PGCert Simulation Based Clinical Education

PG Cert Simulation Based Clinical Education Programme Information

The Postgraduate Certificate Simulation Based Clinical Education at the University of Edinburgh is an interprofessional programme which will prepare graduates for careers in clinical education which involving developing, designing, facilitating and evaluating, simulation based learning experiences within healthcare simulation.  Through development of collaborative and scholarly attitudes towards clinical education ensures graduates are ideally placed to become the clinical education leaders of the future.

Students at Edinburgh will benefit from the unique partnership between the Clinical Education team at the University of Edinburgh and the Clinical Simulation team at the Medical Education Directorate, NHS Lothian. This collaboration brings together experts in simulation based learning who have an international reputation with the Clinical Education team’s pedagogical expertise and international reputation for designing a highly successful research-led, online programme for a global market of healthcare professionals.

Programme aims and outcomes

The programme aims to promote high quality clinical education by helping participants reflect upon, and share insights about, teaching and learning. Through reflection on your own experiences and others you will gain an understanding into why simulation based learning can be so effective.

By the end of the programme graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate a critical knowledge and understanding of the theories, concepts and principles underpinning simulation based education
• Engage with critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of relevant educational literature and the evidence base relating to simulation based education.
• Use skills of collaborative working to effectively build group and facilitate relationships within interprofessional context.
• Design and critique simulation based educational experiences
• Critically evaluate your own teaching practice within context of simulation based education and that of others

Who is the Programme for?

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The 1-year part-time programme consist of three, 10-week courses which are compulsory. All assignments are designed to allow you to integrate your learning to your clinical practice and involve written assignments and online presentations.  There may also be some flexibility in the length of the programme of study, so please contact us if you would like to discuss this further. 

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 submission of your assignments.

If you have undertaken previous study at postgraduate level in a related subject, e.g. Medical Education, Health Professions Education etc, you may be able to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), if your qualification is less than 5 years old and there is comparability between the courses studied and our courses.  Please contact us for more information at ClinEd.Sim@ed.ac.uk

Our online programme involves the same level of work as our on-campus programmes and the qualification you receive is of equal value. 

The academic year runs from September to May.  Course materials are provided online via our dedicated website and we facilitate online synchronous “live” conversations. Students use self-directed learning, peer-discussion boards, peer presentations and other similar e-learning activities to engage with the course materials.

The programme has one intake per year, in September. 

 Please note that the courses shown below are indicative and may be subject to change.

 The programme consists of three courses. In year 1: Principles of Teaching and Learning (20 credits), Simulation Methodology for Clinical Education (20 credits) and Current Issues in Simulation Education (20 credits). As a one year programme there is no expected entry into year 2.

On completion of your PG Certificate studies in Simulation Based Clinical Education there are opportunities to continue your studies with us at Edinburgh University. You can apply for the PGDiploma/MSc in Clinical Education programmes with the credits from your PG Certificate allowing you to continue your studies in Clinical Education at Edinburgh University should you wish to do this. You may apply for the MSc (3 years part-time), or the Postgraduate Diploma (2 years part-time).  At the point of application, it is not important which of the above routes you choose, as we will ask you at the end of each academic year whether you wish to graduate or continue.

If you graduate with a PG Certificate or Diploma, you can return within 5 years of graduation to complete the higher qualification.

Apply for PGCert Simulation Based Clinical Education

The programme consists of 3 compulsory, 20 credit courses.  Each course has 10 weeks of content, with a reading week in the middle and some also have statutory holidays.  The academic year runs from September to May.  

Please note that the courses shown below are indicative and may be subject to change.

Principles of Teaching and Learning

Joining students from the Clinical Education programme, this course is designed to encourage students to consider the learner, the teacher and the educational environment and how these factors interact. This will involve comparisons between simulation and other teaching and learning approaches, drawing on the experiences and insights of peers from different disciplines:

• Critically consider a range of different teaching approaches including simulation based learning experiences
• Develop approaches that take into account individual learner differences, including background, beliefs, motivation and preferences.
• Critically reflect on a range of theories of learning and your capacity to analyse and inform practice.
• Critique the role of the teacher in formal and informal learning situations.
• Appreciate the impact and importance of the learning environment

Simulation Methodology for Clinical Education

The aim of this course is to develop participants from a novice to a competent/proficient facilitator in utilising clinical simulation as a learning tool.  On completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Critically consider a range of simulation based educational techniques and their purposes
• Critically engage with the relevant learning theories that inform simulation education as a methodology.
• Formulate a constructively aligned simulation programme.
• Demonstrate an effective debrief in the context of an immersive simulation scenario.

Current Issues in Simulation Based Clinical Education

This course is aimed at experienced, practising healthcare professionals with an educational remit within Simulation. The aim is to allow students to undertake an in-depth study into a topical area of your choice which relates to simulation based education. This course will allow you to develop your research skills, produce an informed, evidence-based position paper and engage in academic debate.  On completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Identify a topical area in simulation based education and undertake an in-depth period of independent study in the area of your choice.
• Critically engage with, and evaluate the literature in the area of choice.
• Synthesise information gathered, selection of relevant points and distillation to produce a short position paper.
• Lead an online seminar and communicate key findings to peer group.
• Actively engage in peer assessment.

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This collaborative programme between the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian involves tutors from the University of Edinburgh’s Clinical Education Programme who have varied clinical backgrounds and extensive experience in higher education and  the tutors from NHS Lothian who have varied clinical expertise and in leadership roles within Simulation Based Education across the Health Board. In addition the programme is supported by our highly experienced academic administrator, Irena Duchniewicz.

 We are actively engaged in the scholarship of teaching and learning; undertaking research projects and contributing to national and international conferences. As well as being participants in the University of Edinburgh community of scholars; we have an expanding network of national and international links. Our practice as educators is underpinned by an 'ethic of hospitality' whereby we seek to welcome people into an environment where all are valued and feel able to make a contribution.

View the profiles of programme team

University of Edinburgh

Name                                  Job Title                                               Profile

Jane Hislop                      Co-Programme Director               view profile

Janette Jamieson          Academic Co-ordinator                view profile

Stephen Meldrum          Lecturer                                               view profile

Irena Duchiewicz             Programme Administrator          view profile

NHS Lothian  Medical Directorate

Name                    Job Title                                                                                                                                                             Profile

Ed Mellanby      Consultant Anaesthetist, NHS Lothian                                                                                                       view profile

Nathan Oliver    Co-Programme Director, Clinical Simulation Programme Manager, NHS Lothian                  view profile

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The closing date for applications is listed on the online application webpage

Qualifications and Experience

We welcome applications from those with an educational role in relation to healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, dentists, clinical psychologists, veterinary practitioners, or associated scientists (biomedical or social).  You should:

Have a primary clinical qualification such as an MBChB, BVS, BDS, Bachelor of Nursing, or a UK 2:1 honours undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, or their international equivalents.

Currently be teaching in clinical or educational settings.

We will also consider your application if you have a biomedical science qualification or a non-university professional qualification, such as Registered General Nurse, with appropriate clinical experience.

Personal Statement

You must include a personal statement with your application. This should include details of why you want to undertake the programme, the qualifications, experience and attributes you bring to the programme, and how it fits with your future career plans (300-500 words).

The statement must include details of your experience of teaching health professionals.  This experience must have been gained since graduation and may involve any level of student or post graduate training.  The courses and assignments that make up the programme ask you to draw on your teaching and integrate it with theory; this is difficult if you have limited experience.  If information on your teaching is limited, the programme team will need to 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.

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Information on the fees and funding options for this programme

Tuition Fees

Our tuition fees are the same for both overseas and home students, due to the programme being fully online.                                                                           

For further information from the university on fees and funding Scholarships and Funding

There is an instalment scheme for self-funding students, please see below.

Instalment Arrangements

Paying in three instalments by direct debit

Employer or Sponsor paying fees

Instructions if your employer or sponsor is paying all or some of your fees

For University of Edinburgh Graduates

Potential fees discount for some of our former graduates

Scholarship information

University of Edinburgh Scholarships

The University of Edinburgh has a useful scholarship search tool.  

Polish School of Medicine Scholarships

For Polish medical scientists at the outset of their careers to undertake a period of further study or research.   For more information see:  https://www.ed.ac.uk/student-funding/postgraduate/uk-eu/medicine-vet-medicine/polish

Postgraduate Loans

Loans for postgraduate study

If you are a UK/EU student, you may be eligible for a tuition fee loan, depending upon where you live. 

Other sources of funding

We recommend that you also undertake your own research for other potential sources of funding.  For queries about scholarships and funding, please contact the University's Scholarships and Financial Support Team:  studentfunding@ed.ac.uk

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