Cancer Studies PGCert
Cancer Studies PGCert
PGCert - minimum 1 year, maximum 2 years
CPD modules available
Profile
This part time, online course covers all aspects of delivering care to patients. You will study treatment modalities, biological, psychosocial and ethical perspectives. Well-established cancer institutes and oncological and palliative care experts developed and deliver the course. You will enjoy a comprehensive and intellectually stimulating experience wherever you are worldwide.
Your programme during COVID-19
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to COVID-19.
Further information
Our COVID-19 Study page gives more information about your Newcastle University study experience.
Terms and conditions and student complaints
The University has terms and conditions which create a positive environment for learning and academic achievement.
Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to the guidelines that may be in place at the time.
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK.
Read our detailed explanation.
About this course
This course is designed to provide oncology, palliative care and oncology pharmaceutical industry professionals with detailed knowledge about the interrelationship between oncology and clinical cancer service provision.
Through the course you will develop clinical leadership, clinical excellence and the ability to cultivate interdisciplinary collaboration in the delivery of evidence based oncology and palliative care. This includes sharing mutually valuable information to help develop clinical practice. You will be introduced to the basis of research in oncology and palliative care, preparing you for further research within the fields.
We have designed this course in collaboration with the Faculty of Medical Sciences and it is delivered in association with the Northern Centre for Cancer Care (NCCC).
Our students include those:
- training in nursing, medical or scientific specialties and dealing with cancer, clinical or medical oncology, or palliative care
- working in the pharmacology industry or in cancer research
Quality and Ranking
We rank in the top 100 for Medicine - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020
Staff
Newcastle and the North East of England have a tremendous amount of oncological and palliative care expertise and all our teaching staff are healthcare professionals actively involved in research. This knowledge base provides a comprehensive, intellectually stimulating, and extremely useful educational experience to all students involved in it.
The course is led by:
- Dr Charles Kelly, Degree Programme Director and Consultant Clinical Oncologist
- Dr Victoria Hewitt, Deputy Degree Programme Director and Palliative Care Specialist
Delivery
Modules are taught online, so you can choose to study anytime and anywhere. This flexibility means that you can fit your studies around your other commitments, plus learning online will develop your online digital literacy skills.
You will be given an account on Blackboard, our managed virtual learning environment, and an email address. Blackboard is accessible across a variety of operating systems and browsers, check that your equipment is compatible. Our materials and supporting reading are accessible across a variety of devices including desktop computers, tablets and mobile phones.
IT support
As this programme is online, you should feel comfortable using the internet and networking online. You don't have to be a technical expert to study online. We'll give you an online induction before you start. This will show you the different interactive tools you will use during your studies. These include:
- discussion boards
- reflective journals
- blogs
- collaborative learning spaces, e.g. wikis.
IT requirements
No campus attendance is needed, but you must have reliable access to the following:
- computer
- the Internet
- webcam
- headset
- printer.
Recommended specifications:
- operating system: Windows 7 and above (32 and 64 bit) or Mac OSX 10.6 and above
- processor: Intel Pentium, Intel Celeron, Intel i3, Intel i5, Intel i7, or recent AMD processor
- RAM: At least 2GB
- connectivity: broadband or mobile broadband
- screen resolution: at least 1024 x 768 px.
Online delivery is structured in weekly topics, guiding your learning via tutorials, videos, discussions and formative exercises. The modules are full of interactive exercises and activities, including immediate feedback from automatically scored activities and practices. You can discuss the course, ask questions and get help with problems through the module discussion groups or through emailing your module leader. The networking opportunities of this course give you a multi-disciplinary awareness to your studies.
Your first task will be to complete a short induction module before studying between 10 and 40 credits per semester. You will be assessed in a variety of ways including:
- multiple choice question exams
- essays
- presentations
- case studies.
Each 10 credit module is the equivalent to 100 hours of estimated study time, which includes:
- studying the module materials
- online networking with fellow students
- directed reading
- research
- interactive and collaborative activities
- preparing assessments.
Semester Dates
Approximate semester start dates are as follows:
- semester 1 - end of September
- semester 2 - end of January.
Semester dates can be found on the University Calendar.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Modules for 2020 entry
Module changes
Course content changes
The information above is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Fees & Funding
2021-2022 fees
If your studies last longer than one year your fee may be subject to an annual inflationary increase.
EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals
For courses commencing from September 2021 and beyond, EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fees or Student Finance England support.
If you are from the EU you will pay international tuition fees.
All students
Find out more about our tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts.
Entry Requirements
A 2:2 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant discipline.
You must be IT literate to complete our highly interactive online course. You also need to have access to a computer with a printer and a reliable internet connection.
We will consider applications on an individual basis if you have lower or non-standard qualifications and are working in the healthcare profession or related field.
Find out the equivalent qualifications for your country.
Use the drop down above to find your country. If your country isn't listed please email: international.recruitment@ncl.ac.uk for further information.
English Language Requirements
Select an English language test from the list to view our English language entry requirements.
Please email us at international.recruitment@ncl.ac.uk for further information.
How to Apply
You apply online, track your application and contact the admissions team via our applicant portal. Our step by step guide can help you on your way.
Start date
The course has two start dates:
- September
- January
Closing date
The deadline for January 2021 entry is 11 December 2020.
When you make your online application, you will need to select your academic year of entry on the 'Programme of Study' page.
- If you are applying for January 2021, select 2020/2021 in the 'Academic year of entry' field.
When applying for a CPD module, please include the module name and code you wish to study in your personal statement, eg 'I would like to study the CPD Developments in Diagnostic Imaging in Oncology (E-learning) module (ONC8004)'
Deposit
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you must:
- pay a deposit of £1,500
- or submit an official letter of sponsorship
The deposit is payable after you receive an offer to study with us. The deposit is non-refundable, but we will deduct it from your tuition fees when you register.
Contact
Faculty of Medical Sciences
Oncology and Palliative Care Team
+44 (0) 191 208 7032
Email: oncpall@ncl.ac.uk
Website: Faculty of Medical Sciences, Oncology and Palliative Care