Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Evidence-Based Health Care

The Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Evidence-Based Practice is a part-time course. There are three compulsory modules which can be taken over 1–2 years.

Modules

• Teaching Evidence-Based Practice: designed for healthcare professionals with knowledge of critical appraisal and experience in practising evidence-based health care, who wish to explore teaching-related issues
• Developing Practice in Medical Education: supports students in developing their practice through critical reflection on how evidence, theory, values and contexts interact
• Course Design, Assessment and Evaluation: provides an overview of curriculum development principles in medical education, focusing on course design, assessment, planning learning activities and evaluation

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

The majority of modules are run over either an eight- or fifteen-week learning cycle. Most modules are delivered either fully online or in a blended format. Some modules require a five-day attendance in Oxford, while others are delivered entirely online. Not all delivery formats are available every year.

Blended format: an initial period of self-directed study is completed using a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), followed by a week in Oxford for face-to-face teaching. This is followed by post-Oxford activities (a mix of supported and self-directed learning via the VLE). The final week is dedicated to personal study before assignment submission.

Fully online format: modules are delivered through the VLE, beginning with introductory activities. Delivery may include either weekly released units with interactive learning and discussion, followed by independent study and assignment submission (typically over 15 weeks), or an intensive five-day teaching block followed by further supported activities and final assessment (typically over 8 weeks).

By the end of the course you will be able to:

• articulate the critical components of the practice of evidence-based health care, informed by your academic discipline and/or professional practice
• design and evaluate teaching of the core competencies of evidence-based medicine, and reflect effectively on your teaching experience
• evaluate key pedagogical principles and research underpinning the evidence base for different teaching, assessment and evaluation methods
• apply originality in teaching styles and techniques, supported by a practical understanding of methodologies to enhance teaching in your own context
• develop skills in curriculum design, delivery, assessment and evaluation in teaching and learning
• adapt to challenging teaching circumstances, ensuring learner needs are met alongside the aims and objectives of teaching
• articulate how and why your teaching practice and understanding of learning has evolved, including plans for future development

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.

Assessment for each module will be based on a written assignment, which shall not be of more than 4,000 words.

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any subject

For applicants with a bachelor’s degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.6 out of 4.0.

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 Teaching Evidence-Based Health Care 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 also recommend searching for funding opportunities via the online Fees, Funding and Scholarship search tool.

To be considered for many scholarships, applicants must apply by the January deadline. However, some scholarships require additional application materials and may have different deadlines, so applicants should check the requirements for each scholarship carefully.

For information about entry requirements and how to apply, please visit the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Evidence-Based Health Care page on the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions website. This website provides information on fees and entry requirements, along with guidance 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 remain open for that year’s entry if places are still available.

It can take several weeks to obtain all required documents and prepare a competitive application. You should also allow referees sufficient time to submit references, so applying as early as possible is recommended.

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

Contact us

For further information on applying, please refer to the Application Guide. Please read our Terms and Conditions before submitting your application. If you would like to discuss your application or any part of the application process before applying please contact: 

Tel: +44 (0)1865 270453 – Email: cpdhealth@conted.ox.ac.uk