Remote and Rural Medicine MSc/PGDip/PGCert

Whether you practise medicine in a rural primary care setting, a small district general hospital far from regional centres, or care for patients in much more remote or austere environments our MSc Rural Medicine course is designed to give GPs and other healthcare professionals the confidence and skills to provide the best care irrespective of the distances involved.

When you’re a GP or other healthcare professional, you need to be able to deal with whatever you encounter. This course will equip you with the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to operate successfully in a rural environment.

From the better-known primary care conditions, through to life-saving interventions in hostile environments, you’ll be trained to enhance care and improve outcomes. Remote settings present challenges to any healthcare professional – it’s all very good being able to diagnose sepsis in the community, but unless you can treat it, all you’ve done is delayed the care and increased the mortality. By implementing the skills you learn into your everyday practice, you’ll make a positive difference to patient care in remote and rural areas.

This course is based at our Westlakes Campus, located in Whitehaven in Cumbria. You'll benefit from smaller class sizes and personalised support in a friendly, close-knit environment. If you're looking for a refreshing change of lifestyle and opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors and endless leisure opportunities, then you'll love your time at Westlakes. The campus offers a bright, modern learning environment, with access to clinical laboratories, a well-stocked library, computer suite and restaurant. Being based in Westlakes also opens up opportunities for placements in rural communities. At weekends you'll be free to venture into the Lake District, England's largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Why study with us

• Teaching takes place in the stunning surroundings of West Cumbria – you’ll be taught at the National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine (NCRRM), based at our Westlakes campus near Whitehaven.
• You can choose to study this course in ‘bite-size chunks’ to enable you to enjoy a good work-life balance.
• You’ll be taught by an experienced team of academic staff, clinicians, leaders and managers who are experts in their fields.

Future careers

Achieving the MSc Rural Medicine demonstrates your interest and commitment to this area of clinical practice.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements: Have completed at least Year 3 MBChB (MBBS) qualification or be a Nurse, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Physician Associate, Paramedic or Physiotherapist. Applications from other allied health professionals will be considered.