Postgraduate Certificate in Health Research

The Postgraduate Certificate is normally completed in 1-2 years. It consists of three assessed taught modules and includes thorough introductions to the principles of evidence-based practice in health, and to study design and research methods.

The two compulsory modules are:

• The Practice of Evidence-Based Health Care
• Introduction to Study Design and Research Methods

The third *option module may be chosen from the following list:

• Clinical Trial Management
• Mixed Methods in Health Research
• Knowledge into Action
• Evidence-based Diagnosis and Screening
• Introduction to Statistics for Health Care Research
• Systematic Reviews
• Randomised Controlled Trials
• Qualitative Research Methods
• The Structure of Clinical Trials and Experimental Therapeutics
• How to do Research on Therapeutic Interventions: Protocol preparation
• Biological Therapeutics
• Pharmacodynamics, Biomarkers and Personalised Therapy
• Adverse drug reactions, drug interactions and Pharmacovigilance
• Drug development, Pharmacokinetics and Imaging

*Please note that not all option modules are guaranteed to run every year.

The majority of modules are run over either an eight or a fifteen-week learning cycle. Most modules are either delivered fully online or in a blended format; however, some modules are only delivered with a blended format that includes a 5-day attendance in Oxford, and some are only run entirely online. In any given year, not all delivery formats for a module may be available.

Blended format: an initial period of self-directed study is spent on introductory activities using a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This is followed by a week spent in Oxford for supported face-to-face teaching, and then a further period of Post-Oxford activities (a mixture of self-directed and supported distance learning also delivered through the VLE). The final week of each module is for self-directed personal study, shortly followed by the assignment submission.

Fully online format: These are delivered through the VLE, with the first week allocated to self-directed introductory activities. There is then either:

– a number of units to work through, which are released week by week. Each unit includes a mixture of supported and self-directed learning with discussion forums, tasks and activities. Students then have five weeks of self-directed personal study with use of a revision forum and the requirement to submit an assignment electronically the following week. Courses usually run over 15 weeks.

Or

– an intensive week of 5 consecutive days of synchronous and asynchronous teaching sessions, and then a further period of activities (A mixture of self-directed and supported distance learning also delivered through the VLE). The final week of each module is for self-directed personal study, shortly followed by the assignment submission. Courses usually run over 8 weeks.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• demonstrate a knowledge of the principles, methods and techniques appropriate for solving evidence-based health care/health-research problems and be able to translate (through a critical comprehension of the relative advantages and disadvantages) that understanding into good clinical practice
• demonstrate a range of research skills enabling them to complete research successfully, either as part of a research team or as an individual
• acquire, interpret and analyse biological information with a critical understanding of the appropriate contexts for their use through the study of the existing primary literature in the field
• apply skills and expertise gained across the medical and biological sciences, expected of professional researchers

Students will know and understand:

• health-care organisations, their management and the changing context in which they operate
• The ethical issues in health research and research governance
• methods to integrate and synthesise different sorts of information, from diverse sources, when making both individual patient and health-policy decisions in a wide range of situations
• the key issues for evidence-based practice in their own professional area or speciality
• how to work comfortably in situations of uncertainty and make sound judgments in the absence of definitive evidence
• research methods and concepts in the field of health and health care

All graduates of the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Research will be able to:

• understand the role of the most commonly used methods appropriate for specifying problems through a critical comprehension of the relative advantages and disadvantages of these methods
• understand and express the main principles of some commonly applied techniques and methods
• explain the rationale for the selection of tools used in the analysis of phenomena.

As a part-time student, you will be required to attend a minimum of two modules (one of which must be a compulsory module) ‘in person’ in Oxford. Each ‘in-person’ module requires you to attend a week (five days) in Oxford for supported face-to-face teaching. Your other four modules can be made up of a mix of ‘in-person’, or fully online modules. For additional note: All students are required to attend a minimum of one module in each academic year on course. This can either be ‘in person’ or fully online.

The programme is delivered through Oxford Lifelong Learning, with the expertise in curriculum design and teaching drawn from the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, and the Oxford University Clinical Academic Graduate School.

To complete the Postgraduate Certificate, students must:

• Attend and complete the 2 compulsory modules and 1 option module.

Students will also be expected to complete three written assignments, usually of no more than 4000 words, one on each of the chosen modules above.

Candidates will, in all but exceptional circumstances, be admitted to the Postgraduate Certificate with optional progression on successful completion to the Diploma, provided that a candidate:

• has successfully completed the final year of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery or Bachelor of Dental Surgery or equivalent; or
• has an appropriate degree or equivalent professional qualification in a profession allied to medicine with post-qualification experience

Applicants will be expected to demonstrate an approach to their study which includes demonstrable skills of critical analysis, wide contextual knowledge and the ability to manage their own time.

Additionally, candidates should:

• have a good working knowledge of email, internet, word processing and Windows applications (for communications with course members, course team and administration)
• show evidence of the ability to commit time to study and an employer’s commitment to make time available to study, complete coursework, and attend courses and University events and modules

Successful candidates will normally provide evidence of all of the following:

• A professional interest in Health Research, evidenced by prior experience, qualifications, and work
• Motivation and ability to complete the course
• A clear and well-argued understanding of the benefits of the course to the candidate’s current employment and future prospects

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University’s higher level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. Further information on English language requirements can be found here.

Please visit the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Research page on the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions website for details of course fees and costs.

Please see our funding page for help and information with regard to funding postgraduate studies. We further recommend that applicants search for funding opportunities via the online Fees, Funding and Scholarship search tool.

In order to be considered for many scholarships, applicants are required to apply by the January deadline. However, applicants should note that some scholarships require additional application materials and may have different deadlines, so applicants should make sure they check the application process for each scholarship carefully.

For information about entry requirements and how to apply, please visit the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Research page on the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions website. This website provides information on fees and entry requirements, along with help on preparing and submitting your application.

Application deadlines

12:00 midday UK time on:

• Stage 1: Wednesday 28 January 2026 (Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships)
• Stage 2: Tuesday 3 March 2026

When to apply

Early application for the programme is strongly advised. After the March deadline, the course will only stay open for that year’s entry if places are still available.

Remember that it can take a number of weeks to obtain all of the documents you need and to prepare a competitive application. You should also allow your referees plenty of time to submit your references. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible.

Interviews are normally held as part of the admissions process within six weeks of the application deadline.