Diabetes Care
Full-time
Part-time
One year
Three year
September 2025
In a nutshell
International applicants: please check the international intakes page for the latest information and application dates.
In the UK as elsewhere in the world, the prevalence of diabetes has - according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) - reached epidemic proportions and is projected to rise to 552 million by the year 2030, peaking to a staggering 642 million by the year 2040. A person with diabetes potentially faces a reduced life expectancy of between 6-20 years.
This course will you to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care to empower people with diabetes to self-manage their condition. Our course is developed in collaboration with national and global experts in diabetes including specialist diabetes services, primary care diabetes services, community diabetes services, social sciences, maternal and child health services, podiatry, exercise physiology and dietetics, medical nutritionists, service users and digital health leads.
You will:
- Understand the factors contributing to the current epidemic of diabetes nationally and internationally.
- Support people from various cultural backgrounds to effectively manage their diabetes, prevent complications and lead a normal life.
- Use evidence to develop and continually improve the quality of diabetes management.
- Be part of a multidisciplinary team of educators, researchers, and practitioners.
students accepted
This is for you if...
You are committed practitioner wishing to develop your personal creative practice to a higher, professional level, particularly in diabetes care.
You want to understand the importance of problem solving in the process of diabetes management.
You wish to acquire specific skills in such areas as critical thinking, research methods and communication skills.
You are a healthcare professional with a keen interest in diabetes and want to stay informed about the latest trends in diabetes care and research, while also igniting your own research and practice interests in this field.
All about the course
The relentless diabetic epidemic we are facing means that its management is becoming a significant healthcare challenge in the UK and worldwide. It is therefore imperative that health care professionals are equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver high-quality evidence-based care and to empower people with diabetes to self-management.
The MSc in Diabetes Care will enable you to:
- Acquire specific skills in such areas as critical thinking, research methods and communication skills
- Develop your critical analytical skills
- Enable you to deliver high-quality evidence-based care to empower people with diabetes to self-management
This course has both full-time and part-time routes, comprising of four 16-week semesters which you can take within one or three years, allowing you to exit with one of the following awards:
Full-time
- Postgraduate Certificate: 2 modules, 5-10 months
- Postgraduate Diploma: 4 modules, 10 months
- Masters: 4 modules plus dissertation, 1 year
Part-time
- Postgraduate Certificate: 2 modules, 1 year
- Postgraduate Diploma: 4 modules, 2 years
- Masters: 4 modules plus dissertation, 3 years
Single modules for continuing professional development
The following are available as standalone 30-credit modules:
Diagnosis, Classification and Prevention of Diabetes
Within this module, you will be able to explore the definition of diabetes together, with its classificatory typologies. You will be able to critically discuss the contributing factors associated with diabetes together with the pathophysiology and clinical features of this condition. The recent diagnostic criteria for diabetes will be discussed together with the problems likely to be faced by clinicians when adopting this approach in the presence of other pathologies. You will discuss the importance of appropriate health education models likely to prevent the occurrence of diabetes.
Therapeutic Advances in Diabetes and Self-Care Management
This module will enhance your understanding of the recent pharmacological innovations in the management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. You will also be made aware of their activities and likely side-effects on the person with diabetes. It will also equip you with self-care models which will empower people to effectively manage their diabetes.
Diabetes Complications and Management in Marginalised Groups
This module will equip you with an in-depth knowledge of the complications associated with diabetes and its impact on the body. You will learn to identify the early signs and symptoms of these complications and educate people on how to recognise and report any of the identified problems at an early stage. This module will also enable you to understand the importance of managing diabetes among such marginalised groups of people as those with mental health issues, the elderly and those with a physical and learning disability.
Research Methods
This module will develop your understanding of research and research methods together with your ability to apply research techniques in diabetes management. You will explore key recent and ongoing cutting-edge quantitative and qualitative research in diabetes and how the findings have influenced changes in the management of diabetes.
Dissertation
You will undertake a research project which will require you to select and manage a topic area of your choice and one which will influence positive change in diabetes management. From the point of initiating and managing your research, you will interact with each other at regular work in progress reviews and will be supported by a series of personal tutorials, your research supervisor and module coordinator.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
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.
Our team
Our team are involved in a range of activities that enhance your learning experience whilst on the programme, including:
- Nationally and internationally acclaimed research in diabetes care.
- Sitting on clinical and advisory boards within local and national diabetes commissioning groups.
- Editorial board members of journals.
What about after uni?
Healthcare practitioners who graduate from this course would be employed in practice, management, education and research areas in the UK and overseas.
Graduates from this course (doctors, nurses, dieticians, podiatrists, and other allied health professionals) have pursued further research in diabetes or contributed to service improvements in their own home countries, thus contributing to better patient outcomes and their own career progressions.
Evidence suggests that there is an urgent need to match the ratio of Diabetes Specialist Nurses (DSN) to the number of people with diabetes they care for. DSN can be employed in various sectors of the health service both in the UK and overseas while others can potentially progress into research. Others may choose to go into academia working as lecturers or lecturer-practitioners or diabetes nurse consultants.
This course will suit you if you want to acquire a systematic understanding of the necessary knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver high-quality evidence-based care to people with diabetes, or if you wish to update your skill for a different but diabetes-related career pathway.
Graduates from this course can potentially apply for such promotional posts as Diabetes Specialist Nurse or Nurse Consultant in Diabetes or Divisional Nurse for Long Term Conditions.
Career Links
Guest speakers from the clinical areas will provide input into specific modules. The practical experience to be gained from the simulation laboratory will make a valuable contribution to the course content and will bring a real-world perspective to the academic delivery of the modules. These guest lectures will allow course participants to mix with professionals from the diabetes clinical settings and to make connections with them particularly when undertaking research projects.
We offer real-world experience of current clinical scenarios by providing exposure to clinical areas and specialist diabetes services like diabetic foot services. We work with experts from the main hospitals in the area who have established diabetes services and provide specialist/ advanced diabetes care: Manchester Royal Infirmary, North Manchester General Hospital, and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust.
What you need to know
Suitable for graduate health care professionals with an interest in diabetes care wishing to pursue this course. This course provides best practice in diabetes via an in-depth understanding of high-quality diabetes care supported by current research findings.
English language requirements
If you are an international student and not from a majority English-speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5. We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take our Pre-Sessional English course.
Undergraduate degree
- A Bachelor’s degree with honours from a UK University, normally an upper 2nd (2:1) or above degree in an appropriate subject.
- An equivalent academic or professional qualification from the UK or elsewhere, i.e. incorporating study at least comparable to 120 credits at level 6.
- A Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate from a UK University.
International Students
We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,100.00per year |
| Full-time international | 2025/26 | £17,000.00per year |
Additional costs
You should consider additional costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Scholarships for international students
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. See the full range of our International Scholarships.
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