Expand+Applicants must:
a) have gained

i) an Honours or non-Honours degree in a relevant medical, nursing or allied health profession from a University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or fro...

Hide-Applicants must:
a) have gained

i) an Honours or non-Honours degree in a relevant medical, nursing or allied health profession from a University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or

ii) an equivalent standard in a Postgraduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate or an approved alternative qualification; and

(iii) where applicable be eligible for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council or other relevant professional governing body; and

iv) have a minimum of one year’s post-qualification experience (excluding course attendance); and

v) be working in an area of practice relevant to the programme that enables clinical interaction with colleagues working in the field of lower limb preservation and ongoing access to clients.

If English is not your first language this course requires a minimum English level of IELTS (academic) 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5, or equivalent.

Visit ulster.ac.uk/englishrequirements for more details.

This course is open to international (non-EU) students.

For full entry requirements please see "Course Web Page" below.

Expand+Several landmark studies have demonstrated that, through a comprehensive package of treatment and support, the complications of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be prevented or significantly delayed, enabling people with diabetes to live longer an...

Hide-Several landmark studies have demonstrated that, through a comprehensive package of treatment and support, the complications of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be prevented or significantly delayed, enabling people with diabetes to live longer and healthier lives (Global Diabetes Plan 2011-2021). The sheer complexity of diabetic disease presents a need for integrated care provision at all stages of the patients journey; in particular for those who are elderly and infirm, those who have had a longer duration of diabetes and those with multiple morbidities and medications. Integrated care is pivotal as it is provided by multiple groups of professionals, often with conflicting priorities which can lead to fragmentation of care, poorer outcomes and complications, were not working as part of a multidisciplinary care team.

Expand+The sheer complexity of diabetic disease presents a need for integrated care provision at all stages of the patient’s journey; in particular for those who are elderly and infirm, those who have had a longer duration of diabetes, and those with m...

Hide-The sheer complexity of diabetic disease presents a need for integrated care provision at all stages of the patient’s journey; in particular for those who are elderly and infirm, those who have had a longer duration of diabetes, and those with multiple morbidities and medications. Integrated care is pivotal as it is provided by multiple groups of professionals, often with conflicting priorities, which can lead to fragmentation of care, poorer outcomes, and complications when not working as part of a multidisciplinary care team.

You will have the opportunity to develop evidence-based theoretical concepts of limb preservation transferable to professional practice, informed by a critical knowledge and understanding of integrative care requirements for those patients at-risk due to diabetes.

The programme is designed for, but not limited to, specialist podiatrists, nurses, medical, surgical and healthcare professionals, and is targeted at those currently working in or with aspirations to gain further education and/or employment in the field of diabetes and limb preservation.

Work placement / study abroad
There is no formalised placement associated with the programme, however, it is expected that there will be requirement to undertake some practice experience in the workplace. Students are likely to be in full time employment within a health, social or educational setting, for some or all of the period of the programme.

For further course details please see "Course Web Page" below.

Expand+Year one
Pathology and Management of Diabetic Foot
This module provides an examination of current evidence for the management and prevention of diabetic foot complications in the light of a growing body of literature of National and International G...

Hide-Year one
Pathology and Management of Diabetic Foot
This module provides an examination of current evidence for the management and prevention of diabetic foot complications in the light of a growing body of literature of National and International Guidelines. Students' knowledge and skills in the assessment of the diabetic foot and lower limb will be developed and the relationships between the triad of diabetic foot disease (ischaemia, neuropathy and infection) will be examined in detail and the current evidence relating to management discussed.

Research Evidence in Health Science
This module is optional
This 15 credit point, online module runs twice per academic year and offers health professionals an opportunity to develop their understanding of a range of research methodologies commonly used within healthcare. They will use this understanding of clinical research methods to develop skills in critically appraising and synthesising literature in order to inform and advance the quality of care and service delivery. For those students proceeding to the Masters award, the module will complement the 'Preparation for Project' module and provide a foundation for the Masters project.

Diabetic Foot Infection
This module is optional
A working knowledge of infection is essential in management of diabetic foot disease. This module will provide clinicians with the information required to make an informed timely diagnosis of diabetic foot infections and the principals involved in managing them as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Year two
Research Project Preparation
The aim of the module is to develop research design skills to enable students to produce a working research proposal for the Masters project.

Diagnostic Challenges in Diabetic Foot Disease
In order to provide optimal care to the patient with diabetes and concomitant lower limb disease it is essential that professionals working in the field are proficient in a wide range of assessment and monitoring skills. This module will provide participants with the advanced theoretical knowledge necessary to assess on-going pathophysiological disease processes (radiological, neurological, vascular, microbiological and haematological) in the person with diabetes admitted to hospital with concomitant lower limb pathology.

Limb Preservation and Rehabilitation in Diabetes
This module will provide participants with the advanced theoretical knowledge about surgical strategies that are applied in limb preservation. Consideration of infection management, revascularisation, amputation, emotional support, nutritional support, and pain management is emphasised. Maximisation of psychological, physical and functional status, the use of prosthetics, timeline for progression towards independent function, maintenance of residual and contralateral limbs and the components of successful lifelong rehabilitation in limb preservation are also discussed.

Year three
Research Project
The aim of this project module is to engage the student in an independent piece of research activity under the guidance of a supervisor from the School of Health Sciences. It is expected that this research will add to the student's knowledge and perhaps inform future teaching, clinical practice or further research. The research activity will be allied to that carried out in the Centre for Health and Rehabilitation Technologies (CHaRT) within the Institute for Nursing and Health Research (INHR).