Anatomical Sciences PgDip, PgCert, PgProfDev (Online Learning) The University of Edinburgh

The Anatomical Sciences programme is a unique opportunity for students who want to explore aspects of human anatomy through the flexibility of an online learning programme.

This is a postgraduate-level qualification for medical, biomedical, and allied health professionals and those in holistic practice with an interest in human anatomy. The programme draws upon the highly regarded teaching and research staff within the University.

Our programme in Anatomical Sciences is delivered entirely online and consequently relies on the use of IT, for example through the use of email, audio-visual material, discussion forums and various other interactive resources. All of our courses use innovative teaching methods to provide students with key transferable skills in addition to a solid foundation of anatomical knowledge.

Our online learning system lets you work entirely from your own home location. This will enhance your learning experience and working knowledge while rewarding you with a highly regarded qualification.

Online learning

Our online learning technology is fully interactive, and award-winning and enables you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from your own home or working environment.

Our online students not only have access to the University’s excellent resources but also become part of a supportive online community, bringing together students and tutors from around the world.

The University of Edinburgh is currently ranked 15th in the World in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

This programme has been designed not only to help you gain a highly regarded qualification but also to provide you with a set of major transferable skills, which will be relevant to your current career, further study or simply increase your long-term career prospects.

Programme description

We have a variety of flexible study options available to undertake a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Professional Development in Anatomical Sciences.

PG Certificate (1 year part-time, 2 years intermittent study)

Courses include:

• Fundamental Human Anatomy 1 - including the upper and lower limbs, back and pelvis
• Fundamental Human Anatomy 2 - including thorax, abdomen, head and neck
• Embryology - human development
• Neuroanatomy - nervous system

PG Diploma (2 years part-time, 4 years intermittent study)

In addition to completing all the Certificate courses in Year 1, you will extend your anatomical knowledge with courses in:

• Advanced Human Anatomy 1 - more detailed study of anatomy previously examined incorporating anatomical principles
• Advanced Human Anatomy 2
• Histology - microscopic anatomy

And course options in:

• Imaging - modalities that are relevant to anatomical sciences
• Reflections on Professional Development
• Visualising Human Anatomy – understanding visualisation techniques in relation to anatomy education and the relationship between art and anatomy
• Artificial Organs – examining how anatomy can be replicated using bioengineering techniques

Each of the taught courses has a set of modules that are released to students on a timed basis from our virtual learning environment.

A typical module structure consists of:

• a recorded lecture to introduce the topic
• interactive content (video/animated/narrative)
• a set of resource links to course reading - library and research
• a discussion board facilitated by a tutor
• a set of questions (MCQs) which students can take at the end of each section - there are formative and do not contribute to the final mark

Postgraduate Professional Development

Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their knowledge through a postgraduate-level course(s), without the time or financial commitment of a full Master, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate.

You may take a maximum of 50 credits worth of courses over two years through our PPD scheme. These lead to a University of Edinburgh postgraduate award of academic credit.

Alternatively, after one year of taking courses, you can choose to transfer your credits and continue on to studying towards a higher award on a Master, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme.

Although PPD courses have various start dates throughout the year you may only start a Master, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme in the month of September.

Any time spent studying PPD will be deducted from the amount of time you will have left to complete a Master, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme.

Flexible study

The programme also offers the opportunity to take:

• a Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits), either part-time over 9 months or on an intermittent basis over 2 years; or
• a Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits), either part-time over 21 months or on an intermittent basis over 4 years.