Paediatric Infectious Diseases (Taught)

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.

MSc
The MSc in Paediatric Infectious Diseases is a part-time, research-based course for those who have completed the PGDip. It focuses on paediatric infection and includes an independent research project.

In order to apply for the MSc, you must have successfully and recently completed the PGDip in Paediatric Infectious Diseases (see Entry requirements for further details).

Course structure
The MSc is intended to assess your capacity to formulate research questions, and select, design and manage a research project. You will complete a research project of between eight and fourteen weeks and write a dissertation. The research can be carried out in Oxford or locally, making the programme suitable for overseas as well as UK residents.

While there is no formal teaching programme for the MSc year, you may attend any of the regular series of University lectures and seminars in relevant disciplines, particularly those run by the Department of Paediatrics.

PGDip
The Postgraduate Diploma in Paediatric Infectious Diseases (PGDip) is a part-time taught course delivered mainly online but with some residentials, covering infectious syndromes, diagnostics, immunology, global child health, and neonatal infections.

Worldwide, two-thirds of the deaths of children under five years of age are caused by infectious diseases, and the prevention and treatment of infections in children is the number one priority for global health. Thus, the department believes that professionally-oriented education in paediatric infectious diseases is essential in the training of clinicians and clinical academics who will provide the future leadership in this key area for global health.

The PGDip is a two-year, part-time course taught primarily online, providing you with an in-depth understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of paediatric infection. It also places the practice of paediatric infectious diseases in the broader context of applied sciences, such as pathogenesis, population biology and epidemiology.

The course will appeal to doctors who have experience in paediatrics, including trainees in paediatrics who have a specialist qualification equivalent to the Membership Examination of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH), specialist trainees in paediatric infectious diseases or relevant medical subspecialties, and clinical research fellows. It will provide in-depth knowledge and is aimed at those working in specialist PID centres.

PGCert
The Postgraduate Certificate in Paediatric Infectious Diseases (PGCert) is a part-time taught course delivered mainly online, covering infectious syndromes, diagnostics, therapeutics, and key viral infections, with some residential components.

The PGCert is a one-year, part-time course taught primarily online providing you with an in-depth understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of paediatric infection. It also places the practice of paediatric infectious diseases in the broader context of applied sciences, such as pathogenesis, population biology and epidemiology.

The course will appeal to doctors who are training in general paediatrics and also those trainees in paediatrics who have an interest in specialist knowledge in the field of paediatric infectious diseases, for example those training for the RCPCH paediatric infectious diseases special interest (SPIN) module or planning/undertaking subspecialty training. It is also suitable for GPs with an interest in paediatric infectious diseases.

For the full description, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas