Key facts
PGCert
Part-time: 2 years
Eligible applicants: UK, international
Location: University of Brighton, Falmer campus
This course is jointly validated by the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex.
Applications for the 2025/2026 intake are paused.
It is still possible to take single modules in the 2025/26 academic year. Please contact the Diabetes team for further information on options for next year: diabetes@bsms.ac.uk.
Download the course application handbook below.
Download the course application handbook here >
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Course overview
This course has been designed to provide advanced professional education in diabetes care for a wide range of practitioners working in primary care including general practitioners, nurses from primary care, podiatrists, and pharmacists.
Practitioners gain knowledge of current best practice in the diagnosis and management of diabetes; the epidemiology of diabetes type 1 and type 2 pathophysiology; diagnosis, treatment and lifestyle modifications. Clinical learning is blended with teaching in organisational and policy context to enable clinicians to contribute more effectively to improving the design, delivery, outcomes and cost-effectiveness of services and to inform evidence-based practice.
Our multi professional teaching team is comprised of locally and globally recognised clinicians from the renowned and multi award winning community-based service "Diabetes Care For You”.
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Key areas of study
- Complications of diabetes and their management
- Epidemiology
- Lifestyle interventions and up-to-date treatment options
- Self-management and the patient perspective
- Insulin management, therapeutics and monitoring and other injectables
- Evidence-based practice in diabetes care
- Quality, safety and service improvement in clinical services
- Leadership and change management in clinical services
Course structure
How is the course assessed?
Modules are assessed by 2,000 or 3,000 word written assignments which are centred on case studies or an agreed relevant topic and presentations.
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Modules
PGCert
- Diabetes Practice in Primary Care (20 credits)*
- Insulin Management, Therapeutics and Monitoring in Primary Care Diabetes (20 credits)*
AND
- Evidence Based Practice (20 credits)
OR
- Leadership and Change Management in Clinical Services (20 credits)
OR
- Quality, Safety and Service Improvement in Clinical Services (20 credits)
*Diabetes Practice in Primary Care and Insulin Management, Therapeutics and Monitoring in Primary Care Diabetes may also be taken as standalone CPD courses.
Find out more >
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Career opportunities
The course provides an accessible and achievable postgraduate qualification for professionals who provide care and support for people with diabetes in the community.
Practitioners will gain clinical and professional knowledge which will enhance their ability to practice, commission and promote state of the art evidence-based care.
Why BSMS?
The profile of diabetes as a public health problem has never been higher, making evidence-based practice increasingly important.
If you are a health professional with a specialist interest in diabetes care in primary settings, or a practitioner wishing to gain knowledge about best practice in the management of diabetes, this unique programme based on practical and case-based learning is designed to advance your skills.
We uniquely offer this course face to face for in-depth interaction with our team of experts and to develop communities of practice that help you to become a highly skilled clinician.
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Diversity and inclusivity
Diversity and inclusivity is at the heart of our institution’s teaching practices and our team make every effort to make our students feel welcomed.
Our priority is the wellbeing of our students while maintaining the high standards of course delivery and depth of educational experience.
Our course team is always happy to provide additional academic support through 1-to-1 meetings to ensure equal opportunities and experience.
If you need additional support around learning (e.g. dyslexia), we encourage you to discuss this with our course team at the start of the term. This will help us to develop a coherent learning support plan (LSP) for your individual needs.
What our students say
"I have learnt so much and have really enjoyed studying again. The course has been engaging, relevant and practical, and I have an enthusiasm to provide the best care we can to our patients with diabetes. I was well supported by the excellent course tutors; if you have an interest in diabetes I cannot recommend this course highly enough."
Claire Francis, PGCert Diabetes in Primary Care student.
"The module was well organised by several diabetes leads and specialists, and packed with lots of sessions to enable practitioners to prescribe insulin safely. There were lots of case studies that were really helpful to understand which insulin to use and how to titrate them effectively. I enjoyed every session on the course as they were productive, interesting and up to date with current legislation and guidance. I learnt so many new things!"
Doorgaduth Roy, PGCert Diabetes in Primary Care student.
Entry requirements
This course is open to post-registration doctors and qualified practitioners with relevant clinical experience in any profession allied to medicine.
This course is open to UK applicants only (and EU applicants who are appointed to a post within HEESE).
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Fees and funding
The fees listed are the overall costs for full-time courses taken in the academic year 2025/26. Where courses are taken part-time over more than one academic year, fees are usually charged pro-rata for the modules taken during each academic year. If you do not have settled status in the UK and require a work visa, then you will be fee assessed as Overseas and will therefore be subject to the International fee rate.
Find out more about fees and funding >
Scholarships
Read more about SCHOLARSHIPS here >
Apply here
Applications for the 2025/2026 intake are paused.