MSc in Expedition and Wilderness Medicine
Validated by University of South Wales
Do you want to break from clinical conventions, develop skills that will enable you to think on your feet in an emergency setting, and save lives while travelling the world? Do you want the opportunity to have your work published?
Our part-time online Expedition and Wilderness Medicine MSc has been designed for any health professional who is interested in developing their career and credentials in this increasingly popular and competitive speciality.
This wilderness medicine course will also allow healthcare professionals to complete a professional project producing a piece of work, featuring a topic of personal interest in this specialist area. This master's in extreme medicine will allow you to fill the gaps between what you know and do not know and can mould you into an independent learner. You will also uncover an unknown passion for research and certainly develop your research-based skills in the most flexible way when you join our MSc extreme medicine programme.
Next intake: September 2025Key Facts
Travel for both work and pleasure is becoming increasingly prevalent and travellers are seeking more adventurous trips going off the beaten path and challenging themselves.
In this emerging market, current job adverts are asking for doctors and other healthcare professionals (HCPs) with training, experience and specialisation in wilderness and expedition medicine. This is where a master's in extreme medicine can help.
Examples may include:
- Adventure holidays
- Charity work
- Overseas employment: scenarios could be anything from climate research expeditions, treks and charity work, to going into space.
Our experienced faculty focus upon the practicalities of preparing for the expedition and also on the physiological and pathological impacts of expedition in remote and extreme locations.
The successful completion of this part-time and flexible wilderness medicine course will enable graduates to:
- Apply evidence-based clinical skills and knowledge to minimise risk and maximise health before, during and after expeditions.
- Develop skills and knowledge to anticipate, plan for and treat common and potential health problems which may arise on expeditions.
- Deliver leadership to teams in multi-agency, multi-cultural and/or international contexts.
- Become leaders in the field of Expedition and Wilderness Medicine.
- Complete a written project dedicated to an area of personal interest in this specialist area.
Faculty
Programme Leader
Dr Meinir Jones MBBS
Current posts: Associate Medical Director Transformation & VBHC & Clinical Lead MIU Prince Philip Hospital Llanelli
Dr Jones has partaken in a number of expeditions, including...
Tutor
Dr. Daniel Grace
Dr. Daniel Grace is an expedition doctor, and in his spare time is the volunteer medical director for an organisation called the Virtual Doctors, which offers remote...
Validating partner
University of South Wales
The University of South Wales (USW) is a modern, industry focused University located in Cardiff, Newport and Pontypridd in South Wales, UK. It was rated best in the UK for the Health Professions in the Guardian University Guide 2020 and, in the latest Complete University Guide 2022, is in the top 10 in the UK for Health Studies. USW is one of Britain’s largest and most exciting new universities attracting a cosmopolitan mix of students from across the globe.
Accreditors and Endorsers
UEMS - European Union of Medical Specialists
This postgraduate course has also been accredited by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS)
Next intake: September 2025 Key Facts
Programme Leader
Dr Meinir Jones MBBS
Current posts: Associate Medical Director Transformation & VBHC & Clinical Lead MIU Prince Philip Hospital Llanelli
Dr Jones has partaken in a number of expeditions, including a five-day training expedition in Northern Norway; a 30-day expedition across Greenland as team medic for an amputee (world record as first amputee to cross Greenland); and a 12 day crossing of the Pyrenees on bike as a team medic for a group of injured ex-servicemen, including amputees and PTSD sufferers. She has also published work online with Adventure Medic and has presented at the Extreme Medicine Conference, London
Tutor
Dr. Daniel Grace
Dr. Daniel Grace is an expedition doctor, and in his spare time is the volunteer medical director for an organisation called the Virtual Doctors, which offers remote medical advice to clinicians in rural clinics and hospitals in Zambia and Malawi.
Dr. Grace has previously worked as a locum GP and in medical education with Kings College London Medical School, teaching about different aspects of primary care. He was keen to join the Learna | Diploma MSc team as a tutor and author as expedition medicine is one of his main interests.
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Why Study an Expedition and Wilderness Medicine Master's with Learna
We have over 10 years’ experience delivering online courses, giving you access to flexible, affordable distance learning in partnership with world-leading educators.
100% Flexible
Our courses are 100% online. No fixed study times mean you can log in and learn whenever and wherever.
Multidisciplinary - study in a group of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
Expert Led
All of our programmes are authored and developed by world leading experts in their field.
Our faculty are selected due to their subject expertise, experience and teaching abilities to ensure the highest standards of educational excellence.
Career Boosting
Get a University Validated postgraduate qualification in just 1 calendar year instead of 2 academic years.
40% of our alumni reported an increase in salary 2 years after studying with us.
Who is this course for?
Applicants will typically be registered healthcare professionals with some experience or interest in the area of expedition and wilderness medicine who wish to enhance their knowledge, skills and understanding in order to fulfil the role of an expedition medic or otherwise specialise in extreme medicine. These include:
- GPs
- Allied Health Professionals
- Nurses
- Military Medics
- Paramedics
- Medics
How Will I Learn?
You'll learn through our flexible, interactive online platform, which allows you to engage with clinical cases, complete assignments, and collaborate with fellow students at times that suit your schedule. There's no fixed timetable—simply log in daily to participate in the week's activities.
Learn through engaging discussion
Our teaching approach is highly interactive, using small groups of 10-20 students to foster a collaborative environment where you can engage in thoughtful discussions and receive guidance from your tutor. You'll have access to learning resources and discussion forums that encourage ongoing interaction and deeper engagement with the material.
Throughout your studies, you'll receive support from a dedicated expert tutor and our Student Support Team, ensuring you have the resources needed to navigate the course successfully.
Curriculum
The expedition and wilderness medicine msc is a two year course, consisting of eight modules (180 credits) with the first 120 credits deriving from the postgraduate diploma. The second year of an msc in extreme medicine starts with an initial 10 week online module that will develop skills in critical appraisal and knowledge of research methodologies. Students then complete the professional project module, which consists of a 1,500 word proposal and 10,500 word professional project (dissertation).Year 1
Module Aims
To provide healthcare professionals with the skills, knowledge and methodical approach to prepare and plan a successful and safe expedition in a variety of settings.
Module Content
- Pre-expedition screening and medical assessment
- Preparation for expedition
- Physical and mental preparation for expedition
- Pre-expedition timeline
- Evacuation planning
- In-country training considerations
Learning Outcomes
- Develop appropriate screening of potential participants to mitigate risk and improve the viability and success of an expedition.
- Critically interpret the evidence base and application of knowledge with respect to the planning required for health considerations of expedition participants which can be applied to different environments.
Module aims
- To provide healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge to plan and execute a successful and safe expedition in a polar and/or mountain environment.
- To anticipate potential complications which may arise within cold and high altitude in respect both of the expedition participants and the treatments available.
Module Content
- Expedition and emergency planning
- Situational awareness
- Group health considerations in polar and mountain environments
- Medical kits
- Environmental medical considerations
- Mental health
Learning Outcomes
- Critically interpret and apply the evidence base in the planning and management of the health considerations within a polar and mountain environment to minimise risk to health.
- Develop and demonstrate skills to appraise, reflect upon and adapt treatments considering the constraints and considerations of the polar and mountain environment.
Module Aims
- To provide healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge to plan and execute a successful and safe expedition in an aquatic environment.
- To anticipate potential complications which may arise within remote ocean, river and water environments in respect both of the expedition participants and the treatments available.
Module Content
- Expedition and emergency planning
- Situational awareness
- Group health considerations in water environments
- Medical kits
- Environmental medical considerations
- Mental health
Learning Outcomes
- Critically interpret and apply the evidence base in the planning and management of the health considerations for an ocean, river/water-based expedition.
- Develop skills to appraise, reflect upon and adapt treatments considering the environmental constraints and considerations in aquatic expedition situations.
Module Aims
To provide healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge to plan and execute a successful and safe expedition in a desert and/or tropical environment. And to anticipate potential complications which may arise within desert and/or tropical environments in respect both of the expedition participants and the treatments available.
Module Content
- Expedition and emergency planning
- Situational awareness
- Group health considerations in desert and tropical environments
- Medical kits
- Environmental medical considerations
- Mental health
Learning Outcomes
- Critically interpret and apply the evidence base in the planning and management of the health considerations for a desert and/or tropical expedition.
- Critically appraise, reflect upon and adapt treatments considering the constraints and considerations of desert and tropical environments.
Module Aims
- To provide healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge to anticipate, plan for and treat potential common medical problems which may arise on expeditions and the additional challenges which exist within remote environments.
- To consider the importance of the effective treatment of minor and/or major conditions and the impact of them on the expedition’s success.
Module Content
- Cardiovascular and respiratory
- Endocrine and neurological and mental health
- Women’s health
- Skin and wounds
- Musculoskeletal
- Ophthalmic and dental
Learning Outcomes
- Critically consider the evidence base and available treatments to plan and manage common health considerations in an austere setting.
- Critically appraise common and/or likely medical problems which may occur on an expedition and the effects which differing environments and situations will have on their management, treatment and, ultimately, the success of the expedition.
Module Aims
- To provide healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge to be able to transfer knowledge learnt within expedition and wilderness medicine to a natural disaster situation, providing safe medical care within a variety of environments.
- To anticipate additional potential complications which may arise within an emergency situation. Using knowledge gained over the previous modules, use and adapt that knowledge to an emergency situation or natural disaster.
Module Content
- Emergency planning
- Situational awareness
- Public health considerations
- Medical kits
- Environmental medical considerations
- Mental health
Learning Outcomes
- Critically interpret and apply the evidence base in expedition medicine to the planning and management within an emergency situation, such as a natural disaster.
- Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of safe medical care in austere environments and consider the potential complications within a variety of emergency situations.
Year 2
The module runs over a 12 week period and is designed to develop skills in critical appraisal and knowledge of research methodologies used in Expedition and Wilderness Medicine. The module consists of mandatory formative assessment activities to support your learning and development prior to the professional project module.
You will be required to produce a piece of work based upon a clinically-related project that is relevant to your practice. Once you have selected a specific project, you will submit a project summary/proposal of approximately 1,500 words. Following the approval of your proposal you will then complete a 10,500 word professional project.
To produce the professional project you will continue to study online. Much of the work is self-directed, however you will receive guidance from your tutor throughout the module.
Assessment Methods
This programme emphasises learning through active participation in case-based discussions, reflection, and real-life scenarios. Students engage with clinical cases that mirror everyday practice, fostering problem-solving and evidence-based application from the very beginning.
Across the modules, assessments are integrated with learning. Each week, you will work through two to three clinical cases, discussing and reflecting on them with peers under the guidance of an expert tutor. These discussions form the core of your learning and are also the basis for your assessments.
Our innovative teaching methods are designed to help you translate this learning into real-world clinical practice. You'll need to regularly log in to participate in discussions, ideally on a daily basis, and commit approximately two hours per day to your studies. Our dedicated Student Support Team is available to assist with any challenges you may encounter, from navigating our online platform to managing deadlines.
How Foundational Knowledge is Developed
The programme is structured so that foundational knowledge is introduced through carefully designed clinical cases. Each case is crafted to highlight essential concepts and progressively deepen your understanding as you apply critical thinking and evidence-based analysis. This hands-on approach ensures that you are not only acquiring theoretical knowledge but also learning how to apply it in a practical, clinical setting.
This programme is suited for professionals who thrive in an online, discussion-based learning environment. Please note that this course focuses on interactive, applied learning through peer collaboration and case discussions. You will be fully supported, encouraged and led through the programme to success and graduation!
Year 1
- Every week students are presented with two/three clinical case-based scenarios that are reflective of every day clinical practice and research.
- Tutors will post a number of questions and prompts to aid students in a formal discussion of each case.
- These discussions are facilitated throughout by your tutor and are then assessed at the end of every module.
The reflective journal is used by students throughout each module to monitor personal progress. This is guided by weekly feedback from your tutor and is graded at the end of every module. The journal typically includes the following:
- Initial expectations and reasons for taking the course.
- Module and/or personal learning objectives.
- Description of events, issues and learning points within current personal practice.
- Change in every day practice due to knowledge gained on each module.
- A description of what has been learned during the module.
The group activity is designed to encourage group dynamics catering to the multidisciplinary nature of care. The group activity requires students to:
- Choose a group leader to co-ordinate the project and delegate roles to individual students.
- Produce a group submission of well-referenced, scientific report(s) with an expected word count of 1,200.
Your tutor will provide comments if asked, or steer you in the right direction if the project starts to veer off the subject, but will not actively contribute to the project. As well as the project itself, students are also marked according to their contribution to the group submission.
- The individual assignment will test the student’s ability to work independently.
- The student will be required to select, sift and analyse information and come to a reasoned conclusion.
- An assignment is submitted at the end of module with an expected word count of 1,200 words.
Year 2
This module runs over an 8 week period and is designed to develop skills in critical appraisal and knowledge of research methodologies. The module consists of mandatory formative assessment activities to support your learning and development prior to the Professional Project module.
Students will work with their supervisor to submit a professional project proposal for their chosen topic.
Students will deliver an abstract (1000 words) outlining their proposal and, if deemed necessary, develop and submit documentation for the University’s ethical committee approval.
- Students will create a dissertation, the theme of which has been developed in discussion with their tutor.
- Supervision will normally involve direct online support involving planned progress, supporting research activity and reading student work.
- Supervisors and students will agree on a communications plan, which may involve emails or online chats. Some students may employ the use of freely available chat or audio conferencing facilities for live discussion with supervisors.
- Students will have access to online forums where they can develop their research capabilities together.
- All communications with tutors will be logged on the Professional Project forum by the student, and consist of brief summaries of discussion.
Entry requirements
Since our courses are conducted entirely online, they are accessible to both UK and international registered healthcare professionals.
Applicants will typically hold a first degree or equivalent (including international qualifications) in a relevant professional healthcare field, such as a medical or nursing degree.
Registered healthcare professionals without these recognised qualifications will be considered on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience may be taken into account. In some cases, applicants may be asked to submit a piece of work for assessment in order to confirm that they are able to work comfortably at postgraduate level, and demonstrate the requisite clinical and professional knowledge.
Documents Required
- A copy of your updated CV including your address and date of birth.
- A copy of your undergraduate degree certificate.
- The name and email address of someone who is able to provide a reference, this can be a work colleague, employer or former tutor.
- A detailed personal statement explaining why you would like to undertake the course.
- A copy of your proof of English competency (see below).
English Language Requirements
Proficiency in the English language is also essential to completing our courses. If English is NOT your first language, we ask for proof of competency during the application process. We are able to accept an IELTS overall score of 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 for each band) or an equivalent qualification.
If you do not meet these requirements, please don’t worry. The University of South Wales run a number of English Language Programmes at the Centre for International English to prepare you for your academic studies. You can also contact our admissions team on admissions@diploma-msc.com for more information on the qualifications we accept.
Should you have already successfully completed the 1 year Postgraduate Diploma and wish to convert to the MSc and complete only the second year of the programme this is possible. Please contact our admissions department admissions@diploma-msc.com to find out more.
Course Fees
Option 1: Upfront Payment in full. Option 2: Interest free payments every other month for the duration of the course.
| Date | Instalments | Up-Front Payments |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | £800 | £9,000 |
| 1st May 2025 | £800 | |
| 1st July 2025 | £800 | |
| 1st September 2025 | £800 | |
| 1st November 2025 | £800 | |
| 1st January 2026 | £800 | |
| 1st March 2026 | £700 | |
| 1st May 2026 | £700 | |
| 1st July 2026 | £700 | |
| 1st September 2026 | £700 | |
| 1st November 2026 | £700 | |
| 1st January 2027 | £700 |
† Deposits are non-refundable
†† Prices are subject to review following each intake
Option 3: Lower your monthly payments by spreading the cost for between 2 and 8 years with a loan from our lending partner Lendwise*.
*Subject to eligibility criteria.
Learna | Diploma MSc has a partnership with Lendwise which is a leading private student loan provider, to help UK students fund their course fees should they require financing. Lendwise is a UK-based education finance platform through which candidates can fund their postgraduate and professional qualification studies at leading educational institutions.
A Lendwise loan comes with a fixed interest rate for the duration of the loan (between 2 and 8 years) and no early repayment penalties. The interest rate offered will depend on the overall applicant profile and the application process is entirely online.*
*Other sources of funding are available.
Learna | Diploma MSc does not offer financial advice, recommend or endorse any financial product. You should always check the suitability of the product that is of interest to you. If you are in any doubt as to its suitability, we suggest that you seek independent professional advice.
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