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Clinical Endocrinology and Diabetes
Department of Oncology and Metabolism,
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health
Course description
Our MSc has been designed to cover a breadth of hormonal processes, including hormones synthesis and their regulatory roles. These insights will form the basis to understanding the pathophysiology and management of endocrine conditions and diabetes over the life course.
You’ll be taught by leading clinicians and scientists who'll provide you with a good platform for a research career or a career in the clinical or broader field of endocrinology and diabetes.
Endocrinology and diabetes is a wide-ranging scientific discipline concerned with the hormonal regulation of all key bodily processes and the maintenance of homeostasis. Clinical disease processes can occur from fetal life throughout life to old age. Understanding the science behind these hormonal processes is key to diagnosing and developing effective treatments in humans and other animals.
Through the taught modules you'll develop a solid understanding of the science that underpins endocrinology and diabetes and how it relates to clinical disease entities. You’ll cover the breadth of processes and clinical problems relevant to all areas of endocrinology and diabetes.
You'll also have the opportunity to learn about novel innovations and technological advances in the field and undertake a research project to develop a depth of knowledge in a specialist topic.
The course is structured to provide general as well as subject-specific scientific training and to provide academic and clinical perspectives in the management and treatment of endocrine disorders and diabetes.
Modules
The first half of the programme consists of six taught modules that run through to March.
The second half of the programme from March to September encompasses the research project module. Completion of all seven modules are core requirements for the MSc.
- Principles of Endocrinology
- Paediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology
- Endocrine Disorders in Adults
- Diabetes over the Life Course
- Research Skills, Innovation & Technology
- Research Project Module
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption. We are no longer offering unrestricted module choice. If your course included unrestricted modules, your department will provide a list of modules from their own and other subject areas that you can choose from.
Open days
An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses. You'll find out what makes us special.
Duration
1 year, full time
Teaching
Much of the teaching during the first six months is lecture-based, but also includes seminars, tutorials and practical classes. Class sizes are kept small to encourage interactive learning.
You'll mostly be taught on site in the Medical School, which is a purpose-built facility. Occasionally, classes may be scheduled at the main University campus or in teaching facilities at the nearby adult and children’s hospitals.
Part of the course will offer the opportunity to attend clinics and clinical meetings in at Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.
During the final six months of the course, you'll be allocated a research project. This involves independent learning supported by one-to-one supervision.
Assessment
Assessment tasks have been developed to help you develop skills relevant to careers in endocrinology and diabetes, which include:
- practical exercises with reflective reports
- preparation of abstracts
- preparation of grant proposals
- presentation of clinical cases and studies
- presentation in journal club style
The research project is assessed by:
- a poster presentation
- short reflective reports
- a thesis
- a short oral exam based on the written work
Your career
Completion of this course will prepare you for a range of opportunities, including:
- a PhD (or MD) programme in endocrinology and diabetes
- a clinical laboratory, medical or teacher training programme
- working in clinical research and policy; in medical or scientific writing; as a medical advisor or representative in pharmaceutical industry; in technical support in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies or clinical diagnostic labs; as a nurse specialist in clinical care or with an academic interest
For medical students, our masters provides a clinical introduction and foundation for those who may be interested in sub-specialising in endocrinology and diabetes.
Entry requirements
You'll need at least a 2:1 in a relevant life science undergraduate degree (eg Biochemistry, Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology or a degree in veterinary science or medicine). A 2:2 degree may be acceptable depending on an interview and assessment of your past achievements.
Medical students can intercalate after completing three years of their medical degree.
Overall IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component, or equivalent.
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the department.
Fees and funding
Apply
You can apply for postgraduate study using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.
Contact
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.