
Clinical Management of Pain (Online Learning) MSc, PgCert, PgDip, PgProfDev
Online
DURATION
1 up to 3 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
* estimated tuition for clinical management of pain: MSc, PgCert, PgDip, PgProfDev
Key Summary
Introduction
The Clinical Management of Pain programme aims to tackle the ‘real-world’ challenges faced by clinicians, with a strong focus and connection to patients and working in practice. It is a multidisciplinary programme that aims to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence of clinicians working with people experiencing pain using up-to-date evidence in a modern teaching environment.
Our part-time, fully online programme offers you a wide range of educational opportunities. With a flexible and broad selection of options, from single courses through to Master of Science degrees, we offer you a unique opportunity to have direct contact with international students, lecturers, tutors and experts in pain management from across the world, to widen your understanding of pain in a variety of clinical contexts.
Developed for working clinicians
Our programme is delivered entirely online with no requirement to attend the University of Edinburgh campus. It was designed specifically for online delivery and learning, and, our online platform allows working clinicians from a range of professions, backgrounds and countries, the opportunity to learn together whilst meeting their personal and professional commitments.
High-quality teaching
The University of Edinburgh has a growing portfolio of established and highly regarded online distance learning postgraduate programmes, with thousands of students currently taking advantage of this mode of education. Expert clinicians and educationalists who hold postgraduate qualifications in teaching and learning as well as recognition as Fellows or Senior Fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) will teach and support your learning. Many of our core teaching staff have been recognised in national teaching awards and have received recognition from our students in the annual Edinburgh University Students Association (EUSA) teaching awards (with nominations for Best Support Staff, Best Tutor and Best Course).
Our programmes are affiliated with the University's Global Health Academy.
Awards
MSc, PgCert, PgDip, PgProfDev.
Program Outcome
We aim to equip graduates with:
- Comprehensive knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices which underpin quality pain management
- An ability to critically appraise the empirical evidence for the effectiveness of pain management strategies in a range of health settings
- Skills required to integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines - graduates may then adapt professional practice to meet the complex biopsychosocial needs of patients with pain.
Career Opportunities
By combining high-quality pedagogical learning design, exceptional student support and the clinical and academic excellence of the University of Edinburgh, you will acquire the expertise required to boost your career as a pain management practitioner.
Our programme will enhance your understanding and clinical knowledge of pain management, improve your academic capabilities and provide opportunities to develop your career. There are many diverse prospects for employment depending on where you want to work, your previous experience and your interests. You will be well-placed to advance your clinical career within health services, pursue advanced academic study or work in industry.
You can be assured that your professional and career development will be enhanced in the following areas:
- Advanced clinical practice
- Clinical leadership
- Research
- Training and Education
Curriculum
Our programme is structured around an academic year that consists of three, 12-week terms. You will be expected to complete each level of the programme within the academic year with the Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc awards given at the point of exit from the University.
If the completion of a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or master's degree does not align with your current goals, you have the option of enrolling for Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) which would allow you to take a single course of study to enhance a particular element of your clinical practice.
Year One
In Year One, you will gain a solid, theoretical understanding of the biological, psychological and social concepts that drive, develop and maintain pain. Through the Year One compulsory courses, you will deepen your critical evaluation and analysis skills and develop your ability to link research to practice. You will also gain generic academic skills in academic writing, presentation giving and literature searching.
Year Two
Building on Year One courses, you will deepen your understanding and ability to critically analyse literature and reflect this in practice, build your inter and multidisciplinary working knowledge and further develop your transferrable academic skills. You will have some choice of courses, and you will be able to select courses that are of best value to your personal and professional development.
Year Three
In Year Three, you have several options available depending on your personal, professional and academic goals.
You may wish to select from a curated choice of elective courses - all focused on measuring impact in your clinical practice - or you may wish to focus on a project that identifies a real-world problem and is structured to allow you to reflect on the process and reproduce your methods for future work.
Teaching and assessment
During your time on the programme, you will have time to study independently and reflect on what you have learned and how you might apply your learning to your clinical practice. Each course in the programme consists of themed areas including a blend of:
- Short online lectures and podcasts
- Live lectures and guest speakers
- Practical case studies
- Directed readings
- Discussion board activities
- Group work
The interaction between students, clinicians and academics is promoted through facilitated discussion forums, which provide the opportunity for collaborative critical discourse and debate of current issues.
Assessments have been specifically designed to provide you with authentic learning opportunities and offer the ability to draw on your personal clinical experiences and expertise, regardless of where in the world you are located. Assessments and course tasks include but are not limited to, written assignments, topic-focused short essays, and the creation of clinical resources.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Funding for postgraduate study is different to 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
UK government postgraduate loans
If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK's governments. The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:
- Your programme
- The duration of your studies
- Your tuition fee status.
Edinburgh Global Online Learning Masters Scholarships
The University of Edinburgh is offering twenty Masters scholarships for eligible part-time distance learning Masters programmes offered by the University. Please read the eligibility criteria carefully before you apply.
The deadline for Edinburgh Global Online Learning Masters Scholarships is Monday 3 June 2024.
Program Tuition Fee
Student Testimonials
Program delivery
Online learning
We embrace the role that technology can play in enhancing teaching, learning and assessment, and the programme was designed with an online learner in mind. This allows for a curriculum design approach that caters to different ways of learning.
Learning online not only allows you to learn whilst you work, but you can also connect to a range of people from different places around the world and share rich and varied experiences. You will be supported as an active member of a vibrant online community where learning outcomes are facilitated by tasks and materials that foster active, relevant and collaborative learning, all supported by the purposeful use of digital media and online technology.
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.