The MSc in Education for Health Professionals is a partnership programme between the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and University College London (UCL).
This flexible, online MSc, expertly delivered by two prestigious organisations, is ideal for busy health professionals looking to develop an education component in their career.
We provide a supportive environment where learners can study at their own pace alongside clinical work and other commitments, while developing strong collaborative networks with peers. Education skills for real-world application are underpinned by theory and evidence. Learners can tailor module choices to meet their learning needs, with options to develop a broad skillset, or to pursue a special interest in assessment, leadership or medical education.
Programme learning outcomes
By the end of the programme, students should be able to:
- Critically evaluate key educational theories and research and their application to practice.
- Design research in their own area of practice, informed by an understanding of appropriate paradigms and methodology.
- Produce inclusive, equitable, and accessible teaching, learning and assessment strategies for diverse learners, optimising engagement and participation.
- Align and integrate intended learning outcomes with teaching and assessment practices to achieve structured progression.
- Continuously evaluate the impact of teaching and assessment on educational practice and learner progress.
- Critically discuss contemporary issues in education leadership within healthcare contexts.
- Articulate and apply principles of assessment in diverse healthcare settings, ensuring quality, effectiveness, fairness and alignment with current standards.
- Critically reflect on personal and professional development as an educator, researcher and leader.
- Advocate for social justice by leading change in educational practices, ensuring equity and inclusion for all learners.
- Employ disruptive thinking to challenge traditional educational paradigms and foster innovative solutions.
- Integrate emerging trends into curriculum design, research and educational practices to stay current in the field.
Studying on the programme
We recognise that many of our students are balancing study with demanding clinical roles, family responsibilities and other personal commitments. We support this through a flexible programme structure, enabling learners to pace their learning in line with their circumstances, with up to 5 years allowed from start to completion (learners can complete in less time if they wish).
Study time includes a mix of live (synchronous) virtual classroom sessions, self-directed reading and self-paced learning activities. Some weeks may involve more structured teaching, while others focus on independent learning and reflection or group work. A typical example is to have one or two half-day or whole-day teaching sessions per module, supported by weekly or fortnightly live online tutorials and self-directed learning activities.
Programme structure
All students will sign up to the MSc programme but can choose to exit with 60 credits for a PGCert or 120 credits for a PGDip.
All students will start with a 30-credit core module, ‘Foundations of teaching, learning and assessment in healthcare’ in terms 1 and 2 of their first year, and can then choose from a range of optional modules.
Full module details, including learning outcomes and assessment details are available on the UCL website at:
Modules
- CORE: foundations of teaching, learning and assessment in healthcare (30 credits)
- Optional/selection of 15 credit modules:
- Advanced clinical education (15 credits)
- Supervising health professionals (15 credits)
- Leadership for healthcare educators (15 credits)
- Leading change for quality improvement in education (15 credits)
- Curriculum design and development (15 credits)
- Advanced assessment (15 credits)
- Research-informed education (15 credits)
- Simulation in healthcare (15 credits, optional)
- Conducting educational research (15 credits, core prerequisite for final year project)
- Dissertation/report (60 credits, mandatory for MSc)
Post-enrolment specialisms
Students with a special interest may opt for a post-enrolment specialism in medical education, leadership or assessment.
They must take the two modules associated with that specialism and their dissertation/report must also focus on their specialism area. Students wishing to keep a broader interest base can choose from the full menu of modules.