Course description

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 in 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 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 practice.

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

Try our free online course

If you’re interested in finding out more about the field of diabetes care and research, you could try our free online course Reversing Diabetes: Fact or Fiction?