Program Overview

Master of Medical Education (MME) Program

The Master of Medical Education (MME) program develops competencies in instructional design, curriculum development, learner assessment, and research methods in health profession education. Over the course, participants engage with these themes and critically reflect on attitudes and beliefs. They are encouraged to initiate educational innovations in their own institutions and promote high-quality education in the healthcare system. Graduates are empowered to become leaders and scholars in medical education.

Program Overview

• The program is a part-time, postgraduate Master of advanced studies in medical education provided by the Medical Faculty of the University of Bern.
• It was developed in collaboration with the University of Illinois in Chicago and was established in 1999.
• The study program follows a systematic, evidence-based approach, preparing participants for the growing demands in initial and continuing education in the healthcare sector.

Target Audience

The MME program is targeted at interested persons in Switzerland and abroad who have completed a university degree in human medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or pharmacy, and who carry out teaching activity and hold a leadership function at a medical faculty, or hold equivalent employment in the healthcare sector.

Admission Criteria

• Admission is normally decided by the program director based on written application documents and under consideration of the available study places.
• In exceptional cases, the Vice Dean of Education at the Medical Faculty of Bern decides together with the President of the MME executive board.
• The decision on admission to the degree course is generally made 6-8 weeks following application.
• A good knowledge of English is a prerequisite for participation in the course.

Program Structure

• The MME program is designed to be conducted alongside participants' employment and has a modular format.
• Performance is measured according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
• One credit corresponds to a workload of 25-30 hours.
• Credits can be acquired for all study activities within the MME course.
• The minimum requirements to be awarded the Master diploma are:
  • Successful completion of at least 9 MME course weeks, including 6 core courses,
  • Writing of at least 6 post-course assignments (three on core courses),
  • Conducting of a project with minimum qualification E,
  • Writing of a Master's thesis with minimum qualification E,
  • Acquisition of 60 ECTS credits.

Modules

The program comprises 12 one-week courses. To achieve the Master's degree, attendance of at least 9 course weeks is mandatory, 6 of which must be core courses. The course weeks normally take place in Bern. One of the 12 courses is held in a seminar hotel, and a further course is held abroad.

Course Contents

• The focus is on contents such as Curriculum Development, Cognitive Psychology, Assessment and Evaluation, Leadership, and Education Research.
• Over 90% of the course is conducted in English.
• An exception to this is course week 2 on the theme of communication, which is held in German.

Organising Institution and Faculty

• The MME program is organised by the University of Bern, Institute for Medical Education (IML).
• The program employs national and international lecturers as well as various committees for the planning, implementation, and further development of the international, high-quality MME degree course.

Advisory Board

• The advisory board advises the program directorate and study leaders, facilitates PR, and fosters international contacts and acceptance.
• Members include representatives from the University of Bern, the University of Illinois, and other international institutions.

Tuition Fees

• The two-year MME program costs a flat rate of CHF 30,000 (approximately Euro 31,730).
• This sum covers the course fees, including course material, thesis supervision, and diploma fees, as well as the semester fees of the university for two years and a one-off fee for the Unicard.
• The tuition fees are paid in 2 instalments of CHF 15,000 (approximately Euro 15,865).
• Individual travel and accommodation costs, in particular for the course conducted abroad, are at the participants' own expense.

Application

• Start: February 2026
• Application deadline: August 15, 2025
• Admission is possible until the maximum number of participants of 24 has been reached.
• Applications must include:
  • A letter of motivation
  • CV, including photo, formal education, continued education, professional activities, past and current teaching activities, and list of publications, projects, etc.
  • Copies of graduation documents (diplomas, certificates of formal and continued education)
  • Letters of reference from previous employers
  • Letter of recommendation of the superior
  • Specification of two persons of reference (including phone number and email)
  • Description of English skills for applicants whose native language is not English.