Course Details
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Brief Description
Lead and innovate in health professions education and inspire future generations of healthcare professionals with UL’s two-year, part-time Master of Science in Health Professions Education.
If you’re a doctor, nurse or allied health professional transitioning into an educational role or someone already engaged in health professions education, this programme equips you with the skills and competencies to effect meaningful change.
The programme has been tailored for busy health professionals aspiring to lead and innovate in education with flexible learning formats and a global perspective.
The programme is accredited by the Academy of Medical Educators (AoME) at Accreditation Plus Level and provides an accelerated pathway to AoME membership and fellowship, demonstrating excellence in medical education.
It is offered in two formats to meet the needs of busy healthcare professionals. Blended learning provides opportunities for social and collaborative face-to-face learning in addition to flexible, online learning. Online/Distance learning offers the flexibility of remote learning with the benefits of online interaction and collaboration.
During this programme, you will:
- Acquire an understanding of health professions education theory, pedagogy, and practice.
- Develop proficiency in teaching, assessment, and curriculum development tailored to healthcare settings.
- Gain the ability to lead programmatic changes and innovations in healthcare education.
- Acquire the skills to design, implement, and disseminate health education research.
Key information:
- Complete part-time over two years
- Delivered online or blended
- Blended delivery – regular online interactive sessions and six in-person study day sessions over the course of the two years.
- Modules taught during autumn, spring and summer semesters
- Submit dissertation at the end of the final semester
- Students may choose to exit with a Postgraduate Diploma after successfully completing 60 ECTS.
- Modules with (M) beside them can be taken as independent micro-credential 
You will learn through a blend of:
- Lectures, workshops, and interactive activities
- Reflective practice and guided research
- Regular feedback from faculty and peers
Year 1
Autumn Semester
- introduces students to theories and principles relevant to teaching and learning in the healthcare setting.
Spring Semester
- provides the knowledge and skills to support the education experience of health professional students and trainees.
- develops understanding of assessment theory and practice applied to health professions education.
Summer Semester
- provides a framework for considering quality assurance and improvement for educational interventions.
- Leadership in Health Professions Education (M) (BM6013) delivers the confidence and skills to develop and lead plans for improvement.
Year 2
Autumn Semester
- develops an understanding of the role and significance of educational research within contemporary health professions education.
Spring Semester
- prepares students to produce major research project that can be presented in thesis or journal publication format.
Summer Semester
- facilitates the data collection, analysis, completion and dissemination of the research project.
Books and journal articles needed for the programme will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.
For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s
- Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree ( Level 8) with at least a second-class honour, grade 2 (2:2) in an approved equivalent qualification.
- You should have at least 2 years of relevant work experience, particularly in the areas of health professions, education or management.
- A personal statement (250-500 words) outlining why you wish to undertake the programme.
- Two academic/professional references dated within 6 months of the application.
- The university will shortlist and interview applicants when necessary.
Other Entry Considerations:
We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet the standard entry requirements, as long as you can show that you have the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for the programme.
At UL, we value all kinds of learning and support different ways to qualify through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy.
International students:
- For details on country-specific qualifications visit postgraduate entry requirements for international students.
Checklist of documents:
- *Academic transcripts and certificates, translated if needed.
- UL graduates only need to provide their student ID.
- Copy of your birth certificate or passport
- Personal statement 250 – 500 words
- 2 professional /academic references dated within last 6 months
- Copy of your CV
English Language:
- English Language Competency certificate
- For details on accepted language qualifications visit English Language Requirements
Guidelines on Completing your Application 
- To make sure we can review your application quickly, please:
- Upload all documents. Your application can’t be reviewed until we have all the documents on the checklist. 
- Title the documents you are uploading. For example, "Personal Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc. 
- *If you are waiting to graduate, submit your application with the documents you have to date, you don’t need to have finished final exams before applying.
EU – Distance €6,900, Part-Time €7,000 per annum*
Non-EU – Distance €7,000, Part-Time €9,500 per annum*
* Year 2 fees are subject to change
Please note that international study visas are only available to students studying full-time in Ireland. This programme does not qualify for a study visa.
Annual fees are billed by semester. Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan.
Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie).
Funding
Find further information on funding and scholarships.
The MSc Health Professions Education can lead graduates to the following sectors and careers:
- University Tutor or Clinical Tutor
- Academic roles in health professions education
- Researcher in health professions education
- Regulatory or Professional Body roles
Still Curious?
The team regularly host and take part in webinars to support future students. If you would like to learn more or ask questions at an online information session, click below.
Graduate and Professional Studies
+353 (0)61 234377
¾ÅÉ«ÊÓÆµ, Limerick, Ireland