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Part time — Open
Graduate

PGDip in Paediatric Infectious Diseases

The Postgraduate Diploma in Paediatric Infectious Diseases (PGDip) is a part-time taught course delivered mainly online but with some residentials, covering infectious syndromes, diagnostics, immunology, global child health, and neonatal infections.

Open: Part time

Applications are still open. Up to a week's notice of closure will be provided on this page - no other notification will be given. 

Expected length:
  • Part time: 2 years
Expected start date:
  • Part time:
English language level:
  • Higher level required
College buildings and the Radcliffe Camera across a field

PGDip in Paediatric Infectious Diseases

About the course

Worldwide, two-thirds of the deaths of children under five years of age are caused by infectious diseases, and the prevention and treatment of infections in children is the number one priority for global health. Thus, the department believes that professionally-oriented education in paediatric infectious diseases is essential in the training of clinicians and clinical academics who will provide the future leadership in this key area for global health. 

The PGDip is a two-year, part-time course taught primarily online, providing you with an in-depth understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of paediatric infection. It also places the practice of paediatric infectious diseases in the broader context of applied sciences, such as pathogenesis, population biology and epidemiology. 

The course will appeal to doctors who have experience in paediatrics, including trainees in paediatrics who have a specialist qualification equivalent to the Membership Examination of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH), specialist trainees in paediatric infectious diseases or relevant medical subspecialties, and clinical research fellows. It will provide in-depth knowledge and is aimed at those working in specialist PID centres.

Course structure

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

The syllabus covers six modules.

The majority of the teaching takes place online through a virtual learning environment (VLE), with online teaching discussions, interaction with tutors and other students, and access to an extensive resource library. Tutors will lead online discussions of the syllabus during timetabled weeks (on average eight to eleven weeks per module) which will be followed by study weeks to allow you to carry out self-directed study. This enables students from around the world to participate in the course.

In addition to the online teaching, you are also required during the two years on course to attend two Infection and Immunity in Children (IIC) residential conferences held annually in Oxford. You are also strongly encouraged to become a member of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious  Diseases (ESPID) and to attend the annual meeting, as well as participate in the PentaTr@ining: ‘HIV & Other Congenital Infections’ course which consists of an online modular component and a 3-day residential. The PentaTr@ining course takes place every other year.

The course is a result of a close collaboration between the University of Oxford Department of Paediatrics and the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID) and the Oxford Infection and Immunity in Children (IIC) conference. The international panel of tutors is led by Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, Professor of Paediatric Infection and Immunity at the University of Oxford, and Honorary Consultant Paediatrician at the Children’s Hospital, Oxford.

Students who successfully complete the PGDip in Paediatric Infectious Diseases may choose to continue into the MSc by applying within two years of completion.

Core components

You will take six core modules. 

Course details

Entry requirements

For entry in 2026-27

Funding and costs

College preference

Before you apply

Completing your application

Contact details