Postgraduate Diploma
What is the Postgraduate Diploma?
Six, 10 week courses studied part-time, online, usually over two years.
Flexible, online study and help to get you started.
The Postgraduate Diploma starts with two days of introductory lectures*, and then continues online, offering flexible, part time study. Our courses and qualifications are validated by the University of Leicester, and are provided through a partnership between the University of Leicester and BMJ Learning.
What is our curriculum based on?
The curriculum has been based on the International Diabetes Federation's curriculum and is designed to address the learning needs of doctors and other healthcare professionals from around the world. Our qualifications focus on diabetes in its global context and explore the common challenges of this chronic disease.
The courses are designed to build on the experience of the learner by giving them the skills to evaluate their own practice in the context of the scientific evidence in diabetes care. This is what makes our courses relevant to all members of the multi-disciplinary diabetes team, worldwide. Our courses provide a range of learning opportunities which will challenge those studying to evaluate the scientific evidence in diabetes and apply it in practice to improve patient outcomes. Learners will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle the challenges of the prevention and management of diabetes that many health systems currently face.
Study, assessment, and progression
To achieve a Postgraduate Diploma learners are required to successfully complete six courses over a two year period. Once a Postgraduate Diploma is achieved learners can use their CATS points to move on to a Masters degree in Diabetes. CATS points stands for "Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme." This is a system recognised by many UK higher education institutions for quantifying the amount of credit for a particular course. Individuals can use this to transfer to other institutions or to progress onto further study.
All our Diabetes Qualifications and Courses are delivered online, giving learners the flexibility to study around their busy schedules. However, we understand that online learning maybe new to some of our learners so we offer two days of introductory lectures to get you started. Attendance at the lectures is strongly recommended as it gives learners an opportunity to be introduced to the online learning platform and to meet the faculty and their classmates. At the lectures, learners discuss the key themes of the courses and participate in small group activities. Learners also receive a demonstration of the online learning platform, and an opportunity to practise the academic skills necessary for contributing to an online course.
When courses commence, learners are divided into groups of 12-13 with a dedicated tutor who is a clinical expert in the field of diabetes. Learners will be assessed continuously as they progress through each course on the following areas:
- Their contribution to online discussions
- Their reflective journal
- 1000 word assignment
- An online examination (MCQs) consisting of a series of case problems
For the online discussion tutors post a weekly case problem to stimulate academic discussion. Tutors will be monitoring learners’ contributions to the discussions generated within the courses and will also evaluate the learning portfolios Learners are recommended to contribute to this discussion three or four times a week. All these areas help learners to think how they apply their new knowledge and skills to their current clinical work.
Support
We want you to succeed and to give you the best chance you will have a dedicated tutor and network of like minded peers to offer you support and for you to share ideas and experiences with.
Start dates and duration
We have two intakes each year. These are in April and September.
Learners will study six, 10 week courses to complete the Postgraduate Diploma. These will usually be studied over two years.
Entry requirements
We welcome applications from candidates anywhere in the world and from any area of the multidisciplinary team. We currently have doctors, nurses, podiatrists, dietitians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals studying with us. We do ask that candidates possess an initial medical or nursing degree or a degree in a related clinical subject. Non-graduates with relevant work experience may also be admitted to complete the course provided they have held, for a minimum of two years, a position of responsibility relevant to the programme. Admissions are at the discretion of the Course Management Board.
Available Courses
To achieve the Postgraduate Diploma you will need to successfully complete all of the following six courses. Each online course lasts 10 weeks:
- Prevention, Early Detection and Screening in Diabetes
- Clinical Presentation and Management in Diabetes
- New and Advanced Therapies in Diabetes
- Self-Management in Diabetes
- Insulin Management
- Diabetes and Obesity
Pathways to an MSc
It is possible to use this route to accumulate credits towards our MSc in Diabetes.
