University of Buckingham

Postgraduate Diploma in Women's Health

Validated by University of Buckingham

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people have recently applied for this course

Providing high-quality women’s health education for healthcare professionals at primary and secondary is a crucial step towards reducing gender disparities in medicine. Ultimately this will contribute to reducing unnecessary deaths among women due to a lack of specialist knowledge, delayed or incorrect diagnoses, and procedures such as unsafe abortion.

Our Postgraduate Diploma in Women’s Health provides you with the opportunity to study a range of topics comprehensively, including sexual health and early pregnancy problems, fetal and maternal medicine, female cancer, endometriosis, and benign gynaecological disease, including menopause and urogynecology.

You will be empowered to become an advocate for change for Women’s Health services as you develop confidence in managing a range of conditions in reproductive and sexual health to ensure better outcomes for women globally.

PgDip Women's Health

Next intake: March 2025Key Facts

Awarding University
University of Buckingham
Commitment
Part-time
Class Size
15 - 20
Application Deadline
7th March 2025
Course start date
10th March 2025 (view full module dates)
Format
100% Online
Total Fees
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On this women’s health diploma you will be encouraged to adopt a patient-centric approach, catering to the unique needs of every individual they serve. Our women's health courses for nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals are taught upon evidence-based practices, with a learning model that hones critical thinking skills, and nurtures a deep sense of empathy to establish strong doctor-patient relationships.

There are no set lectures or study times, making it possible to fit your study and qualification around your schedule. We offer accessible, high-value, fast-paced education that allows you to advance your career in women’s health quickly. This university-validated course aims to:

  • Equip you with life-long learning and advanced problem-solving skills that you can apply to clinical practice in women’s health.
  • Enable you to demonstrate the ability to lead complex tasks and processes in the delivery and advancement of women’s healthcare.
  • Equip you with a systematic understanding of evidence-based medicine in relation to women’s health.
  • Extend the scope of women’s healthcare practice by exploring a professional subject area in more depth, utilising knowledge gained in previous modules.




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

Awarding University
University of Buckingham
Commitment
Part-time
Format
100% Online
Duration
12 months
Class Size
15 - 20
Application Deadline
7th March 2025
Course start date
10th March 2025 (view full module dates)
Total Fees

Why Study a Women's Health 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.

knowledge

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.

Experts

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.

confidence

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 unique and flexible online women’s health course is aimed at:

  • Primary care physicians
  • Nurses
  • Midwives
  • Healthcare professionals working in sexual health settings
  • Staff nurses on a gynaecology ward.

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

Our online Postgraduate Diploma in Women's Health is a part-time, distance-learning course. The course comprises six modules, each worth 20 credits and run over a period of six weeks.

Module Aims
To examine the sciences (anatomy, physiology, endocrinology, microbiology and pathology) that underpin women’s health and the external professional and ethical issues that influence practice, recognising and addressing potential conflict areas.

Module Content

  • The importance of women’s health both globally and locally
  • Gender based and domestic violence
  • Female reproductive physiology and anatomy
  • Normal placental function and pregnancy
  • Prevention and screening of infections affecting women’s health
  • Identification and treatment of infections affecting women’s health

Learning Outcomes

  1. Critically apply knowledge of clinical sciences to the understanding of women’s health issues
  2. Critically appraise the importance of social and cultural factors determining women’s health.
  3. Reflect on learning from prior experience and challenge preconceptions in order to holistically integrate new knowledge within complex situations.

Module Aims
To examine the choices in family planning and fertility control, including ethical considerations. Develop critical skills and confidence in the diagnosis and safe management of early pregnancy conditions.

Module Content

  • Public health considerations for contraception and early termination of pregnancy
  • Contraception
  • Early miscarriage
  • Ectopic and molar pregnancy
  • Miscarriage
  • Termination of pregnancy

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate a critical knowledge and understanding of the diagnosis and management of early pregnancy problems.
  2. Critically interpret the evidence base relating to contraception, abortion and early pregnancy problems.
  3. Demonstrate advisory skills in offering evidence-based choices about fertility control, contraception, termination and continuation of pregnancy whilst navigating complex ethical and legal issues.

Module Aims
Understand the pathophysiology that leads to fetal compromise including prevention, diagnosis and management. Develop confidence in counselling skills to support affected parents.

Module Content

  • Common structural and chromosomal abnormalities
  • Prenatal screening and diagnosis
  • Fetal infections
  • Genetic disease
  • Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)
  • Ethics and counselling

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of genetic, chromosomal and structural fetal abnormalities, screening and the diagnosis and management of intrauterine growth restriction.
  2. Analyse and synthesise different perspectives in understanding the ethical issues and decisions made concerning fetal abnormalities, both pre and post, prenatal screening.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to exercise initiative, personal responsibility and ethical decision-making in complex and/or unpredictable situations.

Module Aims
To understand the importance of detection and management of maternal complications in and resulting from pregnancy.

Module Content

  • Maternal mortality and morbidity
  • Pregnancy related disease, effect of pregnancy on pre-existing disease
  • Labour issues
  • Cesarean section, placental pathology
  • The puerperium
  • Preventing problems for future

Learning Outcomes

  1. Critically appraise the importance of routine pregnancy care, screening in pregnancy and management of abnormal pregnancy and childbirth.
  2. Critically examine the conditions contributing to maternal morbidity and mortality.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to exercise initiative, personal responsibility and ethical decision-making in complex and/or unpredictable situations.

Module Aims
To develop an understanding of the disease burden of female cancer and endometriosis both locally and globally, developing an awareness of primary and secondary prevention, diagnosis and appropriate management.

Module Content

  • Incidence and mortality from female cancers
  • Prevention and diagnosis
  • Vulval and cervical cancer
  • Endometrial and ovarian cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Endometriosis and pelvic pain

Learning Outcomes

  1. Utilise the evidence-base to critically appraise the benefits of primary prevention, screening for early detection and treatment for cancers specific to women.
  2. Critically appraise the prevalence and aetiologies of gynaecological cancer and breast cancer.
  3. Reflect on learning from prior experience and challenge preconceptions in order to holistically integrate new knowledge within complex situations in female cancer.

Module Aims
To understand the impact of benign gynaecological conditions throughout a woman’s life course and be able to diagnose and provide evidence-based care.

Module Content

  • AUB (diagnosis and management)
  • Amenorrhea and adolescent gynaecology
  • Infertility
  • Menopause and osteoporosis
  • Incontinence, fecal and urinary
  • Prolapse

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate ability to critique health information sources for women and communicate appropriately with them about benign gynaecological conditions.
  2. Critically examine the impact of benign gynaecological problems on women’s lives.
  3. Construct management strategies for the investigation and treatment of benign gynaecological problems.

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 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.

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.

Entry requirements

Since our courses are conducted entirely online, they are 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 our womens health courses 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@learna.ac.uk for more information on the qualifications we accept.

Course Fees

Total Course Fees for UK & International Students for March 2025:
£5,229

Option 1: Upfront Payment in full. Option 2: Interest free payments every other month for the duration of the course.

DateInstalmentsUp-Front Payments
Deposit£874£5,229
1st May 2025£871
1st July 2025£871
1st September 2025£871
1st November 2025£871
1st January 2026£871

† 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.

lendwise

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.

Talk To Our Students

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.

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