Clinical Photography

Award

PgCert

Study option

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Start dates available

January 2027

Apply now

Gain a recognised, professional qualification which can lead to Registered Medical Illustrator status.

The Graduate and Postgraduate Certificates in Clinical Photography are accepted as accredited qualifications by the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) for application onto their Accredited Register, and by the Institute of Medical Illustrators (IMI) for application as a Professional Member.

This course provides continuing professional development, including specialist knowledge and skills, for people who are already in work as medical illustrators.

It forms part of the Medical Illustration Programme of work-based, distance-learning awards offered by Staffordshire University.

Important: This course is only open to those who work in a UK-based, Medical Illustration department and are supported by their employers.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: PgCert Clinical Photography

Duration

University of Staffordshire postgraduate courses are usually 1 academic year duration when studying full-time and 2-3 academic years duration for part-time.

Course content

This award is based on learning through work-based assignments, so it is really only suitable for those who are employed in a healthcare environment that gives them access to the clinical situations, specialist equipment and workplace supervisors necessary for the successful completion of those assignments.

You will study:

the legal and ethical issues encountered in medical illustration
anatomy and physiology

You will also carry out practical assignments in:

healthcare location photography
patient photography and lighting techniques
ophthalmic photography
dental photography
surgical photography

Professional body accreditation

Qualifies graduates to apply for accredited registration with the Academy of Healthcare Science

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Clinical Photography	30 credits
Key Knowledge & Skills For Medical Illustrators	30 credits

Entry requirements

This course is only open to those who work as a Clinical Photographer, in a UK-based, Medical Illustration department and are supported by their NHS employers. You should also hold a 2:1 or above in a relevant undergraduate degree.

International entry requirements

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

International entry requirements in your country

Get country-specific details on entry requirements, fees, scholarships and support services. Choose your country to see how University of Staffordshire can support you from application to arrival.

Check your country information

Facilities

Blackboard (VLE)

Blackboard is a virtual learning environment which houses your learning content. It enables online teaching/learning, provides spaces to build online communities and knowledge sharing.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

The teaching, learning and assessment strategies are those which have already been tried and tested within both the previously run Post Experience Certificate course, which was managed by the Institute of Medical Illustrators, and the past 6 years of successful delivery of the programme, via Staffordshire University. Students are provided with detailed handbooks that include guidance on study skills, advice on sources of information, and instructions for the completion of coursework assignments, along with assessment criteria. Assignments include specifically designed questions, reports on specific topics, practical tasks and “assignment log books”. Students become active directors of their own learning, by seeking out the knowledge and information they need, in order to complete their assignments successfully. They will be given guidance (in the award and module handbooks) on suitable sources of information, data, technical instruction and theoretical material. They may also expert advice and guidance from the Programme Coordinator; gain on-the-job help from their workplace supervisor, or they may approach the Programme Leader, at the University. It will be the responsibility of the Workplace Supervisor, working with the student and the Programme Coordinator, to ensure that each student has access to the specialist facilities and clinical environments needed in order to complete the practical assignments.

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods, including: reports, an essay, question-based assessments and practical assignments will be employed in order to allow students to demonstrate their achievement of the learning outcomes. Assessment will be carried out by professional specialists who are expert in the particular knowledge and skills being demonstrated in the assignment, and most of whom are experienced in assessing very similar assignments within the Institutes Post Experience Certificate course.

In general terms, students will demonstrate:

• their knowledge, understanding and skills in enquiry and Learning, through their answers to a series of questions

• their skills in application and problem solving, through portfolios of practical work

• their knowledge, understanding, skills in enquiry, analysis and reflection, through the assignment logbooks

• their knowledge, understanding, skills in learning, enquiry, analysis, communication and reflection, through essays or reports

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
Academic writing (including how to reference)
Research skills
Critical thinking
Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

Students will receive written, formative feedback on their assignments, from the specialist assessors, as well as a summative grade.

Fees

For the course starting on 8 January 2027, the tuition fees are:

Study option	UK / Channel Islands
Part-time, distance learning	£2,150 per course

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning.

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Apply now to Clinical Photography

Location	Award	Study option	Start date	Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus	PgCert	Part-time, distance learning	8 January 2027	Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.