Online programme, Part time

Location

Online

Subject area

Health and Rehabilitation, Medicine

Fees for 2025/26 academic year

Home and International - MSc (180 credits) £4,250 (per year of study)
Home and International - PG Cert (60 credits) £4,250

Duration of study

1 year - Postgraduate Certificate 3 years - MSc

Apply for PG Cert (distance learning) Apply for MSc (distance learning)

Why study Clinical Education at Keele University?

Our teaching Faculty include specialist clinical educators along with educationally qualified clinicians, working in both Primary and Secondary care

The Postgraduate Certificate pathways are accredited by both the Academy of Medical Educators, and Advance HE (formally the Higher Education Academy), HEA

On successful completion of the PG Certificate, you will be able to teach in a range of clinical settings, with a broad range of expertise and sector specific knowledge

Option to choose a MSc in Clinical Education (with simulation) pathway

Course summary

This course will introduce you to the latest theoretical base and expose you to the challenges of teaching students in the clinical environment. The overall aim of the course is to improve the quality and effectiveness of clinical teaching. Participants will develop expertise and specialist knowledge in their chosen areas of clinical education.

The course is divided into two levels: Postgraduate Certificate and full MSc, with optional simulation pathway. Students can step off at any level.

Postgraduate Certificate

Open to Home (UK) and international students part time as a distance learning (online) course.

This course will cover the fundamentals of clinical education, introduce you to the latest theoretical base and expose you to the challenges of teaching and assessing students in the clinical environment. The overall aim of the course is to improve the quality and effectiveness of clinical teaching through:

Understanding a learner-centred approach
Developing practical teaching and assessment skills
Promoting understanding of educational theory
Promoting reflective practice in education and clinical practice
Promoting evidence based education

MSc

Open to Home (UK) and international students part time as a distance learning (online) course.

Achieving the MSc will develop your knowledge and necessary skills to ensure professionalism is reached and maintained for clinical leaders. It will provide the individual with advanced expertise and specialist knowledge in clinical education and enable you to display critical analysis and independent thinking, to progress you in clinical education teaching. To complete the masters, you undertake a clinical education-based research project.

The total academic credit rating for the MSc degree is 180 credits, of which the taught modules comprise 120 credits and the research project 60 credits. You must choose the Designing and Delivering Simulation optional module for the MSc in Clinical Educaton (with simulation) award.

On successful completion of your research project, you should be able to:

Communicate a framework of reference (such as a literature review), to show the relevance of the proposed research.
Display evidence of critical analysis, independence of thought and an understanding of advanced concepts and methods related to research.
Demonstrate the appropriateness and intellectual coherence of the research design/plan of argument for linking questions to methods and conclusions.
Select appropriate information gathering methods and implement these effectively and with a high level of judgement.
Show evidence of advanced methods of analysis and of a high level of skill in their execution.
Where appropriate, evidence of critical evaluation and reassessment of results and techniques during the research period.
Show evidence of intellectual rigour in the interpretation of the results of the analysis.
Analyse ethical issues (where appropriate).
Produce a report of appropriate style, organization and structure.
Display a high level of written English and expository methods.

Key dates

The next distance learning course starts on 29 September with an application deadline of 15 September 2025.

Teaching facilities

The course is hosted by Keele University's School of Medicine, which is one of the top ranked universities in the UK. You will have access to university libraries (online facilities for distance learning) facilities and enjoy the support of the wider university. Teaching Faculty include specialist clinical educators along with educationally qualified clinicians working in both Primary and Secondary care who ensure the course is relevant to the clinical environment.

Next steps

insert-a start

ACCREDITATION AND PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

The Postgraduate Certificate pathways are accredited by both the Academy of Medical Educators, and Advance HE (formally the Higher Education Academy), HEA. Successful completion of the course entitles participants to be recognised as Fellows of the AoME and / or HEA and use the
post-nominals MAcadMEd and / or FHEA.

Academy of medical educators logo

insert-a end

Course structure

Taught Modules

Certificate

Comprises of three compulsory modules:

MSc

Compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Digital Education for Clinical Teachers (15 credits)
Designing and Delivering Simulation based Education (15 credits) You must choose this module for the MSc in Clinical Education (with simulation) award.

Modules

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

Compulsory Modules (comprising the postgraduate certificate)

Effective Clinical Teaching and Assessment (30 credits)
This module will enable you, to interpret and build upon the theoretical frameworks that apply to learning, teaching and assessment and develop understanding in the areas that are relevant in clinical education.

Research Methods for Clinical Education (15 credits)
This module allows you to develop an understanding of the principles of research, the appropriate use of methodological approaches, and to understand how selected methods may be applied to researching practice.

Clinical Education Research Project (60 credits)
In this module you will design and undertake an original research project, addressing a novel and important problem in clinical education. You will prepare your research report as a dissertation or in a journal style article suitable for publication in a peer reviewed journal. You will be supported in disseminating your findings at conferences and as a journal article.This module allows you to develop skills in research design, writing for publication, project management, and presenting.

Theoretical Perspectives on the use of Simulation-Based Education (15 credits)
This module explores the theory that underpins the use of simulation-based education. There is a focus on pedagogical principles, educational assessments, and integration of simulation into a clinical curriculum to simulate real-life scenarios, particularly those involving patient interactions, communication, and clinical skills to teach healthcare professionals.

Learning and professional development in the clinical environment (15 credits)
This module is designed to help you to develop the practical skills and knowledge needed to be an effective teacher specifically within the clinical workplace, supported by underpinning educational theory and the latest pedagogical literature.

Principles of Curriculum Design and Assessment (30 credits)
The module will enable the you to link the principles of curriculum design with assessment practice and design curricula that use the relevant assessment strategies to assess knowledge and competence which are aligned with ILOs, teaching and learning.

Optional Modules - MSc

Digital Education for Clinical teachers (15 credits)
You will explore, and critique extant theory and practice pertaining to digital education and use this knowledge to design and develop your own digital education approach to address a perceived gap in knowledge or practice for a group of learners.

Designing and delivering Simulation (15 credits) (optional or core for Simulation route)
Simulation has an increasing role in clinical education across a variety of professions as it addresses learning needs in a safe environment. Simulation-based education utilised replication of real-life scenarios to guide learning and facilitate skill development. Clinical educators who are engaged in simulation as an educational tool are required to have the knowledge and skills to deliver effective teaching. This module focuses on the design and delivery of simulation-based education into a clinical curriculum.

Next steps

insert-b start insert-b end

Entry requirements

The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.

Typical Offer: A recognised degree level award in your chosen area of healthcare.

This course is designed for graduate health professionals currently engaged in clinical teaching.

We can accept International applicants on to any version of this course - PG Cert, PG Dip or MSc - if the chosen mode of attendance is distance learning.

We don’t accept degrees from certain universities in Bangladesh, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

English language requirements

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group C.

References

Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.

Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose

Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.

RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.

General information

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

insert-c start insert-c end

insert-d start

insert-d end

insert-e start insert-e end

Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching

During the programme you will sometimes be expected to role play and engage in simulated clinical scenarios with other students, such as the practice and observation of practical skills in physical contact with other students. For some specific practices, this may necessitate modification of dress - e.g., to shorts and t-shirt. These activities will be conducted in a professional, safe, respectful and culturally sensitive way, under the supervision of academic staff, according to a defined protocol.

MSc, PG Certificate

Distance Learning: The online delivery of this course is via Microsoft Teams with content designed specifically for this course. Learning and teaching methods include interactive discussion forums, narrated short presentations, animated videos and video presentations. The course is delivered asynchronously over a specified time and students access the materials and activities at a time that is suitable for them via extensive independent study.
Dissertation pathway: The emphasis is on self-directed learning supported by individual educational supervisors. It is essential that students identify a local topic-specific supervisor for their project. The topic-specific supervisor should be a senior member of staff within their local NHS Trust or Keele University or equivalent academic institution. Where students are supervised by clinicians who do not hold an academic or teaching post within the university, then a member of academic staff from the course must also oversee the project. The Course Director can assist students in identifying a supervisor.

MSc

The emphasis is on self-directed learning supported by individual educational supervisors. It is essential that students identify a local topic-specific supervisor for their project. The topic-specific supervisor should be a senior member of staff within their local NHS Trust or Keele University or equivalent academic institution. Where students are supervised by clinicians who do not hold an academic or teaching post within the university, then a member of academic staff from the course must also oversee the project. The Course Director can assist students in identifying a supervisor.

Assessment

PG Certificate

Modules will be assessed by a variety of assessment methods including written assignments, reflective diaries, presentations and case studies and production of educational media.

MSc

You will undertake a dissertation project in an area related to Clinical Education. The outcome of the research project can be presented for assessment in two different ways.

A written dissertation (15,000 words) OR
A journal style article, supported by a presentation of research design and reflective piece.

Progression and affiliation

The Postgraduate Certificate pathways are accredited by both the Academy of Medical Educators, and Advance HE (formally the Higher Education Academy, HEA). Successful completion of the courses entitles participants to be recognised as Fellows of the AoME and/or HEA and use the post-nominals MAcadMEd and/or FHEA.

Next steps

insert-f start

"The taught Masters in Clinical Education has greatly improved my knowledge surrounding research and education within healthcare. Utilising my skills and experience from the course, I was delighted to secure my top choice specialised foundation programme for my foundation training as a doctor, allowing me to build on my skills learnt from the Masters and incorporate these in further opportunities in education and research."

Emily, MSc Clinical Education

insert-f end

Our expertise

Academic staff in the School of Medicine for Clinical Education include:

Programme Director, Vikki Foley (v.foley@keele.ac.uk)

Vikki Foley was appointed to the School of Medicine in 2016 as a Lecturer in Clinical Education and provides Academic support for Staff Development initiatives within the Medical School. Vikki has an NHS background where she worked in Clinical Science and has substantial experience of work based teaching and learning in clinical environments. She has several years of experience as an academic, teaching at DeMontfort University and as a Teaching and Learning specialist at Warwick Medical School before moving to Keele University. She is a Senior Fellow of the HEA and module leader for a range of modules across Postgraduate medicine courses. Vikki is actively researching in the field of Clinical Education.

Lecturer, Karl Gimblett (k.gimblett@keele.ac.uk)

Karl Gimblett was appointed as lecturer in Clinical Education in the summer of 2022 and has extensive expertise in digital education, collaborating on a number of digital projects with the NHS. Karl's research interests lie in the use of role-playing games in medical education, as well as broader interests in feedback and assessment practices, and curriculum design.

Lecturer: Dr Abbie Meacham (a.k.meacham@keele.ac.uk)

Dr Abbie Meacham was appointed as a Lecturer in Clinical Education in 2022. She has previously taught extensively at the school in her role as a Clinical Teaching Fellow. She is a practising clinician working part time in Acute and General Medicine. Currently, she is a module lead for three modules of study within the Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma in Clinical Education programs. These modules are closely aligned to her academic and educational interests in clinical simulation, assessment practices and professional identity formation.

Lecturer: Dr Dominic Proctor (d.o.proctor@keele.ac.uk)

Dr Dom Proctor was appointed to the School of Medicine in 2022 as a part-time Lecturer in Clinical Education. Dom completed his MSc Clinical Education in 2019 at the University of Exeter and works as a junior doctor in London. He has experience of teaching at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level and currently leads on the 'Theoretical Perspectives on Simulation in Clinical Education' module and co-leads the 'Educational Supervision and Feedback' module.

Lecturer: Dr Gareth Byrne (g.byrne@keele.ac.uk)

Dr Gareth Byrne was appointed as a Lecturer in Clinical education in 2022. He completed his undergraduate medical degree and postgraduate training in Clinical Education at Keele University. He currently leads F2F and distance modules including ‘Effective Educational Supervision’ and ‘Simulation design and delivery’. He also works as an Anaesthetist, currently training within the Stoke School of Anaesthesia.

Next steps

insert-g start insert-g end insert-h start insert-h end

Visit us Enquire about this course Programme specifications

Book to visit us