Acute Medicine

Module Aims
The module aims to equip learners with the knowledge of methodologies and approaches to address complex cases, applying guideline and evidence-based care in the management of acutely ill patients presenting with cardio-respiratory conditions.

Module Content
Guideline directed approach to the management of the patient with acute respiratory and cardiovascular disease to include management of severe hypertension, acute heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmias, thromboembolic disease, acute exacerbations of chronic respiratory disease, pneumonia, pneumothorax, pleural effusions, acute asthma, respiratory failure, and cardiac arrest.

Learning Outcomes

1. Synthesise and apply advanced theoretical knowledge and a critical understanding of selected methodologies and approaches in the diagnostic synthesis and management strategies employed in the treatment of patients presenting with acute respiratory and cardiovascular emergencies.
2. Combine advanced theoretical and clinical knowledge with evidence-based practice in order to systematically appraise, reflect upon, and create ways forward in the treatment and management of patients presenting with acute cardio-respiratory conditions within a multidisciplinary setting.

Module Aims
The module aims to equip learners with the knowledge of methodologies and approaches to address complex cases, applying guideline and evidence-based care in the management of acutely ill patients presenting with diabetes and endocrine conditions.

Module Content
The management of the patient presenting with acute diabetic and endocrine disease, including diabetic ketoacidosis, hypoglycaemia, hyperosmolar non-ketosis, acute hypercalcaemia, thyrotoxicosis, hypocalcaemia and adrenal crisis.

Learning Outcomes

1. Synthesise and apply advanced theoretical knowledge and a critical understanding of selected methodologies and approaches in the diagnostic synthesis and management strategies employed in the treatment of patients presenting with acute diabetes and endocrine emergencies.
2. Combine advanced theoretical and clinical knowledge with evidence-based practice in order to systematically appraise, reflect upon, and create ways forward in the treatment and management of patients presenting with acute diabetes and endocrine conditions within a multidisciplinary setting.

Module Aims
The module aims to equip learners with the knowledge of methodologies and approaches to address complex cases, applying guideline and evidence-based care in the management of acutely ill patients presenting with gastrointestinal conditions.

Module Content
The management of the patient presenting with acute gastrointestinal (GI) illness including upper GI haemorrhage, acute abdominal pain, intractable vomiting, inflammatory bowel disease, GI infections including dysentery and gastroenteritis together with the acute management of GI malignancy. Managing acute liver disease, hepatic encephalopathy and cirrhosis.

Learning Outcomes

1. Synthesise and apply advanced theoretical knowledge and a critical understanding of selected methodologies and approaches in the diagnostic synthesis and management strategies employed in the treatment of patients presenting with acute gastrointestinal (GI) emergencies.
2. Combine advanced theoretical and clinical knowledge with evidence-based practice in order to systematically appraise, reflect upon, and create ways forward in the treatment and management of patients presenting with acute GI conditions within a multidisciplinary setting.

Module Aims
The module aims to equip learners with the knowledge of methodologies and approaches to address complex cases, applying guideline and evidence-based care in the management of acutely ill patients presenting with infections and sepsis.

Module Content

• The management of patients presenting with acute bacterial, viral and fungal infection relating to all organ systems.
• Management, investigation and diagnosis of sepsis and bacteraemia.
• Management of the immune compromised individual in relation to infection.

Learning Outcomes

1. Synthesise and apply advanced theoretical knowledge and a critical understanding of selected methodologies and approaches in the diagnostic synthesis and management strategies employed in the treatment of patients presenting with acute infections.
2. Combine advanced theoretical and clinical knowledge with evidence-based practice in order to systematically appraise, reflect upon, and create ways forward in the treatment and management of patients presenting with acute infections within a multidisciplinary setting.

Module Aims
The module aims to equip learners with the knowledge methodologies and approaches to address complex cases, applying guideline and evidence-based care in the management of acutely ill patients presenting with neurological conditions.

Module Content
This module covers the diagnosis and management of patients presenting with acute neurological disorders such as acute stroke, epilepsy, cerebral infections, cerebral haemorrhage/haematomas, venous sinus thrombosis, presentations with acute cerebral malignancy, dystonias, ataxias, acute neuronopathies/neuropathies and raised intracranial pressure.

Learning Outcomes

1. Synthesise and apply advanced theoretical knowledge and a critical understanding of selected methodologies and approaches in the diagnostic synthesis and management strategies employed in the treatment of patients presenting with acute neurological emergencies.
2. Combine advanced theoretical and clinical knowledge with evidence-based practice in order to systematically appraise, reflect upon, and create ways forward in the treatment and management of patients presenting with acute neurological disorders including stroke medicine within a multidisciplinary setting.

Module Aims
The module aims to equip learners with the knowledge of methodologies and approaches to address complex cases, applying guideline and evidence-based care in the management of acutely ill patients presenting with renal, metabolic and toxicological conditions.

Module Content
This module is intended to cover the management of toxicological emergencies such as overdose both accidental and non-accidental, acute drug reactions and anaphylaxis. The module will also cover the presentation of the patient with metabolic and renal issues to include acute kidney injury, acid-base disorders, hyperkalaemia and acute hyponatraemia. It will also touch upon the implementation of renal replacement therapy including dialysis.

Learning Outcomes

1. Synthesise and apply advanced theoretical knowledge and a critical understanding of selected methodologies and approaches in the diagnostic synthesis and management strategies employed in the treatment of patients presenting with acute renal, metabolic and toxicological emergencies.
2. Combine advanced theoretical and clinical knowledge with evidence-based practice in order to systematically appraise, reflect upon, and create ways forward in the treatment and management of patients presenting with acute renal, metabolic and toxicological disorders within a multi-disciplinary setting.

As each Medical Council has their own rules/regulations with regard to Postgraduate study we recommend that you contact your local Medical Council with regard to recognition.

Upon completion of the course the University would invite you to a graduation ceremony and provide your certificate which makes no reference to the fact that the course was studied online and is therefore typically recognised the same as any other UK University qualification.

Rest assured, the overall Postgraduate Diploma carries a total of 1,200 CPD points, with the MSc an additional 600 CPD points, and all official certifications are issued directly by the University.

When you study one of our programmes you may be surprised to find that there are no lectures or seminars. Your learning will be self-directed meaning that rather than being told information you find it for yourself (with tutor guidance and support). We do this via a series of clinically rich scenarios which your tutor will post on our academic forum which you and your classmates will research, respond to and discuss.

You will be assessed through the Academic Forum, Reflective Journal and Assignments. Learning will be carried out using our online learning platform: Moodle.

You can study whenever and wherever you want - our programmes are totally flexible to fit around your other work and life commitments.

The course is specifically designed so that part of your study is the application of theory to practice in your day job.

We typically suggest that students aim to log into the Moodle platform daily. We recommend a "little and often" approach for reading, reflection and/or posting. High achieving students will typically spend 1-2 hours dedicated to their studies a day; 10 hours per week is sufficient time to spend on the platform.

Those who cannot dedicate more time than once/twice per week may struggle with the demands of this postgraduate programme.

Yes, everything is done entirely online through our learning platform, Moodle. You do not need to attend the University.

All of our courses are delivered in English, so proficiency in the English language is essential for success. If English is not your first language, we require proof of competency as part of your application. We accept the following as proof of English Language skills:

We Accept a Range of English Language Qualifications
While IELTS and TOEFL are among the most commonly used English tests, we understand that students come from diverse backgrounds — and we’re happy to work with you to accept a wide range of other recognised English language qualifications.

We accept IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Our most commonly accepted test, IELTS is globally recognised and widely used for university admissions.

We accept TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Another widely accepted test, TOEFL assesses your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in an academic setting.

We accept English Medium of Instruction (EMI) Letters
Many of our international students provide an EMI (English Medium Instruction) letter from their previous institution. This letter should confirm that you were taught in the medium of English. It is a popular and widely accepted form of proof, especially if you have completed prior academic studies in English.

Our University partners Requirements
The University of South Wales accepts an overall score of 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 for each band) and The University of Buckingham accepts an overall score of 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 for each band).

Our Flexible Instalment Plan is designed to offer ultimate flexibility to pay for your programme. You have the choice of two payment options:

Make an Upfront Payment in Full: For those who prefer to settle their fees upfront, you can pay the full amount at the beginning of your programme.

Interest-Free Payments: Alternatively, you can choose to spread your payments out with interest-free instalments every month for the duration of your course.

These options are separate from our existing lending partners, which you can explore further on our programme pages. We believe that education should be accessible to all, and our Flexible Instalment Plan is just one of the ways we are committed to supporting you in your academic journey.

We currently offer two discounts: the Early Bird Discount and the Action Taker Discount. The Early Bird discount allows you to save up to £500 or more, available only to self-funders and is a limited-time offer that runs for the entirety of November for the March cohort or the entirety of May for the September cohort. Our Action Taker Discount allows you to save up to £150 off for PGCert and £250 off for PGDip/2-year MSc programmes. To qualify for Action Takers, you must pay the deposit within 7 days of acceptance.

For Early Bird Discounts, the discount is visible if your application and acceptance are completed within the required timeframe. For Action Taker Discounts, it will reflect once conditions are met.