30 Years of Sustainable Education and Learning
Overview and purpose
The Oxford EBHC Programme is a global, flexible, part-time postgraduate programme that has sustained lifelong learning in evidence-based healthcare for over three decades. Delivered by the University of Oxford through the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences and the Department for Continuing Education, in partnership with the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM), the programme supports healthcare and allied health professionals to integrate high-quality research evidence into clinical practice, policy, and health system leadership.
Since its inception, the EBHC Programme has made 1,269 academic awards, including 38 DPhil degrees, 702 certificates and diplomas, and 529 MSc degrees, reaching a major milestone in 2025. Alongside this, CEBM has trained over 1,000 teachers of evidence-based medicine (EBM) globally through its teaching weeks, extending Oxford’s educational impact far beyond the University.
Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Assessment
The EBHC Programme demonstrates a sustained commitment to high-quality teaching and learning, grounded in methodological rigour, critical thinking, and real-world application. Teaching is research-led and delivered by internationally recognised academic staff, ensuring students engage directly with contemporary debates, methods, and evidence.
Innovative pedagogical approaches, including blended learning, asynchronous study, and interactive online teaching, allow working professionals to engage meaningfully with Oxford-level education while maintaining demanding professional roles.
Student support and inclusive learning
A defining strength of the EBHC Programme is its exceptional student support model, tailored to part-time, mid-career learners studying globally. Students receive structured academic supervision, accessible teaching teams, and clear guidance throughout their learning journey. This support is critical to enabling participation from diverse professional backgrounds, geographies, and health systems.
The flexible, modular design supports students balancing study with clinical practice, caring responsibilities, and leadership roles. This approach directly improves retention, progression, and completion outcomes, particularly for students who would otherwise be excluded from full-time postgraduate study.
The programme’s emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility aligns strongly with Oxford’s commitment to widening participation and delivering high-quality education to a diverse global student body.
Impact on educational outcomes
Graduates of the EBHC Programme consistently report significant professional impact, including improved clinical decision-making, leadership in guideline development, contributions to policy, and advancement into academic and senior professional roles. Many alumni remain actively engaged in teaching, research, and mentorship, creating a self-sustaining global community of evidence-based practitioners.
The scale and longevity of the programme demonstrate sustained excellence in educational outcomes, with graduates influencing healthcare practice and policy worldwide.
Supporting teaching, learning and research
The EBHC Programme represents a high-quality, mission-critical service that supports teaching, learning, and research across the University and beyond. By training healthcare professionals in rigorous research methods, the programme strengthens the evidence base underpinning healthcare practice and policy, directly supporting Oxford’s research mission.
CEBM’s teaching weeks and educator development initiatives extend this impact by building global capacity for evidence-based teaching, multiplying the reach of Oxford’s educational expertise.
Transformational and sustainable impact
The programme has transformed postgraduate education in evidence-based healthcare by demonstrating that part-time, flexible learning can deliver outcomes equivalent to traditional full-time routes, without compromising academic standards. Its sustainability over 30 years reflects strong governance, continuous curriculum review, and responsiveness to emerging evidence and learner needs.
Institutional and global contribution
The EBHC Programme enhances Oxford’s global reputation as a leader in evidence-based healthcare education. It exemplifies how the University can deliver world-class education at scale while remaining inclusive, rigorous, and mission-driven. The programme’s graduates and trained educators act as ambassadors for Oxford, embedding its values and standards across healthcare systems worldwide.
Conclusion
The Oxford EBHC Programme exemplifies sustained excellence in teaching, learning, assessment, and student support, while also delivering high-quality services that support Oxford’s broader educational and research mission. Its global reach, academic rigour, and transformative impact make it an outstanding candidate for both the Education Award and the Supporting Our Mission Award.