Course summary
This one-year course is open to all health care staff and includes modules on clinical research, clinical education and clinical leadership. It is suited for doctors, dentists, nurses, veterinary surgeons and allied health professionals. The course 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). The programme has been developed by Cambridge University Health Partners (the academic health sciences centre), in conjunction with the School of Clinical Medicine and University of Cambridge Continuing and Professional Education (PACE). For students wishing to progress to higher awards, this course is the first part of our Clinical Medicine Pathway, leading to our Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Medicine (not running in 2026-27) and our MSt in Clinical Medicine. All parts of the course (the postgraduate certificate, the postgraduate diploma, and the Master of Studies) are delivered with the following overarching educational aims 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.
- that the postgraduate diploma and MSt are not guaranteed to run each year. The postgraduate diploma will be paused in 2026-27 and the MSt will be paused in 2027-28.
- the maximum break in study between awards is 5 years, provided that you maintain relevant clinical experience. The full MSt in Clinical Medicine must be completed in a maximum of 8 years.
Modules
This course comprises 3 modules and combines in-person study days with on-line activity, study and assignments. Below are the expected teaching dates for this course. If they change, we'll update offer-holders in line with the University's Terms of Admission. Clinical Leadership (also available as stand-alone study) In-person teaching dates: October 2026 (4 days) and June 2027 There are 8 themes within the Clinical Leadership module: Theme 1: Clinical leadership in the NHS Theme 2: Self-awareness and personal leadership qualities Theme 3: Project/change management theories and practice Theme 4: The impact of effective leadership within the clinical arena and how to enhance leadership. Leadership resilience strategies Theme 5: Teams: An evidence-based approach to people management and developing high-performing teams Theme 6: Rescuing failing teams, managing difficult behaviour Theme 7: Improvement, strategic development, business planning & marketing Theme 8: Presenting projects, change management, organisational theory. Change within large organisations – the NHS, learning from other industries Clinical Research In person teaching dates: January 2027 (4 days) and February 2027 There are 8 themes within the research module: Theme 1: Understanding the role of research in clinical practice and the role of clinicians in conducting research, and the elements of good clinical practice Theme 2: Effective review of the literature Theme 3: Understanding research methodologies Theme 4: The clinical study design process and ethical approval Theme 5: Publication and dissemination Theme 6: Funding applications and grant writing skills Theme 7: Statistics, data analysis and data presentation Theme 8: Critically appraising the literature Theme 9: Research career pathways In addition, a Good Clinical Practice Course is completed electronically. Clinical Education (also available as stand-alone study) In-person teaching dates: May 2027 (5 days) There are 5 themes within the education module: Theme 1: Educational theory Theme 2: Educational supervision Theme 3: Evaluation and quality of teaching Theme 4: Technology in education Theme 5: Academic and teaching skills
Assessment method
Students are assessed formatively throughout the course using a variety of techniques and interrelated strategies including evidence of regular reflection. Demonstration of active participation in the programme will be required. There may also be a requirement for the students to take part in peer review of other students. Summative assessment (counting towards the final mark) will be through a range of formats which may include coursework, written and oral examinations, posters, presentations and projects.
How to apply
International applicants
Our courses are taught in English and require a good level of fluency. If English is not your first language, you'll need to prove you have sufficient fluency before admission. If we offer you a place, it will be subject to you meeting this requirement. As a minimum, you will be required to demonstrate an overall score of 7.5 in IELTS Academic with a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component (or equivalent). We welcome applications from international students. If you're coming from overseas, you would attend the in-person teaching sessions for this course with visitor immigration permission. It's important to be aware that entering the UK as a visitor for study purposes comes with certain expectations and restrictions, and you should fully understand the requirements.
Entry requirements
Applications are invited from healthcare staff including doctors, dentists, nurses and allied health professionals. Applicants are normally expected to a hold a 2.i degree or higher from a UK university or an equivalent from an overseas university. There is provision to accept applicants who do not satisfy the standard academic criterion. Such applicants must produce evidence of relevant and equivalent experience and their suitability for the course.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £6864 | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £6864 | Whole course |
| Scotland | £6864 | Whole course |
| Wales | £6864 | Whole course |
| International | £13728 | Whole course |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
There is a £85 application fee.
Provider information
University of Cambridge
The Old Schools
Trinity Lane
Cambridge
CB2 1TN