The University of Lancashire is an Adventure Smart UK partner.
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Duration
1-3 years
Start
September 2026
Delivery
Blended learning
Our Mountain Medicine MSc/PGDip programme is dually accredited. You'll gain the theoretical and practical knowledge to treat illnesses and diseases in remote, high-altitude settings. Upon completion, you will be awarded the prestigious UIAA/ICAR/ISMM International Diploma in Mountain Medicine.
Why study with us
- Develop your medical and mountaineering skills in this unique, practical course.
- Our guiding team is made up of hand-picked, highly qualified IFMGA mountain guides and mountain instructors. They have experience of climbing, skiing and guiding all over the world. They provide friendly, top class instruction and coaching, so both beginners and seasoned mountaineers will benefit from their time in the hills with them.
- This flexible blended learning programme combines face-to-face teaching with an online virtual learning environment to fit around your professional and personal commitments.
Interested?
What you'll do
- Study in real-life conditions on the mountainside with a qualified mountain guide and clinical tutor right beside you.
- Learn and gain experience working at altitude during our module based in the Swiss Alps.
- Meet, socialise and study with potential future expedition team mates.
Modules
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. We may also make changes to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.
Schedule
The course combines hands-on small group sessions, many held on the mountainside, with expert-led lectures and tutorials. This is supported by online content, including discussion forums, quizzes, and pre-module reading.
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Mountain Medicine students learning practical skills in Plas y Brenin in North Wales
Accreditations
Industry links
Please see the current list of holders of the UK UIAA/ICAR/ISMM Diploma in Mountain Medicine.
If you are a holder of the UK Diploma in Mountain Medicine and would like to update your details on the list above, please email the Mountain Medicine Team.
Academic expertise
Dr Tim Sanders
Senior Clinical Lecturer in Rural Medicine
Nick Wright
Lecturer in Mountain Medicine
Entry requirements
Mountaineering Standards
The Postgraduate Diploma in Mountain Medicine is a practical qualification for clinicians operating in a mountain environment or advising patients who will be in a mountain environment. It is vital that you are safe, relaxed, and capable of looking after yourself in the mountains when caring for a patient. It is also important that you have the theoretical and practical experience of the environment in which a patient will be active.
You are required to have experience of travelling through mountain terrain in both summer and winter conditions. You must also have logged multi-pitch rock climbs of V Diff (UIAA 3) standard or above and have logged winter climbs that require the use of crampons. (Scottish grade 1/2 or above). These can be as a leader or second.
Applicants not based in the UK may qualify by showing climbs of equivalent standard. However, you may be asked to familiarise yourself with UK conditions before attending the relevant modules.
While further training is given, you should have the basic navigation skills needed for British hills in summer and using Ordinance survey (OS) 1:25 000 and 1:50 000 maps.
Basic climbing and mountaineering techniques are reviewed on the practical modules. However, you should still have a basic understanding of climbing and belaying techniques in both Summer and Winter.
Minimum qualifications:
- Applications for direct entry by holders of the UIAA/ICAR/ISMM International Diploma in Mountain Medicine to the MSc year of the programme will be accepted until the beginning of each academic year
- Applicants will be registered with one of the nine UK Health and Care Regulatory Bodies, (GMC, HCPC, NMC, GDC etc.)
- Applications will also be considered from final year Healthcare students who will complete the course after they are fully registered.
- Mountaineering experience in winter and summer
- Multi-pitch rock climbs of V Diff (UIAA 3) standard or above
- Winter climbs that require the use of crampons (Scottish grade 1/2 or above)
- Overseas applicants will hold registration with their national equivalent Health and Care Regulatory Bodies. Due to the clinical nature of the course, we regret that we cannot accept applications from applicants who do not fulfil this requirement
- Applicants would normally hold a British honours degree (class 2:2 class or above) or equivalent or provide evidence of the ability to study at master's level
- Sufficient IELTS Score 6.5 with no component score lower than 6.
- For applicants without a current English language qualification, the university offers an internal English language proficiency test known as the e-TELL. The first test attempt is free of charge; if a further test is then required, this is charged at £60. For further information, or if you would like to take this test, please email the Language Academy team – languageacademy@lancashire.ac.uk.
- Please complete the electronic Mountaineering Experience Proforma, save and attach this to your online application.
Fees and funding
2025/26
UK
Part-time£1,400 per 20 credits
International
Part-time£3,300 per 20 credits
2026/27
UK tuition fees for 2026/27 have not yet been set. The fees shown are for guidance only.
UK
Part-time£1,450 per 20 credits
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer many scholarships, bursaries and funds to support you during your studies. Select your country or region to see if you are eligible and how to apply.
GREAT Scholarship
In partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, the University of Lancashire is offering one scholarship to a student in Mexico applying for one-year postgraduate courses.
Find out more about GREAT Scholarship
Fees additional information
If you are being sponsored or funded by your employer, or are an employer wishing to send staff onto the course, please contact our mountain medicine team to discuss our fees and payment structure.
Interested?
This course is delivered by the School of Medicine and Dentistry
For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information
You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Lancashire on our student contract page