Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine
Validated by University of Buckingham
Family medicine is crucial for addressing the evolving needs of society. However, the healthcare system often struggles with "overcare" and "undercare," which can be mitigated through enhanced family practice physician education.
The importance of Family Medicine cannot be overstated; this notion is furthered by the WHO, and their former Director General, Dr Margeret Chan, claiming “Primary care is our best hope for the future. Family doctors are our rising stars for the future.”
Our diploma in family medicine offers a comprehensive coverage of modules related to primary care, common disorders in adulthood, child health, mental health, and more. Our family medicine diploma is designed for General Practitioners (GPs), Nurses and other healthcare professionals seeking to advance their knowledge as a primary care physician.
Next intake: March 2025Key Facts
Our general practice diploma is clinically focused, and the knowledge gained from studying this course can be applied directly to your everyday practice. You will be able to hone your skills from your general medicine training and improve patient outcomes, all without sacrificing your other work and life commitments.
Our family medicine diploma is led by our dedicated expert tutors who are experienced in primary care, sharing their high-level knowledge directly with their students. Our fast-paced, online diploma in family medicine fosters a culture of research and academic excellence, preparing you for PhD-level studies.
Our multidisciplinary learning experience means that not only will you be learning from the very best leaders in the industry from across the globe, but you will be grouped with fellow students located all over the world.
The online family medicine diploma covers a variety of topics and will provide a number of learning outcomes. Students will be equipped with:
- A systematic understanding of family medicine, skills in critical appraisal and application of knowledge for direct patient benefit/service development and future study.
- Life-long learning and advanced problem-solving skills that they can apply to clinical practice in family medicine.
- The ability to lead complex tasks and processes in the delivery and advancement of patient care.
- Skills to lead teams in multi-agency, multi-cultural and/or international contexts.
- Relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches to address complex issues of patient management across the spectrum of medical specialties.
- The ability to critically evaluate evidence and guidance for family medicine and implement best practice and innovation in complex patient scenarios.
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.
Faculty
Programme Leader - Dr Karuna Chellaram Hathiramani
Dr Chellaram Hathiramani graduated from Cardiff Medical School in 1998 and successfully embarked on a vocational training scheme to qualify as a General Practitioner in 2003. She obtained various diplomas...
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
Programme Leader - Dr Karuna Chellaram Hathiramani
Dr Chellaram Hathiramani graduated from Cardiff Medical School in 1998 and successfully embarked on a vocational training scheme to qualify as a General Practitioner in 2003. She obtained various diplomas in child health and obstetrics, amongst others, even adding an MBA to her armoury along the way.
Dr Chellaram Hathiramani encourages potential students to take the leap into enhancing and furthering their knowledge with the realisation that 12 months later they will have a well respected qualification under their belt.
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Why Study a Family Medicine 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 1-year online postgraduate diploma in family medicine distance learning is tailored to a diverse array of healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in family medicine. This course caters to individuals aiming to augment their credentials with a family medicine diploma and equips them to navigate the complexities of delivering top-tier care within both primary and secondary healthcare settings, such as:
- General Practitioners (GPs)
- Nurses and Nurse Practitioners
- Physician Assistants
- Public Health Professionals
- Pharmacists
- Healthcare Administrators/Managers
- Clinical Researchers
- Oncology Nurse Specialist
- Health Policy Analyst
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
The diploma in family medicine is a one year course, consisting of six modules (120 credits) covering a variety of relevant and interesting topics to help you gain the knowledge and skills to aid your career progression and improve patient outcomes through family practitioner education.Aim of the module
To develop an in-depth understanding of the global epidemiology of disease and the importance of preventative care and health promotion in family medicine.
Synopsis of module content
- The principles of prevention
- Health promotion
- Screening
- Primary and secondary preventative strategies of chronic disease
- Vaccinations
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the eipidemiology of disease globally, health promotion measure, and screening and immunisations as part of disease preventative strategies.
- Critically apply an in-depth knowledge of health promotion strategies into their practices as a family physician.
Aim of the module:
To develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the common presentations associated with women's health and sexual health, in the context of Family Medicine.
Synopsis of module content:
- Common gynaecological presentations including menstral disorders
- Menopause-related conditions
- Common disorders in pregnancy
- Sexual health presentation (male and female) including STIs
- Contraception
- Infertility
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of a range of common primary care presentations in women's health and sexual health.
- Critically apply an in-depth knowledge of diagnosis and treatment into their practice as a family physician.
Aim of the module
To develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the common presentations associated with child health, in the context of Family Medicine.
Synopsis of module content:
- The febrile child
- Childhood respiratory diseases and abdominal diseases
- Childhood rashes
- Behavioural problems
- Childhood emergencies
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a range of common primary care presentations and the recognition of emergencies in child health.
- Critically apply an in-depth knowledge of diagnosis and treatment into their practice as a family physician.
Module Aim
- To develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the common presentations in adulthood, in the context of Family Medicine.
Synopsis of module content:
- This module will cover a range of common presentations of common disorders in adulthood that may present to the family physician in primary care. This will include disorders of the main systems of the body and include some common emergencies seen in adult medicine.
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a range of common primary care presentations and the recognition of emergencies in adult medicine.
- Critically apply an in-depth knowledge of diagnosis and treatment into their
practice as a family physician.
Aims of the module:
- To develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the common mental health presentations, in the context of Family Medicine.
- To develop an understanding of some of the psychological interventions in primary care.
Synopsis of the module content:
This module will provide an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of a range
of common mental health presentations that may present to the family physician.
This will include:
- low mood
- delirium and dementia
- eating disorders
- schizoaffective disorders
This module will also cover an overview of some of the methods to promote well
being and psychological interventions in primary care.
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of a range of common primary care presentations in mental health.
- Critically evaluate a variety of methods used to promote well being and psychological interventions available to family physicians.
- Critically apply an in-depth knowledge of diagnosis and treatment into their
practice as a family physician.
Aims of the module:
- To develop an in-depth knowledge and improve recognition of the symptoms presenting to the family physician, that may indicate a possible cancer diagnosis.
- To improve the understanding of palliative care including the treatment of symptoms as well as legal issues and the role of the multidisciplinary team in palliative care.
Synopsis of module content:
- An overview of the diagnosis and treatment of various cancers that
may present to the family physician. - Recognition of red flag symptoms for different malignancies that should alert urgent referral to secondary care for further investigations.
- Palliative care including the treatment of palliative care symptoms, legal
issues and the role of the multidisciplinary team.
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of symptoms presenting
to the family physician which may indicate a possible cancer diagnosis and
improve recognition of these symptoms. - Demonstrate a critical knowledge, understanding and evaluation of palliative care including the treatment of associated symptoms, related legal issues and the important role of the multidisciplinary team.
- Critically apply knowledge of cancer diagnosis, treatment and palliative care
into their practice as a family physician.
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.
For this assessment, students will work on a group assignment and/or an individual assignment.
- Group assignments are designed to hone skills in the multidisciplinary, holistic approach to modern treatments and patient management by requiring group participation in a single piece of work.
- Individual assignments are designed to hone skills in academic career progression through such tasks as reviewing papers, developing scientific posters or abstracts, peer-reviewing, social media activities, patient information leaflets and essays.
- Students are provided with case-based problems in the form of a one-hour timed examination.
- The exam consists of 30 'Single Best Answer' questions.
- Students are required to complete the exam online within the set time.
The reflective journal is used by students throughout each module to monitor personal progress. This is guided by weekly feedback from your tutor and is graded at the end of every module. The journal typically includes the following:
- Initial expectations and reasons for taking the course.
- Module and/or personal learning objectives.
- Description of events, issues and learning points within current personal practice.
- Change in every day practice due to knowledge gained on each module.
- A description of what has been learned during the module.
Entry requirements
Since our diploma in family medicine 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.
Registered healthcare professionals, without these recognised qualifications will be considered 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.
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. Our dedicated Student Support Team are also available to help with any problems you may face. From navigating our online platform to advising you on deadlines, our team can assist with any questions or challenges you may have along the way.
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 | £685 | £4,095 |
| 1st May 2025 | £682 | |
| 1st July 2025 | £682 | |
| 1st September 2025 | £682 | |
| 1st November 2025 | £682 | |
| 1st January 2026 | £682 |
† 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.
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