Program Overview

Early Phase Clinical Trials

The Early Phase Clinical Trials course is a 10-credit microcredential offered by the University of Birmingham. This course covers the different phases of medical trials and their vital purpose towards the adoption of new medical treatments.

Course Overview

This course will cover the different phases of medical trials and their vital purpose towards the adoption of new medical treatments. You will learn about finding the right dosage for treatments and go on to explore early efficacy studies which are necessary before larger trials are conducted.

• This is a core module on the MSc/PGDip in Clinical Trials programme.
  • It is available as an optional module on the PGCert when taken alongside the following modules:
    • Rationale for Clinical Trials, Key Concepts and Features
    • Selection, Collection and Reporting of Trial Outcomes
    • Analyses of Clinical Trials, Interpretation and Communication of Trial Findings
• It can also be taken on a stand-alone basis.

Course Details

• Campus: Birmingham (Edgbaston)
• Delivery format: In person
• Start date: 2025/26 dates TBC
• Duration: 5 days
• Award: Microcredential (10 credits)

Entry Requirements

• Pre-existing knowledge required - knowledge of introduction to RCT trial design or experience working within early phase trials

Fees

• Microcredential (Home): £605
• Microcredential (International): £1,745
• Non-credit: £505.60

Course Delivery

By the end of this short course, you should be able to:

• Explain the typical role, rationale, and objectives of early phase clinical trials.
• Discuss the ethical obligations to patients and critique experimental designs, in light of these obligations.
• Identify, explain, and justify the experimental features commonly used in early phase clinical trials.
• Interpret and critically appraise the results from an early phase clinical trial.
• Synthesise existing evidence to create a defensible plan to conduct an early phase clinical trial in an experimental treatment.

Attendance Required

1 block week of teaching

Course Dates

Dates for 2025/26 are TBC. The course normally runs in March.

Assessment

A 2-hour unseen examination (100%)

Credits

10 credits

Why Choose a Postgraduate Microcredential Short Course?

• Microcredentials offer the perfect opportunity to boost your CV without the commitment of a full degree
• Usually taken from existing modules within a Masters, they can be used as standalone credentials with some also counting as academic credits at postgraduate level
• Add a postgraduate level qualification to your CV
• Develop the specialist skills you need for your career goals
• Alumni status with the University of Birmingham
• Learners will have the same access to our student support and campus facilities as our students on full degree programmes.