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Graduate

PGCert in Teaching Evidence-Based Health Care

The Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Evidence-Based Health Care (EBHC) is a part-time taught course developing skills in teaching, curriculum design, and evaluation to support future leaders in evidence-based health care education.

Expected length:
  • Part time: 1-2 years
Expected start date:
  • Part time:
English language level:
  • Higher level required
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About the course

The course will position you to use theories and research evidence to inform your own teaching practice in health care and educational settings. It is a part-time course that can be taken alongside work commitments, generally over one to two years.

This is a joint programme between the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences and Oxford Lifelong Learning. The programme works in collaboration with the renowned Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine in Oxford.

This programme has teachers and contributors who are internationally recognised leaders in the field of evidence-based practice, research-led teaching and experts in medical education. The flexible structure of the course has been devised to fit with the structure of specialist training and to accommodate student choice.

The aims of the course are for you to:

  • articulate the critical components of the practice of EBHC which is informed by your academic discipline and/or area of professional practice;
  • design and evaluate teaching of the core competencies of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) and to self-reflect efficiently on your teaching experience;
  • evaluate crucial pedagogy principles and research underpinning the evidence-base for differing teaching, assessment and evaluation methods;
  • apply originality in the application of teaching styles and techniques, together with a practical understanding of methodologies to enhance teaching skills tailored to your own teaching contexts;
  • develop skills in practical curriculum design, delivery, assessment and evaluation in teaching and learning;
  • deal with and adapt to challenging circumstances you may encounter teaching evidence-based medicine, ensuring the needs of learners are met in unison with the aims and objectives of your teaching and learning; and
  • articulate how (and why) your own teaching practice and understanding of learning and teaching has evolved over time and ideas for future development.

Course structure

This section provides an overview of the course structure, while details of the individual course components are provided below.

The PG Certificate in Teaching Evidence-Based Health Care is a part-time course. There are three compulsory modules. 

The majority of modules are run over either an eight, or fifteen week learning cycle. Modules are spaced out throughout the academic year, allowing a choice of options to be taken over the one to two years students attend the course. Further details about the course and modules can be found on the course page, on the Department for Continuing Education Website (See Further Information and Enquiries).

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 five-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.

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 modules are delivered through the VLE with the first week allocated to self-directed introductory activities. 

For some courses, you will have 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. You will 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. These courses usually run over a 15 week period.

For other courses, five consecutive days of synchronous and asynchronous teaching sessions will be followed by 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. These courses usually run over an eight week period.

Core components

You will take three core modules. 

Course details

Entry requirements

For entry in 2026-27

Funding and costs

College preference

Before you apply

Completing your application

Contact details