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Performing Arts Medicine (by DL) PG Cert

Distance learning programme

Assessing a performing artist requires specialised skills and the ability to associate health issues with their particular artistic activity. This distance-learning PG Cert Performing Arts Medicine is for people already involved in health services, health education or performance science, who want to work with musicians, dancers, actors, circus artists and other performers.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
Fees to be confirmed
£6,200
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
Fees to be confirmed
£12,200
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
Not applicable
1 academic year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
All applicants: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A primary medical qualification (MBBS or equivalent) or a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university in a relevant discipline (e.g. medicine, physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic, nursing, sports science, biomedical sciences, athletic training) or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. A second-class Bachelor's degree (or the overseas equivalent) in psychology, speech therapy, or performance science is also acceptable for the PG Cert.

The English language level for this course is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

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

Equivalent qualifications

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. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


This PG Cert Performing Arts Medicine is ideal for students who want to learn more about performers' physical and mental wellbeing.

Offered as a distance-learning programme over one or two years, the course covers areas such as performance psychology, environment, and lifestyle issues, travelling and touring and other occupational risk factors in performance. You will also delve into dance, circus, instrumental music and voice performance science as well as the acting training and career and explore health promotion and health education practices within the arts.

If you have a clinical background, the programme provides the ideal foundation for our Diploma or MSc in Performing Arts Medicine. You can upgrade to this later if you choose to.

You will become part of a cohort from all over the world and benefit from the culture and wealth of experience this brings. When you graduate, you will join an international alumni community, with academic bonds spanning many countries.

Who this course is for

We welcome students from backgrounds in medicine, physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic medicine, manual medicine, nursing, sports therapy, athletic training or biomedical sciences, as well as psychology, speech therapy or performance sciences. If you are trained in another field. we will review your application individually. We may suggest additional short course training before we offer you a place.

With our distance learning delivery, we welcome students from all over the world to join our diverse international student cohort.

We offer Zoom chats for prospective students. If you wish to meet with us, email dsis.performingarts@ucl.ac.uk and we will set up a call.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities:

  • Broad knowledge of a wide range of art forms and their demands on performers, and how these impact their wellbeing.
  • Specialised skills you can apply to your own professional practice.
  • The understanding and skills needed to work in performing arts clinics in various settings, including conservatoires, drama, music, circus, dance or musical theatre colleges, as well as professional companies and orchestras.
  • An extensive curriculum updated regularly based on evidence-based literature.
  • The choice of studying one-year full time or on a modular/flexible pathway over two years.
  • Teaching by UK and international lecturers who are experts in their field.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

This programme will give you the knowledge to understand and address the demands, needs and issues experienced by people working in the performing arts.

When you graduate, you will be part of a tight network of professionals from a variety of backgrounds that promotes and expands awareness and evidence-based knowledge in performing arts medicine.

You will have the chance to participate in the delivery of future performing arts medicine courses and short courses, and in further research.

Employability

You will graduate with highly valued knowledge and experience and become part of an ever-growing healthcare community with a common interest in the wellbeing of the performer.

You will develop specialised skills you can incorporate into your professional practice, or participate in performing arts clinics in various settings, including drama, music, circus, dance, or musical theatre colleges as well as professional companies and orchestras. Some graduates go on to find roles as educators in performing arts medicine.

If you want to progress onto further academic study or research, we will offer you the guidance you need to achieve this.

Networking

There are many opportunities to network through our cross-disciplinary departments and research centres. We offer online and live events where you can meet and hear from researchers, performers and experts in the field. We also encourage students to broaden their skills and expand their networks by attending and participating at conferences.

Teaching and learning

This programme is delivered through pre-recorded and live virtual lectures, online discussions, and journal clubs. You will also have access to useful resources and activities within our virtual learning environment.

Assessment is through online coursework, such as presentations, essays, blogs and forum participation.

For each module, you have roughly three contact hours per week over the first two terms, alongside 2-3 hours of self-directed learning hours per week. You will also dedicate time to preparing for assessments, leading to a total time commitment of 600 hours to complete the award.

Modules

On the part-time programme, you will complete four compulsory modules in one academic year:

  • Occupational Risk Factors in Performance
  • Performance Psychology
  • Science of Instrumental Music and Voice Performance
  • Science of Dance and Circus Performance.

All modules will be delivered online, with two modules in term one and two modules in term two. The rest of the academic year is used for assessment and examinations.

On the modular/flexible pathway, you will attend four modules over two academic years.

  • Occupational Risk Factors in Performance
  • Performance Psychology
  • Science of Instrumental Music and Voice Performance
  • Science of Dance and Circus Performance.

You will be able to choose which module you take in each term.

Module delivery and assessment dates are fixed for all students.

Compulsory modules






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 are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

The Postgraduate Certificate consists of four core taught modules (60 credits). Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Performing Arts Medicine (by DL).

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

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Join us for the online Graduate Open Event for the MSc in Sports Medicine, Exercise, and Health. Discover how our programme covers sports injury management, exercise physiology, and chronic disease prevention. Hear from programme leads and current students, and explore career opportunities in sports and exercise medicine. Ideal for those with a primary degree in medicine, physiotherapy, or sports science. Don't miss this chance to learn more and ask questions!

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Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) Fees to be confirmed £6,200
Tuition fees (2026/27) Fees to be confirmed £12,200

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's 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: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

The core textbooks for all modules are available in the UCL Libraries and journal articles in your reading lists are also mostly available electronically from our e-resources. Some students like to purchase their own textbooks or to print course documents. We suggest allowing approximately £200 per year for this.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

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

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

There is an application processing fee for this course of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Performing Arts Medicine at graduate level
  • why you want to study Performing Arts Medicine at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree.

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. We may contact you for a short interview if we feel we need more information from you.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Division of Surgery and Interventional Science
Division of Surgery and Interventional Science

dsis.performingarts@ucl.ac.uk

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