Online MSc in Health Professions Education
Saint Andrews, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
07 Aug 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 15,300 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* £5,100 per year of study
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
The Health Professions Education online program is for those interested in developing themselves in a healthcare education role and offers the flexibility of learning to suit those currently employed. The program will cultivate teaching practice that instills the principles and values of interprofessional education to support the development of the future and current healthcare workforce.
Course details
Increasing pressures on healthcare systems require flexible, accessible, creative, and relevant learning opportunities, particularly for educators who are also clinically active. In the Health Professions Education program, you will examine the principles and values of a range of educational approaches.
Highlights
- A fully online part-time program that offers the flexibility of learning to suit those currently employed in a health care or academic setting
- As an interprofessional and interdisciplinary program, it provides opportunities to learn collaboratively about a range of educational contexts and teaching practices
- Provision of experiential and immersive learning opportunities so that learners undertaking the modules can have real-time experience of the concepts being taught
- Award-winning learning technology infrastructure and support to provide innovative, interactive, and flexible learning and to support the student learning journey
- Staff from a variety of disciplines and healthcare backgrounds with expertise and experience in educating healthcare professionals in a range of community and acute care settings, in interprofessional education, and educational research
- Membership of the Academy of Medical Educators through our accredited PGCert.
The Health Professions Education program will inspire scholarship, research, and leadership in health professions education. This program will help to develop inquisitive educators who are equipped to deliver high-quality learning opportunities for health professionals.
The program 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 program will be interprofessional and interdisciplinary, enabling learners to reflect on and share their own teaching and learning practices. The program will provide the opportunity to learn with, from, and about each other’s educational contexts. Action learning sets will be utilized 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.
The School of Medicine academic staff provides 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 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).
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 (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)
The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your program.
The final part of the MSc program is the end-of-degree project.
This takes the form of a period of supervised research where you will undertake an in-depth investigation into a chosen topic in health professions education.
Through the project, you will show your ability to undertake sustained critical analysis, develop and improve your research skills, and produce an extended piece of written work that demonstrates a high level of understanding of your area of study. A flexible approach will be offered to suit the learner concerning project options.
All options available will develop research skills to help with future intentions to study at a higher level of PhD/MD.
- Option 1: an empirical piece of research
- Option 2: a systematic review
- Option 3: an extended research proposal (including ethics application)
Knowledge and skills
Teaching and research techniques
Broaden your subject knowledge and apply established techniques of research and inquiry.
Critical thinking skills
Learn to think critically and creatively about education for the healthcare professions.
Leadership and project management
Improve your personal leadership and project management skills.
The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.
The University of St Andrews offers postgraduate scholarships and other financial awards. These may be held in addition to external funding or awards from a government body. These may also cover (fully or partially) tuition fees, maintenance (living costs including accommodation), or both.
Scholarships are available based on academic merit and financial need. There are scholarships available for both home and overseas fee status. The scholarship team recommends reading the terms of each award carefully and applying to a range of funding sources.
Postgraduate scholarships
Postgraduate study is an investment in your intellectual development and career potential. The University of St Andrews provides scholarships to help as many students as possible continue in higher education.
Scholarship availability may depend on your area of study or fee status (for example, whether you are a 'Home' or 'Overseas' student).
The University of St Andrews’ global reputation makes its graduates highly valued by employers. The Health Professions Education program is aimed at individuals who may wish to develop their healthcare educational role or wish to follow an academic career in healthcare education, healthcare education research, or pursue a Ph.D. or MD.
In addition to broadening your subject knowledge and applying established techniques of research and inquiry, you will develop and demonstrate essential skills including:
- Critical thinking and creativity
- Analysis and appraisal
- Problem-solving and decision-making
- Personal leadership and project management
- Interpersonal communication and teamwork
Further study
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.
Research students are supported by a supervisory team throughout their studies and are assessed through a substantial thesis of original research.