Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about our courses

What courses do you offer?

We offer a variety of courses covering subjects relating to planning and conducting clinical research, collecting data, analysing data and communicating findings. Please refer to our website for a full listing.

How do I know if a course is suitable for me?

Course descriptions will outline the target audience for that specific course, but in general our courses are suitable for anyone working in Clinical Research or students, as well as those who have an interest in Clinical Research.

Are courses held online or in-person?

We offer a mixture of online and in-person, as well as some online self-directed courses. Note - the same course might be delivered in different formats on different dates, so please check the course description when you book.

How many people are on each short course?

This varies, depending on the course. Numbers are considered to ensure the best learner experience for each course.

When do you run courses?

Some courses are run annually, whilst most are run twice a year; please refer to our website for upcoming dates.

What if the course I want to go on isn't scheduled?

If you are interested in one of our courses, but there isn't a date available, please complete a "register your interest" form from the "List of courses we run" section of our website or contact us at education@edinburghcrf.ed.ac.uk and we will email you to let you know once a date is scheduled. If you are interested in a course topic which isn't listed, please complete the Course Suggestion Form. You can also Join our mailing list to be kept informed of all our courses, events and news from the Edinburgh CRF Education Core.

Are courses repeated every year?

Most courses are run every year. However, the programme may change depending on demand and tutor availability.

Are courses accredited, and do you provide a course certificate?

We normally provide you with a certificate of attendance after the course within two weeks of the end of the course. Unless stated in the course description, our courses are not CPD accredited.

Can I just attend one day of a multiple day short course?

Our courses are very popular and we often have a waiting list. We ask that you try to attend all of the sessions. It isn't possible to pay for just one session unless the option is given on the course description.

How do I notify you about my accessibility requirements?

We will endeavour to meet any accessibility requirements advised. Please make clear what your needs are when booking.

Are online sessions recorded?

No, unless otherwise stated, we don't record the sessions.

How do I book?

To book a place on one of our courses or events, please visit our website, select the course you are interested in and click the 'Book Now' button, which will take you to the relevant booking platform.  This may be the University of Edinburgh's ePay website or Short Courses Platform (SCP) or an MS Form.  While we transition to the SCP, courses may be on different platforms. If booking is through ePay or the SCP, you will have to register if you have not done so previously.

Many of our courses have discounted fees available, including Funded Places for University of Edinburgh or NHS Lothian staff and students on some courses. Please check the “Funding and Discounts” section if on the SCP or select the relevant category if on ePay. If paying by invoice or University of Edinburgh internal transfer, please use the booking form in “Payment options” if on the SCP or select the relevant category if on ePay. Please ensure you have made your booking before organising any payment by invoice/internal transfer. We will provide information on how to make payment with your booking confirmation. We are unable to process any Purchase Orders/internal transfers without a course booking. 

Can I book a place for someone else on the course?

Yes, just add their details when completing the course booking.  

When should I book the course?

Our courses are very popular and can quickly become fully booked once advertised. We recommend booking early so you don't miss out.

When do bookings close?

This varies. As our courses are very popular you are advised to book early. The closing date for booking is indicated on the course details page. However registration will close once the course is full.

Funded (no charge) Places

A limited number of Funded Places are available on some of our courses.  This means that the course fees are covered/free.  Funded Places are available only to current staff and students of the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian. To be eligible for a Funded Place, you must use an active University of Edinburgh or NHS Lothian email address when booking. If there are Funded Places available on a course, this will be indicated in the course description. Please see Terms and Conditions for full details. 

Do I still need to book if my place is Funded?

Yes, you must still book your place via the link from our website.

How much are courses?

The cost of each course varies, the fees will be displayed on our website along with the cancellation date. There may be an additional admin fee if not paying by debit/credit card.

Do you have a waiting list for fully booked courses?

Yes, if the course is full, please email us at education@edinburghcrf.ed.ac.uk with your name and contact details. We will contact you if a place becomes available. For information about our Funded Places waiting lists please see Terms and Conditions for Funded Places.

We may reschedule, cancel or change a course or event (including its format, location or tutors) due to factors such as low enrolment, weather or staff availability. We will give as much notice as possible. If an individual teaching session is cancelled, we will aim to provide a suitable replacement during or by the end of the course. 

If we cancel

If we cancel a course, we will offer either a full refund or an alternative course (subject to availability).

If you wish to cancel

You may cancel your enrolment within 14 days of enrolment, or by the cancellation deadline stated in the course description (whichever is later). Cancellations must be made in writing. Refunds are not normally given after this period. 

Transferring your place to another person

Before the course starts, you may contact us to request to transfer your place to another person. Approval is at our discretion. This does not apply to Funded Places, as detailed in the Funded Places Terms and Conditions.

Exceptional personal circumstances

If serious personal circumstances (such as illness or bereavement) prevent attendance, you may request a refund or transfer outside the standard cancellation period. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and may require supporting evidence. 

Additional costs

We are not responsible for travel, accommodation or other costs resulting from course changes or cancellations, unless these are included as paid extras. Please do not book travel or accommodation until your place is confirmed and consider appropriate travel insurance.

Refund processing

Refunds are normally processed within three weeks and returned using the original payment method. 

Can I give feedback for a course that I have attended?

You will be sent a short evaluation questionnaire following the course, to seek your feedback. We use feedback received to tailor our courses so that we can best meet the training requirements of the clinical research community.

How do I pay course fees?

For most of our courses and events, we accept payment by credit/debit card, invoice and University of Edinburgh (UoE) internal transfer. If the course is on the University of Edinburgh’s Short Courses Platform, you should use the “Book Now” button to pay by card or follow the instructions in the “Payment Options” section if paying by invoice or University of Edinburgh internal transfer.  If the course is on ePay, please select the appropriate category – for further instructions, see Guidance on how to book and pay for courses.

How do I prepare for an online course?

If there is any pre-course work, this will be sent to you in advance of the course. If there are any IT requirements, e.g. software to download, we will notify you of this in advance.

How do I join an online course?

Most of our online courses are conducted using MS Teams. The joining instructions will be emailed to you in advance of the course. If you have not received the link 24 hours before the course, please email us at education@edinburghcrf.ed.ac.uk. Please remember to check your junk/spam mail first - occasionally our emails may go into there.