Urology MSc
Validated by University of Buckingham
As the first MSc Urology programme of its kind, this 2 year course includes a professional project where you will research a urological subject of your choice, allowing you to contribute to ever-growing advances in the field and develop critical research skills.
Leading the way in healthcare innovation, urology was the first surgical specialty to adopt minimally invasive techniques like endoscopy and key-hole surgery and remains at the forefront of robot-assisted surgery developments (Health Careers, 2021). By studying our master’s in Urology, you have a chance to make an impact in this field and improve care provision for urological patients worldwide.
Next intake: March 2025Key Facts
Despite increasing need for urologists and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) in Urology, with the specialism facing a potential decrease in urologists over coming decades (McKibben et al, 2016), urology-related problems make up 10% of Europe’s daily medical care. This is your chance to become part of the solution and set yourself apart from the competition in the competitive field of urology.
Our MSc urology course emphasises patient care and management. By studying at this level, you will acquire the necessary skills to effectively diagnose urological conditions, create personalised treatment plans, and provide optimal care to your patients. This includes understanding the complexities of different urological diseases, evaluating treatment options, managing complications, and offering better support to patients and their families.
This flexible, part-time MSc in urology aims to:
- Equip you with a systematic understanding of urology, and application of knowledge for direct patient benefit/service development and future study.
- Equip students with life-long learning and advanced problem-solving skills that they can apply knowledge of urology to clinical practice.
- Demonstrate the ability to lead complex tasks and processes in the delivery and advancement of clinical care using knowledge of urology.
- Enable graduates to deliver leadership to teams in multi-agency, multi-cultural and/or international contexts.
- Evaluate practice critically in relation to the evidence base in urology. Equip students to critically appraise evidence-based medicine in relation to urology.
- Use relevant understanding, methodologies, and approaches of urology to address complex issues in clinical practice.
- Equip students with the ability to implement best practice and innovation in complex urologic scenarios.
- Extend student knowledge of research methods and application to practice.
- Extend the scope of practice in urology by exploring a complex issue in more depth, utilizing knowledge gained in the previous modules.
Faculty
Professor Gareth Brown
Current Role:
Consultant Urological Surgeon
Gareth Brown is a Consultant Urological Surgeon based at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Llantrisant. Gareth undertook basic surgical and urological training in South Wales and...
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
Professor Gareth Brown
Current Role:
Consultant Urological Surgeon
Gareth Brown is a Consultant Urological Surgeon based at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Llantrisant. Gareth undertook basic surgical and urological training in South Wales and in 2007 he was awarded an MD for research into bladder cancer. Following the completion of his urological training he then undertook advanced specialist training at the University College London Hospital, the largest Andrology unit in the UK.
Gareth is an NHS consultant with both emergency and elective sessions. He carries out diagnostic work including prostate assessment and cystoscopy and manages all core urological conditions including haematuria (blood in urine), urinary incontinence, recurrent urinary infection (cystitis) and kidney stones. Within Urology, Gareth has particular expertise in Andrology and takes referrals from multiple sites within South Wales.
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Why Study an Urology 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 programme is directed to Specialist Nurses, GPs and GP registrars, Specialist Registrars/CTs and Pharmacists.
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 master in Urology is a two year course, consisting of seven modules (180 credits) with the first 120 credits deriving from the Diploma in Urology. In the second year of the Urology MSc students will complete the professional project module, which consists of a 1,000 word proposal and 11,000 word professional project (dissertation).Year 1
Apply an advanced understanding of lower urinary tract anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology to the clinical assessment, investigation and management of lower urinary symptoms.
- Anatomy, Physiology and pathophysiology of the Lower Urinary Tract
- Investigation and Diagnosis of the Lower Urinary Symptoms (LUTS)
- Conservative and pharmacological treatment of benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)
- Surgical treatments for benign prostate enlargement (BPE) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)
- Management of overactive bladder (OAB)
- Management of Nocturnal Polyuria
To develop an in-depth understanding of the presentation, investigation and management of Prostate and Bladder cancer.
- Incidence, presentation and investigation of prostate cancer.
- Diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer.
- Treatment of prostate cancer.
- Presentation and investigation of bladder cancer.
- Diagnosis and staging of bladder cancer.
- Treatment of bladder cancer.
Develop a comprehensive understanding of the presentation, diagnosis and management of patients with urinary tract infections.
- Incidence, risk factors and pathogens
- Investigation and diagnosis
- Management of urinary tract infections
- Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Prostatitis
- Epididymitis and Orchitis
Develop an in-depth understanding of the presentation, investigation and management of renal, penile and testicular cancer.
- Renal cancer – Presentation, investigation and staging.
- Renal cancer – Treatment.
- Testicular cancer – Presentation, investigation and staging.
- Testicular cancer – Treatment.
- Penile cancer – Presentation, investigation and staging.
- Penile cancer – Treatment.
Develop a comprehensive understanding of urinary tract stones and their investigation and management.
- Pathophysiology of stone formation
- Stones and upper tract obstruction
- Presentation and investigations
- Management of acute stones
- Management of recurrent stones
- Stones and infection
Develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of erectile dysfunction and male factor infertility.
- Epidemiology and causes of erectile dysfunction
- Investigations and Management
- Anatomy and physiology of Peyronie’s Disease
- Investigation and examination of Peyronie’s disease
- Management of Peyronie’s disease
Year 2
To help students recognise, understand, interpret and apply methods used in healthcare research and critically appraise the various methodologies specific to urological research.
- Terminology used in epidemiology and research studies such as prevalence, incidence, sensitivity, specificity, false positives and false negatives.
- Interpreting graphical representation of epidemiological and statistical data such as Kaplan-Meier curves, forest plots and meta-analyses.
- Calculations used in the assessment of research data such as relative risk, absolute risk and number needed to treat. Statistical tests and their applications including t-tests, ANOVA and chi-square.
- Qualitative research methods.
- Fundamentals of evidence-based practice and its application into the clinical setting.
- Principles of health economics, audit and quality improvement/assurance systems.
- Establishing patient registers and the value of disease-specific registers.
Research into educational principles for both healthcare practitioner and patient.
Learning outcomes:
Select and apply different methodological perspectives and tools to answer research questions in urology. Critically analyse and interpret research in urology.
To develop students’ ability to critically appraise specific areas of clinical, research and/or organisational practice and develop skills in independent research, study and writing for publication.
The module will depend on the creation of a piece of work based upon a specific clinically related project relevant to the student’s practice. This project may comprise:
- Literature review and appraisal of the evidence.
- Audit of practice including organisational or clinical.
- Review and implementation of evidence-based practice.
- Qualitative or quantitative research (formal research involving human subjects is not anticipated).
- Case(s)-based and quality of service review with critical appraisal.
- Case report, review of literature and organisational assessment.
Learning outcomes:
Design and undertake a research/development project related to urology.
Critically evaluate practice and suggest improvements or change.
Incorporate knowledge of the research process in developing services appropriately.
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.
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.
- 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 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 on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience in the field of Urology 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 and MSc 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. Duolingo is also accepted, as long as your score is above 95 per component.*
If you do not meet these requirements, please don’t worry. The University of South Wales run a number of English Language Programmes at the Centre for International English to prepare you for your academic studies. You can also contact our admissions team on admissions@diploma-msc.com for more information on the qualifications we accept.
Should you have already successfully completed the 1 year Postgraduate Diploma and wish to convert to the MSc and complete only the second year of the programme this is possible. Please contact our admissions department admissions@diploma-msc.com to find out more.
*Please note that those who provide their proof of English proficiency through Duolingo will receive £50 off their final course payment. This discount is applied after payment of your deposit is received.
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 | £830 | £8,880 |
| 1st May 2025 | £830 | |
| 1st July 2025 | £830 | |
| 1st September 2025 | £830 | |
| 1st November 2025 | £830 | |
| 1st January 2026 | £830 | |
| 1st March 2026 | £650 | |
| 1st May 2026 | £650 | |
| 1st July 2026 | £650 | |
| 1st September 2026 | £650 | |
| 1st November 2026 | £650 | |
| 1st January 2027 | £650 |
† 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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