Description
Diabetes affects more than five million people in the UK, and around 10% of the NHS budget is spent on its care. Genetics plays a fundamental role in all forms of diabetes: it is the primary cause of rare monogenic diabetes and a key contributor to risk in common forms, such as type 1 and type 2 diabetes. A detailed understanding of genetic factors can transform clinical practice, supporting precision diagnosis in monogenic diabetes, improving targeted treatment and enhancing risk stratification in type 1 diabetes.
The University of Exeter is recognised globally as a leading centre for diabetes research, and this module is delivered by Exeter’s world‑leading experts in the genetics of diabetes. Designed for healthcare professionals with a specialist interest in endocrinology and diabetes, the module provides advanced knowledge of how genetics informs diagnosis, management and therapeutic decision‑making in diabetes care.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this module you will be able to:
- Explore the genetic causes of different diabetes subtypes, including rare monogenic forms, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and congenital hyperinsulinism.
- Gain understanding of the practical implementation of genomic testing in clinical pathways.
- Learn how cutting‑edge research translates into real‑world healthcare solutions, gaining skills that are relevant not only to diabetes but to genomics‑informed care across many conditions.
Funding rules
The Genomics Education Programme offers funding on a modular basis, initially covering 1-4 modules, with the potential for additional funding for the full Master’s degree upon demonstrating satisfactory progress. The maximum amount of funding available to each student is the equivalent of 12 modules (180 credits), to cover the full Master’s degree.
Funding covers course fees only and is limited to NHS healthcare professionals working in England on a permanent contract from the full range of professional backgrounds and groups (such as medicine, nursing, midwifery, healthcare scientists and technologists).
Applicants must have the support of their line manager. Without this, funding cannot be approved, as line manager support is essential to ensure learners are able to apply their knowledge and skills in practice and are supported both operationally and academically. Funding decisions are made jointly with the system to support service development.
Funding is allocated on a modular basis for each financial year and is not guaranteed year on year. Eligibility criteria may also be subject to change annually.
The Genomics Education Programme provides limited funding to the universities listed below. Please check with your preferred university to obtain details of the programme modules and entry criteria. This may include criteria around existing understanding and minimum English language requirements.
For information about how to apply for either CPPD module(s)/postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma/Master’s degree, see the Master’s in Genomic Medicine application process.
