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Diabetes

Postgraduate
MSC-DIA
Award Name Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ)
NFQ Classification Major
Awarding Body National University of Ireland
NFQ Level Level 9 NFQ
Award Name NFQ Classification Awarding Body NFQ Level
Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) Major National University of Ireland Level 9 NFQ
Course Provider:
Location:
Galway City
Attendance Options:
Blended, Daytime, Full time
Qualification Letters:
MSc
Apply to:
Course provider
Number of credits:
ECTS weighting 90

Duration

1 year, full-time.

The programme is delivered using a blended learning format, combining on-line learning and face-to-face workshops.

Entry Requirements

Successful applicants will possess at least a Second Class Honours, Grade 1 degree in an appropriate clinical or life science degree program. For those who do not hold a primary degree at the required level, a special case will be made if they have demonstrated aptitude for the course material through at least three years of high quality work experience in a relevant field of diabetes health.

Candidates coming to Ireland from abroad or who do not have a degree from Ireland or the UK will be asked to provide evidence of an acceptable result in one of the recognised English language proficiency tests, e.g., IELTS total score of 6.5.

All prospective candidates will be interviewed by telephone or Skype.

Careers / Further progression

Career Opportunities
Specialist training in diabetes at postgraduate level will demonstrate an academic commitment to diabetes care and research, and therefore will allow the graduate to be competitive in pursing future healthcare opportunities.

Course Web Page

Further information

Next start date September 2024

Average intake 5

Fees: EU €9,140 full-time; €4,605 part-time p.a. 2024/25
Fees: Tuition €9,000 full-time; €4,500 part-time p.a. 2024/25
Fees: Student levy €140 full-time; €105 part-time p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Non EU €18,000 p.a. (€18,140 p.a. including levy) 2024/25

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant—please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2023/24). You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. An F5 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Postgraduate fee breakdown = Tuition (EU or NON EU) + Student levy as outlined above.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa at https://www.educationinireland.com/en/News/Ireland-24-Month-Stay-Back-Option-.html

Closing Date
Please view the offer rounds website at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/postgrad-admissions/key-dates/

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System.

All prospective candidates will be interviewed by telephone or Skype. Selection will be made by the program director in consultation with the head of school, on the basis of the applicant’s written application. To be considered for admission to the programme, applicants must meet the admission criteria outlined above.

Applicants will be evaluated on the:
Applicant’s academic record
Applicant’s level of motivation and suitability based on his/her Personal Statement (submitted as part of the application)

Diabetes is a global health emergency with over 600 million people expected to have the condition by 2030, representing 10% of the world’s population. Therefore the World Health Organisation (WHO) has classed diabetes as an epidemic requiring urgent action for both prevention and management. This has been echoed in Ireland’s Health Service Executive national policy and clinical strategy for diabetes. It is a chronic metabolic condition that can cause significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality if not managed correctly. Central to this management is controlling key physiological indices such as blood sugar, blood pressure and blood lipid levels, as well as promoting health behaviours such as regular exercise, healthy eating and not smoking. Unfortunately achieving these biological targets and lifestyle goals is extremely challenging. Therefore given its growing prevalence and resulting impact on health care resources, there is an urgent need to provide specialist training in diabetes. This interdisciplinary programme aims to meet this need.

This programme aims to prepare graduates to effectively contribute to diabetes management through comprehensive academic and research training.

The course is delivered through blended learning (online content and face to face workshops), with an attendance requirement of approximately 10 days per 4 month semester (please note some workshops may be scheduled at weekends).

Year 1 Semester 1 & 2 are theoretical based and represents 60 ECTS credits which is equivalent to a Postgraduate Diploma Diabetes at completion (which students can exit with, if they wish, at the end of Semester 2). Semester 3 is research thesis based which builds on the knowledge and skills learned in Semester 1&2 and represents 30 ECTS credits, thus providing a total of 90 ECTS which is the requirement for the awarding of a Masters of Science Diabetes.

Year 1

Semester 1
GPN10 Diabetes 10 ECTS
HP8101 Foundations of Health Promotion 10 ECTS
MD1562 Research Methods for Evidence Based Practice 10 ECTS

Semester 2
MD 578 Lifestyle Risk Factor Modification 30 ECTS

(Optional exit opportunity with PDipSc Diabetes or continue on for MSc Diabetes.)

Semester 3
MD 577 Research Project 30 ECTS

Curriculum Information
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

The programme is delivered using a blended learning format, combining on-line learning and face-to-face workshops. The course assessments therefore reflect this approach by using a combination of continuous assessment through examining the students’ online e-tivities, traditional essays, formal module exams and assigned project activities.

Learning outcomes

Have a systematic understanding of diabetes informed by the latest scholarship
Have a critical awareness of the current problems / new insights in diabetes.
Demonstrate a range of standard and specialised research tools for diabetes
Develop new skills to a high level including novel and emerging techniques in diabetes
Be able to act in a variety of professional contexts on the topic of diabetes
Be able to take significant responsibility for leading diabetes research
Be able to self-evaluate and take responsibility for continuing academic / professional development in diabetes
Be able to scrutinise and reflect on diabetes social norms and relationships and act to change them

Programme Director
Professor Derek O’Keeffe
Consultant Endocrinologist UHG HSE
Professor College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, University of Galway
Clinical Science Institute, University of Galway
T: + 353 91 494 213
E: derek.okeeffe@universityofgalway.ie

Course Provider:
Location:
Galway City
Attendance Options:
Blended, Daytime, Full time
Qualification Letters:
MSc
Apply to:
Course provider
Number of credits:
ECTS weighting 90