Postgraduate Diploma in Diabetes (Online Delivery)
This clinically-focused course in diabetes, run with our collaborative partner Diploma MSc, provides post-qualification preparation for roles in diabetes specialist teams, diabetes specialist nursing, practice nursing and allied health professionals aiming to provide diabetes services in primary care.
The course, delivered entirely online, is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills to deliver a first-rate diabetes service. You will gain experience of developing local guidelines, patient information literature or care pathways which will be part of their individual and group activities.
You will develop a greater confidence and understanding of the management of people with Diabetes through case studies and discussion and improve your critical analysis of published data and data interpretation.
The curriculum is based on the International Curriculum for Diabetes Health Professional Education produced by the International Diabetes Federation and meets the highest international standards for diabetes education. On successful completion of this course you could go on to study the MSc Diabetes.
Delivered entirely online, the Postgraduate Diploma in Diabetes focuses on the person with diabetes and supports the improvement of care. It recognises the contribution of the whole diabetes team and prepares professionals for specialist practice.
The online course lasts one calendar year and is a part time distance learning course. It consists of six modules per year, each of six weeks' duration, as follows:
- Principles of Diabetes
- Approaches to Care
- Promoting Self Care
- Management of Diabetes
- Complications (Microvascular)
- Complications (Macrovascular)
Each easy-to-use online module will last six weeks, using real life case problems linked to forum based discussions, a reflective portfolio, group activities and a case-based examination.
Teaching
The postgraduate diploma in diabetes course is delivered by an innovative and experienced team who have an established international reputation in diabetes and medical education. You will develop problem-solving skills in preparation for leadership roles in the global context of diabetes care.
Although you’ll be learning entirely online, you will be part of a group with 10 to 15 other students - to share ideas, debate scenarios and develop best practice with.
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.
The fees for this course are available from the Diploma MSc website.
Assessment
The course puts assessment at the heart of learning by using clinical scenarios to facilitate problem-solving, critical analysis and evidence-based care. The scenarios act as both the focus for learning and assessment, embedding assessment within the learning process.
Each of the six modules has the same assessment format:
- Academic Forum - 40%
- Reflective Journal - 10%
- Module Activity - 20%
- Case based examination - 30%
You will be assigned a dedicated expert tutor who will facilitate clinical case discussions with the group and monitor, assess and mark your work throughout each module.
Due to the online nature of the course, you will be expected to login and participate in the course regularly throughout the module, ideally on a daily basis.
Facilities
As part of your online studies you will have access to the Learning Resources Centre materials at the University of South Wales. FINDit is the University’s portal which allows you to search for over 13,000 full-text journal articles, news articles, conference proceedings and approximately 160 databases via one search box- the majority of these materials are accessible online. Interactive study skills modules are available to study via Blackboard to enable you to utilise the library services fully.
Lecturers
- Dr Karl New, course lead
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 2022 - July 2023 Fees
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.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Diabetes course has direct relevance to the demands of working roles and will assist in career enhancement and support specialisation. It is envisaged that most students will be in diabetes-related posts or aspiring to such positions.
The course provides appropriate post qualification preparation for roles in diabetes specialist teams, diabetes specialist nursing, practice nursing and allied health professionals aiming to provide diabetes services in primary care. Similarly, pharmaceutical companies are keen to support their representatives in postgraduate education and this qualification will be perceived favourably in career progression and specialisation.
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.