
Simulation Based Clinical Education (Online Learning) PgCert, PgProfDev
Online
DURATION
9 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
22 Aug 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
08 Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 5,700 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
Introduction
The Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) in Simulation-Based Clinical Education at the University of Edinburgh is an online, interprofessional programme which prepares graduates for clinical education careers involving simulation-based learning, and provides them with opportunities for employment and career progression in the rapidly growing area of healthcare simulation.
Students at Edinburgh will benefit from the unique partnership between the Clinical Education team at the University of Edinburgh and simulation experts based within the Clinical Simulation team at the Medical Education Directorate, NHS Lothian.
Our programme takes advantage of our clinical education team’s international reputation in pedagogical expertise together with simulation colleagues who are experts in simulation-based learning to enhance your abilities to teach and assess students in a clinical environment.
We aim to help you reflect upon, and share thoughts about, your practice while increasing your understanding of how to apply educational theories and evidence from the literature. As a result, you will learn the knowledge and skills you need to deliver, develop and research high-quality simulation-based education in your discipline.
Awards: PgCert, PgProfDev
Program Outcome
By the end of the programme graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical knowledge and understanding of the theories, concepts and principles underpinning clinical education.
- Engage with critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of relevant educational literature and the evidence base relating to simulation-based education.
- Use collaborative working skills to effectively build and facilitate relationships within an interprofessional context.
- Design and critique simulation-based educational experiences.
- Critically evaluate their own teaching practice within context of simulation based education and that of others.
Career Opportunities
This programme has been designed to enhance your prospects in pursuing a career within the field of simulation based education. Simulation-based education has become a formally recognised teaching method embedded in all healthcare programmes and is a rapidly expanding area for which there is a need for those with expertise in designing, delivering and evaluating simulation based educational experiences.
It promotes high quality simulation based educational experiences by helping you reflect upon and share insights about your practice, to understand and apply educational theories and evidence from literature, and to help you develop a good foundation in simulation based education and upon which to build your clinical and academic career.
Curriculum
The Postgraduate Certificate in Simulation-Based Clinical Education programme is a 1-year part-time, 60 credit, taught postgraduate programme at SCQF level 11 which will commence in September of each year and finish at the end of April of each year.
The programme consists of three courses.
- Principles of Teaching and Learning (SCQF level 11, 20 points),
- Simulation Methodology for Clinical Education (SCQF level 11, 20 points),
- Current Issues in Simulation Education (SCQF level 11, 20 points).
We deliver lectures and tutorials online and you will be expected to use self-directed learning, peer-discussion boards, tutorials, peer presentations and other similar e-learning activities to help engage with and get the most from the course materials.
During term time, you should be prepared to spend an average of 15-20 hours per week engaged in study, with study time intensifying prior to the submission of your assignments.
On completion of the PGCert, students who wish to continue their studies at Edinburgh can apply for and Recognised Prior Learning credits into year 2 of the Postgraduate Diploma/MSc in Clinical Education programme.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Funding for postgraduate study is different from undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.
Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:
- Borrowing money
- Taking out a loan
- Family support
- Taking out a loan
- Family support
- Personal savings
- Income from work
- Employer sponsorship
- Scholarships
Program delivery
Online learning
Our award-winning online learning technology is fully interactive and enables you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of your own home or workplace.
Our online students not only have access to Edinburgh’s excellent resources but also become part of a supportive online community, bringing together students and tutors from around the world into a global community of healthcare professionals with an interest in simulation based education.
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.