Family Medicine (Online Learning) MFM

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: Medicine

Year of entry: 2027

Study options

Mode of study

Online learning

Part-time
  • MFM | 3 years | Start date: September 2027
Part-time intermittent study
  • MFM | up to 6 years | Start date: September 2027

Key facts

School

Edinburgh Medical School

College

College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine

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Open Days on Demand

Dive into an extensive selection of programme-specific session recordings hosted by our Academic and Professional Services staff.


About the degree programme

If you are passionate about improving primary healthcare and making a difference to the patients and communities you serve, the Master of Family Medicine (MFM) will help you develop the knowledge, confidence and leadership skills to advance your practice and career.

Through flexible, part-time online study, you will develop advanced skills in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, leadership and research. You will apply your learning directly to your own professional setting, exploring challenges such as multimorbidity, non-communicable diseases and health inequity.

Building on the University of Edinburgh’s long history of advancing academic primary care, you will learn from experienced family doctors, educators and researchers. You will also study alongside healthcare professionals from around the world, sharing perspectives and practical approaches from different healthcare systems while building an international professional network.

Why study the Master of Family Medicine?

  • Study at a university with a long history of advancing primary care, including establishing the world’s first academic department of general practice.
  • Apply your learning through workplace-based research or quality improvement relevant to your professional setting.
  • Choose a research or quality improvement pathway aligned with your interests and career goals.
  • Learn alongside healthcare professionals from around the world and gain insights into different approaches to family medicine.
  • Engage with family doctors and researchers contributing to primary care education, research and policy at national and international levels.

Whether you want to improve patient care, lead service development, contribute to research, influence primary healthcare policy or strengthen family medicine in your community, the MFM can support you to develop the skills and experience to pursue these goals.

Study options

This part-time, fully online programme is spread over three years.

  • Year 1 with a Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
  • Year 2 with a Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
  • Year 3 with a Master of Family Medicine (180 credits) 

Programme rankings

Study at a university ranked 22nd in the world for Medicine (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026), joining a community recognised internationally for excellence in medical education and research. 

Programme benefits

  • Apply your learning in practice by developing evidence-based, practical solutions that can improve patient care and strengthen primary healthcare in your own setting.
  • Develop the confidence to lead change, using quality improvement, research and critical thinking to influence services, colleagues and healthcare systems.
  • Build the confidence and academic skills to undertake research, critically evaluate evidence and communicate your ideas effectively through academic writing.
  • Study flexibly while continuing to work, with part-time online learning designed to fit around your professional and personal commitments.
  • Learn from experienced family doctors, educators and researchers, while benefiting from international perspectives that broaden your understanding of family medicine across different healthcare systems.
  • Join a global community of practice, collaborating with healthcare professionals from around the world, sharing ideas and building lasting professional networks.

As a person who has done both vocational and online training, I have experienced the tremendous advantages of both forms of training. The MFM course greatly helped shape my growth as a clinician and academician through skills such as reflective learning, academic writing, and networking opportunities. I therefore believe that family medicine residents will greatly benefit from expanding their understanding of the specialty, personal growth, and professional excellence by enrolling in MFM.

Dr Ian Kibet Master of Family Medicine, current student
A doctor with a stethoscope round his neck, with a lab coat on, standing against a brown fence.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Part-time
Part-time intermittent study

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Deposit

You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme.

Costs

Additional programme costs

Students will require a computer and internet access. There are no other mandatory additional costs. 

In recent years, a Family Medicine Summer School has been available to students and alumni. This is not compulsory or credit bearing. If attending then this will incur an additional optional cost.  

Funding opportunities

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Online Learning Scholarships

The University offers several scholarships specifically for online, part-time postgraduate programmes. These are very competitive. We publish data on the success rate for scholarship applications to help you understand the level of demand.

Scholarships will be awarded to outstanding candidates, and will be applied toward tuition fees.

Learn more about Online Learning Scholarships

Scholarship application success rates

The Glenmore Postgraduate Scholarship

Four scholarships are available for eligible postgraduate programmes offered by the University.  The scholarships will cover full tuition fees for the duration of the programme of study.

Glenmore Postgraduate Scholarship

If you live in the UK, you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan for online study from one of the UK’s governments.

If you intend to apply for a UK government loan you should apply for the 3-year Masters option.

View details: UK government loans

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

These entry requirements are for the 2027-28 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2028-29 academic year will be published in early Oct 2027.

Qualifications

An accredited medical degree (MBChB) or its international equivalent) is required.

We may also consider applicants who are in a profession allied to medicine or have relevant work experience in a clinical context. Please contact the programme team to check before you apply.

International equivalent qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test (restrictions apply)
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English (restrictions apply)
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition) before 21 January 2026: total 92 with 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition) from 21 January 2026: total 4.5 with at least 4.5 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 6 in each component. We do not accept Oxford ELLT Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 145 with at least 135 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

Over three years of part-time online study, you will progressively develop advanced knowledge and skills in family medicine before specialising in either research or quality improvement. Throughout the programme, you will apply your learning to your own clinical setting, culminating in an independent project relevant to your professional practice. 

Compulsory courses

Year 1: Core foundations
  • Foundations of Family Medicine: Introduction to the key concepts and historical development of the specialty.
  • Professionalism in Family Practice: Learn about the principles of ethics and professionalism and how to apply these to your own practice.
  • Applying Evidence-Based Practice in Family Medicine: Enhance your ability to apply scientific evidence to clinical practice.
Year 2: Specialised practice

At the start of Year 2, you will choose between the following option courses, which provide a focus on research or quality improvement:

  • Family Medicine Research Methods: Learn about research methods in preparation for a dissertation in the final year.
  • Methodologies to Improve Family Medicine Practice: Learn about quality improvement for clinical practice in preparation for a quality improvement project in the final year.

All students will then complete the following compulsory course:

  • Applying the Family Medicine Approach Throughout Every Stage of Life: Apply the principles taught in Year 1 of the programme across the lifecycle of the patient, family and community.

The course incorporates teaching on:

  • health promotion and disease prevention
  • maternal and child health
  • infectious diseases
  • non-communicable diseases
  • mental health
  • care of the elderly
  • palliative care

You will have the opportunity to focus on areas of personal interest or relevance to your practice.

Year 3: Research and application

You will be given the choice of how you want to complete year 3.

Project

The project gives the student an opportunity to pursue a topic in-depth and to develop skills in independent enquiry related to the improvement of family medicine. Most students carry out a quality improvement project in clinical practice. There is also the option of a desk-based project. The project runs for two semesters in the final year and will be supplemented by a 10-week elective course.

Dissertation

The dissertation enables students to carry out a research project over the final year of the programme. Different research options are available depending on the needs of the student.

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Part-time
Part-time intermittent study

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

There will be online activities such as discussion forums and group work that will augment the teaching. There is also a live and interactive lecture once each week, usually around midday UK time, so that you have direct contact with your tutors. Each of these tutorials is recorded for those who cannot attend.

Each online learning course runs for 10 or 20 weeks. There are reading weeks every five weeks when there is no formal teaching. 

Assessment

Assessments will be included as part of each of the taught courses of the masters programme. There are normally two assessments per course. 

A range of assessments will be employed, including essay writing, case studies and group work. You will prepare for the final assessment through formative work during the course.

There are no written or practical examinations within the programme.

Learning outcomes

  • Apply the principles of family medicine to deliver compassionate, person-centred, evidence-based care in diverse healthcare settings.
  • Evaluate and improve the quality of family medicine practice through critical reflection, evidence-based practice, research and quality improvement.
  • Lead and influence the development of family medicine and primary healthcare by promoting innovation, collaboration and positive change in local, national and international contexts.
  • Collaborate within a global community of family medicine professionals, sharing knowledge and contributing to stronger primary healthcare systems and the achievement of Universal Health Coverage.

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.  

How we support you

Our academic staff

The teaching team are experienced family medicine practitioners, academics and educators. We are supported by administrative and student support staff. Visiting tutors, who are often prominent family doctors in the field, are also invited to contribute.

Dr Robin Ramsay, Clinical Programme Director

Dr Ramsay helped to establish the MFM in 2014, and has led the development of the programme since then. He is a practicing Family Doctor with 20 years of experience. Dr Ramsay has a passion for Family Medicine and its contribution to Global Health and has lived experience in primary care settings in the Philippines, Nepal and Uganda. He has worked with the RCGP(UK) international team and with WONCA. He is the current recipient of the WONCA Europe 5-star Doctor Award.

Professor Liz Grant, Programme Director

Professor Liz Grant is an Assistant Principal (Global Health) and Director of the Global Health Academy at the University of Edinburgh. She has extensive experience as an educator having led the development of a suite of global health MSc programmes and a Global Health PhD programme. Her research interests span planetary health and palliative care in contexts of poverty and conflict. She is a co-director of the University of Edinburgh’s Global Compassion Initiative. 

Professor David Weller, Programme Director

Professor Weller is the Professor of General Practice at the University of Edinburgh. He continues to practice as a family doctor at Mackenzie Medical Centre, a clinic run by the University for the local population. His main research interests are cancer, ‘medically unexplained symptoms’, and evidence-based primary care. His work in cancer focuses on the role of primary care in screening, early diagnosis and management.  

Matt Newlands and Katy Reid, Programme Administrators

The programme is supported by a team of administrators. Matt and Katy are both experienced administrators who have primary responsibility for supporting our students.

Programme Team - academic and administrative staff

How online learning works

This degree programme is taught entirely online. There is no need to come to the city or University campus. 

All learning and teaching takes place within our virtual learning environment (VLE). Through the VLE, you can: 

  • access all your learning materials and study resources, including e-books and library resources
  • interact with your tutors and classmates 

An online degree from the University of Edinburgh is academically equivalent to an on-campus postgraduate degree and involves the same level of work overall. The qualification you get is of equal value. Your degree certificate will not mention that you studied the programme online.

Watch our video to see how online learning works.

Time commitment

This programme is designed to be fully flexible to fit around your schedule. You can study in your own time and access all your learning resources from anywhere in the world.  

The programme is part-time, requiring approximately 10-15 hours of study per week. This allows you to manage your studies alongside your professional and personal responsibilities effectively. 

Equipment and software needs

To study this online programme, you will need access to:   

  • a computer or laptop  
  • the internet  
  • the latest version of a web browser  

As an online student, you will have access to a range of software you can download to help you complete your coursework, including Microsoft Office 365. 

IT support is available if you have technical difficulties.  

IT and computing help

Opportunities to attend in person

Our programme is 100% online and there is no requirement to travel. 

In recent years the programme team have provided a summer school in Edinburgh. This an optional one-week programme aimed at building community. The theme of each summer school has been chosen to challenge thinking and develop new skills e.g. in leadership, advocacy and resilience.  

Graduation

All students are offered the opportunity to graduate in person in Edinburgh, Scotland, at the completion of their studies.

Support for online students

Student life 

Even though you are not on campus in Edinburgh, there are lots of ways in which you can take part in student life and enjoy being part of our community. 

Online Students website 

Student representation 

Effective student representation is a vital part of our teaching and learning to enhance the student experience. 

Programme student representatives will be nominated and will communicate regularly with the teaching programme about any student concerns. A staff student liaison committee (SSLC) will be held each semester to discuss student feedback. 

The purpose of these meetings will be to discuss issues and good practice, but also to review feedback and work with students to monitor and improve the programme delivery and teaching content, as required. The student representatives will set the agenda and chair the SSLC meetings. 

More information about students getting involved

Postgraduate e-Journal Club

Our e-journal club (eJC), led by staff and students, focuses on Evidence-Based Practice and critical appraisal of research. It involves postgraduate learners from various programmes, enhancing skills and critiquing studies across disciplines like public health, clinical trials, and data science.

Aimed primarily at healthcare professionals, it supports Evidence-Based Practice and knowledge sharing. This platform fosters collaboration, peer review, and builds critical lifelong learning skills.

This club is available to all programme students.

Career opportunities

The Master of Family Medicine is designed to support your professional development throughout your career. By combining advanced clinical knowledge with leadership, quality improvement and research skills, you will be equipped to improve patient care and contribute to the development of primary healthcare in your own setting.

Throughout the programme, you will be encouraged to apply your learning in your own workplace, meaning the benefits of your studies can be realised before you graduate.

Graduates have used the knowledge and skills developed through the programme to:

  • lead quality improvement initiatives within their organisations
  • strengthen family medicine and primary healthcare services in their communities
  • contribute to healthcare leadership and service development
  • develop careers in medical education and academic family medicine
  • undertake research that addresses local and global healthcare challenges
  • progress to PhD study and other advanced academic opportunities

Many graduates also tell us that the programme has increased their confidence to lead change, influence practice and apply evidence-based approaches to improve healthcare within their own organisations and communities. 

Professional links

The programme team have professional links with the Royal College of General Practitioners (UK) and the World Association of Family Doctors (WONCA).

There are also considerable opportunities for our students and graduates through our network of world-leading researchers and educationalists within the University of Edinburgh.

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

Graduate profiles

Dr Darien Cipta

Degree: Master of Family Medicine

Year of graduation: 2017

Current work: Head of Psychiatry Department, Universitas Pelita Harapan Medical School | DBT Trainer-in-Training (Behavioral Tech) | PhD Researcher, Monash University Indonesia

The University of Edinburgh played a formative role in shaping how I think about mental health. The programme encouraged me to move beyond narrowly defined clinical models and to consider wellbeing through social, ethical and systems-based lenses.

Alumni Profiles - Dr Darien Cipta

Dr Tania Gahama Ineza

Degree: Master of Family Medicine

Year of graduation: 2025

Current work: Family physician and leader of NGO focused on health promotion and disability inclusion. Author of Hope for the Hurting: Lessons from the Great Physician.

To us, progress in information and communication technologies makes a distance learning platform a global community where ideas, values, and skills are shared for the promotion of global health.

300 Faces of Edinburgh Medical School - Tania Ineza

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

How to apply

You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.

If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 5 applications from the same applicant.

Additional application information

The programme accepts applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. Many applicants are medical doctors with an undergraduate medical degree (MBChB, MBBS or equivalent). We are also open to applications from allied health professionals with a relevant bachelors degree.

When to apply

Programme start date Application deadline
13 September 2027 20 August 2027

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible so that we have enough time to process your application. This is particularly important if you are also applying for funding. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.

For an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including references and transcripts.

If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements, such as via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, please upload that evidence as soon as you have it.

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

You will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

References

You must submit one reference with your application.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

What our students say

Recently some of our graduates took part in a project to co-create our learning materials. We asked for their feedback on the experience which you can read below.

The experience highlighted the real value of shared intellectual thinking. In the meetings, I felt my contributions were actively sought for, listened to, and adopted partially or wholly. The friendly interactions deepened my own understanding of the course, its complexity, and how diverse global clinical realities can be translated into meaningful learning. It also prompted reflection on my own practice, particularly around equity, continuity of care, and the social contexts that shape health across the family life-cycle.

Dr Chibuike Okpara Master of Family Medicine graduate

This was a wonderful opportunity to meet with other tutors and alumni to share ideas, learn from different perspectives and design a course tailored to the proposed learning needs of future students. This student-centered activity encouraged teamwork, engagement and critical thinking to create assessments that would be relevant in various local settings. Throughout this experience, I felt heard and empowered to make valuable contributions that may help to enhance the learning experiences of future students on the programme. 

Dr Shavon Alleyne Master of Family Medicine graduate

General enquiries

Programme Administrator

Edinburgh Medical School
Usher Building
5-7 Little France Road
Little France
Edinburgh
EH16 4UX

futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
Phone:+44 (0)131 651 7990

Academic contact

Dr Robin Ramsay

Clinical Programme Director

  • College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
  • University of Edinburgh

Contact details

Address

Usher Building
5-7 Little France Road
Little France
Edinburgh
EH16 4UX

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