Why study this course?
This interactive programme will cultivate teaching practice which instils the principles and values of interprofessional education to support the development of the future and current healthcare workforce.
Increasing pressures on healthcare systems require flexible, accessible, creative and relevant learning opportunities, particularly for educators who are also clinically active. On the Health Professions Education programme, you will examine the principles and values of a range of educational approaches.
Highlights
- A fully online part-time programme which offers flexibility of learning to suit those currently employed in a healthcare or academic setting
- As an interprofessional and interdisciplinary programme, it provides opportunities to learn collaboratively about a range of educational contexts and teaching practices
- Experiential and immersive learning opportunities mean learners undertaking the modules can have real-time interactive experience of the concepts being taught
- An award-winning learning technology infrastructure and support provides innovative, interactive and flexible learning and supports the student learning journey
- Staff from a variety of disciplines and healthcare backgrounds with expertise and experience in educating healthcare professionals
- Membership of the Academy of Medical Educators through our accredited PGCert
The Health Professions Education programme will inspire scholarship, research and leadership in health professions education. This programme will help to develop inquisitive educators who are equipped to deliver high-quality learning opportunities for health professionals.
The programme content will cover a range of approaches and methods of teaching, learning and assessment where learners will engage in independent and group study. Aspects of the programme will be interprofessional and interdisciplinary, enabling learners to reflect on and share their own teaching and learning practices. The programme will provide the opportunity to learn with, from and about each other’s educational contexts. Action learning sets will be utilised to bring a challenging or complex issue to discuss and share ideas for resolution. Learners will be able to develop a toolkit that will enhance their problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills, and teaching strategies.
Applicants will be able to choose which qualification they would like to apply for, depending on which level they wish to complete.
Applicants will be able to apply for the following:
- Option 1 - Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)
- Option 2 - Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) (starting at Year 1 or direct entry into Year 2)
- Option 3 - Master of Health Professions Education (MSc) (starting at Year 1 or direct entry to Year 2)
Teaching
May include lectures, seminars, facilitated workshops, and tutorials.
Delivery
Online with a mixture of some real-time, scheduled teaching and some independent study.
Schedule
Access learning materials at a time convenient to you. All scheduled teaching will take place in GMT or BST when online attendance is required.
Degree project
Sustained critical analysis, to develop and improve your research skills, and produce an extended piece of written work.
Modules
How you will learn
The taught modules are taken over two semesters – September to December (Semester 1) and January to May (Semester 2). The period from June to August is used to complete summative assessments.
Each taught module will use teaching and learning methods appropriate to its aims and learning outcomes, which may include lectures, seminars, facilitated workshops, and tutorials.
The programme will be delivered online with a mixture of some real-time, scheduled teaching and some independent study, providing the flexibility of accessing learning materials at a time convenient to your own circumstances. All scheduled teaching will take place in GMT/BST when online attendance is required.
The programme delivery platform is supported by an award-winning learning technology infrastructure. This innovative and interactive platform allows you to access all of the programme resources, announcements, timetable, and lectures (both live and recorded). To help build a sense of community online, this platform also hosts a discussion board for you to engage in threaded discussions with other learners on the programme.
On average, each 30-credit module would involve 3 hours of fortnightly scheduled online attendance throughout the semester. The rest of the workload hours would consist of a range of activities that can be undertaken in your own time during the semester. These may consist of preparatory reading and reflection, assignment preparation, small group work, and participation in online discussion forums.
Support
There are a broad range of sources of support within the school and the wider University, which are available to you as postgraduate student studying online. Throughout your programme you will be allocated an Adviser of Studies to provide academic support and advice.
The University has a mature and established Student Support Service able to offer advice on any welfare matters. The University Information Technology (IT) services can help if you require support, advice, or guidance with an IT issue. Academic and study skills support is available to help students throughout their University studies, as well as provide opportunities to support professional and personal development.
Alternative study options
Some of the modules on this programme are available as stand-alone online modules, each accredited at SCQF Level 11. These part-time 15-credit modules run from September to December and are delivered entirely online. Find out more about Health Professions Education stand-alone modules.
For more details, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue. The modules are examples from previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your course.
What it will lead to
Careers
The University's global reputation makes its graduates highly valued by employers. The Health Professions Education programme is aimed at individuals who wish to develop their health professions educational role, follow an academic career in health professions education or healthcare education research, or pursue a PhD or MD.
In addition to broadening your subject knowledge and applying established techniques of research and enquiry, you will develop and demonstrate essential skills such as:
- critical thinking and creativity
- analysis and appraisal
- problem solving and decision making
- personal leadership and project management
- interpersonal communication and team working
We are committed to supporting your career aspirations, whatever stage of your career you are at. Our Careers Centre can help connect you to our extensive global alumni community for advice and mentoring, as well as offering career coaching, bespoke workshops, employer connections, experiences, and application support.
The Careers Centre also offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their networks and developing skills to create their own successful careers.
Our International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute offers peer mentoring and an extensive suite of courses to support your academic and professional skills development.
Learn while you earn
This flexible and fully online programme means you can study alongside your current work commitments and achieve a degree from one of the top-ranked universities in the UK.
Further your education
St Andrews offers a vibrant and stimulating research environment. One of the great strengths of our research degrees is the collegiate atmosphere which enables access to expertise beyond your formal supervisors and the ability to conduct interdisciplinary research.
Accreditation
Gain membership of the Academy of Medical Educators through our accredited PGCert.
Why St Andrews?
Wherever you are, you can take St Andrews with you. Online Masters at the University of St Andrews combine all the benefits of studying at one of the world's oldest and best universities, with all the advantages of flexible, personalised learning.
Academic staff in the School of Medicine provide expertise from a variety of disciplines and healthcare backgrounds. There is a wide range of experience in educating health professionals in the community and acute care settings, interprofessional education, and in educational research. The School of Medicine has institutional memberships of the Association for the Study of Medical Education (ASME) and the UK Centre for the Advancement of Interprofessional Education (CAIPE).
Alumni
Whether you join us online or in person, when you graduate you become a member of the University's worldwide alumni community. Benefit from access to alumni clubs, the Saint Connect networking and mentoring platform, and careers support.
Entry requirements
All candidates must have an existing teaching role in their workplace, with an interest in pursuing an academic career in healthcare education or heathcare education research.
PG Cert
- A 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree in a health profession or in a relevant field (including but not limited to Health Sciences). If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
Or
- Significant professional or other relevant experience alongside evidence of prior alternative learning such as professional qualifications or certifications.
PG Dip/MSc
- Evidence of having completed at least one 30 credit module at a minimum of SCQF level 9 (or equivalent) within five years of the programme start date.
And
- A 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree in a health profession or in a relevant field (including but not limited to Health Sciences). If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
Or
- Completion and award of our PGCert Health Professions Education within five years of the programme start date
In reviewing applications for the programme, the School of Medicine looks especially at whether St Andrews is a good match for your specialist interests. The Programme Convenor is happy to be contacted and, if necessary, to set up a meeting in person or virtually so that you can discuss your plans and to ensure that St-Andrews is the best place for you to pursue a Masters degree.
If you have any queries concerning the programme or your suitability for it, you are encouraged to make contact in advance of your application.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Application requirements
- A CV that includes specific details of your current role and a history of your education and employment to date
- A personal statement explaining why you have applied for this course, how it relates to your personal or professional ambitions, and how your academic and professional background show you have the skills needed to work effectively at postgraduate level
- Two original signed references, one from your current employment and one academic reference
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Candidates will attend a 30-minute online interview and must achieve a satisfactory score
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Fees and funding
MSc: £15,800
PGDip: £10,530
PGCert: £5,270
Scholarships and funding
We are committed to supporting you through your studies, regardless of your financial circumstances.
- St Andrews Sanctuary Scholarship
- St Leonard's funding opportunities
- Graduate discount (15% off tuition fees)
NHS Staff Discount
The University of St Andrews offers a 10% discount to NHS-funded staff who wish to undertake the programme.
Contact us
Start your journey
Legal notices
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy
Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the course archive.
Curriculum development
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online.
Tuition fees
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online.
Page last updated: 14 March 2025
