MSc Renal Medicine (Online Delivery)
Do you feel out of your comfort zone when a patient displays symptoms of kidney problems? Would you like to improve your management of patients suffering from or at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD)? Could your organisation benefit from a renal specialist? If so, the MSc Renal Medicine could help.
Delivered with our collaborative partner Diploma MSc, the online MSc in Renal Medicine is specifically designed for healthcare professionals frequently seeing patients displaying symptoms of kidney disease who aren’t renal specialists.
In clinical practice, kidney disease is encountered frequently both in primary and secondary care by the non-kidney specialist, especially as it is as a complication of common conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, so healthcare professionals on the front line need to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to deal with potential nephrology patients confidently and effectively.
The course content is case based with a clinical focus. And as it’s designed based on extensive research with primary care practitioners, it’s highly relevant and includes the latest developments in renal medicine for front line healthcare professionals.
The MSc is a progression from the Postgraduate Diploma in Renal Medicine, and on completion of the course you will receive an MSc in Renal Medicine from the University of South Wales.
You can study the MSc in Renal Medicine over one or two years.
To study over one year you will need to have successfully completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Renal Medicine - either with Diploma MSc or another UK university having completed similar modules. We can discuss this with you as part of your application.
You’ll then complete this MSc in year two.
If you opt to study the two year MSc you will complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Renal Medicine in year one, and then the following in year one.
Once your proposal has been approved you will complete the 10,800 word Professional Project, supervised by your tutor.
- Module One: Research Methodologies and Critical Appraisal
You will learn in a similar way to how you learned on the Postgraduate Diploma; however, this module is run over 12 weeks.
This module is designed to help students recognise, understand, interpret and apply methods used in healthcare research and critically appraise the various methodologies specific to renal medicine research. - Module Two: Professional Project
To produce the professional project you will continue to study online; however, much of the work is self-directed. You will develop your ability to critically appraise specific areas of clinical, research and/or organisational practice and develop skills in independent research, study and writing for publication. You will have a dedicated tutor who you will be expected to interact with every week. You will select a specific project and submit a project summary/proposal of approximately 1,200 words.
Teaching
Although you’ll be learning online you will be part of a group with 10 to 15 other students. Your self-directed distance learning will be guided by tutor-stimulated discussion based on clinically rich case scenarios.
You’ll do a combination of individual and group projects, and you’ll have a reflective practice portfolio to help you consider how what you’re learning on the course can be translated into everyday work and practice.
You’ll have the support of a dedicated team who will help you with any challenges you may face - from help with navigating our online learning platform to advice on what you need to do to pass the course and meet deadlines.
Once you have secured your place on the course, you will be invited to an Online Induction Day Webinar. This will give you the opportunity to participate in study skills workshops on Harvard Referencing, scientific and reflective writings, and levels of evidence in preparation for your studies.
It is not compulsory for you to attend our Induction Day, but it is recommended as it’ll provide you with a sturdy introduction to the course.
Assessment
Students are expected in the first 8 weeks to interact with their tutor on a weekly basis. Students select a specific project and submit a project summary/proposal (approximately 1,500 words).
Once the proposal has been approved, the professional project (10,500 words) itself is then completed through online guidance and supervision offered by the tutor.
The student and tutor will interact regularly (weekly) on the dedicated students/tutor discussion area or through any other means of communication deemed appropriate by both parties (telephone/SKYPE/email). Note of any verbal communication with the tutor is recorded in the student's journal by the student.
Facilities
You will have access to all of the University’s learning materials including online journals and publications.
Lecturers
Richard Smith, Consultant Nephrologist and Associate Medical Director for Research and Innovation at Ipswich Hospital is the course director. Richard has:
- 25 years’ experience of clinical transplantation and 15 years as a consultant nephrologist at hospitals across the UK
- 21 years of teaching experience including at the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, Cardiff University, the University of Bristol and now, the University of South Wales
- 22 years’ experience of clinical trials and academic research, including papers published in 38 peer-reviewed journals
We regularly revalidate courses for quality assurance and enhancement
At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.
If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.
To secure your place on the course, applicants will typically hold a first degree or equivalent (including international qualifications) in a relevant professional healthcare field, such as a medical or nursing degree. Registered healthcare professionals without these recognised qualifications will be considered on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience may be taken into account.
In some cases, applicants may be asked to submit a piece of work for assessment in order to confirm that they are able to work comfortably at postgraduate level, and demonstrate the requisite clinical and professional knowledge.
English Language Requirements
Proficiency in the English Language is also essential to completing our courses. If English is NOT your first language, we ask for proof of competency during the application process. We are able to accept an IELTS overall score of 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 for each band) or an equivalent qualification.
This course is run in partnership with Diploma MSc. Please refer to their website for fee information.
August 2023 - July 2024 Fees
August 2024 - July 2025 Fees
Student Perks
At the University of South Wales, you’re investing in so much more than a degree. We strive to provide our students with the best possible experience, no matter what you chose to study. Whether it’s access to top of the range mac books and PCs, state-of-the-art facilities packed with industry-leading equipment and software, masterclasses and events led by industry experts, or a wide range of clubs and societies to meet likeminded people, better tomorrows start with extra perks.
Each course also has their own unique student benefits to prepare you for the real word, and details of these can be found on our course pages. From global field trips, integrated work experience and free course-related resources, to funded initiatives, projects working with real employers, and opportunities for extra qualifications and accreditations - at USW your future, is future-proofed.
Click here to learn more about student perks at USW.
Additional Costs
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.
Funding
Funding to help pay for (or cover) course tuition fees and living costs
Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
To learn about course fees, funding options, and to see if you are eligible for financial support, visit our Fees and Funding pages.
This course is run in partnership with Diploma MSC who have over 10 years` experience in delivering award-winning, online, Postgraduate Diploma, MSc and MBA distance education courses.
Click here to apply to study this course via Diploma MSC.
In clinical practice, kidney or renal disease is encountered frequently by the non-kidney specialist, both in primary and secondary care, especially as it is as a complication of common conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Therefore healthcare professionals on the front line, including primary care and specialist units, need to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to deal with potential nephrology patients confidently and effectively. The course will provide you with this ability and knowledge.
It’s the community and friendships you’ll build that make this place special. Outside your studies you can experience our amazing sport facilities and Students’ Union.
Living in Halls is a great way to meet new people and make friends. We have high quality accommodation in Treforest, Cardiff and Newport.