Medical Education (Taught)

The University of Cambridge Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education has been designed collaboratively by the University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education and the University of Cambridge, School of Clinical Medicine’s Clinical Deanery. The Postgraduate Certificate is a one-year, part-time Master’s-level programme resulting in 60 FHEQ Level-7 credits and the University of Cambridge award.

Who is the course designed for?
The Postgraduate Certificate is aimed at doctors and other professionals allied to medicine who have a teaching role and/or a role in training and appraising healthcare professionals. This includes:

• doctors working in primary care

• doctors working in secondary care at all levels from foundation year 2 to consultant grades

• professionals allied to medicine that have a role in teaching both undergraduates and postgraduates

Aims of the programme
The programme is designed to provide practical solutions to teaching undergraduates or postgraduates as individuals, small groups and larger groups. It will look at the theory behind teaching in medical settings and how these apply in real-life situations. It is also designed to provide help in developing skills in giving feedback, appraisal and assessment. Where possible, the teaching will be adaptable so that it can help specific groups of teachers in their particular environment.

The programme is designed to meet recommendations of the General Medical Council (GMC) and Academy of Medical Educators (AoME), and aims to contribute to continuing professional development of doctors and allied professionals in an integrated clinical and teaching environment to stimulate more inter-professional education. It also aims to develop a cohort of professionals who will pursue and develop their roles as teachers in the field of medical education.

Upon successful completion of the programme you may apply for membership of the Academy of Medical Educators (AoME). You may also apply for Fellowship status of the Advance HE.

Learning outcomes
Students successfully completing the programme will have gained skills and knowledge to:

• ensure safe and effective patient care through training

• establish and maintain an environment for learning

• teach and assess learning and apply core theoretical principles to their own educational contexts

• support and monitor educational progress

• guide personal and professional development

Progression
The Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education forms the first year of the progression route to the MSt in Medical Education. Upon successful completion of the postgraduate certificate, students would be eligible to apply for the one year Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Education, and following this the one year MSt in Medical Education. Please note that the postgraduate diploma and MSt are not guaranteed to run each year.