Multidisciplinary Healthcare Simulation PGCert (2025)

Course overview

Simulation is becoming increasingly prevalent as a tool for teaching and learning in healthcare because it provides a safe environment in which you can develop clinical skills and non-technical skills via guided debriefing.

Shape your future as a healthcare educator by being on the forthfront of stimulation training. Gain the expertise to design, develop, and facilitate impactful simulation-based learning experiences.

Course structure

This course will run over 12 months in a full-time-mode. There's also scope to undertake the programme on a part-time basis. While the exact content may change, here’s what you can expect to study each term.

Term one
Term two
Term three

In the first term, you'll study the module 'Adult Learning Theory and Its Application to Multidisciplinary Healthcare Simulation Learning and Teaching'. This module will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively use healthcare simulation technology.

Course highlights

Simulation training is gaining popularity, and our course provides you with the skills to successfully enter this growing field. Designed for healthcare professionals, the course prepares you to apply your knowledge and skills in the workplace by designing, developing, and facilitating effective simulation training and education.

Develop your understanding of the principles of adult learning.
Explore the evolution and importance of human factors in healthcare practice.
Gain the debriefing skills required to aid learners’ subsequent reflection and development.

The University of Birmingham is also ranked as thefirst choice for leading graduate employersin the UK.

Safety
Provides a safe environment for learning.
Transform
Tranform the way medical education is taught.
Change
Change the direction of your career and become a healthcare educator.

Designed programme
Academics from the University of Birmingham, with experience in education and simulation based training, and experienced clinicians based at the University Hospital Birmingham have designed this programme.

Course delivery

Our Multidisciplinary Healthcare Simulation programme includes a wide variety of learning and teaching:

This course consists of three taught modules.
Taught modules - this includes lectures and simulation workshops, and promotes inquiry-based learning through independent, guided study. It also provides opportunities to develop practical skills and techniques in simulation-based education within a high-fidelity simulation environment.
Assessments - these include oral presentations, evidence based essays and creation of simulation scenarios for use within a high-fidelity simulation suite.

Module information

This programme comprises three distinct but complementary, compulsory 20 credit modules: Adult Learning Theory and its Application to Multidisciplinary Healthcare Simulation, Human Factors in Healthcare, and Healthcare Simulation Delivery.

The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

Full-time

Year: 1
2025/26 Session

The following must be taken:

Module Title	Credits	Semester
LM Healthcare Simulation Delivery	20	Semester 2
Adult Learning Theory and its Application to Multidisciplinary Healthcare Simulation.	20	Semester 1
LM Human Factors in Healthcare	20	Semester 2

Part-time

Year: 1
2025/26 Session

The following must be taken:

Module Title	Credits	Semester
LM Healthcare Simulation Delivery	20	Semester 2
Adult Learning Theory and its Application to Multidisciplinary Healthcare Simulation.	20	Semester 1

Teaching staff

Programme director - Dr Sandeep Singh Randhawa

Entry requirements

To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course.Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.

First degree
You should have or expect to obtain a relevant first degree or an equivalent professional qualification is required, ideally in healthcare and allied specialties (including simulation technicians).

For international students there is an English language requirement to have an IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band.

If you're made an offer of a place to study and you don't already meet the language requirement, you have the option to enrol on our English for Academic Purposes Presessional Course. If you successfully complete this, you'll be able to fulfil the language requirement without needing to take a further qualification.

Fees and scholarships

Fees information for:

£4,133
Incuding £3,633 course fee + £500 bench fee.

Please note that international students are only eligible to study this programme on a full-time basis.

Scholarship information for:

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Learn more about loans

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

Explore scholarships and funding

Birmingham Masters Scholarships

We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Birmingham Masters Scholarship

Application process

To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.

Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.

Standard requirements for

31 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non-tier 4 applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.

We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Postgraduate applicant information

Career opportunities

This programme offers you the opportunity to develop practical skills, techniques and capabilities in simulation-based education in a high fidelity simulation environment. Graduates go on to teach in a variety of healthcare settings.

Careers Network

Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Careers and employability