Postgraduate Diploma in Critical Care
Validated by University of Buckingham
Our one year Postgraduate Diploma in Critical Care enables you to provide the rapid diagnosis and referral required in urgent clinical scenarios with certainty. This is a highly rewarding field of medical care to specialise in, offering the ability to significantly impact the quality of patient care and ultimately save lives.
For healthcare professionals working on the frontline in the fast-paced world of critical care, a systematic understanding of how to manage urgent presentations of life-threatening conditions including sepsis, poisoning and respiratory failure, is essential. Our curriculum focuses on knowledge transfer and case-based learning, ensuring you are well-prepared to apply these insights directly in your practice.
Sepsis alone is one of the highest causes of death globally, currently causing 11 million fatalities around the world each year. To address this figure and several other life-threatening illnesses affecting the population, our emergency care specialisation programme equips you with the necessary skills and knowledge to make a significant impact on patient care and outcomes.
Next intake: March 2025Key Facts
Studying this online critical care diploma will equip you with life-long learning and advanced problem solving skills which are directly applicable to practise in critical care scenarios.
Prepare to engage in global discussions and process comparisons with peers from diverse healthcare systems, and we incorporate a challenge-based learning approach to equip you with a broader understanding of intensive care unit practices worldwide. In addition to improving patient outcomes, this Postgraduate Diploma in Critical Care will enhance your leadership skills, career progression and increase your employability prospects as you possess high levels of expertise in this important field.
On successful completion of this diploma in critical care, you will:
- Demonstrate the ability to lead complex tasks and processes in the delivery and advancements of critical care
- Deliver leadership to teams in multi-agency, multi-cultural and/or international contexts.
- Gain a systematic knowledge of evidence-based medicine in relation to critical care.
- Apply relevant knowledge, methodologies and approaches to address patient management across the spectrum of medical specialties caring for patients with critical presentations.
- Develop the ability to implement best practice and innovation in complex critical care scenarios.
Faculty
Dr Nick Stallard
Dr Stallard is a Consultant in critical care medicine with extensive experience at the University Hospital of Wales and University Hospital Llandough. Key qualifications and roles include:
- Appointed as Consultant...
Validating partner
University of Buckingham
The University of Buckingham is the only independent university in the UK with a Royal Charter, and also one of the smallest with around 2,700 students, who study for honours degrees in two intensive years of study. The University houses its own medical school and was ranked first for student satisfaction in 2018, 2019 and 2020 by the Complete University Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a full list of our FAQs visit our FAQs page.
As each Medical Council has their own rules/regulations with regard to Postgraduate study we recommend that you contact your local Medical Council with regard to recognition.
Upon completion of the course the University would invite you to a graduation ceremony and provide your certificate which makes no reference to the fact that the course was studied online and is therefore typically recognised the same as any other UK University qualification.
Rest assured, the overall Postgraduate Diploma carries a total of 1,200 CPD points, with the MSc an additional 600 CPD points, and all official certifications are issued directly by the University.
When you study one of our programmes you may be surprised to find that there are no lectures or seminars. Your learning will be self-directed meaning that rather than being told information you find it for yourself (with tutor guidance and support). We do this via a series of clinically rich scenarios which your tutor will post on our academic forum which you and your classmates will research, respond to and discuss.
You will be assessed through the Academic Forum, Reflective Journal and Assignments. Learning will be carried out using our online learning platform: Moodle.
You can study whenever and wherever you want - our programmes are totally flexible to fit around your other work and life commitments.
The course is specifically designed so that part of your study is the application of theory to practice in your day job.
We typically suggest that students aim to log into the Moodle platform daily. We recommend a "little and often" approach for reading, reflection and/or posting. High achieving students will typically spend 1-2 hours dedicated to their studies a day; 10 hours per week is sufficient time to spend on the platform.
Those who cannot dedicate more time than once/twice per week may struggle with the demands of this postgraduate programme.
Yes, everything is done entirely online through our learning platform, Moodle. You do not need to attend the University.
Postgraduate Diploma courses
In order to be eligible for our Postgraduate Diploma courses you need to hold a medical degree or undergraduate degree in a health related science and be working within the field that you wish to study, as the course is designed to further your knowledge within your chosen subject and is not designed to introduce these as new topic areas.
We have two intakes a year in March and September. Click the following link for the up to date application deadlines and module dates: Module Dates.
The Action Taker Discount offers savings based on your programme: £150 off for PGCert and £250 off for PGDip/2-year MSc programmes. To qualify, you must pay the deposit within 7 days of acceptance. This discount is not available during February and August and not available in combination with the Early Bird Discount. The Action Taker Discount will be applied to your final payment. To take advantage, act quickly after acceptance to secure your savings.
Next intake: March 2025 Key Facts
Dr Nick Stallard
Dr Stallard is a Consultant in critical care medicine with extensive experience at the University Hospital of Wales and University Hospital Llandough. Key qualifications and roles include:
- Appointed as Consultant Intensivist to Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust in 1997.
- Manages invasively ventilated patients in the community, supported by the Welsh Health Specialized Services Committee (WHSSC).
- Plays a key role in supporting complex patients in the community, including those with spinal cord injury or neuromuscular disease requiring invasive ventilation.
- Collaborates with local health boards and stakeholders to commission appropriate care packages.
- Provides clinical support to the Welsh Spinal Injuries and Rehabilitation unit at Rookwood Hospital, aiding patients with spinal injuries and traumatic brain injuries requiring advanced respiratory support.
- Demonstrates a strong interest in postgraduate education, serving as Course Director for the RCS-sponsored Critical Care in Surgical Patients (CCRiSP) course in Cardiff, and as an Instructor for the ATLS course.
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Why Study a Critical Care 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.
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.
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.
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?
Our critical care diploma is designed to meet the needs of a multidisciplinary network of healthcare professionals, including Paramedics, Doctors, Nurses, GPs, Pharmacists and Physicians Associates.
If you are a paramedic seeking career advancement opportunities, critical care is a recognised progression path, which this programme will support.
Perhaps you are a nurse working in an ICU setting, seeking specialisation as an emergency care nurse? This programme will ensure your knowledge of critical care is up to date and prepare you for advanced opportunities.
Global Relevance
Our Critical Care programme serves a global demand, welcoming students internationally and addressing crucial gaps in healthcare systems in regions like Africa and India where specialised skill sets are urgently required.
How Will I Learn?
You'll learn through our flexible, interactive online platform, which allows you to engage with clinical cases, complete assignments, and collaborate with fellow students at times that suit your schedule. There's no fixed timetable—simply log in daily to participate in the week's activities.
Learn through engaging discussion
Our teaching approach is highly interactive, using small groups of 10-20 students to foster a collaborative environment where you can engage in thoughtful discussions and receive guidance from your tutor. You'll have access to learning resources and discussion forums that encourage ongoing interaction and deeper engagement with the material.
Throughout your studies, you'll receive support from a dedicated expert tutor and our Student Support Team, ensuring you have the resources needed to navigate the course successfully.
Curriculum
Delivered over 1 year, the online, part-time Postgraduate Diploma programme 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
This module addresses the essential topics in respiratory support, along with related ethical decision-making and communication in critical care settings.
Module Content
- Fundamentals of respiratory failure
- Mechanical ventilation modes and strategies
- Ventilator-associated complications and prevention
- Weaning and extubation protocols
- Non-invasive ventilation techniques
- Management of acute exacerbations of chronic respiratory diseases
Module Outcomes
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the aetiology, classification and ethical consideration of acute respiratory failure, including the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to different respiratory support needs in critical care settings.
- Systematically analyse and critically evaluate current research and guidelines related to the aetiology, classification and management of patients requiring respiratory support in the critical care setting.
- Apply effective communication and collaborative skills within multidisciplinary teams to optimise respiratory support and ethical management for critically ill patients, demonstrating proficiency in the recognition of patient-centred care, communication of ethical decision making, and promoting of interdisciplinary teamwork.
Module Aims
To equip students with a systematic understanding of sepsis, including the pathophysiology, and the crucial aspects of diagnosis and early management to improve patient outcomes in critical care settings.
Module Content
- Fundamentals of sepsis
- Pathophysiology of sepsis
- Diagnosis and risk stratification in sepsis
- Management of sepsis: early interventions
- Antimicrobal therapy in sepsis
- Fluid resuscitation and haemodynamic support in sepsis
Module Outcomes
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the aetiology, pathophysiology, and management of sepsis in critical care settings.
- Analyse and critically evaluate diagnostic criteria, risk stratification methods, and early management strategies to identify and manage sepsis promptly in a range of clinical settings.
- Apply effective communication and collaborative skills within a multidisciplinary team environment to support the implementation of evidence-based interventions that would aim to prevent complications and optimise patient outcomes in sepsis cases.
Module Aims
To provide a comprehensive exploration of the delivery of cardiovascular support in critical care settings, and also the pathophysiology and management of heart failure, to include related ethical decision-making and discussions.
Module Content
This module will explore cardiovascular monitoring techniques, some of the most common invasive methods and the use of vasoactive agents and mechanical circulatory support devices, to optimise patient outcomes in high-acuity situations. Topics will include:
- Pathophysiology of heart failure
- Clinical presentation and diagnostic evaluation
- Pharmacological management of heart failure
- Cardiovascular monitoring
- Advanced cardiovascular support devices
- Multidisciplinary approach to heart failure management, including ethical decisions
Module Outcomes
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of heart failure and other cardiovascular issues in patients in need of critical care.
- Critically evaluate current research and guidelines relating to the pathophysiology, presentation and management of patients in critical care requiring cardiovascular support.
- Apply effective communication and collaboration skills within multidisciplinary teams to coordinate cardiovascular support and heart failure management for critically ill patients, ensuring an ethical, patient-centred approach aimed at improved outcomes.
Module Aims
To address various aspects of post-surgery critical care management, whilst also exploring gastrointestinal considerations and infection prevention to ensure comprehensive care for surgical patients during their critical recovery period.
Module Content
- Principles of post-surgery critical care
- Respiratory management following surgery
- Cardiovascular management following surgery
- Pain management and early mobilisation
- Gastrointestinal considerations in post-surgery patients
- Wound care and infection prevention in the post surgery period
Module Outcomes
- Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the principles of postoperative critical care management, including recognition and management of common complications.
- Develop an ability to critically evaluate and analyse the current evidence and strategies for optimising respiratory and cardiovascular function in the postoperative period.
- Apply the knowledge acquired to synthesise a multidisciplinary approach to post-surgery management and rehabilitation to enhance patients' critical recovery and functional outcomes.
Module Aims
To develop a critical knowledge and understanding of non-traumatic injuries, along with the appropriate assessment and management of traumatic head injuries, in a range of presentations that would require critical care interventions and ethical decision-making in complex scenarios.
Module Content
- Overview of non-traumatic head injuries, including subarachnoid haemorrhage
- Management of non-traumatic head injuries
- Traumatic head injuries: overview and assessment
- Acute management of traumatic brain injuries
- Rehabilitation and recovery after head injuries
- Ethical considerations in head injury management
Module Outcomes
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the pathophysiology, clinical presentations, diagnosis and management of head injuries.
- Analyse and critically evaluate the management approaches for head injuries, including the application of evidence-based guidelines to make informed decisions.
- Synthesise the evidence to deliver diagnostic and management strategies in critical care settings relating to non-traumatic and traumatic head injuries.
Module Aims
To equip healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to make ethically sound decisions and communicate effectively with colleagues and patients, whilst upholding principles of patient autonomy, beneficence and justice. Workforce wellbeing, at a multidisciplinary level, is explored, giving students and opportunity to recognise and develop support for the team and for individual colleagues, when working in a variety of intensive and traumatic scenarios.
Module Content
- Ethical considerations in critical care
- Legal framework: informed consent and patient rights
- Multidisciplinary collaboration, communication and workforce wellbeing within trauma and intensive care settings
- Ethical issues in organ support and allocation
- Principles of critical care rehabilitation
- Psychosocial aspects of critical care rehabilitation
Module Outcomes
- Demonstrate a critical and systematic knowledge of complex and ethical dilemmas in critical care to make informed and ethically sound decisions.
- Critically evaluate the evidence and guidance relating to ethical and legal frameworks within critical care.
- Develop advanced skills and effectively apply ethical and legal principles in decision-making in critical care settings.
Assessment Methods
This programme emphasises learning through active participation in case-based discussions, reflection, and real-life scenarios. Students engage with clinical cases that mirror everyday practice, fostering problem-solving and evidence-based application from the very beginning.
Across the modules, assessments are integrated with learning. Each week, you will work through two to three clinical cases, discussing and reflecting on them with peers under the guidance of an expert tutor. These discussions form the core of your learning and are also the basis for your assessments.
Our innovative teaching methods are designed to help you translate this learning into real-world clinical practice. You'll need to regularly log in to participate in discussions, ideally on a daily basis, and commit approximately two hours per day to your studies. Our dedicated Student Support Team is available to assist with any challenges you may encounter, from navigating our online platform to managing deadlines.
How Foundational Knowledge is Developed
The programme is structured so that foundational knowledge is introduced through carefully designed clinical cases. Each case is crafted to highlight essential concepts and progressively deepen your understanding as you apply critical thinking and evidence-based analysis. This hands-on approach ensures that you are not only acquiring theoretical knowledge but also learning how to apply it in a practical, clinical setting.
This programme is suited for professionals who thrive in an online, discussion-based learning environment. Please note that this course focuses on interactive, applied learning through peer collaboration and case discussions. You will be fully supported, encouraged and led through the programme to success and graduation!
- Every week students are presented with two/three clinical case-based scenarios that are reflective of every day clinical practice and research.
- Tutors will post a number of questions and prompts to aid students in a formal discussion of each case.
- These discussions are facilitated throughout by your tutor and are then assessed at the end of every 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.
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 Postgraduate Diploma in Critical Care is conducted entirely online, it is 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 critical care programmes 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 (with an overall score of 6.5 and 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
Option 1: Upfront Payment in full. Option 2: Interest free payments every other month for the duration of the course.
| Date | Instalments | Up-Front Payments |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | £750 | £4,500 |
| 1st May 2025 | £750 | |
| 1st July 2025 | £750 | |
| 1st September 2025 | £750 | |
| 1st November 2025 | £750 | |
| 1st January 2026 | £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.
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.
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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.
