Anatomical Sciences (Online Learning) PgDip (ICL), PgCert (ICL), PgCert, PgDip, PgProfDev Level: Postgraduate taught Subject: Medicine Year of entry: 2026 Study options Mode of study Online learning Part-time intermittent study PgProfDev | 2 years | Start date: multiple dates PgCert (ICL) | 2 years | Start date: September 2026 PgDip (ICL) | 4 years | Start date: September 2026 Part-time PgCert | 1 year | Start date: September 2026 PgDip | 2 years | Start date: September 2026 Key facts School Edinburgh Medical School College College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Programme website Anatomical Sciences Accreditation Not available Apply now 15 October: Postgraduate Online Learning Essentials Find out what it’s like to study online at Edinburgh, with insights into learning, community and the support available to online postgraduate students. Register now Open Days on Demand Dive into an extensive selection of programme-specific session recordings hosted by our Academic and Professional Services staff. Watch the recordings Overview About the degree programme Are you passionate about human anatomy and looking to deepen your understanding for clinical, academic, or professional advancement? The University of Edinburgh’s Anatomical Sciences programme offers a flexible, part-time route to a prestigious postgraduate qualification, wherever you are in the world.Whether you are a medical, biomedical, or allied health professional, or working in holistic practice, this programme allows you to explore foundational and advanced anatomy while continuing your career. Delivered entirely online, the Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma pathways cover everything from:gross anatomyembryologyneuroanatomyhistologyimagingemerging technologies, like 3D visualisation and artificial organsAcross two years of part-time study, you will progress from core knowledge of body systems, including musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrine systems, to specialised topics such as imaging techniques, cellular tissue analysis, and digital visualisation methods. The curriculum combines clinical relevance with academic depth, preparing you for roles in healthcare education, research, or advanced clinical practice.A key strength of this programme is its focus on applied anatomy using innovative teaching tools and real-world scenarios. You will benefit from interactive lectures, formative quizzes, discussion forums, and guidance from expert academics, all hosted on an intuitive virtual learning environment. Assessments are varied and practical, including essays, data presentations, and online exams, designed to build confidence and transferable skills in communication, critical thinking, and scientific writing.As a student, you will be part of a vibrant, international learning community. Many graduates have used the programme to transition into anatomy teaching, enhance their roles in surgery or radiology, or pursue further study in fields like pathology and biomedical research.Study options are highly flexible, including intermittent routes and standalone professional development courses, so you can shape your learning around personal and professional commitments. With Edinburgh’s global reputation in anatomy education, this programme offers an excellent opportunity to elevate your knowledge and career. Study options Part-timeStudying part-time means you will complete the:Postgraduate Certificate in Year 1Postgraduate Diploma in Year 2Intermittent StudyIntermittent study allows more flexibility in how you choose to study. With this option, you will have up to two years to complete the certificate, and up to four years to complete the diploma.The standard programme structure is still maintained in terms of the progression requirement. However, you can tailor your education to fit more closely with commitments in both your private and professional life.If you choose to study this programme on a part-time intermittent basis, you also pay your tuition fees on a course-by-course basis rather than paying for the entire programme at the outset.Postgraduate Professional Development Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their knowledge through a postgraduate-level course, without the time or financial commitment of a 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 Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme.Although PPD courses have various start dates throughout the year, you may only start a 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 Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme. Programme rankings Ranked 19th in the world for Life Sciences and Medicine (QS World University Rankings by subject 2025). Ranked top 10 in the UK for the employability of our graduates (Times Higher Education, Global Employability University Rankings 2025). Programme benefits World-class qualification in anatomy from a top university.Flexibility of online learning for professionals.Career advancement that can open doors to teaching, research, and advanced clinical roles.Interdisciplinary and clinically relevant.Interactive learning environment with advanced supportive technology, such as 3D printing. Being a part of the University of Edinburgh’s Postgraduate Certificate in Anatomical Sciences was an excellent experience. The programme is really well-structured, with a diverse range of multi-media teaching. Kaumal Baig PgCert Anatomical Sciences (Online learning), graduated 2018 Fees, costs and funding 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 intermittent study PgProfDev Anatomical Sciences (2 years) tuition fees PgCert (ICL) Anatomical Sciences (2 years) tuition fees PgDip (ICL) Anatomical Sciences (4 years) tuition fees Part-time PgCert Anatomical Sciences (1 year) tuition fees PgDip Anatomical Sciences (2 years) tuition fees 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 If you receive an offer of admission, this will be conditional as you will be asked to pay some of your tuition fees in advance as a deposit.How and when to pay the deposit £200 (this contributes towards your tuition fees) Costs Additional programme costs If you attend our optional week-long summer school, you will need to cover the costs of travel to and from Edinburgh. 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 moneytaking out a loanfamily supportpersonal savingsincome from workemployer sponsorshipscholarshipsExplore sources of funding for postgraduate study Other funding opportunitiesOnline Learning Scholarships 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 Entry requirements These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026. Qualifications A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a medical, biomedical, or relevant bioscience topic.We may also consider your application if you are in a profession allied to medicine or have relevant work experience; please contact the programme team to check before you apply. You may be admitted to the Professional Development Programme in the first instance with a view to joining the Postgraduate Certificate after satisfactory performance. International qualifications To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list. Where you studied - Select a country or region -AfghanistanAlbaniaAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMacau-SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPacific IslandsPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTogoTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanZambiaZimbabweMy country or region is not listed 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 testa degree that was taught and assessed in Englishcertain 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): total 92 with at least 20 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. Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components. Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 6 in each component. 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 oldThe 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 AcademicTOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)Trinity ISEOxford ELLTOxford Test of English AdvancedTests no more than three and a half years oldAll 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 countriesWe 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-MESCHow old your degree can beIf 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 Programme details What you will study By the end of this programme, you will have developed an advanced, system-wide understanding of human anatomy and development. You will gain detailed knowledge of the following:musculoskeletal systemcardiovascular systemnervous systemendocrine systemdigestive systemembryological developmentneuroanatomyIn Year 2, you will build on this foundation with region-specific anatomy and explore specialised areas such as histology, medical imaging, and technological innovations in anatomy education and artificial organ design. The programme equips you with the anatomical expertise and critical thinking skills needed for roles in healthcare, teaching, biomedical research or further postgraduate study.Year 1 (Postgraduate Certificate)In Year 1, you will develop your knowledge of basic human anatomy and human development with courses in human anatomy, embryology, and neuroanatomy.Fundamentals of Human Anatomy 1 and 2: Through Fundamentals of Human Anatomy 1, you will develop an understanding of basic human anatomy, with a focus on the musculoskeletal, respiratory and endocrine systems. In Fundamentals of Human Anatomy 2, you will continue to explore the human body systems, focusing on the following systems:cardiovascularurinarylymphaticintegumentarydigestiveEmbryology: You will explore aspects of human development from ovulation through fertilisation, pre-and post-implantation to embryonic and fetal development of body systems. You will also look at what happens when typical human development is altered and how this manifests in commonly developed abnormalities.Neuroanatomy: You will develop your understanding of the nervous system, including gross anatomy of the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system, spinal cord, spinal nerves, and autonomic nervous system.Year 2 (Postgraduate Diploma)On successful completion of Year 1, you will expand your anatomical knowledge in Year 2 with compulsory courses in advanced human anatomy. You will explore the upper limb, lower limb and thorax regions in Advanced Human Anatomy 1, and then the abdomen, pelvis, and head and neck regions in Advanced Human Anatomy 2.In Year 2, you will also choose two courses from the following options:ImagingThis course will provide you with an excellent understanding of the use of medical imaging techniques to study the anatomy of the human body.HistologyThis course will introduce you to the microscopic structure of tissues and organs. It will initially look at the histology of the basic tissues before going on to look at the histology of specific structures within body systems. Areas covered will include:introductions to cell and tissue typesrespiratoryurinary and reproductivedigestivecirculatoryVisualising Human AnatomyThis course will provide you with an excellent understanding of the use of visualisation techniques in relation to anatomy education. A range of topics focusing on how visualisation is used as a teaching method will include:the history of anatomical visualisationadvances in technology including the use of MRI and CT scansthe development of virtual realityhow these developments aid or hinder anatomy education.Artificial OrgansThis course will provide you with an excellent understanding of how technology is used to replicate the human anatomical form and function in organs and in body systems. A range of topics will be covered, including advancements in areas such as the artificial:heartlungsliverkidneylimbs Compulsory courses Postgraduate CertificateFundamentals of Human Anatomy 1 and 2NeuroanatomyEmbryologyPostgraduate DiplomaAdvanced Human Anatomy 1 and 2 Option courses Option course availability will be subject to student demand. Course availability and allocations will be finalised in consultation with students. 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 intermittent study PgProfDev Anatomical Sciences (2 years) (2025-2026) PgCert (ICL) Anatomical Sciences (2 years) (2025-2026) PgDip (ICL) Anatomical Sciences (4 years) (2025-2026) Part-time PgCert Anatomical Sciences (1 year) (2025-2026) PgDip Anatomical Sciences (2 years) (2025-2026) We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative. Teaching and assessment Teaching All of our courses use innovative teaching methods to provide you with key transferable skills in addition to a solid foundation of anatomical knowledge. Learning is delivered through:weekly materials, written notes, recommended readingrecorded lectures, available for you to watch or listen to in your own timeonline discussions with your peersindependent study and reflectionYou will have opportunities to connect regularly with your course organiser and programme team to address concerns and monitor progressModulesEach of the taught courses has a set of modules that are released on a timed basis from our virtual learning environment.A typical module structure consists of:a recorded lecture to introduce the topicinteractive contenta set of resource links to the course readinga discussion board facilitated by a tutora set of questions (MCQs) which you can take at the end of each section; these are formative and do not contribute to the final mark Assessment Assessment is conducted in a variety of ways, through in-course activities such as:essayspresentationsend-of-course examinations via a proctored online assessmentdata presentationsproposalsgroup assignments Learning outcomes Understand anatomical knowledge of several different body systems and regions.Demonstrate clinical relevance of the anatomy studied.Develop relationships with peers and colleagues to promote discussion of anatomically relevant subjects.Engage with the scientific literature.Develop academic writing and presentation skills. 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 There is a long and distinguished tradition of anatomy teaching in Edinburgh, with the first Chair of Anatomy appointed here in 1705. Today, our courses are taught by leading academics who are passionate about teaching and research, and are making an impact on an international level. Online learning How online learning works Online programmes are delivered through the University's Virtual Learning Environment, LEARN. Our award-winning, online learning technology is fully interactive, and enables you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of your own home or workplace.Our online students not only have access to the University of Edinburgh’s excellent resources, but also become part of a supportive online community, bringing together students and tutors from around the world. Learn more about online postgraduate study at Edinburgh 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, such as reading lists, discussion forms and slides from anywhere in the world. If there are live online sessions, you can watch a recording later in the virtual learning environment at a time convenient to you. During term time, you should be prepared to spend an average of 15 to 20 hours a week engaged in course materials, be that reviewing lecture notes and case studies, interacting with fellow students and the programme team on the discussion board, or researching areas of interest and preparing assessments. As there are no set times for study, managing this time is up to you, and you will need to be self-motivated and determined to succeed in this programme.See 'Find courses' in Programme details for more information about study time commitment. 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 Summer schoolYou will be invited to join our on-campus Anatomical Sciences summer school designed just for you. This summer school will enhance your learning experience and deepen your knowledge of anatomy through hands-on lab sessions and exclusive museum tours, all while allowing you to explore the vibrant city of Edinburgh.The summer school takes place in early July, with accommodation being provided for students for four nights in Edinburgh. The content covers:Anatomy lab sessions - focused on different body regions.History of Anatomy at Edinburgh - discover the legacy of anatomy at Edinburgh and gain historical insights into the field.Museum tours - enjoy guided tours of renowned anatomy museums, exploring fascinating artifacts and exhibits.New technologies in anatomy - learn about the latest advancements and tools transforming anatomical sciences.This week-long programme is a unique opportunity to work closely with Edinburgh’s expert anatomists, explore the city’s cultural landmarks, and connect with fellow students. Support for online students As an online student, you will have access to a range of support services throughout your time at university if you need them.These support services include:academic support servicesebooks and ejournals within the librarythe disability and learning support serviceEnglish language supportskills development courses on LinkedIn Learningemail-based sessions delivered by the Counselling Servicesupport for students who are parents Online communityAlthough the programme involves independent study, you will also have the opportunity to become part of a supportive online community.One of the most important aspects of successful online study is the ongoing support and sharing of information achieved through interactive discussions and input from expert tutors. Careers and further study Career opportunities This is a postgraduate level qualification for medical, biomedical, allied health professionals and those in holistic practice with an interest in human anatomy.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. I found that the programme was very helpful in my continuing education in pathology and was very helpful in directing my goals towards a career in Pathologist Assistant. Logan Clark Anatomical Sciences (Online learning), graduated 2018 Having worked as an Ophthalmologist for twenty years, my anatomy knowledge was restricted to the head and neck region. This course really helped me move in my new role where I had to teach whole-body anatomy. Naila Ali Anatomical Sciences (Online learning), graduated 2022 Further study After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.Applying for research degreesMoving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service) Graduate profiles It was an absolutely amazing experience because the course was extremely well structured and organised. The academic staff put in a lot of effort into organising the content and trying to explain so you wouldn't end up on your own with so many questions. The course was very broad so I also got to learn about histology and imaging so it wasn't just only anatomy as such but different fields related to anatomy as well. The staff always encourage us to ask as many questions as possible. I was very thankful that they were so engaged and passionate about anatomy as I did. The teaching platform was easy to navigate, which is also very important. Kate Janku Anatomical Sciences (Online learning), graduated 2024 Read more student and graduate stories Louise Mckay explains what she enjoyed about the Anatomical Sciences online programme and her experience of online learning. 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 strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisions Visit the Careers Service website Applying 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. When to apply Programme start date Application deadline 14 September 2026 21 August 2026 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: a personal statementdetails of relevant knowledge/training skillsYou will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:copies of your degree certificates and academic transcripts that confirm your current or final marksreferencesevidence you meet the English language requirementscertified translations if your original documents are not in EnglishWhen you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide. ReferencesYou 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. Select programme - Select a programme -PgProfDev Anatomical Sciences (2 years)PgCert (ICL) Anatomical Sciences (2 years)PgDip (ICL) Anatomical Sciences (4 years)PgCert Anatomical Sciences (1 year)PgDip Anatomical Sciences (2 years) 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 applicationWe 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 decisionWhat to do if you receive an offer:Receiving an offerAccepting an offerSubmitting supporting documents Contact General enquiries Postgraduate Admissions OfficeCollege of Medicine and Veterinary MedicineCMVM College OfficeUsher Institute, Usher Building, The University of Edinburgh5-7 Little France Road, Edinburgh BioQuarter – Gate 3EdinburghEH16 4UX futurestudents@ed.ac.uk Phone:+44 (0)131 651 7998 Academic contact Dr Jennifer Paxton Programme Director Edinburgh Medical School College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine University of Edinburgh Contact details Work: +44 (0)131 651 5250 Email: j.z.paxton@ed.ac.uk
