Postgraduate Certificate in Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
Gain the skills to make services safer, more reliable and better for patients
When and how do I apply?
All information related to admissions, deadlines, and the application process can be found on the University of Oxford’s Graduate Admissions website. Please read the Application Guide before starting an application. If you submit your application early, the Graduate Admissions team will be able to let you know if any items are missing. Applications must be fully completed by the relevant deadline in order to be considered. Clinical and non-clinical applicants are welcome. To be eligible for the course, you will need to:
- hold a first-class or upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in an appropriate subject;
- have a demonstrated interest in patient safety and/or quality improvement, evidenced by prior experience, interest, and work;
- provide evidence of a senior supporter from their home institution - this will normally be a referee for the individual;
- have the ability to commit time to the study and an employer’s commitment to make time available to study; and
- be proficient in English including the ability to write academic English to a good standard.
Applications open early September 2025. Applications submitted by 12:00 midday UK time on 14 November 2025 are more likely to receive earlier decisions. 28 January 2026 is the latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships. Applications may remain open after this deadline is places are still available.
The application deadline for students applying for standalone courses is typically eight weeks before the start of the standalone course. However, places on standalone modules are currently full. Therefore, applications for standalone modules are not being accepted this year. Sign up to our mailing list to stay abreast of standalone module information, including applications.
For further details and instructions on submitting the PGCert application, please visit the University of Oxford's Graduate Admissions website.
Join our Oxford Open Grand Rounds, a series of virtual events featuring core concepts from the course. Open to all.
Our previous and upcoming events include:
- What's next for AI in surgery?
- Human Factors as an essential pillar for progress in healthcare
Application deadlines
Each year, there are three application deadlines in November, January, and March. See the Graduate Admissions page for application deadlines.
If you have questions, please email ssp@nds.ox.ac.uk.
Interested in similar courses?
Have a look at our MSc in Surgical Science and Practice or any of the similar programmes across the University of Oxford: