Diabetes MSc, PGDip, PGCert, by distance learning

This is for you if... you want the flexibility of studying by distance learning whilst expanding your knowledge, skills and confidence in diabetes care to improve outcomes in patient care and personal career progression.

The world prevalence of diabetes amongst adults is increasing year-on-year, making diabetes care one of the biggest medical challenges faced by healthcare professionals globally. This rising epidemic has increased the demand for services from personnel trained to deliver high-quality care.

This part-time distance learning course will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to specialise in diabetes care. The course is based at the heart of NHS clinical services and draws on the specialist knowledge of the experienced and high-profile staff at the world-renowned Leicester Diabetes Centre and the University of Leicester.

The Leicester Diabetes Centre is a national and international centre of excellence and one of the largest facilities in Europe for conducting first-class clinical research, dynamic clinical services and teaching diabetes.

The Centre’s pioneering work has driven up standards in diabetes care worldwide, uncovered new insights about prevention and the impact of treatments, and added to the global evidence base on a condition posing a major threat to world health. The results of its work have had an impact on local, national and international guidelines and recommendations. This video explores the latest work of Leicester Diabetes Centre.

Our course, therefore, combines the most topical thinking around clinical care and research with practical examples of how novel research and evidence-based diabetes care can be applied in real-life clinical settings. The ongoing research published by the Centre means that the curriculum and all your course materials are relevant and based on the latest insights and understanding. You will also be taught by staff who are internationally recognised as pioneers in the field – Leicester Professors Melanie Davies and Kamlesh Khunti are listed in the top ten world leaders in diabetes care.

For 2021, we are delighted to launch a new module ‘Technology and Type 1 Diabetes’. Led by Professor Pratik Choudhury, this module brings together the most current thinking on technology and its use to support people living with Type 1 diabetes. Professor Choudhary has recently been appointed to improve the quality of care for people living with Type 1 diabetes across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. He is working to establish a hub that brings together critical aspects of diabetes care to create a service that is a national exemplar with world-leading outcomes. This module allows students to work with Professor Choudhury and the teaching faculty to look in depth at this important topic area.

The course’s part-time, distance learning structure gives you the flexibility to fit study around your existing work commitments, meaning you can enhance your career prospects without having to leave employment. It is therefore ideal for healthcare professionals from either a primary or secondary care background who wish to specialise in diabetes. The course also allows you to choose topics in which to specialise. You will become part of the Distance Learning Diabetes Community providing the opportunity for networking and sharing best practices.

Modules of this degree are also available as stand-alone CPD courses.

Why Leicester?

• Learn from academic and clinical experts in the Leicester Diabetes Centre who have an international reputation for published research and are recognised global leaders in the field.
• The course is based at the heart of NHS clinical services at the world-renowned Leicester Diabetes Centre. It is the largest facility in Europe for research and teaching in diabetes serving a multi-ethnic population. Their pioneering work has driven up standards and knowledge worldwide.
• The University of Leicester has a world-renowned reputation. We are ranked 2nd in the UK for world-leading research in clinical Medicine (2021 Research Excellent Framework - REF). And ranked in the top 20 in the world (and the top 5 in the UK) for clinical medicine, according to the 2021 Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities.
• Our topical curriculum draws on the latest insights and research into diabetes. Option modules allow you to specialise in areas that are relevant to you and your practice.

Teaching and learning

Teaching will take place through online lectures, online tutorials, webinars, online demonstrations and podcasts, directed reading, online group discussion and online case studies.

All modules are assessed by a variety of methods, including written essays, discussion forums, short answer exams and reflective journals.

Core modules

• Glycaemic Management across the Lifespan (double module)
• Diabetes Complications (double module)
• Foundation Research

Option modules

• Choose three option modules from:
• Adult Inpatient
• Prevention, Obesity and Diabetes
• Self-management: Diabetes and Long-term Conditions
• Technology and Type 1 Diabetes

Plus your Dissertation

The modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Diabetes is affecting people across the world in epidemic proportions. It is therefore an area that requires more and more experts in this field.

Successful students will have the skills to specialise in diabetes, which may lead to career progression.