Entry requirements

The programme welcomes graduates from a wide variety of health care disciplines and aims to develop skills and knowledge that are practically useful in the clinical management of pain.  Applicants will be asked to draw on personal experience to actively participate in individual and group learning activities, discussions, reflection and assessment.

Applicants should:

• Have a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in medicine (MBChB or equivalent), dentistry, nursing, psychology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, pharmacy, osteopathy, chiropractic and other healthcare professionals involved in the management of pain
• Currently be working in a clinical environment with patients who have been experiencing pain for a period of at least three months.  This may involve a range of conditions, but pain will be a significant factor in their presentation and management planning
• Meet English language requirements to allow them to fully participate in the programme.  For further information about international qualifications and English language requirements, please see: www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/degrees/index.php?r=site/view&id=820

If you do not hold a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, we may also consider your application if you have experience of working directly with pain patients or a closely related area for at least 3 years.  In such cases, you may be admitted to postgraduate certificate level only in the first instance.

Computer requirements

The programme is delivered entirely online in a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) with no classes on the University site.  Students will therefore need access to a computer to access the programme. A new laptop or desktop computer bought or upgraded within the last 3 years will likely meet the minimum requirements We recommend a machine (PC or Mac) with at least the following basic specification.

• Processor: 3.0 GHz processor
• Memory: 2 GB of RAM
• Hard disk: at least 100 GB

There is also further guidance available at:

www.ed.ac.uk/studying/online-learning/postgraduate/how-online-learning-works/technical-requirements

Personal Statement

You must include a personal statement of between 300 and 500 words with your application. This should include details of

• Why you are applying for the programme
• Your current clinical roles and responsibilities with particular reference to patients experiencing pain
• What experience and attributes you bring to it and your fellow students
• How you plan to use the knowledge and skills you develop, and
• How it fits with your future career plans

The courses and assignments in the programme will be difficult to complete if you are not in a clinical role, have been away from practice, or you have been only working for a short time.  If the information you provide in your personal statement is limited, the programme team will contact you for more details; this may delay a decision on your application, which could be critical if the programme is nearly full.  Please write your personal statement carefully as these are scrutinised by the programme team during the applicant selection process.  Confirmation of your current role, responsibilities and experience, and any other supporting information can also be set out in your referee letter.

For further information about international qualifications and English language requirements, please see:

Clinical Management of Pain (Online Distance Learning)