Postgraduate Diploma in Obesity and Weight Management (Online delivery)
Obesity is a global epidemic and a leading cause of several major non-communicable diseases including Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Prevention and management is critical in reducing the considerable health costs of obesity. The Postgraduate Diploma in Obesity and Weight Management will focus on enabling health care professionals to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to treat patients effectively.
This online course, run with the collaborative partner Diploma MSc, creates professionals who can independently assess, evaluate and disseminate the evidence base related to Obesity and Weight Management. It will develop problem solving and clinical skills together with preparing students to take a leadership role. On successful completion of this course you could go on to study the MSc Obesity and Weight Management.
You will develop a systematic understanding of the care of patients in obesity and weight management; a critical awareness of current issues affecting the care of patients undertaking weight and obesity management treatments; an advanced knowledge of obesity and weight management that will facilitate decision-making in unpredictable and/or complex situations.
The course consists of six modules over one year, each of six weeks’ duration:
Module 1 – The adipocyte, regulation of appetite and nutrition. This module aims to develop a critical understanding of the physiology and regulation of the adipocyte, adipose tissue, human nutrition and appetite.
Module 2 – Obesity: defining obesity, epidemiology and health risks. This aims to develop a critical understanding of the epidemiology of obesity, including the importance of the distribution of adiposity, its epidemiology, the global problems of obesity and its relationship in different populations.
Module 3 – Causation of obesity and weight gain in relation to disease and genetics. This will develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the medical and genetic conditions that can cause obesity and weight gain.
Module 4 – Weight Management, Diet, exercise and changing behaviour. This aims to enhance the clinical skills and knowledge required to effectively evaluate and treat obesity with emphasis on lifestyle and behavioural modifications.
Module 5 – Weight Management – Medical treatments and emerging therapies. The module aims to develop an understanding of the role of medications and emerging therapies used in weight management including pharmacovigilance and post-marketing surveillance.
Module 6 – Surgical approaches to weight management. The module aims to enhance the clinical skills and knowledge required to understand surgical weight management strategies.
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.
Placements
Students will usually be employed as health care professionals before commencing this course. Consequently work or study placements are not available.
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
The course is delivered by a board who have an established international reputation in Obesity and Weight Management and delivering online education:
- Professor Nadim Haboubi – Consultant Gastroenterologist and Course Director
- Dr Karl New, Course Lead
Course director Prof Haboubi runs the only NHS Multi-disciplinary Specialist Weight Management Clinic (Level 3) in Wales. He is also a PACES examiner for the Royal College of Physicians, Chairman of the National Obesity Forum Wales and the Obesity advisor to the Welsh Government on the Obesity Pathway.
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.
The Obesity & Weight Management courses have been developed for health professionals who are interested in a leadership role within weight and obesity management including GP’s, doctors, nurses, physicians, surgeons, physiotherapists, dieticians, psychologists, and counsellors running clinics. Following successful completion of this specialised course, you will have the knowledge to further improve patient care and it could enhance your future career progression.
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.