RCPI Pg Cert Medical Education
*This programme is currently in development and will be made available based on demand.
About the programme
The RCPI Pg Cert in Medical Education is a wholly online, part-time programme designed to equip healthcare professionals with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel as educators and leaders in medical education.
Delivered by expert faculty with extensive experience in clinical practice and education, the programme combines theoretical foundations with practical applications to ensure an authentic, relevant qualification that will be valued by learners and their healthcare organisations.
Programme Audience
The RCPI Pg Cert in Medical Education attracts diverse learners from Ireland, the UK, the Middle East, and Asia. The programme is designed to meet the needs of doctors, nurses, and allied health practitioners working in primary, secondary, and tertiary care settings.
The programme is ideal for those seeking a focused, practical qualification that provides the essential knowledge and skills to enhance teaching and supervision in clinical settings.
Those aspiring to immerse themselves in a vocational pathway where medical education forms a significant part of their professional identity may wish to complete the full MSc Medical Education qualification which will be offered as a seamless add-on to this course.
Programme Structure
This programme is structured as 3 x 10 ECTS Modules and can be completed over 6 months (with additional time for assessment)
Module 1: Foundations of Medical Education and Reflective Practice
This module introduces the core principles of adult learning and how they relate to the unique environment of medical education. It examines how professional identity develops through clinical experiences and explores learning theories that help educators encourage deeper engagement with their learners. By the end of the module, participants will be able to incorporate reflective methods into their education and utilise evidence-based approaches to support their own professional development and improve learner outcomes.
Module 2: Curriculum Design and Implementation
This module focuses on designing and delivering meaningful curricula in medical education. Participants will gain practical skills in writing clear learning outcomes, selecting suitable teaching methods and align these with appropriate assessments.
Evidence shows that structured curricula, which follow established design frameworks, can improve student engagement and performance. This module emphasises the application of educational frameworks and theories to real-world clinical settings, ensuring relevance and impact.
Module 3: Assessment and Feedback in Medical Education
This module covers the principles and practices of effective assessment design in medical education, with an emphasis on feedback as a driver for improvement.
Participants will explore how to design reliable and valid assessments as well as strategies such as blueprinting and standard setting to ensure consistency. Through successful completion of the module, learners will have gained the practical skills to create learner-centred, fair assessments and effectively use feedback.
