Program Overview

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Introduction to the Health Professions Education Program

The Health Professions Education program at Hull York Medical School is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver exceptional teaching, assessment, course design, and educational research. This program is open to those from across the healthcare professions and offers three routes: a Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma, and MSc.

About the Program

The program is taught by experienced clinical and non-clinical academics and researchers from the Health Professions Education Unit (HPEU). The HPEU is dedicated to advancing health professions education and extends knowledge boundaries on workforce research, recruitment, selection, and widening access, workplace-based learning, curriculum development, professionalism, and assessment to enhance practice and understanding.

Program Structure

• The Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) allows students to develop an understanding of the key principles of learning, teaching, assessment, and professional practice, which relate to health professions education.
• The Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) explores aspects of leadership and management and contemporary practices in education, supporting students to deliver quality health professions education in their clinical and teaching practice.
• The Masters (MSc) program involves a high-quality research project in health professions education, relevant to the student's own discipline and research interests.

Accreditation and Awards

The program is accredited by Advance HE, allowing students to apply for Fellowship or Associate Fellowship upon completion of the Certificate and a reflective portfolio. The Certificate is also accredited by the Academy of Medical Educators (AoME), enabling students to apply for membership of the Academy (MAcadMEd) upon completion.

Study Routes

The program offers flexible study options to suit individual needs, including:

• Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert): 1 year part-time, 60 credits over three 20-credit modules
• Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip): 2 years part-time, 120 credits over six 20-credit modules
• Masters (MSc): 1 year full-time, 2 or 3 years part-time, 180 credits over six 20-credit modules plus a 60-credit dissertation

Modules

The program consists of core and optional modules, including:

• Learning and Teaching (Certificate core module)
• Research Approaches in Health Professions Education (Diploma core module)
• Dissertation (Masters core module)
• Optional modules are available, but the list may change at any time.

Teaching and Assessment

The program is delivered primarily through distance learning, with optional face-to-face opportunities. Assessment methods include:

• Written assignments for the Certificate and Diploma
• A literature review or a major research project (dissertation) for the MSc

Entry Requirements

• Part-time Certificate: Applicants must hold a relevant undergraduate degree or its equivalent and have access to an appropriate level of teaching activity.
• Part-time Diploma or Masters: Applicants who have completed the Certificate and/or Diploma modules elsewhere may apply for transfer of credit.
• Full-time Masters: Applicants must hold a relevant undergraduate degree or its equivalent and have access to an appropriate level of teaching activity.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the required English language proficiency standards, including IELTS, PTE Academic, CAE and CPE, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or LangCert B2 Communicator High Pass.

Tuition Fees

Fees are listed for 2026 entry and are subject to change for future years. Fees include:

• PGCert: £4,480 (part-time)
• PGDip: £8,960 (part-time) or £4,480 (part-time) for completion of PGDip in one year as a higher level award
• MSc: £13,440 (full-time), £6,720 (part-time), or £4,480 (part-time) for completion of MSc in one year as a higher level award

Funding

Reduced tuition fees are available for certain groups, including Hull York Medical School staff, alumni, and partners. External funding opportunities, such as the Yorkshire and Humber Deanery, may also be available.

Career Prospects

The program is designed to enhance career prospects in education, leadership, and research within the healthcare professions. Many graduates have gone on to forge exciting careers as educators, leaders, researchers, practitioners, and clinicians. The program is also an excellent stepping-stone for pursuing a PhD/MD in health professions education or a clinical academic career.