Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Oncology

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With 18.1 million cases around the world in 2020, every healthcare professional will care for patients who are living with cancer. The Oncology Diploma from Learna | Diploma MSc will give you the knowledge and skills you need to provide the very best care for your patients and make sure you are up to date with the latest developments in this constantly evolving field. The oncology diploma is led by world renowned oncologists who have specifically designed this programme to give students everything they need to improve their knowledge, career prospects and most importantly clinical outcomes for their patients.

Our unique online learning platform encourages students from multidisciplinary backgrounds to learn from one another and develop their knowledge across a range of topics including cancer biology, cancer care and the various types of cancer you may encounter. This 100% online and fast-paced diploma in medical oncology is designed for doctors, nurses and allied health professionals who wish to receive a thorough grounding in oncology that will help you succeed in your career tackling one of the world's biggest killers.

PgDip Oncology

Next intake: September 2024Key Facts

Awarding University
University of Buckingham
Commitment
Part-time
Exit Points
PgDip
12 Months
Class Size
15 - 20
Application Deadline
30th August 2024
Course start date
2nd September 2024 (view full module dates)
Format
100% Online
Total Fees
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Our Medical Oncology Courses provide avenues for active learning through scenario-based discussions that encourage student involvement and provide additional perspectives on the selection of implementation strategies. Students must log in once a day, from anywhere at any time and due to the flexible, interactive nature of the programme, students are able to continuously test and apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills in their daily practice.

This course is validated by the University of Buckingham, who hold a General Medical Council accreditation. The GMC has high standards and an exceptionally rigorous process for accreditation giving confidence that doctors trained in a GMC accredited medical school will hold the skills and experience needed to meet the high standards that patients expect.

On completion of this Diploma in Medical Oncology, you will come away with:

  • Equip students with life-long learning and advanced problem-solving skills that they can apply to (clinical) practice.
  • Enable graduates to demonstrate the ability to lead complex tasks and processes in the delivery and advancement of medical oncology related care.
  • Enable graduates to deliver leadership to teams in multi-agency, multi-cultural and/or international contexts.
  • Enable graduates to evaluate practice critically in relation to the evidence.
  • Equip students with the ability to implement best practice and innovation in complex scenarios.

Next intake: September 2024 Key Facts

Awarding University
University of Buckingham
Commitment
Part-time
Format
100% Online
Exit Points
PgDip
12 Months
Duration
12 months
Class Size
15 - 20
Application Deadline
30th August 2024
Course start date
2nd September 2024 (view full module dates)
Total Fees

Why Study an Oncology Postgraduate Diploma with Learna

We have over 10 years’ experience delivering online courses, giving you access to flexible, affordable distance learning in partnership with world-leading educators.

knowledge

100% Flexible

Our courses are 100% online. No fixed study times mean you can log in and learn whenever and wherever.

Multidisciplinary - study in a group of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.

Experts

Expert Led

All of our programmes are authored and developed by world leading experts in their field.

Our faculty are selected due to their subject expertise, experience and teaching abilities to ensure the highest standards of educational excellence.

confidence

Career Boosting

Get a University Validated postgraduate qualification in just 1 calendar year instead of 2 academic years.

40% of our alumni reported an increase in salary 2 years after studying with us.

Who is this course for?

The oncology diploma is applicable to all GPs, Practice Nurses, Specialist Nurses and Pharmacists.

How Will I Learn?

You will be supported throughout your studies by a committed team of internationally recognised educational experts.

Our courses are conducted through our interactive online learning platform, log in daily whenever and wherever you want. No fixed timetable empowers you to study when it suits you

These usually occur within groups of 10-20 students, allowing you to clearly communicate with both your tutor and fellow students.

Curriculum

Delivered over 1 year, the online, part-time Postgraduate Diploma course is specially developed for busy health professionals. Formatted in 6 modules, each 6 weeks in duration; the course is designed to be practical and clinically focused.

Module Aims
To demonstrate independent learning skills in tackling and solving complex problems in Medical Oncology.

Module Content

  • Understanding the molecular biology of the process of carcinogenesis will help to pave the way for novel compounds for cancer treatment; immune-oncology and tyrosine kinase inhibitors are striking examples.
  • It can be expected that our increased knowledge of carcinogenesis and cancer risk factors will provide the basis for the concept of ‘personalised medicine’ in oncology, which will be a paradigm shift towards tailor-made cancer therapy.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the risk factors for cancer, causes of cancer and multi-step carcinogenesis.
  2. Critically Apply an in-depth knowledge of tumour immunology and principles of immunotherapy and novel targets.

Module Aims
To develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding to demonstrate the ability to lead complex tasks and processes in the delivery and advancement of cancer-related care.

Module Content

  • Understand the pathogenesis of breast and skin cancers
  • Understand different treatment options for breast and skin cancers
  • Understand novel treatment opportunities (e.g. immuno-oncology, hormone therapy, etc.)

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of Overview of breast and skin cancer and the underlying genetics.
  2. Critically apply an in-depth knowledge of oncological emergencies with breast and skin cancer and palliative care.

Module Aims
To develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of patient management across the spectrum of medical specialties caring for patients with prostate and genitourinary cancers (kidney, bladder, testis).

Module Content

  • Understand different treatment approaches for prostate and genitourinary tumours.
  • Understand the basic role of chemotherapy for testicular cancers (first curable cancer).
  • Understand the role of immune-oncology and targeted therapy concepts for these tumours.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of prostate and genitourinary malignancies and genetics.
  2. Focusing in particular on the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in both early- and late-stage urologic malignancies.

Module Aims
To develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a wide range of malignant tumours, gastrointestinal cancers as a group form the second most prevalent cancers worldwide.

Module Content

  • Understand specific diagnostic procedures for GI tumours.
  • Combined modality approaches for GI tumours.
  • The current treatment situation for pancreatic carcinomas.
  • Understand the emerging role of immune-oncology therapies for some GI tumours.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of diagnosis, staging, screening, referral and surgical intervention, prognosis.
  2. Critically apply an in-depth knowledge of GI cancers cancer and genetics.

Module Aims
To develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of thoracic cancer and the underlaying genetics. To develop an understanding of resistance to therapy and the emergence of immunotherapy for lung cancer.

Module Content

  • Understand the role of environmental factors (e.g., smoking and asbestos).
  • Combined modality approaches for lung cancers.
  • Understand the paradigm shift for treatment of lung cancers (chemotherapy → immunotherapy and targeted therapies).

Learning Outcomes

  1. Equip students with the ability to implement best practice and innovation in complex medical oncology scenarios.
  2. To evaluate practice critically in relation to the evidence base in cancer treatment.
  3. Critically apply an in-depth knowledge of diagnosis and treatment into their practice as a Medical Oncologist.

Module Aims
To develop an in-depth knowledge of haematological malignancies and the underlying genetics. To improve the understanding of emerging therapies: CAR-T and stem cell transplantation.

Module Content

  • Understand the principles of current diagnostic procedures.
  • Understand the principles of cell-based therapies (e.g., stem cell transplantation, CAR-T cells).
  • The major therapy pillars of haematological malignancies.
  • TUnderstand the novel treatment approaches for these malignancies.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the recent developments in stem cell biology with increased emphasis on genomic and proteomic techniques in the diagnosis of haematological malignancies.
  2. Demonstrate a critical knowledge, understanding of the advances in treatment of leukaemias and lymphomas.
  3. Critically apply knowledge of cancer diagnosis, staging, screening, referral and prognosis.

Assessment Methods

This Medical Oncology course places assessments at the heart of the learning process through the employment of clinical scenarios to enhance problem-solving, critical analysis and evidence-based care. Since the scenarios act as a focus for learning and assessment, the two are intrinsically linked.

The six 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.

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.

  • Case problems reflective of day-to-day practice/research will be presented for the students to consider and answer every week.
  • Students discuss the concepts being presented in the case within their online group discussion forum, facilitated throughout the module by their tutor and marked by them at the end of the module.
  • The content of the academic forum is based on the learning outcomes for the module.

The online reflective journal is a learning portfolio that requires students to record and critically reflect on their learning. Reflection is an important aspect of the programme since the professionals will be able to spend time considering how their practice compares to the themes being discussed in the module. The tutor provides feedback to the student weekly and marks it at the end of the module. Reflective practice is a requirement for healthcare professionals for professional re-validation and professional development.

This can be either a Group Activity or an Individual Activity:

Group activity
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 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.
or
Individual activity
Designed to stimulate and demonstrate personalised learning, creativity and problem solving with application to each student’s own practice area.
Examples of individual activities might include either a written assignment, developing an academic poster presentation, a blog or social media project.

All students must complete the same assignment for each module which is pre-determined by the Programme Leader before the modules commence.

  • Case problems in the form of a one-hour timed examination with multiple-choice questions directly test the reasoning and knowledge objectives of the module.
  • The online exam is marked automatically.
  • The examination tests related theory and problem-solving skills.

Entry requirements

Since our oncology 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 for the oncology diploma 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 also 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. You can also contact our admissions team on admissions@diploma-msc.com for more information on the qualifications we accept.

Course Fees

Total Course Fees for UK & International Students for September 2024:
£4,500
Application deadline - TBC

Option 1: Upfront Payment in full. Option 2: Interest free payments every other month for the duration of the course.

DateInstalmentsUp-Front Payments
Deposit£750£4,500
1st November 2024£750
1st January 2025£750
1st March 2025£750
1st May 2025£750
1st July 2025£750

† Deposits are non-refundable

†† Prices are subject to review following each intake

Option 3: Lower your monthly payments by spreading the cost for between 2 and 8 years with a loan from our lending partner Lendwise*.

*Subject to eligibility criteria.

lendwise

Learna | Diploma MSc has a partnership with Lendwise which is a leading private student loan provider, to help UK students fund their course fees should they require financing. Lendwise is a UK-based education finance platform through which candidates can fund their postgraduate and professional qualification studies at leading educational institutions.

A Lendwise loan comes with a fixed interest rate for the duration of the loan (between 2 and 8 years) and no early repayment penalties. The interest rate offered will depend on the overall applicant profile and the application process is entirely online.*

*Other sources of funding are available.
Learna | Diploma MSc does not offer financial advice, recommend or endorse any financial product. You should always check the suitability of the product that is of interest to you. If you are in any doubt as to its suitability, we suggest that you seek independent professional advice.

Talk To Our Students

Why Learna

We have over 10 years’ experience delivering online diploma courses, giving you access to flexible, affordable distance learning in partnership with world-leading educators.

Our courses are some of the most affordable of their kind, providing value for money without compromising on quality. We also don't apply an international surcharge. No fixed timetable means you can log in & learn on the go, at your convenience.

Being totally online means we can select the very best tutors and resource editors, no matter where they’re located.

Connect with multidisciplinary people around the world to expand your insights & broaden your career prospects.

Our programmes produce 90% fewer emissions than campus-based learning.

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