Program Overview

MSc Extreme Medicine (Distance)

Overview

This unique programme is delivered in partnership between the University of Exeter Medical School and World Extreme Medicine (WEM), the world's leading provider of specialist training courses for medics taking their skills into challenging environments.

Entry Requirements

• Normally a 2:2 Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (medicine, nursing, paramedic science).
• Individuals who don't meet these criteria but have relevant professional experience may also be welcomed on to this MSc programme.
• Qualifications and experience will be assessed on application.

Intercalators

• The full-time course is suitable for some intercalating medical students.
• Applicants need to have completed a minimum of 3 years of their undergraduate medical degree programme and able to evidence previous relevant experience of travelling or working in remote or hostile environments.

Entry Requirements for International Students

• Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.

Course Content

• With the increased awareness of global burdens such as humanitarian crises and sudden onset disasters, more than ever there is a need to be delivering healthcare in highly complex and demanding situations.
• Through our partnership teaching arrangement with World Extreme Medicine, we offer you a unique programme of study.
• Via intensive residentials delivered in authentic outdoor and wilderness environments, backed by rigorous academic assignments, you will develop the knowledge and technical skills to evaluate and deliver healthcare support in challenging environments.

Specialisms

• You are able to specialise in particular areas of Extreme Medicine.
• This specialism will be reflected in your award title provided you have taken the appropriate modules and residential courses specified below and completed an independent research project in the relevant field.

Modules and Delivery

• This MSc course can be taken as a full-time course over one year or alternatively spread over two or three years of part time study.
• The programme is also divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’.
• To gain a Masters qualification, you will need to complete 180 credits at level 7.

Compulsory Modules

• HPDM100: Core Concepts (30 credits)
• HPDM213: Extreme Physiology (30 credits)
• HPDM212z: Evidence-based Wilderness Medicine (30 credits)
• HPDM148: Independent Research (60 credits)

Optional Modules

• HPDM167: Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (30 credits)
• HPDM211: Clinical Practice in Austere Environments (30 credits)

Fees

• 2025/26 entry: Fees are subject to an annual increment each academic year.
• UK and International fees per year:
  • MSc: £28,600 full-time, £14,300pa part-time 2 years, £12,500 (year 1 and 2), £3,600 (year 3) part-time 3 years
  • PgDip: £9,900pa part time 2 years
  • PgCert: £9,900

Scholarships

• We invest heavily in scholarships for talented prospective Masters students.
• For more information on scholarships, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

Teaching and Research

• The Extreme Medicine course is a distance-learning programme, delivered through attendance at residentials in various locations.
• No teaching is delivered on the university campuses.
• The residentials include locations in the UK as well as environment-specific modules in various locations around the world, and are dependent on the modules you choose.

Your Future

• This programme is suitable for anyone with an interest in delivering healthcare outside of conventional healthcare facilities (such as hospitals, GP clinics), which could include expedition support, humanitarian work or medical support for remote industry.
• It is also suitable for those from a range of backgrounds and professions, including: paramedics, medics, nurses, medical scientists, allied healthcare professionals, military medics, intercalating medical students.

Employer-Valued Skills This Course Develops

• You will be working or looking to work in situations of rapid change and uncertainty and you will be looking to demonstrate capabilities that extend beyond clinical competence into areas such as leadership, communications, teamwork, resilience, humanitarian relief, planning and logistics.
• You will learn the practical skills, knowledge and understanding needed to perform at the highest possible level in the field of extreme medicine.

Career Paths (Graduate Destinations)

• Extreme Medicine is an emerging specialty.
• Graduates of the programme will enhance their medical skills to practice in challenging and remote environments.
• They will acquire field based knowledge and skills to demonstrate their strategic understanding of expedition operations, to potential employers and to the wider deployment team.

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