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Clinical Neurology (by Distance Learning) PG Dip

The world's first distance learning Diploma in Clinical Neurology, is led by experts based at Queen Square in London, a world-renowned centre for clinical neurology and neuroscience, and delivered fully online. This programme will enrich and enhance the knowledge and portfolio of doctors with an interest in neurology.

Covid-19 programme updates

Due to COVID-19, there may have been updates to this programme for the 2020 academic year. Where there has been an update, these are indicated with a red alert and a link which will provide further information.

Key information

Programme starts

September 2020

Modes and duration

Flexible: up to 5 years
Distance learning: available

Application dates

September 2020 entry
Open: 1 November 2019
Close: 11 August 2020
Notification
Due to the large number of applications received, this programme is no longer accepting applications for 2020/21 entry. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Applications for 2021/22 entry will open later in the year.

Tuition fees (2020/21)

UK/EU:
Overseas:


Note on fees: The tuition fees in 2020/21 are £8,010 (UK/EU) and £10,860 (Overseas). Fees for flexible, modular study are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website.

Location: Distance learning programme

Entry requirements

A first degree in Medicine (MBBS) or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants must hold registration with the UK General Medical Council (GMC), or be fully registered in their home country.

English language requirements

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.

The English language level for this programme is: Standard

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

International students

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.

Select your country:

About this degree

All students will learn the fundamentals of neurological diseases, including stroke, epilepsy, movement disorders, headaches, dementia demyelinating, inflammatory and infectious disorders, and neoplasms of CNS.

As well as acquiring skills for neurological examinations and diagnostics that are applicable in day-to-day clinical practice.

Students undertake modules to the value of 120 credits.

The Postgraduate Diploma consists of eight core modules (120 credits). A minimum number of two modules need to be selected within one academic year, this includes taking all assessments for those modules.

Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Clinical Neurology (by Distance Learning).

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Compulsory modules

  • Stroke, Epilepsy and Rehabilitation – Basic
  • Neurodegenerative, Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases of the Nervous System – Basic
  • Neurology and Neurosurgery – Basic
  • Common Problems in Neurological Practice – Basic
  • Stroke, Epilepsy and Rehabilitation – Advanced
  • Neurodegenerative, Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases of the Nervous System – Advanced
  • Neurology and Neurosurgery – Advanced
  • Common Problems in Neurology Practice – Advanced

Optional modules

Currently we do not have any optional modules

Covid-19 module updates
Due to COVID-19, there may be updates to the modules for your chosen programme of study this year. Some modules may not be available or may need to be moved to a later term or year of study. These updates are relevant for 2020-21 academic year only.  The full list of modules will be available in the module catalogue from late August.  From the first week of September, you will be invited to complete module selection from Portico, our student record system. There may need to be additional updates or changes to modules during the academic year to allow for new guidance from the UK Government and Public Health England. Your department shall keep you updated of these changes as they become available.

Dissertation/report

Not applicable

Teaching and learning

Teaching and learning is delivered through online sessions with a multimedia approach and interactive features such as videos, interactive graphs and tables, as well as illustrations and text. Learning through real-world case examples is encouraged. Assessment is through multiple choice questions, structured case reviews and tutor assessments.

Covid-19 contact hours on campus
In Term One, while campus will be open, all the learning activity for the core content of your modules will take place online – including lectures, tutorials, seminars and assessments. By “core content” we mean everything you need to learn to complete the module successfully. In addition to these online contact hours, we will be offering some face-to-face educational activities for students on campus, and we will provide alternative online activities for those students unable to join us on campus. These activities, which will include contact with academic staff, will be relevant to your programme of study may include seminars, academic and employability skills workshops, small-group or individual tutorials, lab and practice-based teaching. UK Government safety guidelines will limit the amount of ‘in person’ activity we can offer and while it will vary from programme to programme, is likely to be no more than 1-2 hours per week. This will vary across departments, particularly if your programme includes laboratory/practical/studio/workshop sessions. You will be updated with more specific details as they are available and your timetable will indicate which sessions will be on campus and which will be available online.
Covid-19 assessment updates
There may be changes to the format of assessments for modules in this programme due to COVID-19. These will be summarised for each module on the module catalogue from 17 August 2020.   If any changes to assessments need to be made during the academic year due to updates in government guidance, these will be communicated to you as soon as possible from your department.    
Communicating further Covid-19 mitigation plans
We are continuing to follow UK Government guidance, as well as the expertise of our researchers, including specialists in health, education, human behaviour and infection prevention, to make sure UCL is as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. If it becomes necessary to make further changes to your programme as a result of new guidance/regulations, UCL and your department will communicate these as soon as this becomes clear. We will keep you up-to-date with our plans throughout term one, so you have the information you need to be able to take decisions that are right for your circumstances. Please ensure that you keep in touch with your department by regularly checking your UCL emails, Moodle courses, the Coronavirus FAQs for Students page and any UCL online groups or social media you follow.

Additional costs

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

Funding

Currently we do not have any scholarships for the distance learning programmes in Clinical Neurology.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Careers

This programme provides an excellent basis for a clinical career in clinical neurology and related disciplines.

Employability

Doctors can increase their chances of getting into formal training. Qualified neurologists can enhance their international exposure. GPs or physicians and specialists in stroke, geriatrics, psychiatry, and paediatrics can develop their sub-specialist interest in neurology. The Postgraduate Diploma is one of the neurology specialist skills courses for Acute Internal Medicine trainees in the UK.

Why study this degree at UCL?

This unique Clinical Neurology Diploma by distance learning has been developed by neurology experts based at Queen Square, a world-renowned neurological centre, where four of the top 12 most highly-cited authors working worldwide in neuroscience and behaviour work. 

With its concentration of clinical and applied scientific activity the UCL Institute of Neurology is a unique national resource for postgraduate training and research in neurology.

A Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Neurology (by Distance Learning) has been running very successfully since 2012 and has over 80 students enrolled from all over the world. This flexible learning programme enables students to access teaching sessions at any time in any location, through the internet. Flexible timing means that the programme can be completed at a speed suitable for the individual student. The online programme is supplemented by contact with a programme tutor.

Department: UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology

Application and next steps

Applications

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £80 for online applications and £105 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.

Who can apply?

Early career doctors aiming for neurology or neurosurgery training, trainees, as well as qualified neurologists looking to update their neurology skills are ideally suited to apply for this programme. The degree can help GPs or physicians with background training in general or acute medicine, stroke, geriatrics, psychiatry, paediatrics to enhance their sub-speciality interest in neurology.

Application deadlines

September 2020 entry
11 August 2020

Applications are accepted throughout the year. Candidates can start the Diploma at three points of entry: January, April, or September. 


For more information see our Applications page.

Apply now

What are we looking for?

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • Why you want to study Clinical Neurology
  • What particularly attracts you to the programme
  • How you think you might manage the demands of a distance learning programme
  • How this qualification might help you in your future clinical career, bearing in mind that this degree is not a direct entry route into neurology training

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.

Page last modified on 13 August 2020