Peninsula Medical School

PgCert Clinical Education

Explore education theory and how it can apply to teaching in the clinical environment. This one year postgraduate certificate programme is designed to meet your needs if you are a doctor, dentist or healthcare professional. Develop knowledge and skills in teaching, learning and assessment, and build your confidence as a clinical educator. On successful completion of this award you may choose to progress onto a second year of study towards a postgraduate diploma.

Your career as a healthcare professional starts here

The first-class new home for our healthcare teaching and research providing students with skills to meet the needs of 21st century careers.

InterCity Place InterCity Place
 A unique new learning space where undergraduate and postgraduate students from the largest breadth of health disciplines in the South-West learn together under one roof, with expert practitioners.

Medical students using the Anatomage table clinical Plymouth Integrative Health and Social Care Education Centre (PIHC)
 Experience an interprofessional learning environment across our health programmes that will prepare you for life as a healthcare professional.

First choice for health Become a healthcare professional of the future
 Collaboration across the schools helps students to learn with, from and about each other, gaining the real-world experience employers seek.

Key features
  • Develop your understanding of clinical education and enhance your skills as a teacher.
  • Appropriate for healthcare professionals from a range of backgrounds. 
  • Accredited by the Academy of Medical Educators (AoME).
  • Equip yourself with the skills to progress towards a postgraduate diploma.
  • Benefit from a collaborative learning environment with face-to-face study days, blended learning materials and one-to-one tutorial support.
  • Part time online pathway also available.
  • Interactive teaching with a strong focus on practice.
  • Aligned to Advance HE's Professional Standards Framework for national recognition of teaching excellence.
  • Completed over the course of one year.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • For the PGCert in Clinical Education you will complete three modules worth 20 credits each. These are listed below. You'll advance your knowledge, understanding and experience of teaching, learning and assessment in clinical education, and collaborate with colleagues from a wide range of healthcare professions. On successful completion of the postgraduate certificate, you may choose to progress onto a second year of study towards a postgraduate diploma.Please note: there may be limited availability of places on some modules.

    Core modules

    • Principles of Learning and Teaching in Clinical Education (CLE711)

      This module will develop your knowledge and skills as a clinical educator, exploring theories of learning as well as practical aspects of session planning, strategies for interactive learning and reflective practice. A key aspect of the module will be the opportunity to practise and reflect on teaching skills, and to gain feedback from learners and peers.

    • Assessment, Feedback and Evaluation: Principles and Practices (CLE712)

      In this module we explore principles and practices of assessment, feedback and evaluation currently employed in clinical contexts. Drawing on your own experiences and supported with research evidence, you will evaluate a range of approaches. You will also actively participate in peer assessment and feedback activities.

    • Contemporary Issues in Clinical Education (CLE713)

      This module will explore current issues, drivers and challenges in undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing clinical education, and will draw widely on contemporary educational research and scholarship. You will be encouraged to reflect on your role as a clinical educator, and to investigate the impact of culture and policy on your practice.

    • Principles of Learning and Teaching in Clinical Education (CLE711DL)

      This module will develop your knowledge and skills as a clinical educator, exploring theories of learning as well as practical aspects of session planning, strategies for interactive learning and reflective practice. A key aspect of the module will be the opportunity to practise and reflect on teaching skills, and to gain feedback from learners and peers.

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MClinEd Programme Spec 202122 7283

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry.

Entry requirements
Normally a recognised first degree or equivalent will be required. Experience acquired through work or other means that enables staff responsible for admissions to be confident of your ability to succeed in the programme may also be considered, in line with QAA guidance. It is essential that within your professional role you have opportunities to teach in order to be able to complete some of the assignments.
If your first language is not English you will be required to provide evidence of competence in English language:
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in each category (speaking, listening, reading, & writing) will be required. Students with a first degree from the UK may still be required to take IELTS.
  • Please view our entry requirements for international students for more information.
Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APCL) and accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) refer to the process by which previous formal certificated learning and informal non-certificated learning can be awarded credit towards modules within the sphere of Higher Education. Credit for prior learning, whether certificated or experiential, may count towards the requirements for the named award. The maximum amount of credit for prior learning (certificated or experiential) claimed towards the award is 120 credits. To qualify for the award of a masters degree, your dissertation must be completed at the University of Plymouth. If you are seeking credit (whether certificated or experiential), you will normally be required to apply for such credit on receipt of an offer of a place on the programme. Requests for APCL if you are already on a programme will be considered, provided that you submit the request in the session before you would normally begin the module/stage for which you are seeking credit. In the case of requests for APEL, this would be at least six months prior to the beginning of the session before you would normally begin the module(s)/stage against which you are seeking credit.
The University of Plymouth is committed to providing equality for all irrespective of age, disability, ethnicity (including race, colour and nationality), gender, gender reassignment, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and will work to ensure that all students, employees and visitors, as well as those who apply or seek to apply to work or study at the University, are treated fairly and are not subjected to discrimination by the University on any of these grounds (University Equality and Diversity Policy, Revised April 2011).
We welcome applications from people with disabilities who will be considered on the same academic grounds as other potential students. Considerations about individual needs arising from disability will be made separately, and we will strive to meet an individual disabled student's needs wherever possible and in consultation with Additional support for students with an impairment, health condition or disability.
British Association of Oral Surgeons (BAOS)
We are delighted to announce that the Peninsula School of Medicine at the University of Plymouth is now collaborating with the British Association of Oral Surgeons (BAOS) to provide a natural progression route onto the PgCert Clinical Education. This exciting development enables students who have completed the BAOS Teaching and Learning Course to apply to progress onto the Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) stage of the programme with a reduced pattern of attendance and the completion of assessed coursework in order to obtain 30 M-level credits towards the Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits).
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary. 

Fees, costs and funding
A full PgCert comprises 60 credits. 
Student Fee per 60 credits 2023–24 Fee per 20 credits 2024–25
Home £3,300 £1,220
International £6,300 £2,200
Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. 
Find out about funding your postgraduate studies with this helpful list of sources.

How to apply
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for this programme.
Before you apply
Make sure you have all your supporting documents. Documents required usually include:
  • Evidence of qualifications (degree certificates or transcripts), with translations if not in English, to show that you meet, or expect to meet the entry requirements
  • Evidence of English language proficiency, if English is not your first language
  • Personal statement of approximately 250-400 words about the reasons for your interest in this course and outlining the nature of previous and current teaching experience. You can write this into the online application form, or send it as a separate attachment.
  • Two academic/professional references, confirming your suitability for the course 
  • Two passport photographs
  • Curriculum Vitae or résumé, including details of relevant professional/voluntary experience, professional registration/s and visa status for overseas workers
  • Proof of sponsorship, if applicable
When to apply
Applications for postgraduate programmes of study can usually be made throughout the year. When applying for a taught postgraduate programme, please check for any submission deadlines with the Medicine and Dentistry Admissions team (contact details below). For full-time programmes, you may be invited for interview.
Check the closing date and apply as early as possible as our programmes are popular.
Submitting an application
Once you are happy that you have all of the information required you can apply using our online postgraduate application form (the blue 'Apply now' icon on this page).
Once you have registered and logged in, please enter the ‘course code’ which can be found above into the search bar to begin your application. 
Additional guidance information can also be downloaded on how to fill in the postgraduate application form. 
Admissions policy
More information and advice for applicants can be referenced in our online admissions policy for taught programmes. Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.
What happens after I apply?
For more information contact the Medicine and Dentistry Admissions team.
If you would like to speak to one of our course information advisors, please contact us:
University of Plymouth
Faculty of Health
The John Bull Building
Research Way
Plymouth Science Park
Plymouth
PL6 8BU
Tel:  +44 1752 584024
meddent-pgtadmissions@plymouth.ac.uk
You will normally receive a decision on your application within four weeks of us receiving your application. You may be asked to provide additional information, to take part in an interview (which in the case of overseas students may be by telephone or video conference) or you will be sent a decision by letter or email.
The University aims to make the application procedure as simple and efficient as possible. Our Admissions and Course Information team is on hand to offer help and can put you in touch with the appropriate faculty if you wish to discuss any programme in detail. The Doctoral College is also available to answer any queries on our postgraduate research degrees.
If you have a disability and would like further information about the support provided by the University of Plymouth, please visit our Disability Services website.
Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office.
Watch Torbay doctors Sarah and Ben talk about their experience studying Clinical Education.

Meet Professor Hilary Neve 

Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
“As a medical educator and practising GP, I am passionate about the quality of teaching and learning, as well as opportunities for clinical colleagues to develop themselves and their careers.  
This programme is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of healthcare professionals and offers great variety in terms of teaching methods, authentic assessments and approaches to advanced study. 
You’ll be supported by an experienced team of tutors, and inspired by speakers who are leaders in their field. We look forward to working with you.”
Hilary Neve

Meet Professor Sally Hanks

Associate Head of the Dental School and a Principal Fellow of AdvanceHE
“I am responsible for the quality of teaching and learning across our suite of dental programmes. We recognise that being a first class clinician does not automatically mean one is a great teacher, so studying for the certificate, diploma or masters in clinical education is an excellent step in the right direction.
Any clinician across the health and care professions wanting to get more involved in education would do well to enrol on this programme under the support and guidance of experienced and exceptional educators. Covering a wide range of topics and approaches, you will be supported to become the best educator you can be and fully empowered to help others reach their true potential.”
Sally Hanks

MClinEd Clinical Education alumni

Aled Picton – MClinEd Clinical Education graduate

Studying the MClinEd programme provided an excellent grounding in the principles of teaching and learning. I learned how to reflect on and appraise teaching practice. I also learned valuable research and academic writing skills.
Aled now works at the University of Birmingham Medical School as a Central Education Fellow.
Aled Picton

"The postgraduate certificate helped me situate my role as a clinical teacher in a much broader context, giving me an increased understanding of the landscape of clinical education as well as new skills to bring to delivery. I am continuing onto the masters programme in clinical education where my proposed project will explore the theme of resilience in clinical practice."

Sarah Ansell
GP and GP Appraiser, North Devon

"The postgraduate certificate has been of great value to me for my progression as a health educator and novice academic. It helped me to think in new ways about learning and encouraged me to take more of a facilitative role in my teaching. The programme also gave me a better and deeper understanding of the core principles of assessment, quality assurance, standard setting and feedback within the Higher Education sector."

Anastasios Plessas
Lecturer, Peninsula Dental School

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2019

  • @Provided an excellent grounding in the theories and contemporary research into clinical education

  • @Thought provoking discussions; enthusiastic and dedicated tutors

  • @The teaching staff and their teaching techniques were excellent. They were second to none in their abilities to teach and get the best out of a mixed class

  • @So far the course has exceeded my expectations. The teaching is engaging and interactive... there is an excellent balance between the face-to-face sessions, homework and work on the digital learning environment

Research-informed teaching

Career opportunities

This programme will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills for multiple roles within the clinical educational environment. 
Maximise your impact by educating others and build your confidence as a learner and as a teacher. Graduate with formal recognition of your teaching skills to build a portfolio career that may include engaging in education scholarship and research, and leading change through education development.
You will gain the necessary evidence to apply for membership of The Academy of Medical Educators which will support appraisal and GMC recognition. Additionally, recognition by The Higher Education Academy for Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) supports you with contracts in Higher Education.
Clinical Education career opportunities