Gastroenterology

Module Aims
To develop a critical understanding of the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the oesophagus.

Module Content

• Oesophagus: anatomy and physiology.
• Oesophagus diagnostic test.
• Oesophagus and Barrett’s Oesophagus.
• Vomiting.
• Oesophageal dysmotility.
• Oesophageal Cancer.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically apply anatomical and physiological functions of the oesophagus to a variety of oesophageal diseases.
2. Critically appraise current methods of diagnosing and treating diseases of the oesophagus.

Module Aims
To develop a critical understanding of the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the stomach.

Module Content

• Stomach: anatomy and physiology
• Gastroscopy
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Helicobacter pylori
• Gastric cancer
• Pernicious Anemia

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically apply anatomical and physiological functions of the stomach to a variety of diseases affecting the stomach.
2. Critically appraise current methods of diagnosing and treating diseases of the stomach.

Module Aims
To develop a critical understanding of the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the Pancreas

Module Content

• Anatomy and physiology of Pancreas
• Pancreatic function tests
• Pancreatic insufficiency
• Acute Pancreatitis
• Chronic Pancreatitis
• Pancreatic Cysts
• Pancreatic cancer
• Neuroendocrine Tumours

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically apply anatomical and physiological functions of the pancreas to a variety of diseases affecting the pancreas.
2. Critically appraise current methods of diagnosing and treating diseases of the pancreas.

Module Aims
To develop a critical understanding of the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the Liver

Module Content

• Anatomy and physiology of the liver
• Liver function tests
• Cirrhosis and complications
• Cancer
• Drug and alcohol induced liver injury
• Viral liver disease
• Biliary disease

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically apply anatomical and physiological functions of the liver to a variety of diseases affecting the liver.
2. Critically appraise current methods of diagnosing and treating diseases of the liver.

Module Aims

• To develop a critical understanding of the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the small bowel.
• Also to learn about basic principles of managing nutrition in health and disease.

Module Content

• Anatomy and physiology of the small bowel
• Basic principles of nutrition
• Coeliac disease
• Crohn’s disease
• PEG feeding
• Bile salt malabsorption

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically apply anatomical and physiological functions of the small bowel to a variety of diseases affecting the small bowel.
2. Critically appraise current methods of diagnosing and treating diseases of the small bowel.
3. Analyse the impact of nutrition on diseases of the small bowel.

Learning Outcomes
To develop a critical understanding of the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the colon

Module Content

• Colonic anatomy and physiology
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Infective diarrhoea
• Clostridium difficle
• Colonic cancer
• Stoma: colostomy and ileostomy
• Colonoscopy, screening and diagnosis

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically apply anatomical and physiological functions of the colon to a variety of diseases affecting the colon.
2. Critically appraise current methods of diagnosing and treating diseases of the colon.

Module Aims
This module is designed to help students recognise, understand, interpret and apply methods used in healthcare research and critically appraise the various methodologies specific to gastroenterology research.

Module Content
Terminology used in epidemiology and research studies such as prevalence, incidence, sensitivity, specificity, false positive and false negatives.
Interpreting graphical representation of epidemiological and statistical data such as Kaplan-Meier Curves, Forrest Plots and Meta-analyses.
Calculations used in the assessment of research data such as relative risk, absolute risk, number needed to treat.
Statistical tests and their applications including t-Tests, ANOVA, Chi-Square.
Qualitative research methods.
Fundamentals of evidence-based practice and its application into the clinical setting.
Principles of health economics, audit and quality improvement/assurance systems.
Establishing patient registers and the value of disease specific registers.
Research into educational principles for both healthcare practitioner and patient.
Understanding what may work for the patient as well as the educator.

Learning Outcomes

1. Analyse and interpret research in gastroenterology medicine.
2. Display a critical understanding of the clinical implications of research and its impact upon healthcare delivery and service development.

Module Aims
To develop an ability to critically evaluate areas of professional practice.
To critically appraise specific areas of clinical, research and organisational practice.
To develop skills in independent research and study.
To develop skills relevant to scientific publications.

Module Content
The module will depend on the creation of a piece of work based upon a specific clinically related project relevant to the student’s practice.

This project may comprise:

Literature review and appraisal of the evidence.
Audit of practice including organisational or clinical.
Review and implementation of evidence-based practice.
Qualitative or quantitative research (formal research involving human subjects is not anticipated).
Case-based and quality of service review with critical appraisal.
Case report, review of literature and organisational assessment.

Learning Outcomes

1. Design and undertake research and development in order to produce an extensive piece of literature which may be suitable for peer-reviewed publication.
2. Critically evaluate practice and suggest improvements or change.
3. Incorporate knowledge of the research process in developing services appropriately.

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.