Frequently asked questions
Your questions answered
Do I need to be a doctor to study at Postgraduate Medicine?
As long as you are a qualified health professional and meet the specific entry criteria for your course of interest we welcome your application.
How do I apply for a masters degree or short course?
Our dedicated Admissions Tutors prefer to discuss your post qualifying clinical experience prior to submission of your formal application to ensure that the programme you are applying for is suitable for your professional needs. They will then send you an electronic application form by email. Each masters degree or PHD application will be managed by the Programme Leader for that course and will advise you of the key steps in the application process and deadlines for payment of deposits. Link to word document – UH application form – not online application.
Do I need to take an English language test to study?
If you are an overseas student, the UK Border Agency requires you to have proof of English proficiency even if you have previously studied in English. It may also apply if you come from an English speaking country. We require an overall ILETS of 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any subcategory. The preferred English proficiency test is the ILETs but others are acceptable.
Please allow sufficient time to get the results of these tests prior to course commencement as you will only be given a conditional offer until the result has been received and verified which will hold up your visa application.
Who do I contact if I have visa queries?
In the first instance please discuss this with the Admissions Tutor responsible for your course. If specific advice is required then you will be directed to contact Sandra Ardouin, our International Student Advisor.
How do I register and confirm my place on the course?
Once you receive a formal offer via email from the University Admissions Service you must follow the instructions contained within it. Your course place is confirmed and you will receive a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance to Study) only once your deposit has cleared into the universities bank account. Your CAS number is needed before you can make a visa application.
What is the duration of masters degrees offered by Postgraduate Medicine?
The duration of our masters programmes varies depending on which route you are studying. Home / EU students are permitted to study either on a Part Time (PT) or Full Time (FT) route. Overseas students are only permitted to study on a Full Time route. Please note that FT or PT only refers to the rate of modules studied at a particular time. Private study time is planned into your programme of study to allow for academic research and personal study. FT study at masters level does not mean that you will be in class 5 days a week. Masters level study requires a substantial amount of student effort.
The duration of studies for masters programmes in Postgraduate Medicine is 1 full calendar year for students on the Full Time route e.g. commence in September and complete the following September. Most programmes have 2 commencement dates September and February each year. Students who refer an element of their course will be allowed up to 15 months to complete their studies.
The duration of studies for masters programmes in Postgraduate Medicine is up to 5 years from initial registration for students on the Part Time route.
Are distance learning masters degrees available from Postgraduate Medicine?
All of our programmes are validated as taught masters degrees and require participation in class. During your course you will be given opportunity to participate in live interactive online lectures as some classroom teaching is supplemented by interactive, online lectures with live chat. This allows you to join classes from different time zones and access recorded teaching sessions at any time of day and night.
What type of assessments are used in masters courses?
Assessment methods may include essays, oral presentations, practical skills assessments, problem solving exercises, poster presentations and service reviews. Examinations are not our preferred method of assessment.
On completion of my masters degree can I work as a specialist medical consultant?
In the UK, completion of a specialist masters programme or possession of a postgraduate diploma on its own does not endorse individual clinicians to consider themselves a specialist consultant as further specialist training and experience is required. However, this programme may be sufficient for practioners to work as a specialist in their country of origin, local requirements should be carefully checked prior to programme commencement.