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Subject Guide to Medicine & Healthcare
Find postgraduate programs in MEDICINEA masters degree in medicine and healthcare can help you decide whether you want to pursue a career in medicine, for example as a doctor, or follow an alternative route within the wider medical and healthcare sector. To study a masters degree in this area, you will need to demonstrate a strong interest in the field, often supported by an undergraduate degree in medicine, biomedical science, a related life science, or another relevant subject.
There is a whole range of specialisms within the area of medicine and healthcare, from surgical and clinical topics like biomedical science, to areas linked to specific illnesses, diseases, technologies or patient groups. If there is a particular topic that interests you, it is worth checking whether there is a masters program in that field, either through the Postgrad course search or directly on a university website. It can also be helpful to compare current university pages so you can see how the course content, mode of study and entry requirements differ.
Degree programs in health cover many different aspects of healthcare. Unlike a medical degree program, a healthcare course may place more emphasis on the emotional, practical and organisational sides of health, and students may be accepted without a science background depending on the course. Healthcare programs often develop skills in leadership, planning, communication and service delivery, making them a strong option for students interested in hospital management, public health or wider healthcare administration.
Areas of study
Here are some of the more popular areas of study within the field of Medicine and Health Care
Cancer research
An area of vital importance and one incredibly worthy of postgraduate study is cancer research. Some of the most advanced work in this field continues to take place in the UK, where research degrees can explore genetic, molecular and environmental factors in the causes, progression and treatment of cancer. Postgraduate study in this area may also lead into translational research, laboratory-based investigation or clinical collaboration.
Biomedical research
The field of biomedical research remains one of the most promising areas of medicine in terms of the potential breakthroughs it could produce. As such, a postgraduate degree in biomedical research continues to be a popular route for both medics and science graduates. This type of postgraduate study often begins at masters level, with many students later progressing to PhD study or research-led careers.
Neuroscience research
An excellent choice within the field of medicine is neuroscience research. Neurological conditions continue to represent a major area of health need, and postgraduate study in this field may focus on topics such as neurodegeneration, mental health, cognition, brain repair and therapeutic development. Programs can include masters degrees in integrative neuroscience or related research areas, as well as specialist PhDs that can lead to research careers.
Conversion to Medicine
Medical careers remain one of the most popular conversion routes for postgraduate students across the UK. Graduate-entry medicine routes are available at around 19 UK universities including the University of Aberdeen and the University of Surrey. Entry requirements vary significantly by institution, and applicants should check current course pages carefully before applying. Some courses are four years in length, while others may differ depending on the route and university.
A science background is often helpful, and many courses ask for a strong academic profile as well as evidence of work experience, motivation and suitability for clinical study. Because entry criteria changes from year to year, it is best to check each university’s current admissions page.
Global health
Global health is an expanding and wide-ranging subject that attracts students from medicine, public health, other health professions and the humanitarian sector. Postgraduate courses in this field are often interdisciplinary, with teaching and research input from medicine, geography, education, development studies and policy. Current examples include the Global Health MSc at the University of Birmingham and the Global Health and Development MSc at UCL.
Find out more about studying global health postgraduate programs.
Find postgraduate programs in HEALTH STUDIESTypes of postgraduate qualifications
There is a variety of postgraduate qualifications you can do in medicine and health, including Master of Science or Clinical Masters (MSc), Research Masters (MRes), Master of Education (MEd), Master of Public Health (MPH) and PhDs. To embark on PhD study, you will usually first require a masters qualification, although some research routes may be structured differently depending on the institution and subject area.
Entry requirements
To pursue postgraduate study in the UK, you will usually need an undergraduate degree, and many courses ask for at least a 2:1. Some courses and institutions may not require a 2:1, but it is still a common benchmark for admission. You should always check the course page or email the course administrator for current entry criteria.
For postgraduate study in the UK and Europe, you may also be required to take English language tests such as IELTS and achieve the score specified by the university. Please go to your preferred university website for full details, as requirements can vary by course, nationality and mode of study.
You will also need to demonstrate your interest in medicine and explain why you want to study in this field. This can be done by showing previous qualifications, relevant work experience, research interest or voluntary experience in healthcare settings.
Career prospects for medical postgraduates
There are many exciting career paths that a postgraduate in medicine can pursue – here are just a few options.
Doctor
To become a doctor, you will need to demonstrate an interest in patient care, show experience of working in a medical or healthcare setting, and achieve excellent academic grades. This is a much-respected career, taking up to five years to complete in the UK for undergraduate medical training, and longer where graduate-entry or specialist training routes are involved. Becoming a doctor can be a long process and involves many years of postgraduate training, but it is a highly rewarding career.
Surgeon
Becoming a surgeon is also a long process and generally takes even more time than becoming a doctor. It remains a demanding and highly competitive career, and applicants will need strong academic results, clinical experience and long-term commitment to training. Working as a surgeon can allow you to specialise in an area of interest such as cardiology, ENT or another branch of surgical practice.
Medical Researcher
There may be some people who prefer the research side of medicine rather than the practical side. Becoming a specialist researcher in your area of interest allows you to explore a subject in depth and use your expertise to help develop new treatments, improve medical understanding and contribute to future healthcare advances. Research careers may be based in universities, hospitals, research institutes or industry.
Physician Assistant or Physician Associate
In England, physician associates have been regulated by the General Medical Council since December 2024. These healthcare professionals work as part of a multidisciplinary team and provide support to doctors and other clinicians. They work under the supervision of a doctor and often are involved in taking histories, performing exams and developing diagnostic and treatment plans – all of which will be reviewed and approved by supervising physicians.
European universities specialising in medical programs
When it comes to studying medicine and healthcare at a European university your choices are vast, and to start you off in your search, we’ve listed a couple of highly ranked European universities that specialise in medicine in Europe, with some details about what masters degrees are offered. However please bear in mind that this is just three institutions in a continent that offers literally hundreds of top-quality higher education institutions.
Imperial College London, United Kingdom
Imperial College London is widely known across the UK and has excellent facilities for pursuing a masters degree in medicine. The Faculty of Medicine continues to offer a range of MScs, clinical masters and research-based masters programs in medical-related topics, including surgical, cancer, allergy, molecular medicine and more. A masters degree at Imperial will be highly competitive, but students can expect a strong blend of theory, research and practical learning.
University of Oxford, United Kingdom
The University of Oxford is globally renowned and has an acclaimed Medical Sciences Division. Oxford continues to offer a wide range of postgraduate opportunities across medical sciences, including the MSc by Research in Medical Sciences and the MSc in Medical Education. It will be extremely competitive to apply for these courses, so you will need strong academic results and relevant experience.
Sorbonne Université, France
Sorbonne Université is one of the best-known medical and science-focused universities in Paris and continues to be well regarded across Europe. The Faculty of Medicine offers a comprehensive range of postgraduate programs, including MSc courses in areas such as oncology, neurosciences, public health and innovative therapeutics, often blending cutting-edge research with clinical practice. These masters degrees attract students seeking advanced training in translational medicine and interdisciplinary health sciences, with many pathways leading to PhD opportunities or specialised clinical roles. The programs emphasise hands-on experience through partnerships with Paris's leading hospitals and research institutes.
American universities specialising in medical programs
The United States is renowned for its exceptional medical institutions, attracting students from around the world seeking excellent education and medical training. Here we have details on some of the best medical schools in the US.
Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
Harvard University School of Medicine, in Boston, Massachusetts, is renowned for its exceptional medical education. Harvard is one of the most prestigious universities in the USA, placing joint third (with Stanford) in The Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2026. It offers a range of graduate-level medical and biomedical study options through Harvard Medical School. Its masters-level provision includes specialist routes in areas such as medical education, clinical investigation, biomedical informatics and related fields.
Stanford University, California
Stanford University School of Medicine in California focuses on interdisciplinary programs such as biomedical informatics and bioengineering, bringing together medicine, technology and other fields. Stanford’s current masters portfolio includes the Masters Programs at Stanford Medicine and the Master in Translational Research and Applied Medicine, which is a one-year program designed to help turn scientific discovery into practical clinical solutions.
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Recognised globally for its leadership in medical research and patient care, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland continues to be one of the world’s leading medical institutions. JHU has a strong focus on translational medicine, which aims to bridge the gap between scientific discoveries and their practical applications, making it especially relevant for students interested in research-led careers.
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