Medical and Healthcare Education PG Cert

AoME-accredited postgraduate certificate in Medical Education

Combine your passions for health and education and start your leadership journey with our online PG Cert in medical education, an Academy of Medical Educators accredited postgraduate certificate, supported by flexible distance learning that fits around your other commitments.

Apply now

Key facts about your online degree

How you'll study

This course is studied 100% online

Application deadline

Our next deadline is 14th September 2026

Professional accreditation

Academy of Medical Educators (AoME)

Course length

Study this course over 1 year

Fees: £3,000

Payment plans available

Start dates

Start in January or September

Join our Medical and Healthcare Education webinars

Thinking about studying Medical and Healthcare Education online with us? Join our live webinar to find out more and ask any questions you may have.

Monday 7th September at 12pm
Tuesday 8th September at 5pm

Course overview

Our inter-professional online PG Cert in medical education is designed for registered healthcare professionals from across the medical sector who are engaged in clinical and healthcare teaching or learning as part of their role. This postgraduate certificate in medical education provides an excellent grounding in methods of learning and teaching within the healthcare context, reflecting current trends and practices in health professions education.

Accredited by the Academy of Medical Educators (AoME), it offers a fast-track route to AoME membership. You’ll explore key principles and philosophies of teaching and learning and apply them to your own professional context through structured activities, formative assessments and individual tutorials that support reflection, goal setting and independent learning. Studying alongside GPs, junior doctors, consultants, nurses, dentists, midwives, paramedics and other allied health professionals, you will benefit from rich discussion and inter-professional learning.

On completion of the PG Cert, you may choose to continue your studies and progress to the PG Diploma or full Master's Award in Medical and Healthcare Education.

Why choose this course?

Academy of Medical Educators (AoME) accredited online PG Cert
Aligned to the UK Professional Standards Framework for Higher Education
Supported online learning that fits around your other commitments
Learn from our experienced and passionate tutors
Fast-track route to Academy of Medical Educators (AoME) membership on successful completion
Study 100% online via distance learning, wherever you are based in the UK or internationally
Be part of the University of the Year (THE) while continuing your professional development to support your career aspirations
Option to progress to a PG Diploma or the full Master's Award in Medical and Healthcare Education

What you’ll gain

Skills, knowledge and confidence to improve your teaching practice
A strong grounding in methods of learning and teaching within the healthcare context
Ability to apply key principles and philosophies of teaching and learning in your own professional context
Enhanced capacity for personal reflection, goal setting and independent learning
Insight from discussion and inter-professional learning with GPs, junior doctors, consultants, nurses, dentists, midwives, paramedics and other allied health professionals
A recognised postgraduate certificate in medical education that supports your leadership journey and ongoing professional development

Next application deadline: 14th September 2026

Apply now

Course modules and assessments

Modules

This one-year postgraduate certificate in medical education is made up of two taught modules, each delivered through five webinars with supporting online resources.

Principles of Medical and Healthcare Education

Introducing you to some of the key principles within medical and healthcare education. Encouraging you to reflect upon your own experiences, both as a learner and as an educator. Develop and enhance your own teaching practices, exploring principles, incorporating critical analysis of relevant literature. You'll address practical aspects of teaching, from motivating learners through to designing effective learning resources to enhance your teaching strategies and we'll provide guidance on planning, delivering and reflecting on teaching sessions to maximise the quality of your learning experience.

There will be 5 taught webinars with further complementary resources and activities available online.

The overall aims of this module are:

To allow you to critically examine your role as an educator in your profession
To critically enhance your understanding and implementation of principles of learning and teaching in relation to your target group.

Philosophies of Medical and Healthcare Education

Engage with fundamental questions concerning the aims, values and outcomes of education, within your sphere of practice. You'll be encouraged to reflect on your role within the educational process and how your personal aims and values might influence your practice. You'll explore incidences of when policy and practice are misaligned and the practical implications of this within your field, drawing on your understanding of educational theory to propose solutions.

There will be 5 taught webinars with further complementary resources and activities available online.

The overall aims of this module are:

To allow you to critically examine your role within the education process
To critically enhance your understanding of the socio-cultural aspects of education and how key philosophies of education impact on student learning.

Modules are subject to change and availability.

How you’ll be assessed

Assessment methods vary according to module selection, but will include written essays, teaching observations, research proposals, educational portfolios and research reports.

Accreditation

AoME Accredited

AoME accreditation of our Medical and Healthcare Education PG Cert means the course has been independently validated for its quality, judged against the Academy’s Professional Standards.

This also means that, upon successful completion, you will be able to apply for Membership of the Academy which offers many additional benefits including signifying that you have been judged to meet the Academy’s Professional Standards for Medical Educators at an appropriate level.

How you'll study

100% Online study

Dedicated support

Study online and graduate on campus

Our online PG Cert in medical education is studied 100% online via distance learning, giving you the freedom to study from anywhere in the world.

You’ll study through Canvas, our world-class online Learning Management System (LMS), which can be accessed from your phone, pc or tablet at home or on the move. Canvas provides instant access to study materials, forums, and support from tutors and classmates, as well as enabling easy submission of your assignments.

On successful completion of your studies you’ll be invited to attend a graduation ceremony on campus. If attending the ceremony in person is not possible then we’ll arrange to have your certificate sent to you.

Entry requirements

What you’ll need to start this course

Applicants will require a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree, or primary medical qualification. You must be registered practitioners with at least two years of post-registration experience in the field of health or social care and actively involved in facilitating teaching and learning within your professional role. Non graduates with extensive relevant practical and continuing professional development experience will be offered the opportunity to complete the Non-Graduate Entry Profile in accordance with the University regulations with guidance from the Pathway leader/Programme leader.

The Personal Statement will be assessed for academic writing skills, relevance to the role and commitment to study.

You will need to provide evidence that a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance has been undertaken.

If you have lived outside of the UK for 6 months or more within the last 5 years then you will need to provide a police check from the country/countries previously resided in

If you are completing placements overseas you will be required to obtain a police check/certificate of good conduct from the relevant country

If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 7.0 (Academic level - with no individual score being lower than 5.5) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.

As a distance learner, you'll also need a suitable computer with internet connection, together with sufficient IT competence to make effective use of our online learning management system (LMS) with high-speed internet and email.

Please note: Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course.

Fees and Funding

Fees

The full tuition fee for this online PG Cert in medical education is £3,000.

Accredited Prior Learning (APL) may reduce the tuition fees. This will be confirmed once your application has been submitted.

Funding

We offer payment by instalments, so you can spread the cost of studying with us.

For military students: You can use your ELCs towards this course. ARU is a recognised ELCAS provider (number 1007). Please contact your Learning Centre for details of ELC, eligibility and how to apply.

For more information on how you fund your studies please see our funding page.

Meet your course leader

Dr Eshtar Hamid

Course Director: Medical and Healthcare Education

Dr Eshtar Hamid is a senior medical educator and Course Director for the Medical and Healthcare Education programme at the School of Medicine, Anglia Ruskin University (ARU). With a background in medicine, she brings a strong passion for advancing education and research in teaching and learning across healthcare disciplines. Her academic interests centre on the development of active and innovative pedagogical approaches, particularly through the integration of technology such as simulation-based learning.

Dr Hamid’s work is grounded in research-informed practice, focusing on evaluating student experiences across diverse teaching and learning strategies. She also leads the Medical Education Research Group at ARU, where she supports the design and implementation of educational projects aimed at enhancing curriculum design and instructional effectiveness. Eshtar is also an academic supervisor, supporting students undertaking workplace-based projects that bridge theory with real-world practice.

Her role involves guiding learners through the design, implementation, and evaluation of educational initiatives within clinical and healthcare settings. She is committed to fostering reflective practice and helping students develop the skills to critically appraise and enhance teaching and learning in their professional environments.

What our students say

of our Alumni would recommend studying with ARU Distance Learning

found studying via distance learning either ‘very accessible’ or ‘quite accessible’

felt ‘much more confident’ or 'more confident’ at work

2026 Alumni survey with 268 respondents

Meet Early Childhood Studies Student Jess

Teaching for change: Anu’s mission in Medical Education

Meet Anu, a medical educator on a mission to give back. With a passion for uplifting others and creating lasting change, she’s using her Medical and Healthcare Education PG Cert to lead with purpose. Learn how she’s combining leadership, teaching, and compassion to reshape training and support her wider healthcare community.

Please accept statistics, marketing cookies to watch this video.

From NHS to education leader: Sarayoo’s story

Find out how Sarayoo is paving the way toward medical education leadership through ARU's flexible online course. Balancing her NHS role and personal passions, she’s building the credibility and confidence to grow into a future Training Programme Director.

Awards and recognition

Be part of the University of the Year

We're proud to be the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year 2023. The prestigious THE awards honour ’exceptional performance during the 2021-22 academic year, and reflect ARU’s success in delivering high-impact projects during this period, despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The award recognises the difference we make in the region and our communities – while also acknowledging the broader impact of our world-leading research, and the contributions our students and graduates make to society.

Supported distance learning

We understand that distance learning is different to traditional campus study and if you’re new to online study you may have concerns or apprehensions about studying your PG Cert medical education online, and that’s natural.

To help put your mind at ease we have a dedicated Distance Learning Support Team to help and support you throughout your time at ARU, starting with your first online induction and staying with you right through to graduation. In addition, you’ll also be supported by specialist course tutors who are well experienced in teaching techniques for distance learning students.

Once you start your PGCert medical education, we encourage the creation of online communities and many of our learners find these connections with others invaluable, helping them to stay motivated, share concerns or make new friendships.

Contact us to talk through any questions or concerns or visit our support page for more information about the support services available.

Visit our support page to learn more about our support services.

Visit Support

Careers

Everything you need to know about building your career in medical education.

What could a PG Cert medical education do for my career?

As a practising clinician engaged in teaching and learning in a clinical or academic setting, this course will provide you with the key principles and philosophies of education in a healthcare context and meets the educational training requirements for GP Associate Trainer and GP Trainer. The course is also aligned to the UK Professional Standards Framework for teaching in higher education, giving you the option to gain Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy on successful completion.

Furthermore, because our PG Cert course in Medical and Healthcare Education is accredited by the Academy of Medical Educators (AoME), you will be eligible to apply for the full membership of the AoME. ARU's Accreditation Plus status, which is the highest level of accreditation, allows graduates to take the fast-track route to AoME membership.

What skills will I get from a PGCert medical education to help my career?

What can I study after a PGCert medical education?

Careers Advice Service

Once you become an ARU student you will be able to access our Employability Service to help you whatever stage your career, whether that’s landing your dream job or the next progression step.

We offer:

careers advice, including one-to-one online and telephone appointments with our experienced advisers
help with your CV, job searches, applications and interview preparation
an online portal packed with useful careers resources
our Employability Programme, which helps you hone the skills employers say they want in graduates.

FAQs

A selection of popular questions

What is a PG Cert in Medical Education and who is it for?

A PG Cert in Medical Education is a postgraduate certificate for registered healthcare professionals - GPs, junior doctors, consultants, nurses, dentists, midwives, paramedics and other allied health professionals - who are engaged in teaching or supporting learning. It provides a grounding in the principles and philosophies of teaching and learning in a healthcare context and, at ARU, is studied online over one year.

What will I learn with this PG Cert medical education?

Our postgraduate certificate in medical education is designed to give you a range of skills that will enhance your professional practice.

You'll learn a range of teaching skills that can be applied when guiding medical students through their own educational journey. As well as improving your own teaching methods, our postgraduate certificate will help you to develop your educational research skills, making it easier for you to progress on to further levels of study.

What are the benefits of studying PG Cert medical education online?

When you choose to study a postgraduate certificate in medical education online, you'll have the opportunity to enhance your own practice while you complete your taught modules. This means that you'll be able to apply your new skills to your own teaching practice as soon as you develop them and expand on your relevant professional experience.

Choosing to study this PG certificate through distance learning also means that both UK and international students alike can benefit from the expertise of our skilled tutors.

What support will I receive if I choose to complete my PG Cert medical education at ARU?

Studying a PG Cert medical education online doesn't mean that you'll miss out on the support offered by the traditional campus setting. Students studying their PGCert medical education via distance learning will benefit from our virtual learning environment, Canvas. Canvas will allow you to keep in contact with your course team and peers, as well as submit your assignments.

ARU's employability service will also help you take the next steps once you have successfully completed your postgraduate certificate, whether you're looking to take the next step in your career or are considering further education.

Can I study the PG Cert in Medical Education online via distance learning?

Is the PG Cert accredited by the Academy of Medical Educators (AoME)?

Does the PG Cert meet GP Trainer requirements or lead to HEA Fellowship?

What are the entry requirements for the PG Cert in medical education?

You will normally need a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree or a primary medical qualification, and you must be a registered practitioner with at least two years’ post-registration experience who is actively involved in teaching or supporting learning. Non-graduates with substantial relevant experience can apply through a Non-Graduate Entry Profile. International applicants need IELTS 7.0 (with no element below 5.5), and a satisfactory DBS check is required.

How long does the PG Cert take and how is it structured?

Can I top up the PG Cert to the full Medical and Healthcare Education MSc?

What can I study after a PG Cert in medical education?

Take the next step, apply today

Next application deadline: 14th September 2026

Your future, on your terms. Apply now before the application deadline.

Apply now