Becoming a Clinical Educator



Overview

The Becoming a Clinical Educator course is an introduction into the world of current postgraduate clinical education. It gives participants a working knowledge of how to design, conduct and evaluate teaching and training for postgraduate clinicians, and how to assess curricula and teaching programmes, in medical and surgical environments.

This clinical education training course helps participants understand the principles and reasoning behind modern training and assessment methods while developing the skills needed to embark on a career pathway where roles as an educator and trainer form an important part.

The course explores:

  • Theory of adult learning, especially those relevant to medicine and surgery
  • The value of different teaching methods
  • Simulation in training
  • Principles of valid assessment, including summative assessments and appraisal
  • Design of syllabi and assessment for doctors and surgeons in training
  • The principles behind curriculum development.

This course is offered by Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences and the Department for Continuing Education.

It features face-to-face seminars, tutorials and surgical simulation, as well as lectures by guest experts.

Class sizes are kept small to allow full interaction with tutors. Study before and after the course is supported by a rich virtual learning environment.

Previous guest speakers have included:

  • Anthony Bradlow, Head of the Oxford School of Medicine, Oxford Deanery
  • Richard Canter, Head of the School of Surgery, Severn Deanery
  • Jill Fresen, Senior Learning Technologist, IT Services, University of Oxford
  • Ashok Handa, Reader in Surgery, University of Oxford
  • Jeremy Noble, Head of the School of Surgery, Oxford Deanery
  • Adrian Stokes, Director of Continuing Professional Development, University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education.

Comments from previous participants:

"The course is well balanced between the theories and research behind medical education, and practical sessions. Through discussion and practical sessions, I have gained greater understanding of how theories apply and the challenges in putting them into practice."

Programme details

This course can be taken:

Venue

This course will be held at the Department for Continuing Education, Rewley House, Oxford.

Certification

Short course participants who submit a module assignment and achieve a pass, and within two years enrol in an award-bearing course (e.g. MSc, PGDip, PGCert) which includes the module, may request exemption from re-taking the module. 

Short course participants who do not wish to undertake the written assignment but who do satisfy the course attendance requirements will receive a certificate of attendance.

Fees

Description Costs
22-23 & earlier enrolled - MSc in Surgical Science and Practice £2545.00
22-23 & earlier enrolled - PG Cert in Patient Safety £2545.00
23-24 enrolled - MSc in Surgical Science and Practice £2645.00
23-24 enrolled -PC in Patient Safety and Quality Improvement £2645.00
24-25 enrolled - MSc in Surgical Science and Practice £2725.00
24-25 enrolled -PC in Patient Safety and Quality Improvement £2725.00
Short course in Surgical Science and Practice £3390.00
Students enrolled on MSc in Surgical Science and Practice £2740.00
Students enrolled on PG Cert in Patient Safety £2740.00

Funding

Details of funding opportunities including grants, bursaries and scholarships are available on our sources of funding page.

Payment

The course fee includes:

  • Tuition
  • Course materials
  • Refreshments and a three-course lunch on each day of the course
  • Access to the following University of Oxford libraries and services:
    • Radcliffe Science Library
    • Rewley House Continuing Education Library
    • Bodleian Libraries e-Resources
  • Access to facilities from the Department for Continuing Education, including:
    • The Graduate School
    • Canvas virtual learning environment
    • Wi-fi access through Oxford Wireless LAN (OWL)

Stand Alone fee £3,390 for November 2025 

Tutor

Jeremy Noble

Module Coordinator

Jeremy Noble is a Consultant Urological Surgeon to Oxford University Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust , an Honorary Clinical Lecturer to the University of Oxford and Associate Dean.  He trained in urology in London and Reading and now forms part of a consultant team sub-specialising in lower urinary tract dysfunction, reconstructive and female urology and stone disease.

His research interests include the overactive bladder and benign prostate disease and he has a particular interest in the medical management of bladder dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

He is heavily involved in medical training.  He has been Head of the Oxford School of Surgery and regional training programme director for core surgery and urology for HEE Thames Valley.  He has been a member of the SAC in Urology, a member of the Core Surgery Training Forum at The Royal College of Surgeons, intercollegiate examiner for the FRCS Urol examination and latterly a panel assessor for the Intercollegiate Examination Board.  Jeremy is currently Associate Dean for HEE TV with an interest in workforce planning and transformation.

Course aims

This Becoming a Clinical Educator course aims to give participants:

  • tools to enhance their own practice by helping them learn some core educational skills.
  • an improved understanding of the concepts underpinning current educational practice.
  • methods to help improve the practice of others and to help develop others' professional development.
  • an appreciation of the wider medical educational landscape and its potential.
  • practice and understanding, working towards improving patient care.

 

By the end of the course participants will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of their own and others' differing teaching and learning preferences.
  • Display an understanding of the principles and processes influencing education especially as they relate to clinical education and training.
  • Show an appreciation of the uses and potential of technology in clinical learning and assessment.
  • Demonstrate relevant practical skills of teaching, assessment and feedback.
  • Have engaged in a project which demonstrates their potential to learn and master a new subject.

 

Assessment methods

Assessment is by written assignment.

 

Application

Application deadline: eight weeks before the commencement of the course.

This course is part of the MSc in Surgical Science and Practice. To learn more about the course, including how to apply, please visit the programme page.

Selection criteria

To apply for this course you should:

  • be a graduate or have successfully completed a professional training course
  • have at least two years' professional work experience in the health service or a health-related field
  • be able to combine intensive classroom learning with the application of the principles and practices within the work place
  • demonstrate a suitable level of English (if this is not your first language).

 

Selection criteria

To apply for this course you should:

  • be a graduate or have successfully completed a professional training course
  • have at least two years' professional work experience in the health service or a health-related field
  • be able to combine intensive classroom learning with the application of the principles and practices within the work place
  • demonstrate a suitable level of English (if this is not your first language).

 

Accommodation

Accommodation is available at the Rewley House Residential Centre, within the Department for Continuing Education, in central Oxford. The comfortable, en-suite, study-bedrooms have been rated as 4-Star Campus accommodation under the Quality In Tourism scheme, and come with tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi access and Freeview TV. Guests can take advantage of the excellent dining facilities and common room bar, where they may relax and network with others on the programme.

IT requirements

This course uses the Department’s online assignment submission system and online courseware. In order to participate in the course, and to prepare and submit your course assignments you will need access to the Internet and a computer meeting our recommended minimum computer specification. Students of this course may use the student computing facilities provided in Departmental buildings.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support