Child Health PgCert

This programme in Child Health reflects the need for the NHS to deliver basic academic training in paediatrics to all trainees in Scotland, and to formally cover the level 2 Framework of Competencies for Training in Paediatrics outlined by the accrediting body, Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health (RCPCH).

  • The Certificate in Child Health is run jointly by the University of Glasgow and NHS Education for Scotland.
  • Scottish Deaneries have offered support to this programme, and will request that all paediatric trainees in their Level 2 Specialist Training complete this programme as part of their professional training.
  • If you are a doctor in a training programme for paediatrics currently working as a Specialist Trainee (ST) in the UK, this programme is designed for you: in particular for ST trainees post-MRCPCH who are in ST years 3, 4 or 5. The programme may also be useful for suitably qualified overseas applicants.
  • You will gain a qualification which, in conjunction with appropriate clinical training, will satisfy the General Medical Council / RCPCH and allow you to move on to your Level 3 training.

Programme overview

  • PgCert: 12-24 months part-time

The Certificate is a mix of online and face-to-face teaching. Twenty 6-hour days of face-to-face teaching are delivered through the academic year, and these are supplemented by online lectures, formative exercises and compulsory reading. This allows a collegiate atmosphere to develop with less disruption to clinical experience. This certificate course will reward the trainees 60 units of credit on completion.

The content is split into five compulsory sections

  • Public health, mental health, child protection and looked after children (LAC)
  • Growth, nutrition, metabolic, gastroenterology, diabetes and endocrine
  • Development, neurology and senses
  • Respiratory and cardiovascular
  • Infectious disease, immunology, renal, haematology, oncology, rheumatology and adolescent medicine.

A trainee must take all sections spanning a maximum of four academic years but typically over two years although some trainees will manage to complete all section during one academic year.

Further information: Professor David Tappin
email: david.tappin@glasgow.ac.uk

Academic entry requirements

You must have a degree in medicine with membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health.

You must provide evidence of MRCPCH, a first medical degree and a CV (resume).

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

Further information regarding academic entry requirements: student.recruitment@glasgow.ac.uk

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

  • overall score 6.5
  • no sub-test less than 6.0
  • or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
     

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

  • ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
  • CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
  • CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
  • PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

FAQs

What do I do if...

my language qualifications are below the requirements?

The University's Language Centre offers a range of Pre-Sessional Courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching; see Links.

my language qualifications are not listed here?

Please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

my academic qualifications are below the requirements?

Glasgow International College offers Foundation courses to upgrade your academic qualifications.

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

For 2013-14

PgCert

Home and EU fees only - £1000