Infectious Disease MSc
Validated by University of Buckingham
Now more than ever there is a growing need for healthcare professionals to engage with and study a MSc infectious diseases. As the spread of infectious diseases continues to grow, along with the emergence of new diseases, antibiotic-resistant organisms and a growing population across the world, the need for specialists in this area is rapidly increasing. It is therefore crucial that the provision of high-quality education in this subject area is readily available so that more healthcare professionals can enter this field.
With our quick-to-complete part-time, master's in infectious disease online, you will be able to complete your studies around your work and life commitments, allowing you to further your knowledge without quitting your day job. The infectious disease master's is led by experts in the industry and will provide you with the essential skills to confidently diagnose, treat and manage infectious diseases.
Next intake: March 2025Key Facts
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. With our cost-effective, part-time MSc control of infectious diseases, you can complete your studies around your work and life commitments, allowing you to further your knowledge without quitting your day job. After completing the online master's in infectious disease, you will:
- Be equipped with a systematic understanding of major diseases, from pathogenesis through to diagnosis and treatment.
- Have developed skills in critical appraisal and application of knowledge for ongoing professional development, service improvement and future study, as well as life-long learning and advanced problem-solving skills that they can apply to their clinical practice.
- Be able to demonstrate the ability to lead complex tasks and teamwork in the field, and be enabled to deliver leadership to teams in multi-agency, multi-cultural and/or international contexts.
- Be enabled to critically evaluate both the current and evolving evidence base in infectious disease.
- Have relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches to address complex patient needs and implement best practice and innovation in complex scenarios.
- Be able to extend your knowledge of research methods and application to practice.
- Be able to extend your scope of practice in infectious disease by exploring a complex issue in more depth, utilising knowledge gained in the previous modules.
Faculty
Programme Leader
Dr Owen Seddon MB BCh (Wales) MRCP, FRCPath, Dip HIV, PGCertMedEd
Current Post: Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff
- Fellow of the Royal College...
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.
Accreditors and Endorsers
UEMS - European Union of Medical Specialists
This postgraduate course has also been accredited by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS)
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 Owen Seddon MB BCh (Wales) MRCP, FRCPath, Dip HIV, PGCertMedEd
Current Post: Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff
- Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists
- Member of the Royal College of Physicians
- Member of the British Infection Association
- Postgraduate training lead for specialty in Cardiff
- Undergraduate training lead for specialty
Dr Seddon completed undergraduate medical training in Cardiff and after training in both Wales and New Zealand, underwent postgraduate training in Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology in Wales. He runs the OPAT (outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy) service for Cardiff and the Vale and contributes to a busy clinical infection service covering the region, with an inpatient bed base and outpatient clinics for TB, Hepatitis, HIV, Migrant health, OPAT and general ID. He has a strong interest in medical education at all levels and is a member of the BSAC Keep Antimicrobials Working Initiative, whose aim is to ensure all UK medical students are trained in the principles of antimicrobial resistance and stewardship, based on the NICE endorsed consensus-based national antimicrobial stewardship competencies.
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Why Study an Infectious Disease Master's 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?
This two year master's in tropical medicine and infectious diseases (online) is aimed at a variety of healthcare professionals looking to expand their knowledge and skillset in the topic of infectious disease:
Infection Control Practitioners: Those interested in developing infection control policies and collaborating with healthcare teams to minimise infections.
Research Scientists: Professionals looking to design studies, analyse data, and develop new diagnostics, treatments, and prevention strategies.
Epidemiologists: Individuals aiming to study disease patterns, investigate outbreaks, and contribute to public health strategies for disease prevention.
Health Policy Analysts: Analysts focused on developing and evaluating policies related to infectious disease prevention, surveillance, and control.
Infection Control Nurses: Nurses working in various healthcare settings, aiming to enhance their skills in preventing and managing infections
Students also play a crucial role, contributing to research and applying new skills and knowledge even before graduation. Start making an impact while studying our popular master's in infectious disease.
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 MSc in infectious diseases course is a two year course, consisting of seven modules (180 credits) with the first 120 credits deriving from the Postgraduate Diploma. The second year of the masters in infectious diseases course starts with an initial 10 week online module that will develop skills in critical appraisal and knowledge of research methodologies. Students then complete the professional project module, which consists of a 1,500 word proposal and 10,500 word professional project (dissertation).Year 1
To develop an understanding of the immune system, basic biology of different pathogen classes and the interaction between them, in order to underpin and inform the remainder of the course modules.
Explore in more detail common clinical presentations in bacterial infections and specifics of therapy related to bacterial infection.
The module will have a strong clinical focus and students will discuss and gain a deeper knowledge around a range of systemic infections caused by bacteria, antibiotic therapy including mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics, and mycobacterial infections
Explore in more detail common clinical presentations in viral infections and specifics of antiviral and antiretroviral therapy
The module will have a strong clinical focus and students will discuss and explore key viruses causing human disease including respiratory pathogens, childhood viral infections, viral hepatitides, HIV infection, and the therapeutic options available for each.
Explore in more detail common clinical presentations for major fungal pathogens. Understand the investigation and treatment of tropical disease and travel associated infection, with a major emphasis on malaria.
This module will encourage a deeper understanding of the surveillance and reporting mechanisms around communicable disease, and population level disease prevention strategies including vaccination and infection control.
Explore in more detail infections in some of the key groups in clinical practice, and investigation of some common infectious disease conundrums
Year 2
To prepare students for an independent research-based project by developing skills in selecting, appraising, discriminating, using evidence and appropriate research/investigative methods to address relevant topics for investigation. The professional project module provides students with an opportunity to complete an important, substantial and potentially publishable study of their own choosing.
Module outlines
This module will start by focussing on research methods using the Academic Forum. Students will learn about research methodologies and critical appraisal over a period of 8-weeks.
- Quantitative Studies
- Statistical Analysis Interpretation
- Interpreting the Evidence
- Meta-analysis and Systematic Reviews
- Qualitative Studies
- Evidence Appraisal: Interpreting, Weighing and Synthesising the Evidence
- Audit, Governance and Quality Improvement, Health Economics
- Preparing a Research Proposal: Research Committees, Consent, Ethics, Probity and Literature Review
Following the research methods, students will submit a professional project proposal for their chosen topic, this includes a proposal form and ethics application. Students are given a 4-week period after the research methods to complete this.
Students will then create a piece of work based upon a specific subject-related project relevant to the student’s practice. The students will have a further 24-weeks to complete this. This project may comprise:
- Systematic literature review and appraisal of the evidence
- Audit of non-patient data/organisational audit
- Review and implementation of evidence-based practice
- Literature review and qualitative or quantitative research proposal
- Case(s)-based and quality of service review with critical appraisal
- Case report, review of literature and organisational assessment
- Secondary data analysis
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!
Year 1
- 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.
Year 2
This module runs over an 8 week period and is designed to develop skills in critical appraisal and knowledge of research methodologies. The module consists of mandatory formative assessment activities to support your learning and development prior to the Professional Project module.
Students will work with their supervisor to submit a professional project proposal for their chosen topic.
Students will deliver an abstract (1000 words) outlining their proposal and, if deemed necessary, develop and submit documentation for the University’s ethical committee approval.
- Students will create a dissertation, the theme of which has been developed in discussion with their tutor.
- Supervision will normally involve direct online support involving planned progress, supporting research activity and reading student work.
- Supervisors and students will agree on a communications plan, which may involve emails or online chats. Some students may employ the use of freely available chat or audio conferencing facilities for live discussion with supervisors.
- Students will have access to online forums where they can develop their research capabilities together.
- All communications with tutors will be logged on the Professional Project forum by the student, and consist of brief summaries of discussion.
Entry requirements
Since our master's in infectious disease 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@learna.ac.uk 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 | £874 | £9,629 |
| 1st May 2025 | £871 | |
| 1st July 2025 | £871 | |
| 1st September 2025 | £871 | |
| 1st November 2025 | £871 | |
| 1st January 2026 | £871 | |
| 1st March 2026 | £733 | |
| 1st May 2026 | £733 | |
| 1st July 2026 | £733 | |
| 1st September 2026 | £733 | |
| 1st November 2026 | £733 | |
| 1st January 2027 | £735 |
† 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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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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