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Neuromodulation and Pain Management Online PGCert

Part of: Medicine

The Postgraduate Certificate in Neuromodulation and Pain Management is designed to provide academic qualification and specialist skills with essential knowledge, with experienced speakers who are key global opinion leaders in this niche area. The syllabus encompasses pertinent anatomy, patho-physiology, and radiological assessment building towards clinical implications and suitable indications. The program provides a detailed understanding of available and emerging technology and programming strategies.

  • Our online modular programme is designed to fit around your busy working life.
  • Four modules per academic year
  • Join our unique programme and gain specialist skills and understanding of this growing field that is reshaping the whole landscape of neuroscience
  • Achieve a qualification in neuromodulation in one academic year through part-time study

 

Study options

Starting in
September 2025
Location
Distance Learning
Fees
Home: £4,300
Overseas: £6,300
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Apply nowRegister your interest

What you'll study

You’ll study modules on anatomy and pathophysiology of central and peripheral pain pathways. Through your studies, you will gain an understanding of the role of neuromodulation in pain including, post spinal pain syndrome type 1 and 2, intractable neuropathic pain, refractory angina, complex regional pain syndrome, diabetic neuropathy, headache and pelvic pain, and evaluate current evidence.

You will gain knowledge of current available and emerging technologies and be able to choose the appropriate therapy for specific indications. You will be able to evaluate current national guidance to identify appropriate patient selection. You will learn about the role of functional neurosurgery in pain including deep brain stimulation, its indications, and complications. You will gain knowledge of intra thecal therapy for cancer pain, and gain an insight into the procedural skills and long term management of patients.

The programme is designed for you if you are seeking deeper understanding and further insights into this field, including setting up neuromodulation service in treatment of chronic pain symptoms.

This certification program will enable you to build a foundation towards progressing hands-on fellowships and cadaver workshops

For further information about the programme, please contact enquiries@spinefoundation.org.uk 

Structure

  • October 24 -21, 22, 23 – Module 1
  • November 24 - 25, 26, 27 – Module 2
  • February 25 - 24, 25, 26 – Module 3
  • March 25 - 24, 25, 26 – Module 4

The modular nature of the programme is designed to fit in with the needs of students in full-time employment. You will receive the taught element of the modules in three-day blocks approximately every four to six weeks.

To obtain a Postgraduate Certificate, you are required to complete 4 x 15 credit modules (60 credits).
All the modules are compulsory.

The following modules will be delivered in Semester 1:

  • Anatomy- Neurophysiology of Neuromodulation
  • Patient care and Procedurals skills

Semester 2 modules:

  • Devices and available technology
  • Intrathecal drug delivery for cancer and non cancer pain
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Compulsory/Core modules

Students will acquire the knowledge of neural anatomy, pain pathways including peripheral and central transmission relevant to neuromodulation, particularly the targets of stimulation; spinal and supraspinal neurons. Students will learn the emerging concepts of supra spinal mechanisms and closed loop in neuromodulation. Physics of waveform including concept and rationale of differential frequency, charge and neural dose will be discussed and students will be able to ascertain their clinical implications.

Students will gain knowledge of current clinical guidelines, consensus statements and referral criteria for patient selection. Students will understand the validated assessment tools and MDT based clinical/psychological assessments used for selection for neuromodulation procedures. Radiological assessment including review of MRI scans in context of surgical targets and usefulness of SCS following post-surgery scarring (PSPS type 2) or in absence of surgery (PSPS type 1) will be discussed. Students will be provided with knowledge to manage preoperative preparation, patient education and expectations. Surgical skills including percutaneous and surgical placement will be described. Students will learn intraoperative troubleshooting complication management and long-term care of the patients.

Students will gain knowledge and be able to compare and contrast the hardware of available devices including current leads, implantable pulse generators, primary cell and rechargeable technologies for neuromodulation. Students will gain knowledge about the software platforms and be able to compare and contrast the programming capabilities of available devices. Students will gain understanding of deep brain stimulation, its role and indications including movement disorders, parkinsonism and epilepsy.

Students will gain knowledge of ethical challenges, current clinical guidelines and consensus statements for safe delivery of intrathecal therapy for cancer and non-cancer pain. Students will gain knowledge on setting up an intrathecal service and working in conjunction with allied specialities. Students will gain the knowledge on pharmacotherapy for intra-thecal drug delivery and be able to compare and contrast the role of opioid and non-opioid medications. Surgical skills including percutaneous and surgical placement of intrathecal delivery systems will be described. Students will learn intra operative troubleshooting, complication management and long-term care of the patients.

  • October 24 -21, 22, 23 – Module 1
  • November 24 - 25, 26, 27 – Module 2
  • February 25 - 24, 25, 26 – Module 3
  • March 25 - 24, 25, 26 – Module 4

Assessment

  • 100% Modules
  • %

You will be assessed based on (online) submitted written assignments.

Teaching

You will experience a variety of online teaching and learning methods including lectures and seminars, guided reading exercises, and various activities incorporating individual and group work which will help you to consolidate your learning.

Programme leads

Dr Kavita Poply, Dr Vivek Mehta

Programme faculty 

Alaa Abd-Elsayed, Ganesan Baranidharan, Stana Bojainic, Paresh Doshi, Preeti Doshi, Sam Eldabe, James Fitzgerald, Babita Ghai, Chris Gilligan, Ashish Gulve, Salim Hayek, Frank Huygen, Jan willem Kallewaard, Serge Nikolic, Lawrence Poree, Philippe Rigoard, Marc Russo.

 

Where you'll learn

Facilities

  • The William Harvey Research Institute offers state-of-the-art core facilities, including a Genome Centre, a flow cytometry and cell sorting station, and in vivo imaging facilities
  • Access to a flexible online e-learning platform (QMPlus) which allows you to discuss and exchange ideas, share knowledge as well as access all lecture sessions in your own time
  • Access to video and audio recordings of all lectures and other online resources 
  • Access to online library facilities and reading materials (journals, books and databases)
  • Access to our campus facilities if you decide to visit at any point during your course
  • Watch our video to discover online study at Queen Mary

About the Institute

William Harvey Research Institute

The William Harvey Research Institute (WHRI) places a high value upon training the next generation of researchers. We are part of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at Queen Mary University of London, which is ranked joint seventh in the UK for the quality of our research (REF 2021).

Our primary research focus and excellence lies in our cardiovascular, inflammation and endocrine research themes. In addition, we achieve international excellence in critical care and perioperative medicine research. We aim to combine talents from different disciplines such as genomics, cell biology, and pharmacology, with translational bench-to-patient studies and large-scale clinical trials.

We are currently the largest pharmacological research institute in the UK University sector, and one of the largest in Europe. The Centre employs 530 clinicians and scientists from 45 countries.

Contact us

William Harvey Research Institute

Career paths

During your studies you'll have access to support at every stage in your degree, including one-to-one academic guidance, tailored workshops and external guest speakers. Graduates of this course are well-placed to progress onto MSc-level study.

Graduates of this programme will be well placed to develop their careers in the rapidly developing market in Neuromodulation.

 

  • 93% of William Harvey Research Institute (WHRI) postgraduate-taught graduates are in employment or further study (2020/21)
  • 88% of WHRI graduates in employment or study are in highly skilled work or graduate study (2020/21)

Fees and funding

Part-time study

September 2025 | 9 months

Funding

There are a number of ways you can fund your postgraduate degree.

Our Advice and Counselling service offers specialist support on financial issues, which you can access as soon as you apply for a place at Queen Mary. Before you apply, you can access our funding guides and advice on managing your money:

Entry requirements

UK

Degree requirements

A 2:2 or above at undergraduate level in a related subject such as Medicine, Nursing, Physiotherapy from a recognised academic institution.

Additional information

Applicants who do not meet the academic requirements but have substantial experience working as allied health professionals such as Paramedics, Physiotherapists, Osteopaths etc will be considered on an individual basis only.

Find out more about how to apply for our postgraduate taught courses.

International

English language requirements

The English language requirements for our programmes are indicated by English bands, and therefore the specific test and score acceptable is based on the band assigned to the academic department within which your chosen course of study is administered. Note that for some academic departments there are programmes with non-standard English language requirements.

The English Language requirements for entry to postgraduate taught and research programmes in the William Harvey Research Institute falls within the following English band:

Band 4: IELTS (Academic) minimum score 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking

Please note, there are some postgraduate programmes with non-standard English language requirements in this Institute.

We accept a range of English tests and qualifications categorised in our English bands for you to demonstrate your level of English Language proficiency. See all accepted English tests that we deem equivalent to these IELTS scores.

Visas and immigration

Find out how to apply for a student visa.

Contact

William Harvey Research Institute

Postgraduate Admissions

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