Family Medicine (Online Learning) MFM

This blended distance learning programme is delivered via the LEARN platform. Students have access to comprehensive learning materials as well as the University of Edinburgh’s library resources. Online tutorials are delivered regularly by experts in the field.

• Read more about how the programme is taught

• Read more about how we support our students

Students can study to Masters, Diploma, or Certificate level.

Year One (Certificate)

All students take the following compulsory courses:

• Foundations of Family Medicine (20 credits)
• Applying Evidence Based Practice in Family Medicine (20 credits)
• Professionalism in Family Practice (20 credits)

Year Two (Diploma)

All students take the following compulsory courses:

• Family Medicine Approach to Child and Maternal Health (20 credits)
• Family Medicine Approach to Non-Communicable Diseases (20 credits)
• Family Medicine Approach to Complex Needs (20 Credits)

Year Three (Masters)

The primary focus of learning in the third year is in quality improvement, although teaching on other research methods is also incorporated. All students take a compulsory 20 credit methodologies to improve Family Medicine course followed by a 40 credit Family Medicine research project.

Additional Opportunities

In addition to the compulsory courses and projects that make up the Masters programme, there is an optional summer school which runs for one week in July each year. The theme and content of the summer school changes every year but the activities are designed to complement and enhance learning on the programme as well as develop our vibrant international community of practice.

The programme is aimed to provide learners with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become effective family doctors. The content is relevant to doctors of all backgrounds and experiences from early career to those established in other specialities.

The programme is also suitable for allied health professionals working in primary healthcare settings.

The programme provides a high-quality Masters level qualification in Family Medicine that is recognised by institutions around the world.

The qualification is an academic degree and can be used to enter PhD programmes or to assist in developing a role as an educator.

The skills gained will enhance your clinical practice but do not replace the vocational training often required to demonstrate clinical competency. In order to find out how the Master of Family Medicine is recognised towards training progression in your country please contact your local accrediting body.

• Blog by Darien Cipta, Graduate of the programme

• Blog by Benard Kusienya on the summer school

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

An accredited medical degree (MBChB) or its international equivalent) is required.

We may also consider applicants who are in a profession allied to medicine or have relevant work experience in a clinical context. Please contact the programme team to check before you apply.

Students from China

This degree is Band D.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Tuition fees

Johnson and Johnson East Africa Scholarships

These scholarships are available to students born and working in East Africa. The award covers tuition fees for the three-year part-time MFM and is awarded to students who have a vision for improving equitable and primary health-led care through the role of family doctors.

• Please see this link for application

The Carl and Gillean Kjeldsberg Online Scholarships in Family Medicine

These scholarships are awarded to outstanding African health workers who are living and working in any African country and who have a passion to strengthen family medicine and primary health care within their country and region.

• Please see this link for application

(Revised 18 March 2024 to remove 'Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships' information) 

Search for Scholarships and other funding opportunities

Many of the University's scholarships are listed on this site:

• Online Learning Scholarships
• Search for Funding
• Scholarship Application success rates

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding