Diabetes
Over 4.9 million people in the UK are known to have diabetes and there are an estimated 1 million people in the UK who have diabetes but do not know it. Over 90% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. The global impact of Covid-19 has further highlighted the importance of optimised diabetes management.
There has never been a more critical time to ensure the healthcare workforce in both primary and secondary care are skilled to deal with this growing epidemic. There is recognition in a report led by leading diabetes charity Diabetes UK that staff involved in the management of those with diabetes should gain additional qualifications to fulfil their role.
What if you could play a pivotal role in providing diabetes care that makes a real difference to patients and helps to tackle the rising costs in the NHS? Have a look at our suite of courses designed to cover the different levels of qualification you may need to help you progress in this fast-moving area of medicine.
Meet our staff
Staff interviews

Read our interviews with two members of our teaching team: Jayne Hodgkiss and Dr Stephen Lawrence, to find out what interests them about diabetes and why they feel diabetes education is so important.
Hear from our alumni
"I particularly enjoyed the fact that this course was interdisciplinary, the course was participatory with active learning. The module leaders were all experts in their field of medicine, and I enjoyed networking with all the other participants on the course. I feel confident and I am now an independent practitioner in the area of diabetes care. Three words to sum up my experience of the course: Interesting, participatory and flexible." - Julie O'Hanrahan
"I enjoyed the specialist paediatric modules, which were very informative. The course has also helped me understand the cellular science that has underlined my practice." - Hannah Malone
Our courses
Course Title | Type | Level | Duration |
Diploma in Improving Diabetes Care (IDC)Link opens in a new window for primary care staff, a similar course is offered for secondary care staff (Management of Diabetes in hospital and clinical areas) | Accredited Course |
Professional Development UG Level 5 (30 CATs) |
Online course: 9 months, Attended course: 9 months to include 5 days on site |
Diabetes PGCertificate/ PGDiploma for GPs, hospital doctors, specialist nurses and other health professionals involved in the care of people with diabetes. | PGDip or PGCert | Postgraduate Level 7 | Part time: 1-2 years A mix of online and blended modules |
iheed Master of Science / Postgraduate Diploma in Diabetes Care (accredited by the University of Warwick). This innovative blended learning qualification is offered to clinicians worldwide. | MSc or PGDip | Postgraduate Level 7 |
MSc: 20 months of online learning PGDip: 12 months of online learning |
Applied Pharmacology and Therapeutics in Diabetes CareLink opens in a new window | Postgraduate Award | Postgraduate Level 7 (20 CATS) |
Blended online learning with two days on site 8 weeks in total, from start to assignment submission |
Advancing diabetes care: Evidence into practice | Postgraduate Award | Postgraduate Level 7 (20 CATS) |
8 weeks of online learning |
Preventing diabetes complications: An evidence based approach | Postgraduate Award | Postgraduate Level 7 (20 CATS) |
Blended online learning with two days on site 8 weeks in total, from start to assignment submission |
Diabetes in PregnancyLink opens in a new window | Postgraduate Award | Postgraduate Level 7 (20 CATS) |
Blended online learning with two days on site 8 weeks in total, from start to assignment submission |
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Evidence into PracticeLink opens in a new window | Postgraduate Award | Postgraduate Level 7 (20 CATS) |
Blended online learning with two days on site 8 weeks in total, from start to assignment submission |
Management of Diabetes in Hospital Clinical AreasLink opens in a new windowfor secondary care staff | Accredited Course | Professional Development | 9 months online |
Optimising Glycaemic ControlLink opens in a new window | Accredited Course | Professional Development | 9 months online |
Advanced Leaders ProgrammeLink opens in a new window | Short Course | Professional Development | 2 days on site |