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Brighton & Sussex Medical School

Clinical Professional Studies

BSMS > Postgraduate > Clinical Professional Studies

Clinical Professional Studies

Key facts

PGCert

Part-time: 1 year

Eligible applicants: UK applicants only

Location: University of Brighton, Falmer campus; University of Sussex, Falmer campus

Course Leader: Chay Burt

Read Chay Burt's profile here >

Course Co-Ordinator: Jo Firth

Read Jo Firth's profile here >

General enquiries: brighton.ac.uk/enquiries 

This course is jointly validated by the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex. Applications for 2024/25 entry are now open.

Apply for the clinical professional studies course Here >

Key areas of study

Three professional modules:

  • Research methods and critical appraisal
  • Leadership and change management in clinical services
  • Communication, learning and teaching in health and social care

It is possible to substitute another module from the BSMS Department of Medical Education portfolio for one of the above modules.

Course overview

This course will provide a rounded education to prepare senior specialists for clinical practice, taking into account their academic and professional development needs.

Participants will study both theory and practical skills in a range of subjects that cover the three core domains of research, leadership and education.

Alumni student photo

“This course has provided me with a detailed insight into communication in both clinical practice and educational activities. I am finding it really valuable to be in a group with such a diverse range of professionals, and I have been able to incorporate the learning into my practice.”

Rachel Thompson, PGCert Clinical Professional Studies student

Course structure

  • Research methods and critical appraisal
  • Leadership and change management in clinical services
  • Communication, learning and teaching in health and social care
BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL

Career opportunities

The course is an opportunity for anyone returning to postgraduate studies or wishing to start a clinical Masters programme.

The PGCert is designed  to provide  additional support at Masters level with a focus on the professional core modules. Therefore, students will be able to use their existing credit to fast track on to a Masters programme. Successful completion will prepare for more effective leadership and prepare for senior clinicians roles in the future.

Entry requirements

Entry is open to all medical trainees, physician associates, locally employed doctors, specialty associate doctors and other healthcare professionals. Students should normally have at least one year of professional practice before entering the course.

This course is open to applications from UK students. 

Fees and funding

The fees listed are the overall costs for full-time courses taken in the academic year 2024/25. Where courses are taken part-time over more than one academic year, fees are usually charged pro-rata for the modules taken during each academic year.  

With effect from 2021/22 onwards, EU nationals starting new postgraduate courses will pay international fees and will not be eligible for student funding from the UK government. However, there are exceptions to this for Irish nationals and EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. For the latest information, please see gov.uk/student-finance. If you do not have settled status in the UK and require a work visa, then you will be fee assessed as Overseas and will therefore be subject to the International fee rate.

Find out more about fees and funding >