Masters Degrees (Diploma In Dermatology)

Diploma MSc is an award-winning provider of online medical education for Postgraduate Diploma and Masters courses. We are now pleased to add the Dermatology Postgraduate Diploma and Masters online courses to our growing range. Our Dermatology courses are offered in conjunction with our partner, the University of South Wales, who have developed a strong reputation for delivering innovative learning.

Dermatology is an increasingly popular clinical entity amongst medical trainees and nurses within the UK and also internationally. This is particularly so in primary care where skin disease is the greatest disease prompting consultation in children and the second biggest problem amongst adults. For instance, in the U.K. approximately 15% of GP consultations are due to dermatology related conditions. In consequence, the British Association of Dermatology advocate within their Standards Document that all healthcare generalists managing skin conditions are suitably qualified and should be supported in this training by employers and commissioners.

Applicants will typically be health professionals such as GPs, doctors, nurses, physicians and pharmacists. For healthcare professionals who successfully complete a qualification, career progression would likely be facilitated, as well as the direct opportunity to improve patient care.

Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology

Our online 1-year Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology will focus on direct application to current topics, case studies, and processes relevant to the student’s own remit and country of practice. The course is worth 120 credits and comprises 6 modules of 20 credits each.

On completion of the Dermatology Diploma, you will be able to:
Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the care of patients with dermatological conditions.
Critically evaluate current research in practical dermatology.
Deliver management strategies for the investigation and treatment of patients with dermatological conditions.
Critically appraise current and potential practical dermatological treatments for use in a variety of population groups.

Course Structure

Our 1 year course consists of 6 modules per year, each of 6 weeks duration.

Module 1 - Practical Dermatology Overview
Module 2 - Lumps, bumps and skin cancer
Module 3 - Lesions at specific sites
Module 4 - Inflammatory Dermatoses
Module 5 - Skin Infections
Module 6 - Practical Dermatology in specific populations

Assessment

The course puts assessment at the heart of learning by using clinical scenarios to facilitate problem-solving, critical analysis and evidence-based care. The scenarios act as both the focus for learning and assessment thus embedding assessment within the learning process.

Each of the 6 modules has the same assessment format. Due to the online nature of the course, students are expected to login and participate in the course regularly throughout the module (ideally on a daily basis).

Students use the skills gained during the lectures to engage with the different activities (see below).

Clinical case scenarios with case based discussion - 40%
Individual learning portfolio - 10%
Group/individual activity - 20%
Case based examination - 30%

Teaching Methods

Each module has the same format. Using an online platform and one tutor per 10-15 students, the self-directed distance learning is guided by tutor stimulated discussion based on clinically rich case scenarios. Group projects are undertaken alongside independent projects. Reflective practice is recorded in a reflective portfolio to help students consider how the learning can be translated into everyday work and practice. Teaching starts with 1 day of introductory lectures. Students may attend these lectures in the UK (Glyntaff campus, University of South Wales). The lecture series are delivered by the faculty and tutors, they are a pre-course organiser, giving students the tools required to undertake the online course such as:

Scientific writing.
Levels of evidence.
Harvard referencing.
Reflective writing.

The lectures series give an opportunity to meet face to face with tutors/other students prior to the online course.

MSc Dermatology

The Dermatology MSc course provides a progression route for the Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology course offered by the University, and has been developed for GPs, doctors, nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and other suitably qualified individuals with an interest in dermatology.

Entry to the 1 year MSc in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine will require the successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology (120 credits) either from the University of South Wales or from another UK University.

Our 1 year Dermatology MSc is the shortest route to MSc certificate available and is delivered online. You will be able to learn around existing work commitments. The Masters in Dermatology course is the only one of its title that is accessible online, and is not offered by any other institution. On completion of the course, you will be able to demonstrate:
an applied understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interrupt knowledge in an appropriate clinical setting.
an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the discipline informed by current scholarship and research.
advanced level critical skills designed to deal with complex problems.

Course Structure

Research Methodologies and Critical Appraisal in Dermatology.
Professional Project: Dermatology.

Teaching Methods

Module 1: Research Methodologies and Critical Appraisal - MSc teaching methods for this module are similar to the PG Diploma course modules, however it is run over 12 weeks.
Module 2: Professional Project - To produce the professional project, students continue to use the online course; however much of the work is self-directed.

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The MSc in Practical Dermatology is for practising General Practitioners or other practising doctors who regularly deal with patients with dermatological problems, and who have obtained the Postgraduate Diploma in Practical Dermatology.

This 12-month, part-time distance learning course aims to enable doctors to successfully manage dermatological problems in patients presenting to their surgeries, by further developing the skills obtained in the Postgraduate Diploma.

Distinctive features

• The course holds both UK and international accreditation, including from the Royal College of General Practitioners, Hong Kong College of Family Physicians and Hong Kong Medical Association. It is quotable in Hong Kong and Singapore.
• Online delivery.

Learning and assessment

How will I be taught?

The course is delivered entirely online via Cardiff University’s virtual learning environment (VLE), Learning Central, allowing regular, rapid and efficient communication between colleagues, tutors and course administrators, reducing the isolation commonly associated with distance learning.

Through dedicated online tutorial support, discussion forums and online assessments, students become members of an enthusiastic and supportive online community of doctors with an interest in dermatology. This environment allows collaboration, both academic and clinical, which can extend beyond the life of the programme.

How will I be supported?

The academic staff who teach and oversee the MSc in Practical Dermatology are assisted by a dedicated postgraduate administrator team and learning technology team. All can be contacted by telephone or e-mail to ensure good communication between students and the University. Most of the communication is via the website/VLE, where there are discussion boards that also allow the students to support each other.

Career prospects

This programme is aimed at doctors who have completed the Diploma in Practical Dermatology. The MSc can form part of the portfolio of a general practitioner wishing to practice as a GPwSI in dermatology.

This Masters programme enables you to demonstrate you are taking the opportunity to develop your abilities in critical analysis, problem-solving, decision-making, finding and using evidence and in dealing with complex issues. Whilst we do not formally assess clinical skills or competencies in a face-to-face context (so the programme is not a substitute for a formal specialty training programme), studying at this level should help successful students demonstrate numerous academic skills that should be highly regarded in relation to their career development and progression. In particular, the programme offers opportunities to demonstrate the development of knowledge and skills in relation to the application of evidence-based medicine and the potential enhancement of services and governance frameworks. As such, it should provide evidence of commitment and potential that may assist you in relation to taking on greater responsibilities or perhaps seeking management, research, scholarship, or leadership roles.

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Allergy is an increasing global health problem. There is an urgent need both in the UK and worldwide for training in clinical allergy.

Our Allergy courses have been designed to suit all levels of healthcare professionals who deal with patients with allergic conditions, including doctors (GPs, Paediatricians, Specialists in Allergy, Dermatology, Respiratory medicine or ENT) as well as specialist nurses, dietitians, nutritionists and biomedical scientists.

The course enables students to develop advanced knowledge and practical skills to optimally diagnose and manage allergic diseases at all ages.

Teaching is delivered by world-renowned experts in the field and covers all aspects from the basic immune mechanisms underlying allergic diseases to cutting-edge research that may influence clinical practice.

Our courses are structured around a modular teaching week each term at St. Mary's Medical School Campus in Paddington, London, supported by extensive interactive online learning resources. This flexible schedule enables students from around the world to take part. It allows you to fit the course in with your professional commitments and to study in your own time as your personal situation permits.

Study programme

This course is made up of three phases (Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc).

You must apply to the Postgraduate Certificate in the first instance. Read more about how this works under 'Choosing your course' in the how to apply section on our website.

Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert)

You complete three modules by attending a five-day (Monday-Friday) teaching block for each module in one academic year (usually in October, January and April). You also complete extensive additional studies through online learning resources.

Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip)

After completing the PG Cert modules in year 1, you attend six core modules in Year 2. Each module lasts two days (these are organised so that two modules run in the same week, to help minimise travel to London). These modules are usually run in November, February and June. You submit an assignment on each module.

Master's degree (MSc)

In addition to completing the PgCert and PGDip modules, you will complete a research project and write up a dissertation. You can submit this either in Year 2, or in Year 3 for those wishing to spread the academic workload.

The PG Cert and PG Dip modules can also be completed as standalone short courses.

Careers

These qualifications will be of great value to those healthcare professionals holding or wishing to apply for specialist posts in secondary and tertiary care in areas of medicine such as allergy, paediatrics, respiratory medicine, dermatology and gastroenterology.

It will also be very valuable for GPs, specialist nurses, nutritionists and dietitians wishing to further develop their expertise and careers in allergy.

Further information

For full information on this course, including how to apply, see: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/medicine/allergy/

If you have any enquiries you can contact our team at: [email protected]

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Programme description
This programme covers core aspects of dermatology over a one-year period, with particular emphasis on the diagnosis and management of skin disease from a primary care perspective.

Programme outline
The weekly teaching sessions are given by experts in the field and comprise written and audiovisual material with a formative quiz. There are two separate interlinked programmes for this diploma: one for UK-based general practitioners and one for doctors from outside the UK.

Key features - UK programme

Six Clinical Days examining clinical cases, throughout the course of a year
Small group consultant-led teaching
Weekly interactive web-based material
Weekly audiovisual material to demonstrate cases and good practice.
Key features � International programme

This programme can be studied anywhere - No travel to the UK is required.
Regular small group tutorials, with live chat
Live interactive lectures
A discussion forum that allows you to discuss cases and topics at your convenience
Weekly audiovisual material to demonstrate cases and good practice

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This course is taught at our quality-assured partners worldwide.

Course overview

This course will provide the additional postgraduate qualification you need to progress in your field.

During the course you will cover principles of clinical pharmacy and a range of therapeutic areas. These include cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, dermatology, infections, dermatology, CNS, oncology and palliative care. The Masters project allows you to research an area of particular personal interest and relevance to your practice.

We welcome applications from registered pharmacists working within hospital, primary care and community settings.

This course is run on a mainly distance-learning basis, to allow people working full-time to balance their studies with other commitments. In addition to distance-learning, you will also attend study sessions held throughout the course.

Sunderland has an excellent reputation for pharmacy. Our Department is ranked No.6 in the UK according to The Guardian University Guide 2013, and our academic team produce ‘world-leading’ research, according to the latest Research Assessment Exercise.

Course content

The content of this course has been developed with input from the NHS in the North East. Modules on this course include:
Diploma Level 1
-Clinical Pharmacy 1 (30 Credits)
-Clinical Pharmacy 2 (30 Credits)

Diploma Level 2
-Clinical Pharmacy 3 (30 Credits)
-Clinical Pharmacy 4 (30 Credits)

Masters Stage
-Research Methods (30 Credits)
-Research Project (30 Credits)

Teaching and assessment

We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods which include lectures, group work, directed reading, research, tutorials and online tutor support.

Facilities & location

This course is available at partner Universities worldwide.

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