Medical Education MSc
Validated by University of South Wales
At the heart of medical training internationally, medical education is key to healthcare advancement. Practitioners in teaching, assessing or mentoring roles are increasingly expected to hold formal teaching qualifications such as our Masters in Medical Education.
Our MSc Medical Education programme is designed to meet the educational needs of both primary and secondary care professionals, empowering healthcare educators to deliver the highest standards of teaching and learning. With a curriculum aligned with the latest research and evidence-based principles, we aspire to build a global community of educators committed to leading the future of healthcare.
This 2-year MSc in Medical Education offers the opportunity to make a substantial impact in healthcare education while also developing critical research skills as you undertake your own research project in year two.
Next intake: March 2025Key Facts
Studying our masters in medical education online offers you exceptional flexibility without disrupting your existing clinical responsibilities; study part-time and engage daily in our academic forum at your convenience, with the guidance of our expert medical education faculty.
Drawing together a wealth of knowledge and practical experience from different healthcare disciplines across the globe, tutors on this programme are united by their passion for medical education and providing a high-quality student experience.
Our MSc Medical Education programme is distinguished by its triple-accreditation status, acknowledged by:
- The Academy of Medical Educators (AoME): Attaining AccreditationPlus, the highest AoME accreditation, highlights our adherence to exceptional standards. Our curriculum is shaped by AoME guidelines, giving students and graduates the benefit of streamlined AoME membership, avoiding the typically lengthy application and evidence process.
- The European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS-EACCME): This UEMS accreditation is a mark of quality, allowing students to acquire accredited CPD points.
- The Royal College of Physicians (RCP): Our Medical Education programme has been approved by the RCP, enabling graduates of this programme to receive CPD points as accredited by the RCP.
On completion of this Medical Education Masters students will demonstrate:
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of specific issues at the forefront of theory and practice in medical education.
- A critical understanding of medical education theories and principles to inform educational practice, with an advanced knowledge of educational methods and practice.
- An applied understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are applied to medical education.
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of the medical education discipline informed by current scholarship and research.
- The ability to critically evaluate current research in Medical Education.
Expertise in independent learning using the exploration of knowledge and enquiry to underpin practice. - Self-direction and creativity in tackling and solving speciality problems, and leadership in medical education.
- The creation of an original piece of work in medical education.
- Key skills in communication, enquiry and analysis, problem solving, IT skills, working with others and critical reflection.
Faculty
Programme Leader
Dr Richard Chudleigh
Current post: Consultant Physician Diabetologist and Endocrinologist Singleton Hospital, Swansea
Dr Chudleigh’s main areas of interest are Type 1 diabetes, pregnancy, insulin pump therapy, and nephropathy. He...
Tutor - Dr Paul Grant
Current Post: Clinical Training Environment Lead, Medefer (Virtual Hospital)
An experienced Endocrinologist, Dr Paul Grant completed his certificate of specialist training (CCT) in Diabetes & Endocrinology in 2013 from the...
Tutor - Dr Aqsa Chaudhry
Dr. Aqsa Chaudhry is a dental surgeon with specialised interest in and strong passion for medical education. She holds a Masters degree towards the latter and
has also been awarded...
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
AoME - Academy of Medical Educators
The Postgraduate Diploma and Masters in Medical Education have been accredited with AccreditationPlus by AoME
UEMS - European Union of Medical Specialists
This postgraduate course has also been accredited by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS)
Frequently Asked Questions
For a full list of our FAQs visit our FAQs page.
As each Medical Council has their own rules/regulations with regard to Postgraduate study we recommend that you contact your local Medical Council with regard to recognition.
Upon completion of the course the University would invite you to a graduation ceremony and provide your certificate which makes no reference to the fact that the course was studied online and is therefore typically recognised the same as any other UK University qualification.
Rest assured, the overall Postgraduate Diploma carries a total of 1,200 CPD points, with the MSc an additional 600 CPD points, and all official certifications are issued directly by the University.
When you study one of our programmes you may be surprised to find that there are no lectures or seminars. Your learning will be self-directed meaning that rather than being told information you find it for yourself (with tutor guidance and support). We do this via a series of clinically rich scenarios which your tutor will post on our academic forum which you and your classmates will research, respond to and discuss.
You will be assessed through the Academic Forum, Reflective Journal and Assignments. Learning will be carried out using our online learning platform: Moodle.
You can study whenever and wherever you want - our programmes are totally flexible to fit around your other work and life commitments.
The course is specifically designed so that part of your study is the application of theory to practice in your day job.
We typically suggest that students aim to log into the Moodle platform daily. We recommend a "little and often" approach for reading, reflection and/or posting. High achieving students will typically spend 1-2 hours dedicated to their studies a day; 10 hours per week is sufficient time to spend on the platform.
Those who cannot dedicate more time than once/twice per week may struggle with the demands of this postgraduate programme.
Yes, everything is done entirely online through our learning platform, Moodle. You do not need to attend the University.
Postgraduate Diploma courses
In order to be eligible for our Postgraduate Diploma courses you need to hold a medical degree or undergraduate degree in a health related science and be working within the field that you wish to study, as the course is designed to further your knowledge within your chosen subject and is not designed to introduce these as new topic areas.
We have two intakes a year in March and September. Click the following link for the up to date application deadlines and module dates: Module Dates.
The Action Taker Discount offers savings based on your programme: £150 off for PGCert and £250 off for PGDip/2-year MSc programmes. To qualify, you must pay the deposit within 7 days of acceptance. This discount is not available during February and August and not available in combination with the Early Bird Discount. The Action Taker Discount will be applied to your final payment. To take advantage, act quickly after acceptance to secure your savings.
Next intake: March 2025 Key Facts
Programme Leader
Dr Richard Chudleigh
Current post: Consultant Physician Diabetologist and Endocrinologist Singleton Hospital, Swansea
Dr Chudleigh’s main areas of interest are Type 1 diabetes, pregnancy, insulin pump therapy, and nephropathy. He is involved in Phase 3 clinical trials at Swansea University and also has a teaching role within the college of medicine for medical undergraduate students.
He holds an honorary senior lecturer post at Cardiff University as director for the online diploma in diabetes. He also holds an honorary contract with Swansea University and is a module lead for diabetes on the graduate entry medical degree at Swansea University.
Tutor - Dr Paul Grant
Current Post: Clinical Training Environment Lead, Medefer (Virtual Hospital)
An experienced Endocrinologist, Dr Paul Grant completed his certificate of specialist training (CCT) in Diabetes & Endocrinology in 2013 from the London and Kent, Surrey, Sussex deanery. He was a committee member of the Young Diabetologists & Endocrinologists Forum (YDEF) and an SpR training representative.
He has a special interest in metabolic bone disease (and was the Chair of the NICE guidelines committee on the management of primary hyperparathyroidism), gestational diabetes (author of the Gestational Diabetes Survival Guide, Sheldon Press 2016) and worked on the UK consensus guidelines for the management of hyponatraemia.
Dr Grant now works in teaching and training, and has been a group tutor for the Diabetes and Endocrinology modules and Medical Education MSc course for Learna (University of South Wales) for the past 5 years, receiving excellent feedback from postgraduate students from around the world. He has a lifelong love of diabetes and endocrinology, sharing his knowledge and supporting others. Outside of work he is a Samaritans Listening volunteer.
Tutor - Dr Aqsa Chaudhry
Dr. Aqsa Chaudhry is a dental surgeon with specialised interest in and strong passion for medical education. She holds a Masters degree towards the latter and
has also been awarded the Advance HE fellowship.
She has been working as a medical educationist since 2018 and has been involved
in tutoring undergraduates and postgraduates since 2016. Currently, she's an online
tutor of the PGDip Cosmetic Medicine and Medical Education Courses at the
University of South Wales, an experience which has been hugely rewarding.
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Why Study a Medical Education 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?
Our flexible MSc medical education course is suitable for:
- Doctors
- GPs
- Healthcare Professionals
Also, those with related undergraduate degrees (e.g. Pharmacists) or equivalent professional qualifications and background experience who wish to develop their skills and knowledge as medical educators.
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 online MSc medical education 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 the distance learning MSc medical education course 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 develop a critical understanding of the context of medical education in the broader profession of education which puts focus on patient care.
Module Content
- Learning and teaching theories
- Learning and teaching methods
- Lesson planning
- Practical skills for teaching online learning: Individuals, small, and large groups
- Practical skills for teaching online learning
- Current topics and controversies
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse and apply teaching methods and theories for effective learning.
- Critically evaluate the significance of medical education with a focus on patient care.
Module Aims
To develop an in-depth understanding of the principles of assessment in medical education.
Module Content
- Performance/Testing
- Formative assessment
- Summative assessment
- Constructing an assessment (case study)
- Supervision and feedback (appraisal)
- Current topics/controversies
Learning Outcomes
- Critically analyse various assessment methodologies in medical education.
- Implement formative and summative assessment strategies in the context of medical education.
Module Aims
Develop a comprehensive understanding of the different types of evaluation.
Module Content
- Regulatory context of Medical Education
- Moore’s levels
- Programme evaluation
- Case Studies
- Current topics and controversies
Learning Outcomes
- Critically evaluate and synthesise various models of evaluation in medical education.
- Design and implement evaluation methods to enhance educational practices and improve patient care.
Module Aims
Develop an in-depth understanding of how to incorporate a variety of digital programmes into medical education.
Module Content
- Educational media and technology (media in the context of lesson planning)
- Presentation skills
- Simulation (Augmented Reality/virtual Reality)
- Big data, big “clinical” data
- Emerging technologies: Ubiquitous web Internet of Things, mobile, digital ecology.
Learning Outcomes
- Justify and critically appraise the role of media in medical education.
- Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies in the field of medical education.
Module Aims
To develop an in-depth understanding of the importance of effective leadership to help improve patient care.
Module Content
- Leadership
- Monitoring the performance of healthcare professionals
- Academy of Medical Educators (AoME) domains
- Policy and strategy including interprofessional learning and compliance with the disability and dyslexia act.
- Ethics
- Scholarship
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of professional standards for medical educators.
- Critically assess the role and impact of leadership in medical education.
Module Aims
To develop the skills and knowledge to plan a curriculum as a medical educator.
Module Content
- Curriculum planning and application
- Programmes of learning (theories, curricular design, QA, assessment methods, evaluation)
- Service user involvement
Learning Outcomes
- Take responsibility for planning and developing a comprehensive course curriculum.
- Critically evaluate medical education curricula from multiple perspectives.
Year 2
Module Aims
To help students recognise, understand, interpret and apply methods used in healthcare research and critically appraise the various methodologies specific to medical education research.
Module Content
Terminology used in epidemiology and research studies such as prevalence, incidence, sensitivity, specificity, false positive and false negatives.
Interpreting graphical representation of epidemiological and statistical data such as Kaplan-Meier Curves, Forrest Plots and Meta-analyses.
Calculations used in the assessment of research data such as relative risk, absolute risk, number needed to treat.
Statistical tests and their applications including t-Tests, ANOVA, Chi-Square.
Qualitative research methods.
Fundamentals of evidence-based practice and its application into the clinical setting.
Establishing patient registers and the value of disease specific registers.
Research into educational principles for both healthcare practitioner and patient.
Understanding what may work for the patient as well as the educator.
Learning Outcomes
- Interpret research in medical education for healthcare decision making.
- Display a critical understanding of the clinical implications of research and its impact upon healthcare delivery and service development.
Module Aims
To develop an ability to critically evaluate areas of professional practice.
To critically appraise specific areas of clinical, research and organisational practice.
To develop skills in independent research and study.
To develop skills relevant to scientific publications.
Module Content
The module will depend on the creation of a piece of work based upon a specific clinically related project relevant to the student’s practice. This project may comprise:
Literature review and appraisal of the evidence.
Audit.
Review and implementation of evidence-based practice.
Qualitative or quantitative research (formal research involving human subjects is not anticipated).
Quality of service review with critical appraisal.
Learning Outcomes
- Produce an extensive piece of literature, which may be suitable for peer-reviewed publication.
- Critically evaluate educational practice and suggest improvements for change.
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.
For this assessment, students will work on a group assignment and/or an individual assignment.
- Group assignments are designed to hone skills in the multidisciplinary, holistic approach to modern treatments and patient management by requiring group participation in a single piece of work.
- Individual assignments are designed to hone skills in academic career progression through such tasks as reviewing papers, developing scientific posters or abstracts, peer-reviewing, social media activities, patient information leaflets and essays.
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.
- Students are provided with case-based problems in the form of a one-hour timed examination.
- The exam consists of 30 'Single Best Answer' questions.
- Students are required to complete the exam online within the set time.
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 MSc Medical Education course is conducted entirely online, it's accessible to both UK and international registered healthcare professionals without international surcharge.
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 | £840 | £9,440 |
| 1st May 2025 | £840 | |
| 1st July 2025 | £840 | |
| 1st September 2025 | £840 | |
| 1st November 2025 | £840 | |
| 1st January 2026 | £840 | |
| 1st March 2026 | £733 | |
| 1st May 2026 | £733 | |
| 1st July 2026 | £733 | |
| 1st September 2026 | £733 | |
| 1st November 2026 | £733 | |
| 1st January 2027 | £735 |
† 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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