Postgraduate Diploma in Health Research

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

Modules

Compulsory modules:

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

Option modules:

Three further modules may be chosen from List B. One further module may be chosen from either List B or List C.

List B:

• 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
• Essential Medical Statistics
• 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

List C:

• Quality Improvement Science and Systems Analysis
• Human Factors, Teamwork and Communication
• Becoming a Clinical Educator
• Teaching Evidence-Based Practice

*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 delivered either fully online or in a blended format. Some modules require a 5-day attendance in Oxford, while others are delivered entirely online. Not all delivery formats may be available each year.

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

Fully online format: delivered through the VLE with introductory activities, followed by either weekly structured units over approximately 15 weeks, or an intensive 5-day teaching block followed by supported learning activities. Both formats conclude with a period of personal study and assignment submission.

Candidates will:

• have successfully completed the final year of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery or Bachelor of Dental Surgery, or equivalent; or
• have an appropriate degree or equivalent professional qualification in a profession allied to medicine with at least two years’ post-qualification experience.
• demonstrate an approach to study that includes strong critical analysis skills, 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 communication with course members, course team and administration)
• show evidence of the ability to commit time to study, alongside employer support to attend modules, complete coursework and participate in University activities

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

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 Diploma, students must:

• attend six modules, as detailed above
• successfully complete six written assignments, usually of no more than 4,000 words, one for each of the chosen modules

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

For applicants with a bachelor’s degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA normally required 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 Diploma 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, some scholarships require additional application materials and may have different deadlines, so applicants should check the application process for each scholarship carefully.

For information about entry requirements and how to apply, please visit the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Research 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.

Remember that it can take several 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, so we recommend applying as early as possible.

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