How do I apply for the PGCert 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?
To apply, visit the Graduate Admissions website. Please read the Application Guide before starting an application. The earlier you apply, the higher the likelihood of being eligible for scholarships and the more likely it is that the Graduate Admissions team will be able to let you know if any items are missing in your application.
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.
For further details and instructions on submitting the PGCert application, please visit the University of Oxford's Graduate Admissions website.
Applications open early September each year. Applications submitted by early December are more likely to receive earlier decisions, though applications are accepted up until late February each year. Applications may remain open after the last deadline if places are still available.
Interested in applying for a standalone short course?
Complete this form to apply for a standalone short course.
The application deadline for students applying for standalone courses is typically three weeks before the start of the standalone course, assuming space remains available.
By applying for a standalone course, you agree to the following:
- You are able to commit 20 hours to preparatory activity in the two week prior to the module's in-person teaching week in Oxford
- You are able to attend the teaching week in Oxford in full – 9am-5.30pm, Monday-Friday
- You understand that the module does not confer CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points
- You understand that it may not be possible to submit a module assignment (see below)
Module assignment and certificate
If you complete the preparatory activities and attend all sessions during the in-person teaching week, you will receive a Certificate of Attendance
If you wish to submit the assignment for the module, please state this in your application. You will then need to provide an academic referee whom we can contact if necessary.
The assignment has a 4000-word limit and is a piece of academic writing – in other words, written in an academic style and drawing on published research and articles as required. The assignment is based on applying the concepts and methods covered during the module to a quality problem in your workplace. If you are not working in, or otherwise have ready access to, a healthcare setting, it is not possible to submit an assignment.
The assignment will be due approximately five weeks after the end of the taught week. Achieving a pass mark will entitle you to receive a Certificate of Completion.
If you have questions about a standalone course application, including module dates, please email ssp@nds.ox.ac.uk.
Oxford Open Grand Rounds
Join our Oxford Open Grand Rounds, a series of virtual events featuring core concepts from the course. Open to all.
Interested in hearing the basics?
Watch our Programme Information Event.
If you have questions, please email ssp@nds.ox.ac.uk
Application deadlines
Each year, there are three application deadlines in November, January, and March. See the Graduate Admissions page for application deadlines.
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: