Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply?

Applications for accredited postgraduate programmes at Warwick Medical School are handled in the first instance by Postgraduate Admissions.

Postgraduate Admissions manages the full application process and makes offers based on academic recommendations provided by Warwick Medical School. The WMS portfolio teams can also offer guidance on postgraduate matters and, where appropriate, will direct applicants to other relevant University services.

Application deadlines

International applicants (full-time and part-time):
Applications must be submitted by 31 July for programmes starting in October.
UK and EU applicants:
Applications must be submitted by 31 August.

Entry requirements

The normal entry requirement is:

A first or second class honours degree (minimum 2:2) from a UK university or an equivalent overseas qualification
Appropriate professional or clinical experience

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency, in line with University requirements.

Further guidance on applying can be found via the University of Warwick postgraduate study pages.

Short courses and CPD

Warwick Medical School also offers a range of continuing professional development (CPD) programmes for healthcare and allied professionals.

Who are WMS courses for?

Warwick Medical School postgraduate courses are designed for health and social care professionals who want to develop their knowledge, skills, and professional practice through advanced academic study.

Our flexible programmes support learners at different stages of their careers. Depending on your goals and experience, you may choose to begin your studies through one of several entry routes:

A Master’s degree
A single module, also known as a Postgraduate Award (PGA)
In some subject areas, a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma

Warwick Medical School also delivers nationally recognised programmes in specialist areas, including advanced clinical practice and medical education, supporting professional development, career progression, and leadership across health and care settings.

What's involved in studying a WMS course?

Programmes are delivered through a combination of part-time, modular, and flexible learning routes, with some courses offering blended or distance learning elements. This enables you to progress at a pace that fits your personal and professional circumstances.

Academic study is organised into modules, most of which are worth 20 Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points. CATS points are the national standard for academic credit within UK higher education and reflect the volume and level of study completed.

Credits can, in some cases, be transferred between comparable postgraduate programmes at different universities. However, the acceptance of CATS points is always at the discretion of the receiving institution, in line with its academic regulations.

What about a Masters degree?

At Warwick Medical School, we recognise that many students are balancing study alongside professional, personal, and clinical commitments. Our postgraduate courses are therefore designed to be highly flexible, while also being multidisciplinary and multi-professional, helping you to develop a broader understanding of health and social care delivery across different settings.

Courses are led by experienced practitioners and academic researchers who have a strong understanding of the realities of working in healthcare. Course leaders and tutors provide ongoing academic guidance and pastoral support throughout your studies.

Building towards a qualification

You can build your learning progressively by completing modules that contribute towards a formal postgraduate qualification:

Postgraduate Award (PGA): 20 or 40 CATS
Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert): 60 CATS
Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip): 120 CATS
Master’s degree: 180 CATS

Studying for a Master’s degree

If you enrol on a Master’s programme, you will normally study a combination of core and optional modules, allowing you to tailor your learning to your professional interests. This is followed by a professional project, involving substantial independent work on a topic relevant to your area of practice.

Throughout the project, you will receive dedicated supervision and support from an appointed University supervisor.

Study duration and flexibility

Full-time Master’s degrees are normally completed in one year
Part-time Master’s degrees are typically completed over three years

This flexible structure enables you to plan and manage your study alongside work and other commitments, making postgraduate study at Warwick Medical School accessible and sustainable.

What about fees and funding?

Fees for all Warwick Medical School postgraduate courses are published on the University’s Fees and Funding pages. Please note that tuition fees are reviewed annually and may be subject to change.

Postgraduate loans

Eligible students may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Loan to help support their studies. Further information, including eligibility criteria, is available on the University’s postgraduate loan pages.

International and overseas funding

A wide range of scholarships and funding opportunities is available to postgraduate students from outside the UK. Full details can be found on the University’s scholarships pages.

Important information for NHS-funded applicants

Students whose tuition fees are being funded by an NHS Trust will usually be required to provide a purchase order (PO) number before an invoice can be raised. This is a requirement of individual NHS Trusts and not a policy of the University of Warwick.

Applicants are strongly advised to check local Trust approval and purchasing processes at an early stage to avoid delays to invoicing, enrolment, or payment.

What if I'm not seeking a postgraduate qualification?

Many of these CPD offerings are standalone courses that you can take without enrolling on a full postgraduate award. They are ideal for clinicians looking to:

Strengthen clinical or leadership skills
Refresh knowledge in specialised areas
Gain recognised credits that can contribute toward future postgraduate qualifications (subject to University regulations)
Enhance professional practice and patient outcomes

Whether delivered as short courses, stand-alone modules, or part of a structured pathway, these CPD options reflect Warwick’s commitment to flexible, accessible professional learning for healthcare teams and leaders.

If you’re not seeking a full postgraduate qualification but want to build specific skills and expertise, Warwick Medical School offers a wide range of professional training and CPD programmes designed for health and social care professionals working in a variety of clinical and organisational settings:

Can I use courses I've done in the past as credit towards a Warwick Medical School qualification?

Yes — you may be able to apply previous study or learning as credit towards a postgraduate qualification at Warwick Medical School if the learning is judged to be equivalent in level, content and academic standard to optional modules on your chosen course.

This is done through the University’s Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process, which allows you to request that prior learning is recognised and counted towards your qualification requirements.

How much credit can be awarded?

You can apply for APL for up to one third of a University of Warwick qualification.

If your previous qualification was awarded by the University of Warwick, you may be able to apply for up to 50% of the award through prior credit.

More details can be found here Recognition of Prior Learning Policy

What if my circumstances change and I can't continue with my course?

Leaving with credit

If you decide not to continue towards the qualification you originally enrolled on, you may be able to exit the course with the academic credit you have already achieved. Depending on the number of modules completed, this may result in the award of a:

Postgraduate Award
Postgraduate Certificate
Postgraduate Diploma

This allows your completed study to be formally recognised, even if you do not complete the full degree. If you wanted to return at a later date, you could then re-apply (with RPL) within 5 years of that module taking place, and start again where you left.

Taking a break from study

If you need to pause your studies temporarily, you can apply for a temporary withdrawal. This effectively ‘stops the clock’ on your registration, allowing you to take time away from your course and return at a later date.

When you resume your studies, you will be supported by the course team to continue from where you left off, subject to University regulation.

What are the IT requirements for studying at WMS?

All courses at Warwick Medical School require online access to support learning and assessment. This includes access to course materials, submission of assessed coursework, and participation in student evaluation and feedback activities.

You will be provided with a University of Warwick email account, which will be used as the primary method of communication between you, the course team, and the University.

Equipment and digital skills

Students are expected to have access to appropriate personal IT equipment, such as a laptop or tablet, and to bring this with them on days when they attend the University in person.

We also expect students to have basic IT skills appropriate for postgraduate study. To support this, the University of Warwick offers a wide range of free IT training and digital support resources to all students.

Important information for NHS employees

Students who are employed by the NHS should be aware that NHS-issued IT equipment may have firewall restrictions that limit access to some University systems. Where possible, students are advised to use personal devices to ensure full access to online learning resources and University platforms.