The Clinical Education programmes are designed for Dental and Medical practitioners who want to improve their teaching skills.
Entry to the Clinical Education Programmes is at PG Certificate level. On successful completion of the PG Certificate students may decide to progress to the PG Diploma. On successful completion of the PG Diploma students may decide to progress to the MSc.
This programme is delivered live on-line.
There are two intakes per year in September/January.
The programme offers participants an opportunity to develop practical teaching skills and acquire the knowledge to underpin their educational practice with Masters level study. The programme will offer you opportunities to review your teaching techniques and includes practical teaching projects.
Whilst you will follow a common menu via live on-line modules, each module will allow you an opportunity to consider application and implementation of programme content to your own teaching practice. Course assignments relate to participants individual practice and work setting. Participants are able to influence their learning by selecting from a range of contemporary issues that are aligned with individual needs or interests.
The course team has experience in Medical, Dental and Healthcare Education. Teaching sessions are delivered by Queen’s staff in association with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA).
There has been a Medical School at Queen’s University Belfast since 1849.
2. This very successful Clinical Education Programme has been delivered at QUB since 1996.
Clinical Education highlights
Career Development
The clinical education programme will provide graduates with an opportunity to meet the requirements of Dentists and Doctors interested in providing educational support for undergraduate and postgraduate trainees. It will also provide students with the opportunity to promote and foster the skills required to facilitate effective on-the-job learning, to mentor and support learners, to undertake appraisal, and to deliver assessments in the workplace and in simulated environments.
There are three levels of study available in the Clinical Education Programmes:
Year 1 – Postgraduate Certificate
Year 2 – Postgraduate Diploma
Year 3 – MSc
Students enrol for the Certificate (60 CATS) in the first instance and upon successful completion progress to the Diploma (further 60 CATS) and then onto the MSc (further 60 CATS).
Students undertake modules as follows:
Year 1 – Postgraduate Certificate
Module 1 – Foundations of Clinical Teaching
Module 2 – Supporting and Assessing Students and Trainees
Subject to satisfactory completion of these 60 CATS students may choose to graduate at this stage with a Postgraduate Certificate, or may proceed to the Postgraduate Diploma. If proceeding to the PG Diploma, the 60 CATS points acquired at PG Certificate level are combined with an additional 60 CATS points.
Year 2 – Postgraduate Diploma
Module 1 – Methods of Education Enquiry (compulsory)
Module 2 – there is a choice of 2 optional modules:
Educational Leadership and Management or Technology and Education (to be confirmed)
Subject to satisfactory completion of these 60 CATS students may choose to graduate at this stage with a Postgraduate Diploma, or may proceed to the MSc. If proceeding to the MSc, the 120 CATS points acquired at PG Certificate and Diploma level are combined with an additional 60 CATS points.
Year 3 – MSc
Students undertake a research dissertation or prepare a paper for publication in a peer-review journal.
Course Details
Year 1 – Postgraduate Certificate (60 CATS)
Module 1 : Foundations of Clinical Teaching (30 CATS)
This module provides core training in the theoretical and practical considerations required to plan and deliver effective teaching events. The range of teaching methods used in the clinical environment will be explored. Students will learn about effective strategies for the planning and delivery of simulation based learning and teaching in the hospital ward, outpatient clinic, GP or dental surgery.
Module 2 - Supporting and Assessing Students and Trainees (30 CATS)
This module provides core training in the theoretical and practical considerations underpinning assessment in the simulated clinical environment and in the workplace. The module will also focus on the educational issues underpinning appraisal, learner support and feedback.
Year 2 – Postgraduate Diploma (120 CATS)
Module 1 – Methods of Educational Enquiry (compulsory) (30 CATS)
This module provides core training in a range of research methods used in educational research and scholarship.
Module 2 – there is a choice of two optional modules, however optional modules with each stream will only run with a minimum of 6 participants.
Educational Leadership and Management (optional) (30 CATS)
This module examines educational leadership and management alongside managing and leading change. The role of effective team work and the importance of timely and appropriate conflict resolution will also be explored.
or
Technology and Education (optional) (30 CATS) (to be confirmed)
This module provides an introduction to the use of technology in teaching and learning. It explores learning theories as applied to technology and evaluates the effective use of teaching to include: Web and Web 2.0 technologies; digital learning materials; digital communications and social media in education; digital assessment and mobile devices for learning.
Year 3 – MSc (180 CATS)
Module – Dissertation (60 CATS)
Students complete a 20,000 word dissertation or prepare a paper for publication in a peer-review journal.
Students attend classes live online, typically from 6.30 – 9.pm on alternate weeks during the academic year.
Learning and Teaching
At Queen’s we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.
On this course we do this by providing a range of live on-line learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them to deliver effective teaching and assessment programmes for undergraduate students and postgraduate trainees.
Classes are in the evening. A combination of lectures, practical experiences and self-directed study are used to deliver the programme.
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Assessment
Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:
Coursework
Dissertation or prepare a paper for publication in a peer-review journal (MSc only)
The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.
This module provides core training in the theoretical and practical considerations underpinning assessment in the simulated clinical environment and in the workplace. The module will also focus on the educational issues underpinning appraisal, support and feedback. The differences between appraisal and assessment will be explored. Participants will also have an opportunity to learn about the role of the trainee and the role of trainer in assessment and appraisal.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module students should have the knowledge and skills to:
Discuss the psychometric properties underpinning educationally sound assessments.
Design assessments to assess knowledge and skills.
Implement effective work-based assessments.
Offer students and trainees timely and appropriate feedback acknowledging individual differences in students and trainees.
Develop the interpersonal skills required to undertake an appraisal.
Provide support for learners experiencing difficulties.
Skills
On successful completion of this module the student should be able to:
Communicate effectively with learners using a range of feedback strategies.
Participate collaboratively and effectively in group work.
Utilise information technology to access data and knowledge.
Pursue continuous improvement through self-reflection, peer and facilitated discussion.
This module provides core training in the theoretical and practical considerations required to plan and deliver effective teaching events. The range of teaching methods used in the clinical environment will be explored. Students will also learn about effective strategies for the planning and delivery of teaching in the hospital ward, outpatient clinic or GP Surgery.
Students will also have an opportunity to explore their teaching and learning styles
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module students should have the knowledge and skills to:
Plan and organise effective teaching sessions for small and large groups
Identify appropriate techniques for teaching a range of subjects
Enhance learning opportunities in the clinical environment
Use forward planning to facilitate on-the-job learning
Integrate teaching and learning into routine clinical work
Exercise discernment in the use of the evidence base which supports teaching and learning
Skills
Transferrable skills – on successful completion of this module the student should be able to:
Communicate effectively with learners using a range of teaching strategies
Participate collaboratively and effectively in group work.
Utilise information technology to access data and knowledge.
Pursue continuous improvement through self-reflection, peer and facilitated discussion
Applicants for the programme will be required to hold a medical or dental degree. At the time of enrolment applicants must have completed Foundation 2 training or equivalent and must currently be employed in a health care setting or university.
Applicants must hold an educational or training role in one or more of the following settings: University, Hospital, General Practice, Dental Practice, Postgraduate Deanery, Postgraduate College, or another recognised educational institution located in Northern Ireland, Great Britain, or the Republic of Ireland. The role should focus on at least one of the following areas of healthcare education: teaching delivery, curriculum or programme development, assessment design or delivery, or other healthcare training activities.
Applicants must apply for admission to the PG Certificate in Clinical Education initially. On satisfactory completion of the Certificate programme, applicants will then be eligible to progress to the PG Diploma. On satisfactory completion of the Diploma programme, applicants will then be eligible to progress to the Masters in Clinical Education.
Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally not later than 31st July 2025. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.
International Students
Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.
English Language Requirements
Satisfactory completion of the General Medical Council's Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) examination or the General Dental Council’s equivalent (Overseas Registration Exam) or a minimum IELTS* score of 7.0 with not less than 6.5 in each component.
*Taken within the last 2 years
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, Queen's University Belfast International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.
This programme prepares graduates to deliver education and training for dental and medical students and postgraduate trainees. Programme content is aligned to the criteria identified by NIMDTA and QUB for Recognition of Trainers. http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/
Employment after the Course
Graduates from the programme have advanced to leadership positions in undergraduate and postgraduate dental and medical education.
Prizes and Awards
The top ranked candidate in the year will receive a Book Prize and Certificate of Merit.
Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.
2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.
Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.
Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.
If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.
Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.
There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
How do I fund my study?
The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.
A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.
