- Validated by
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- Duration
- 6 months
- Apply by
- 6th Sep 2026
Total fees
£2,520Next intake
September 2026
Apply by
6th Sep 2026
Commitment
Part time
Format
100% online
Duration
6 months
About this programme
Our Postgraduate Certificate in Urology takes just 6 months to complete, meaning you can now upskill in this crucial field faster than ever before. Delivered 100% online by expert tutors with a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in urology, you can study daily around your existing clinical responsibilities.
As the first surgical specialty to use minimally invasive techniques such as endoscopy and key-hole surgery, urology continues to lead in groundbreaking advances within healthcare at the forefront of developments in robot-assisted surgery (Health Careers, 2021). With our urology certification you have the opportunity to advance your career and make a significant impact in urology.
In this highly competitive field, our certificate course in urology supports healthcare professionals like you to stand out from the crowd and specialise in this fast-evolving subject. Rise to the challenge of delivering high-quality care to urological patients within a complex primary and secondary care environment.
With 25 million Europeans above 40 years of age experiencing symptoms of urinary incontinence, and 10% of Europe’s daily medical care taken up by urology-related problems, there is an undeniable need for specialised education and training in this field.
As demand for formal qualifications amongst Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) in urology increases, our university-validated urology nurse certification meets requirements to upskill Urology CNS and provide a better level of healthcare worldwide.
On completion of this Urology Postgraduate Certificate, you will be able to:
- Implement best practice and innovation in complex urologic scenarios.
- Use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches to address complex issues in clinical practice.
- Demonstrate a systematic understanding of urology, and application of knowledge for direct patient benefit/service development and future study.
Who can study this Postgraduate Certificate in Urology?
This programme is directed to Specialist Nurses, GPs and GP registrars, Specialist Registrars/CTs and Pharmacists.
What will you study on this Postgraduate Certificate in Urology?
Our online Urology Postgraduate Certificate allows you to study for just six months and is a part-time, distance-learning course. The course is worth 60 credits and comprises three modules of 20 credits, each running over a period of six weeks.
Year 1
Module 1 Module 1: Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms +
Module Aims
Apply an advanced understanding of lower urinary tract anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology to the clinical assessment, investigation and management of lower urinary symptoms.
Module Content
- Anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the lower urinary tract
- Investigation and diagnosis of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)
- Conservative and pharmacological treatment of benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)
- Surgical treatments for benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)
- Management of overactive bladder (OAB)
- Management of nocturnal polyuria
Learning Outcomes
- Develop a critical knowledge of the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the lower urinary tract as well as in the diagnosis, investigation and management of the person presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms.
- Critically evaluate the evidence relating to the diagnosis, investigation and management of lower urinary tract symptoms.
- Apply this knowledge to synthesise and deliver diagnostic and evidence based management strategies to provide the best level of care for patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms.
Module 2 Module 2: Prostate and Bladder Cancers +
Module Aims
Develop an in-depth understanding of the presentation, investigation and management of prostate and bladder cancer in a variety of settings.
Module Content
- Incidence, presentation and investigation of prostate cancer.
- Diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer.
- Treatment of prostate cancer.
- Presentation and investigation of bladder cancer.
- Diagnosis and staging of bladder cancer.
- Treatment of bladder cancer
Learning Outcomes
- Develop a critical knowledge of the incidence, presentation, diagnosis, investigation and management of prostate and bladder cancers.
- Critically evaluate current research and guidelines related to the diagnosis and management of prostate and bladder cancers.
- Synthesise and translate the critical knowledge into complex case scenarios relating to the diagnosis and management of prostate and bladder cancers.
Module 3 Module 3: Urinary Tract Infections +
Module Aims
Develop a critical and systematic knowledge of the presentation, diagnosis and management of patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in a variety of settings
Module Content
- Incidence, risk factors and pathogens
- Investigation and diagnosis
- Management of urinary tract infections
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Prostatitis
- Epididymitis and orchitis
Learning Outcomes
- Develop a critical knowledge of the diagnosis, investigation and management of urinary tract infections to include prostatitis, epididymitis and orchitis.
- Critically evaluate the current research and guidelines relating to the presentation, diagnosis and management of urinary tract infections, prostatitis, epididymitis and orchitis.
- Synthesise and critically evaluate guidance and evidence to be able to manage and treat patients with urinary tract infections (UTI) in clinical practice including prostatitis, epididymitis and orchitis.
How will I learn?
You’ll learn through our flexible, interactive online platform: clinical cases, assignments and collaboration with fellow students at times that suit your rota. There is no fixed timetable — log in daily to take part in the week’s activities.
Groups are small, typically 10–20 students, so discussion stays close to practice. A dedicated tutor and the Student Support Team stay with you through the module.
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100% flexible
Online, with no campus days. Study around clinic, nights and family life.
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Case-based
Two or three clinically rich scenarios each week, discussed with peers and marked by your tutor.
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About 10 hours a week
A little and often — daily login beats a weekly cram.
Assessment methods
The Postgraduate Certificate in Urology places assessments at the heart of the learning process through the employment of real life scenarios to enhance problem-solving, critical analysis and evidence-based practice. Since the scenarios act as a focus for learning and assessment, the two are intrinsically linked.
The three modules on the course have the same assessment format and for all modules, you will be assigned a dedicated expert tutor. Your tutor will then facilitate case discussions with the group, whilst monitoring, assessing and marking your work throughout. You will also participate in a combination of module activities that may be group and/or individual based, dependent on the module.
These innovative teaching methods enable you to envisage the translation of your studies into your every day work and practice. Due to the online nature of the course, you will be expected to regularly login and participate in the course - ideally on a daily basis. Students are recommended to spend around two hours per day on their studies. Our dedicated Student Support Team are also available to help with any problems you may face. From navigating our online platform to advising you on deadlines, our team can assist with any questions or challenges you may have along the way.
Assessments are built into the learning. Each week you work through clinical cases with your tutor; those discussions are the core of both the teaching and the marks.
Reflective portfolio - 10% +
The online reflective journal is a learning portfolio that requires the students to record and critically reflect on their learning. Reflection is an important aspect of the programme as the professionals will be able to spend time considering how their practice compares to the themes being discussed in the module. The tutor provides regular feedback to the student and marks it at the end of the module.
Reflective practice is a requirement for healthcare professionals for both professional re-validation and professional development.
Case-based multiple-choice exam - 30% +
Case problems in the form of a one-hour timed examination with multiple-choice ‘single best answer’ questions directly test the reasoning and knowledge objectives of the module. The online examination is marked automatically.
Module Activity (Group or Individual) - 20% +
The group activity is designed to stimulate and test the students’ ability to work as a team in taking the subject area forward. A group task is set, the group elects a leader using the online forum (designed to put leadership skills into practice) and the leader allocates tasks to group members.
The leader is responsible for managing, collating and submitting the activity (online) at the end of the module. The tutor provides formative guidance part way through the module and marks the assessment at the end.
Examples of individual activities might include either a written assignment, poster, blog or social media project.
All students must complete the same assignment for each module that is predetermined by the programme Leader before the modules commence. Students are not provided with an option to choose.
Academic Forum (Case-based scenarios and discussion) - 40% +
Students are required to critically analyse clinically focused case-based scenarios, discussion threads and weekly questions posed by their tutors via the Academic Forum (an online discussion board) and designed to meet the module learning outcomes. Here, students make their own researched and referenced contributions and interact with the tutor and their fellow students. There is no didactic teaching, instead, students are posed questions and prompted to search the literature, read it critically and respond. Engagement is encouraged by the tutor prompting students to respond and the use of automated activity monitoring software.
At the end of each module, the tutor allocates marks to each student based on a marking rubric. The rubric takes into account the following elements:
· Promptness and initiative
· Delivery of post (spelling and grammar)
· The relevance of post and referencing
· Expression within the post
Entry requirements
Since our courses are conducted entirely online, they are accessible to both UK and international registered healthcare professionals.
Applicants will typically hold a first degree or equivalent (including international qualifications) in a relevant professional healthcare field, such as a medical or nursing degree.
Registered healthcare professionals without these recognised qualifications will be considered on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience may be taken into account. In some cases, applicants may be asked to submit a piece of work for assessment in order to confirm that they are able to work comfortably at postgraduate level, and demonstrate the requisite clinical and professional knowledge.
Documents required
- A copy of your updated CV including your address and date of birth.
- A copy of your undergraduate degree certificate.
- The name and email address of someone who is able to provide a reference. This can be a work colleague, employer or former tutor.
- A detailed personal statement explaining why you would like to undertake the course.
- A copy of your proof of English competency (see below).
English language requirements
Proficiency in the English language is essential to completing our courses. If English is not your first language, we ask for proof of competency during the application process. We are able to accept an IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 for each band) or an equivalent qualification.
If you do not meet these requirements, please don’t worry. The University of Buckingham run a number of English language programmes to prepare you for your academic studies. You can also contact our admissions team on admissions@learna.ac.uk for more information on the qualifications we accept.
Faculty
Programme Director
Professor Gareth Brown
Validated by
University of Buckingham
The University of Buckingham is the only independent university in the UK with a Royal Charter, and also one of the smallest with around 2,700 students, who study for honours degrees in two intensive years of study. The University houses its own medical school and was ranked first for student satisfaction in 2018, 2019 and 2020 by the Complete University Guide.
Dates
Dates for Postgraduate Certificate / Postgraduate Diploma / MSc Year 1 September 2026 Intake
| Module | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| Induction Week | 7th September 2026 | 11th September 2026 |
| Module 1 | 14th September 2026 | 25th October 2026 |
| Module 2 | 9th November 2026 | 20th December 2026 |
| Module 3 | 11th January 2027 | 21st February 2027 |
| Module 4 | 8th March 2027 | 18th April 2027 |
| Module 5 | 3rd May 2027 | 13th June 2027 |
| Module 6 | 28th June 2027 | 8th August 2027 |
Course fees and payment options
Course fees
- Deposit for September 2026
- £420
- Total course fees (UK & international)
- £2,520
Payment options
- Option 1: Upfront payment in full (discount available).
- Option 2: Interest-free monthly payments throughout the course.
Spread the cost with Lendwise, who offer financing options for up to 8 years.
Payment plan breakdown
| Instalment | Amount |
|---|---|
| Deposit | £420 |
| 1st May 2026 | £420 |
| 1st June 2026 | £420 |
| 1st July 2026 | £420 |
| 1st August 2026 | £420 |
| 1st September 2026 | £420 |
Deposits are non-refundable. Prices are subject to review following each intake. Lendwise finance is subject to eligibility.
Frequently asked questions
Are the courses recognised outside of the UK? +
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.
How do online courses work? +
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.
How much time will I need to spend on the course each week? +
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.
Is the course completely online? +
Yes, everything is done entirely online through our learning platform, Moodle. You do not need to attend the University.
My international degree was taught in English - do I still need to take an English test to prove my English proficiency? +
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).
Do you offer any payment plans or funding support? +
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.
What discounts are available, and how much can I save? +
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.