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.

Powered by world-class research, the University of Leicester delivers research-inspired education across the Sciences, Humanities, Law, Medicine, the Arts and Business, with staff and students collaborating to create, share and apply knowledge to change the world. It is a world-leading, diverse and inclusive university based in the UK’s most multicultural city.

Whether you choose to study full-time on campus, or part-time via distance learning, through your studies and independent research you will acquire the advanced skills and knowledge to pursue your passion and enhance your career options.

The University of Leicester is a top 30 UK university (Complete University Guide 2023) and is proud to be one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities. Our research changes the way we think about the past, present and future. As a discovery-led University, we are elite in the excellence of our research, as well as being focused on innovation. Research underpins all of our taught postgraduate courses so you can be sure that the knowledge you’re learning, and skills you’re developing, are at the forefront of available knowledge.

Why Leicester

The University of Leicester is a leading research and teaching university with more than 30 years of experience offering high-quality distance learning courses. Over 25,000 Citizens of Change have graduated from our distance learning courses. We invite you to be the next one.

Unlike some distance learning providers, our distance learning courses are taught by the same academic staff who teach our undergraduates and postgraduates on campus. You are assured of a real university education and a real university qualification.

Each of our distance learning courses is tailored to the subject, level and requirements of our students. Some courses even include residential visits or workshops.

Supporting our students

As a Leicester distance learning student, you have full access to the same student support services as our on-campus students. This includes the Students’ Union which has a dedicated Distance Learning Officer who makes sure that your views and needs are considered in Union affairs. The Distance Learning Officer is elected each year – maybe you could be the next one?

Library

You will have access to the Library’s comprehensive online catalogue containing thousands of electronic journals and over 350,000 books. This includes the Leicester Research Archive, a digital collection of research papers and theses from members of the University.

As a Leicester student, you will be able to access the online catalogue and download these resources free of charge - wherever you are in the world. You are, of course, welcome to come onto campus and use our Library facilities at any time.

Career Development Service

For most distance-learning students, career advancement is a prime motivating factor. Our Career Development Service will offer you guidance and support throughout your studies – and beyond. The Career Development Service offers:

• Online tools and individually tailored advice to help you extend and develop your academic skills
• Employability programmes and awards including the online version of our Leicester Award
• A wide selection of one-to-one careers consultations, workshops and webinars covering interview and assessment centre skills, psychometric testing and CVs, covering letters and application forms
• Links with employers to discover the career paths that are open to you

Graduation – and beyond

As a distance learning student, you are welcome to campus at any time. We would love to meet you in person, though obviously, this is dependent on where you live. It is particularly gratifying when distance learning students are able to visit campus to take part in our graduation ceremonies, celebrating their academic achievement in the best way possible.

As part of our global alumni family, you can maintain links with the University through our Alumni Association, which has chapters around the world.