As a medical student, you may have encountered clinical tutors who inspired or challenged you, but have you ever wondered about becoming one?

If you are passionate about teaching, mentoring or improving the quality of learning in clinical settings, then the Master of Clinical Education (MClinEd) is the perfect degree for your intercalation. Think of it as the academic deep dive into how doctors are trained – and how they could be taught better.

At the University of East Anglia, this one-year program delves into the science of how healthcare professionals are taught and trained by covering topics such as adult learning theory, curriculum design, assessment, and educational leadership.

Recently graduated medic Clarris Paul completed her MClinEd intercalation at UEA last year. Clarris chose the course over traditional degrees such as IBSc or research MSc as she’s “been tutoring since the age of sixteen” and wanted formal training to match her passion. The prospect of paid teaching roles during the course, such as a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and seminar tutor, sealed the deal for her. Below, we have laid out a detailed breakdown of the year based on her experience and insights, along with its key pros and a few cons.

🔍Researching your options

While MClinEd is primarily offered by the University of Plymouth and the University of East Anglia (UEA), other universities across the UK also provide equivalent degrees under titles such as MSc or MA in Clinical Education.

Websites such as Intercalate.co.uk, our curated Intercalation guide, and university course pages are useful for comparing and learning about available programs.

Aside from this, Clarris spoke to students in the year above, as she says, “websites only get you so far; hearing real experiences is what makes the choice clear.“

To better understand the differences, here is a comparison table:

  MClinEd iBSc Research MSc
What it is about? The science of teaching in a clinical setting along with curriculum design and leadership. All aimed for educating and helping out healthcare professionals. An in-depth study of a selected subject from a wide range of biomedical, clinical and humanities options involving a mix of lectures and research projects. Building up of advanced research skills while exploring complex questions within a chosen area of medicine or science through independent investigation.
Who is it for? For those who want to mentor and step into educator roles. Offers paid teaching opportunities during and after the degree. For students who want to gain specialist knowledge and are aiming for research or academic medicine. For future clinician-scientists and anyone who wants a PhD over time. It builds your research credibility.
Disadvantages Not suited if you want a research heavy or science based intercalation. These courses may not develop teaching skills or include educational theory. It is mainly focused on research and very intense workload. Very few schools offer it for intercalation.

📚 How is the year organised, and what do you do?

“Unlike medical school, we had fewer contact hours on the MClinEd so the timetable felt lighter, but you take on a lot more independent study“, says Clarris. She further adds that classroom days launch the material while the real work happens in your reading, lesson prep, and assignments. The full‑time course is divided into three 12-week terms, each built around a different set of modules – some compulsory, some optional – covering everything from teaching fundamentals to educational leadership.

Enhancing Teaching,  Learning  &  Assessment

This is a teaching 101 module – where you learn the basics of lesson planning, feedback, and assessment. Each week, you work through short online materials, join a live workshop, and then apply what you’ve learned practically by designing and delivering a teaching session in your clinical setting – ward, clinic, or skills lab. You gather feedback from learners, keep a brief reflective log, and finish with a 2,500-word assignment that counts toward Associate Fellowship of Advance HE (AFHEA).

Leading Teaching,  Learning  &  Assessment

You’ll explore how clinical education is structured beyond individual sessions, examining curriculum design, assessment systems, and strategies for supporting learners across a placement, thus acting as a step-up module. Weekly workshops cover topics like curriculum mapping, OSCE blueprinting, workplace-based assessments, and how to mentor struggling students with professionalism and empathy.

Practically, you’ll work on a curriculum redesign project where you will collaborate with peers on a simulation or case-based teaching activity. Your final 6,000-word portfolio pulls it all together, so it’s demanding, but by the end, you’ve got real evidence of education leadership experience you can use in CVs and job interviews.

Introduction to Research Methods

This is your crash course in turning an education question into a publishable study. You’ll practice critiquing real papers, drafting an ethics application mock-up, and building a full protocol which would include a literature review, methodology, data plan, and impact statement. You also cover qualitative interviewing, basic statistics in R and critical appraisal, so you can read MedEd papers without glazing over. The term ends with a 4,000-word research proposal that seeds your dissertation idea.

Leading Contemporary Clinical Education

This module focuses on the big-picture issues shaping clinical education today – like digital learning, simulation, inclusivity, and interprofessional teaching. You’ll examine how technology and policy can enhance access, while also addressing barriers such as bias and structural inequality. The primary output is a 3,500-word plan for implementing an educational innovation (often tech- or equity-focused) in a clinical setting, accompanied by a brief viva or presentation.

Optional modules: Advanced research skills

Those who are interested in further research modules can choose from:

      • Further Qualitative Methods

      • Further Quantitative Methods

      • Systematic Reviews and Research Synthesis

    Whichever you choose, it’s designed to give you the right tools for your dissertation and beyond.

    Research Dissertation

    Throughout the year, you will work on an independent piece of research on medical education. Some students may conduct systematic reviews, while others may opt for primary research. “With primary research, you start from scratch – draft a protocol, submit an ethics application, advertise and recruit participants, collect your data, and finally write it all up. I found it challenging at first as it was completely new to me, but I gained valuable research skills from it and would definitely recommend getting involved in this side of education,” says Clarris.

    This final dissertation ranges from 12,000 to 15,000 words and can be submitted for journal publication or presented at educational conferences.

    Teaching Opportunities

    Clarris mentioned that all medical students intercalating in the MClinEd are offered the opportunity to work as PBL tutors (and get paid for it as a bonus), which helped her develop small-group teaching skills. She added, “I also worked as a research seminar tutor, which helped me build confidence in teaching larger groups.”

    ✍️How Do I Apply?

      1. Apply internally to your university to secure permission from your university to intercalate externally.
      2. Check entry and document requirements, UEA’s are:

           

            • Completion of at least two years of medical school

            • Medical School Transcript: To check your academic and professional standing

            • Reference from your university (ask for it early on!): one academic or professional reference provided by a clinical supervisor, faculty tutor, or MedEd program lead that confirms you’ve arranged or are currently in a teaching role.

            • Personal statement

            • CV (optional, but helps if you have prior teaching experience)

        •  

        💡Tip: Begin your prep early and contact any referees several months in advance and gather any evidence of your teaching experience.

        ⚖️Pros and Cons

        According to Clarris, the main advantages are:

            • Less Academic Workload: She said it is less intense than medical school, calling it a nice break while still feeling productive and engaged.

            • Research Skills: Although she hadn’t enjoyed research in medical school, MClinEd helped her build these skills from scratch. Clarris was able to submit an abstract to the Association for the Study of Medical Education and even flew to Edinburgh to present it.

            • Master’s and teaching qualification in one year: Through the course, you get a Master’s degree and can count toward Associate Fellowship (AFHEA) or even Fellowship (FHEA) of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE). That’s something most doctors only get years into their careers.

            • Real-world paid teaching experience: You can become a PBL or seminar tutor, giving a head start in small and large group teaching, which is a bonus for your CV, while you are also being paid. Publications through your dissertation: many students turn their dissertations into journal articles or conference presentations. So, besides being a tick-box, it can launch your academic portfolio.

          There are very few disadvantages, and even these vary by person:

              • Writing-Heavy: There are no exams, but the assignments are frequent and wordy: reflective essays, research proposals, portfolios, and the dissertation.

              • Heavy on self-directed teaching: With fewer timetabled hours, the MClinEd relies heavily on self-study. Thus, you will need to be disciplined with your time, especially around dissertation season.

              • Smaller Cohort: Compared to intercalation degrees, such as iBScs, the cohorts are small. It may be great for support, but if you’re craving a buzzing university experience and social circle, it can feel quiet.

              • Less science, more theory: If you’re someone who loves physiology, pharmacology or hard clinical content, MClinEd might feel like a detour into education theory, sociology, and policy.

            🚀Impact on your career

            In medicine, having an MClinEd, iBSc, or research MSc isn’t compulsory. These are optional degrees that add significant value to your career, portfolio, and personal development.

            It is a known fact that applying for residency in a desired speciality means facing the competition to secure a spot. So this is where these degrees can give you a competitive edge and boost your skills and experience. With just one year of study, MClinEd demonstrates your commitment to teaching, leadership and academic growth, all of which are qualities that would make you stand out in residency applications as well as future educator roles. Thus, while it is not a mandatory degree, it is highly valued.

            💭Final Thoughts

            MClinEd helped Clarris confirm her passion for a career in education as she says, “It’s helped me to confirm that I want to immerse myself in a career in education“. It allowed her to develop skills, knowledge and personal growth. Her advice to anyone considering it? “Go for it – I had so much fun during my time there. And make sure you immerse yourself in all the different opportunities available to you – I’m sure it will be fruitful!“.

            📚Resources

                • Searchable database of intercalated degrees across UK medical schools: Intercalate

               

              Thanks for reading. If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to share them below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!

              Reviewed by Dr Clarris Paul

              Dr. Clarris Paul graduated from the University of East Anglia (UEA) and completed an intercalated degree there, achieving a Distinction.