Program Overview

Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Research, Education and Leadership

The Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Research, Education and Leadership is a one-year program designed for medical, surgical, and healthcare staff. The program consists of modules on clinical research, clinical education, and clinical leadership.

Course Details

• Course fee:
  • Home: È6,864
  • Overseas: È13,728
• Credits: 60
• Study mode: Hybrid (in person and online)
• Application Deadline: 28 May 2026
• Duration: 9 Months
• Location: Various Locations
• Course code: 2627PCB412
• Course type: Postgraduate courses

Tutors

• Dr Emma English: Associate Teaching Professor, University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education
• Professor Tom Monie: Senior Tutor, Christs College, Cambridge University
• Dr Thomas O'Connor: Assistant Teaching Professor, University of Cambridge

Course Overview

The program has been developed by Cambridge University Health Partners, in conjunction with the School of Clinical Medicine and University of Cambridge Continuing and Professional Education (PACE). It is taught part-time and is designed to be flexible and accessible to working healthcare professionals contributing towards research and professional development through reinforcement of Good Clinical Practice (GCP).

Who is the Course Designed For?

This course is designed for doctors, dentists, nurses, veterinary surgeons, and allied health professionals.

Aims of the Programme

The overarching educational aims of the program are to:

• Provide professionally relevant teaching and learning informed by research in an integrated clinical and teaching environment.
• Create an international cohort of healthcare professionals able to pursue and develop their roles in a rapidly-changing and challenging environment of clinical medicine.
• Develop the confidence within this cohort to lead service improvement for safe and high-quality patient care, with the required knowledge, skills, and capability to have a positive personal impact on the work of others in their clinical team and wider service.
• Develop clinicians with an understanding of teaching, professional development, and assessment in the field of clinical medicine.
• Develop clinicians with an understanding of research methodologies and ethical considerations relevant to clinical medicine.
• Encourage participants to develop as reflective practitioners with the emotional intelligence, resilience, and astuteness required to be effective clinical leaders.
• Encourage a commitment to intellectual challenge and evidence-based clinical practice informed by the latest conceptual and theoretical knowledge of clinical education, research methods, ethics, and clinical leadership and governance.

Progression

The Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Research Education and Leadership forms the first year of the progression route to the MSt in Clinical Medicine. Upon successful completion of the postgraduate certificate, students would be eligible to apply for the one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Medicine, and following this, the one-year MSt in Clinical Medicine.

Entry Requirements

• Standard entry requirements: Typically, a good UK undergraduate degree, such as a 2.1, or international equivalent.
• Non-standard applications: If you do not meet the standard entry requirements, you may still be considered with relevant professional experience or higher-level study.
• English language requirements: Courses are taught in English and require a good level of fluency. If English is not your first language, you will need to prove you have sufficient fluency before admission.

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching: The course is delivered through in-person teaching sessions requiring in-person attendance in Cambridge. Attendance at all contact days is compulsory. Pre-attendance content may be available to view in advance. Additional content and tutorials will be delivered synchronously online, requiring attendance in real time.
• Assessment: Students are assessed formatively throughout the course using a variety of techniques and interrelated strategies, including evidence of regular reflection. Summative assessment will be through a range of formats, which may include coursework, written and oral examinations, posters, presentations, and projects.

Modules

• Clinical Leadership: In-person teaching dates: 6-9 October 2026 and 28 May 2027. There are 8 themes within the Clinical Leadership module.
• Clinical Research: In-person teaching dates: 18-21 January 2027 and 25 February 2027. There are 9 themes within the research module.
• Clinical Education: In-person teaching dates: 10-13, 15 May 2027. There are 5 themes within the education module.

Fees and Funding

• Fees: The total fees for this course are È6,864 for home students and È13,728 for overseas students.
• Funding: The University is dedicated to reducing and removing financial barriers to learning. Various funding options may be available to help with studies.

How to Apply

• Application deadline: 28 May 2026.
• Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
• Supporting documents required include qualifications and transcripts, an employer letter of support, evidence of funding, and references.