DM Doctorate in Medicine
Course Overview
The Doctorate in Medicine (DM) in Clinical Specialism is a three-year, full-time programme designed for international doctors with postgraduate qualifications. Delivered by the University of Greater Manchester’s Medical School, the course combines advanced academic study with salaried clinical roles in NHS trusts across the North West of England.Participants can specialise in areas including:
- DM in Rheumatology
- DM in Regional Anaesthesia
- DM in Endocrinology
- DM in Neonatology
- DM in Critical Care
- DM in Respiratory Medicine
- DM in Older People Medicine
- DM in Sports Surgery and Medicine
- DM in Gastroenterology
The programme aims to develop skilled, compassionate clinicians capable of autonomous practice and leadership in healthcare services. The curriculum is research-informed and clinically intensive, delivered through a mix of face-to-face sessions, virtual learning, structured clinical events and workplace-based assessments. Students will complete two doctoral-level research learning modules and conduct a Clinical Research Thesis.
Graduates will be equipped to pursue advanced roles within the NHS or return to their home countries with improved capabilities that benefit global health outcomes. The programme supports GMC registration via sponsorship, subject to successful application and visa compliance.
The programme provides the opportunity to develop critical knowledge and understanding to contribute to new knowledge or new approaches at the forefront of the clinical discipline.
Highlights
- Participants gain a UK HE8-level doctoral qualification while working clinically in their specialism.
- The programme includes a full-time salaried role in NHS trusts across the North West.
- Cultural induction and GMC sponsorship support are provided for international doctors.
- World-class teaching facilities at the £40m Greater Manchester Institute of Medical Sciences.
- Faculty includes leading national and international experts in clinical practice and research.
- Participants could go on to use their knowledge and experience learned throughout the programme toward CESR applications for Consultant status, or programme graduates may decide to work towards Royal College specialism accreditation following the programme
Key Features
- A three-year full-time clinical doctorate programme integrating study and salaried NHS work.
- Specialism options include Rheumatology, Neonatology, Respiratory Medicine, and more.
- Clinical roles in partner NHS trusts, with support from pathway-specific consultants.
- Two doctoral-level research modules with clinical thesis research submission.
- Access to high-fidelity clinical simulation suites and immersive learning environments.
- Flexible, blended delivery model combining in-person and virtual teaching.
Entry Requirements
- 136 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T-levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
- Please note that the University of Greater Manchester is only able to offer this course to International applicants.
- Expressions of interest: Please email your CV to DMmedicine@bolton.ac.uk in the first instance.
- INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS: International applicants will need to fulfil the criteria listed below:
- You should hold an initial degree in medicine (MBChB or equivalent), awarded by a recognised institution.
- You should also have completed a recognised postgraduate degree programme (MD, MS or equivalent), awarded by a recognised institution.
- You should be a practising healthcare doctor with at least three years of postgraduate clinical experience, treating patients with full registration with the appropriate professional regulatory body for your country of employment, without any gaps in practice, having been in practice for the previous 12 months before enrolment.
- If you have not completed your education in one of the countries that we accept as being taught in the medium of English, you must pass an English Language test at the required level, which is IELTS 7.5 with no less than 7.0 in any band (or equivalent). Further information can be found here: Language Qualifications - University of Bolton – Institute of Medicine.
- If you are invited to apply based on the information you provided in your expression of interest, you will be required to attend an interview. The interview process will be conducted online/virtually. Offers will be made based on your performance in these interviews and will be either conditional or unconditional.
- You must satisfy the requirements set out for GMC sponsorship.
- You must satisfy UKVI Tier 2 requirements.
- You will need Fitness to Practice Clearance (letter of good conduct, normally a letter of reference from hospital).
- You will need to provide such other information as is required to ensure you have a reasonable prospect of completing the programme.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
This doctoral programme prepares international doctors for senior roles within healthcare systems. Graduates could go on to use their knowledge and experience learned through the programme towards CESR applications for consultant status, or programme graduates may decide to work towards Royal College specialism accreditation following the programme.
Graduates may also decide to return to their home countries to lead clinical services. The combination of clinical training and academic research ensures participants are equipped with skills in leadership, ethics and advanced medical practice, along with contributing to new knowledge or new approaches at the forefront of the discipline.
What can I do with this qualification?
Others may lead clinical services, develop healthcare innovations, or contribute to medical education and training. The research component of the programme also enables participants to engage in evidence-based practice and policy-making. Some graduates may transition into health leadership, global health initiatives, or advisory roles in government and international organisations.
Alternative career options
Graduates can use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. They include:
- Clinical lecturer or academic researcher
- Medical policy advisor
- Public health specialist
- Medical director
- Clinical governance lead
- Health innovation lead
- Global health consultant
- Quality improvement manager
- Consultant (if successful in acquiring CESR route post programme)
Professional Recognition
The programme has been awarded ‘GMC sponsorship status’, meaning you need to satisfy the sponsor (the programme leads) that you possess the knowledge, skills and experience required for practising as a fully registered medical practitioner in the UK, as well as meeting the required criteria around length of time in practice. If successful, you will be awarded a licence to practice in the UK for the duration of the programme, providing you continue to meet GMC regulatory requirements.
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
Bursaries
Click here for more information on our Master's Bursaries.
Important note regarding tuition fees: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
Please contact the programme leader for details of the application procedure. You can find their name, email address and phone number in the Programme Contacts section of this page.
International Applicants
Please contact the programme leader for details of the application procedure. You can find their name, email address and phone number in the Programme Contacts section of this page.
Teaching & Assessment
The programme features a teaching-intensive, research-informed, assessment-enabled approach. Students participate in clinical placements while attending workshops and research modules. Teaching is delivered by a highly experienced faculty, including visiting professors and clinical leads. Assessment includes clinical examinations, structured learning events, a research thesis, and a comprehensive portfolio. Students engage in reflective practice and are supported through regular progress reviews.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Clinical Practice Year 1
- Clinical Practice Year 2
- Clinical Practice Year 3
- Doctoral Research Design and Methods
- Doctoral Advanced Research Analysis and Methods
- The Doctoral Clinical Thesis
- Critical Reflective Practice
Assessment methods
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Learning Activities
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The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
