Renal Medicine

Aims of the module:
Provide healthcare professionals with the advanced knowledge and skills to confidently diagnose and initiate management of patients with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

Module Content:

• Introduction and definitions: AKI versus “acute on chronic” kidney disease versus CKD.
• Diagnosis and staging of AKI and CKD.
• Essential history, observations and investigations in AKI and CKD.
• Consequences of AKI, both acute and long term.
• Consequences of CKD, e.g. anaemia and renal bone disease.
• Prognosis of AKI and CKD.

Learning outcomes:

1. Exhibit an advanced knowledge of renal disease, including the ability to diagnose AKI and CKD confidently, and critically analyse their consequences.
2. Evaluate and initiate appropriate investigations to inform decisions about further management.

Aims of the module:
Equip healthcare professionals with advanced knowledge and skills to confidently manage patients with Acute Kidney Injury and critically evaluate when referral to secondary care is appropriate and necessary.

Module Content:

• Identification and understanding of the spectrum of causes of AKI.
• Acute treatment.
• When to refer to hospital and to nephrology.
• Common errors in managing AKI.
• Prescribing in kidney disease: The ACEI/ARB conundrum and NSAIDs.
• Prescribing in kidney disease: Antibiotics, metformin and analgesia.

Learning outcomes:

1. Critically apply an advanced understanding of the mechanism of AKI to initiate appropriate treatment and management.
2. Critically appraise the severity of AKI with critical judgement, ensuring appropriate referral to secondary care.

Aims of the module:
Foster healthcare professionals' in-depth knowledge and skills to confidently manage patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and appraise when referral to secondary care is appropriate and necessary.

Module Content:

• Slowing progression of CKD.
• Hypertension and proteinuria.
• Genetic kidney disease.
• Kidney diseases for which there are specific treatments, e.g. Fabry’s disease.
• Renal anaemia: pathophysiology and treatment.
• Renal bone disease: pathophysiology and treatment.

Learning outcomes:

1. Critically appraise theoretical and evidence-based medicine to select and initiate appropriate management of chronic kidney disease.
2. Appraise the severity of Chronic Kidney Disease with critical judgement, ensuring appropriate referral to secondary care.

Aims of the module:
Equip healthcare professionals with advanced knowledge and skills to analyse the impact of systemic disease on the kidney and provide evidence-based care for these complex conditions.

Module Content:

• Diabetes as a cause of kidney disease.
• Pregnancy in the patient with CKD, the transplant patient and the dialysis patient.
• Cardiovascular disease as a cause of CKD and CKD as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• Myeloma & rheumatological diseases.
• Sepsis as a trigger for AKI in ‘at risk’ patients.
• Impact of surgery and radiological interventions on the kidney.

Learning outcomes:

1. Formulate strategies for early identification of kidney disease and appropriate management in complex scenarios.
2. Critically evaluate new insights into acute kidney injury, ensuring optimal management of the 'at risk' patient.

Aims of the module:
Impart healthcare professionals with specialised knowledge and skills to confidently manage general medical and surgical problems in the dialysis and transplant patient from a primary care perspective.

Module Content:

• Renal replacement therapy options: transplantation, haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, conservative management.
• When is dialysis necessary?.
• Peritoneal dialysis for primary care: practicalities, complications and emergencies.
• Haemodialysis for primary care: practicalities, complications and emergencies.
• Transplantation for primary care.
• Prescribing, especially drug interactions.

Learning outcomes:

1. Exercise judgement with regard to medical problems in the dialysis and transplant patient, exhibiting confidence in management in primary care.
2. Critically apply advanced understanding of the impact of dialysis and transplantation on the management of common conditions, including appropriate prescribing.

Aims of the module:
Empower healthcare professionals to provide patient-centred care, enabling them to access healthcare advice and treatment options pertinent to their circumstances, facilitating informed decision-making that maximises their quality of life.

Module Content:

• Working with children and families.
• The benefits of diet and exercise for patients with kidney disease.
• Complex decision making in kidney disease, with a focus on patient empowerment.
• Travel, including vaccinations, dialysis abroad and insurance.
• Pain management.
• Palliative care of patients with renal failure.

Learning outcomes:

1. Address complex issues systematically and creatively to inform and empower patients living with kidney disease.
2. Exhibit critical awareness of specific issues pertaining to patients with kidney disease to ensure appropriate management is not withheld.

Aims of the module:
To prepare students for an independent research-based project by developing skills in selecting, appraising, discriminating, using evidence and appropriate research/investigative methods to address relevant topics for investigation.

Module Content:

• Quantitative Studies
• Statistical Analysis Interpretation
• Interpreting the Evidence
• Meta-analysis and Systematic Reviews
• Qualitative Studies
• Evidence Appraisal: Interpreting, Weighing and Synthesising the Evidence
• Audit, Governance and Quality Improvement, Health Economics
• Preparing a Research Proposal: Research Committees, Consent, Ethics, Probity and Literature Review

Learning outcomes:

1. Critically analyse and interpret research to assess its application to delivery/service development.
2. Evaluate and synthesise diverse methodological approaches and research tools to formulate and investigate complex questions within your field of practice.

Aims of the module:

• To formulate the research question that you seek to answer.
• 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 project relevant to the student’s practice. This project may comprise:

• Systematic literature review and appraisal of the evidence.
• Audit of non-patient data/organisational audit
• Review and implementation of evidence-based practice.
• Literature review and qualitative or quantitative research proposal.
• Case(s)-based and quality of service review with critical appraisal.
• Case report, review of literature and organisational assessment.
• Secondary data analysis.

Learning outcomes:

1. Synthesise advanced knowledge of research to conceptualise, plan, and execute an original investigation that contributes significant insights to a chosen field of practice.
2. Critically evaluate practice and suggest improvements or change in a chosen healthcare setting.
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.