Postgraduate PgCert

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Attendance

Part-time

Distance Learning

Course

One year

Next enrolment

January 2025

Introduction

In a nutshell

International applicants: please check the international intakes page for the latest information and application dates.  

This e-learning programme provides transferable training in the management of gastrointestinal and/or hepatobiliary disorders.

You will develop the specialist knowledge and skills to work collaboratively in the care of patients with gastrointestinal and/or hepatobiliary disorders and deal with clinical situations systematically. You will gain transferable training in the management of gastrointestinal and/or hepatobiliary disorders and engage in life-long learning through the enhancement of key skills and reflective practice.

You will choose two out of three level 7 modules which are:

  • The Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disorders
  • The Management of Gastrointestinal Disorders
  • The Management of Liver Disorders

 

You will:

  • Develop the specialist knowledge and skills to work collaboratively in the care of patients with gastrointestinal and/ or hepatobiliary disorders.
  • Gain transferable training in the management of gastrointestinal and/or hepatobiliary disorders.
  • Enhance patient care in gastroenterology and/or hepatobiliary disorders.
International

students accepted

This is for you if...

1.

You are a qualified healthcare professional wishing to enhance your clinical skills.

2.

You want to learn skills to enable you to deal with clinical situations systematically.

3.

You want to engage in life-long learning through the enhancement of key skills and reflective practice.

Course details

All about the course

This e-learning programme provides a different avenue to meet professional development needs, which will ultimately enhance patient care in gastroenterology. All the materials are delivered via our Virtual Learning Environment, Blackboard, with flexible online support, organised through a variety of carefully prepared resources.

You will need to be computer literate with access to an up-to-date computer with camera facilities.

Two 30-credit modules need to be completed to gain the PgCert and can differ depending on your start date. Each module is broken down into smaller chunk sized units.

  • (Trimester 1) September: Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disorders then

February: Management of Gastrointestinal Disorders

  • (Trimester 2) February: Management of Gastrointestinal Disorders then

June: Management of Liver Disorders

  • (Trimester 3) June: Management of Liver Disorders then

September: Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disorders

 

Year one

Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disorders

Professional learning and critical evaluation in regard to caring for a patient with inflammatory bowel disease utilising up to date relevant supporting evidence.

Management of Gastrointestinal Disorders

Critical evaluation of the knowledge gained in caring for a patient with gastrointestinal disease, utilising relevant up-to-date evidence.

Management of Liver Disorders

A critical analysis of the interventions and management of a patient with liver disorders.

What will I be doing?

Teaching

This is an online e-learning programme supported by face-to-face online tutorial sessions, Microsoft Teams meetings, Blackboard discussions, email, and academic supervision and support by named academic supervisors. The assessment process reflects the learning outcomes of the curriculum and will emphasise not only recall of knowledge but also understanding, application, problem-solving, evaluation and critique. The programme is professionally orientated, and as such, there is a strong focus on current authentic assessment by specialist practitioners and academic staff.

Assessment

Two methods of assessment will be utilised to enable assessment against the level 7 grade descriptors, and you will be provided with formative feedback opportunities within each module in preparation for assessment:

  • Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disorders: Oral (video) presentation to demonstrate professional learning and critical evaluation regarding caring for a patient with inflammatory bowel disease with supporting evidence to meet module outcomes.
  • Management of Gastrointestinal Disorders: A retrospective written 5000 word account of a patient journey which demonstrates a critical evaluation of the knowledge gained during the module in caring for a patient with a gastrointestinal disease, utilising relevant up-to-date evidence.

Management of Liver Disorders: A disease-based written 5000 word study relevant to your practice, critically analysing evidence-based literature in relation to interventions and management.

The School of Health and Society

The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real-world impact.

We live in a rapidly changing world, and we’re keen to leave a productive legacy of helping people at all stages of their lives, improving their physical, psychological and social wellbeing.

Staff Profile

  • James Richardson: Module and Programme Leader. RGN, RMN, DipHE, PGCert, BA (Hons), MRes.
  • Rachel Pilkington: Lecturer in Adult Nursing. DPSN, RGN, BSc (Hons), PGCert, FHEA, MSc.
  • Stacey Munnelly: RGN, NMP, DPSN, MSc Advanced Practice. Clinical Practitioner in Gastroenterology, Post Graduate Research Candidate, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. Associate Lecturer Practitioner.
  • Matthew Kirkbride: RN, DPSN, BSc (Hons), NMP. Lead IBD Specialist Nurse Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Associate Lecturer Practitioner.

RCN (2023) Framework for professional practice for nurses working in inflammatory bowel disease in adult and paediatric care settings. RCN.

Gastrointestinal Nursing (2021) Munnelly, S., Howard, V., Hall, V., Richardson, J. & Kirkbride, Matthew. Clinical Knowledge and education to inform evidence-based practice in gastrointestinal nursing: a scoping review: 19, 6, pp36-45. https://doi.org/10.12968/gasn.2021.19.6.36

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

The knowledge and skills gained during the programme can lead to further career progression such as clinical specialists or advanced practitioners, or lead to further academic study. 

Further study:

  • MSc Nursing Practice: This pathway is open to nurses practicing in the UK only. It allows you to build on your current skills, plan, implement and evaluate patient care at an advanced level within the context of your own workplace. There is an emphasis on combining practical skills with sound theoretical principles.

     

  • MSc Nursing Practice (Gastroenterology): This pathway aims to equip qualified nurses with the skills and knowledge to create and implement innovative approaches in their chosen area of practice.

Requirements

What you need to know

If applying for the PgCert, please specify on your application which two modules you want to complete. 

Applications are considered for students wishing to undertake one module only, or if a nurse, as part of our MSc Nursing programme.

If you want to apply for a single module rather than the full PgCert, you will need to follow the 'Alternative Application Process' for post-qualifying health and social care courses. 

English language requirements

International applicants will be required to show proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.5 (no element below 5.5) is proof of this. If you need to improve your written and spoken English, you might be interested in our English language courses.

Standard entry requirements

Undergraduate degree

You must have completed a relevant healthcare undergraduate programme and be an appropriately qualified healthcare professional actively connected to clinical practice. For example;

  • A qualified nurse
  • A dietitian
  • A pharmacist
  • A physiotherapist
Alternative entry requirements

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)

We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.

The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.

Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).

How much?

Type of study Year Fees
Distance learning 2024/25

2970.00

Distance learning 2025/26 3083.00

Additional costs

You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.

Apply now

All set? Let's Apply

Still have some questions? Register for one of our Open Days or contact us:

By email: enquiries@salford.ac.uk
By phone: +44 (0)161 295 4545

 

Start dates: September, January, June 
Duration: One year

Enrolment dates

January 2025

June 2025

September 2025