Health Professions Education

Gain confidence and equip yourself with evidence-based teaching and learning strategies on the PgDip from RCSI Health Professions Education Centre. Deepen your understanding of the landscape around health professions education and contemporary learning theories, and gain practical expertise in techniques such as assessment and feedback methods, instructional design, educational evaluation and health professions education research.



Following a 'Community of Inquiry' pedagogical model, you will learn with and from peers, experienced clinicians and academics within the field of health professions education.



Learning will be supported through weekly synchronous (webinars, small group tutorials, teaching demonstrations) and asynchronous (videos, interactive web-based content, discussions, self-directed reflections) activities.



Learning resources will be guided by best practice in higher education including universal design for learning (UDL) principles (AHEAD, 2021), and contemporary approaches to formative and summative assessment (National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 2021).



This course is offered part time over one year.



This course is a Level 9 award on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications



Suitable for

This programme is designed for both experienced and early career educators working in the healthcare industry and who support learners in clinical and non-clinical settings.



Accreditation and recognition

We are proud to be a recognised University of the National University of Ireland (NUI). All RCSI programmes are accredited by the NUI.



Recognition by Ministries and bodies in all jurisdictions must be determined by the individual applicants.



We are pleased to confirm that a number of our recent graduates who are domiciled in the United Arab Emirates and in the Kingdom of Bahrain have successfully had their certificates recognised by the Ministry of Education in their respective countries.

This one-year part-time programme takes place over two academic semesters: two modules are completed in the first semester (September-December) and two modules are completed in the second semester (from January onwards).



In the first semester you will be introduced to health professions education, and what it means to build your identity as an educator. Module one offers a foundation in educational theories that help to explain how learning takes place, and can be nurtured, in health professions education settings. Module two provides in-depth learning around evidence-based teaching and learning methods which can be used in a variety of health professions education settings.



In the second semester, you will be introduced to the topic of assessment and feedback in health professions education, as well as how to evaluate sessions, modules and programmes.



Module 1 Introduction to Health Professions Education:

How learning takes place, and can be nurtured, in health professions education settings



Module 2 Principles of Teaching and Learning:

Evidence-based teaching and learning methods



Module 3 Assessment as/for/of Learning in Health Professions Education:

Assessment and feedback in health professions education



Module 4 Curriculum Design and Evaluation:

How to evaluate sessions, modules and programmes

To apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Professions Education, you must:

• Hold a Bachelor's degree (if you don’t hold a Bachelor's degree, see the recognition of prior learning pathway).

• Be working in the healthcare industry.



Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

If you do not meet the minimum academic requirements above, you may still be eligible to apply through recognition of prior learning (RPL). RPL is the assessment of knowledge, skills and competence previously acquired.



Learning occurs in many contexts, including work, involvement in social and community activities, or learning through life experience generally. RPL does not give credit for experience as such; rather it considers the learning that was acquired as a result of the experience.



RPL may be used to gain:

• Admission to courses/programmes where a person may not have obtained the standard entry requirements.

• Exemptions from course modules which duplicate the learning outcomes an individual has already demonstrably acquired through prior learning.



English language requirement exceptions

You must meet the English language requirements (unless exempt): IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent score on another standardised test (certified proof should be uploaded with your application; see below for exemptions).



Exemptions may apply for:

• Applicants who have completed their school or undergraduate studies (three or more years) through English in a country where English is the majority native language.



• Applicants who have completed their school or undergraduate studies (three or more years) in an English speaking institution in a country where English is not the majority native language and where an IELTS score of 5 or more was a requirement for admissions to the programme.



• Applicants who have been working in a country (three years or more) where English is the majority native language or for an employer where English language is the official language.



• Graduates of an RCSI Undergraduate, Masters or Professional Diploma programme in Dublin and Bahrain.



Please note: Certified proof must be uploaded as part of your application.

How to apply

Applications for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Professions Education, beginning in September 2026, are now open.



Please ensure you attach the following supporting documents with your application:

• Clear copy of your valid passport.

• Copies of your academic transcripts/degree.

• Copies of your CV

1 year. Mode of delivery Online - Part-time.

Next start date: September 2026.