The details
Location: Online Mode of study: Part-time Qualification: Online professional course (20 credits) Study duration: 13 weeks
Start date: Awarding body: University of Essex Delivered by: Kaplan Open Learning For queries: Call +44 (0) 1206 489 358

Curious about the science behind the management of disease? Find out more about this specialised area of healthcare in this online professional course. 

You’ll gain a clear understanding of how physiology, pathology and pharmacology links to disease – as well as the underlying mechanisms that cause disease. Not only that, you’ll also explore potential risk factors that make individuals more susceptible. 

You’ll cover a wide range of interesting topics, including: 

  • principles linked to the aetiology and therapeutic management of disease 
  • commonly used therapeutic agents such as anti-inflammatory agents 
  • warning signs including cautions, contra-indications and interactions  

Once you’ve completed the course, you have the opportunity to study one of our popular postgraduate health courses. 

Why we’re great 

  • Apply key disease management sciences to your own practice environment.  
  • Enhance your continuous professional development in healthcare.   
  • All courses are designed with flexibility in mind, delivered 100% online and part time. 
  • Gain certification from the University of Essex, a top 30 UK university (Complete University Guide 2025).   
  • All modules are taught by experienced subject experts and industry leaders.

You’ll study the following topics as part of the online professional course: 

  • definitions of key sciences dedicated to understanding causes and manifestations of  
  • disease  
  • signs and symptoms of disease (clinical manifestations)  
  • common principles of pathophysiology  
  • stages of disease (e.g. acute, chronic, acute on chronic)  
  • basic overview of immune systems (e.g. innate, specific)  
  • stages of preventing disease (e.g. primary, secondary, tertiary)  
  • pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics  
  • modes of drug administration (e.g. oral, parenteral)  
  • regulatory principles in the dispensation of therapeutic agents  
  • recording and communicating the use of therapeutic agents  
  • examples of commonly used therapeutic agents (e.g. anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, antihypertensives)  
  • warning signs (e.g. cautions, contra-indications, interactions and idiosyncratic reactions) 

Teaching methods 

Studying online gives you the freedom to complete your qualification when and where it suits you – at home, during your lunch hour or in a café. 

Our online professional courses are delivered through a virtual learning environment (VLE) instead of a traditional campus. This means you’ll have access to your study materials 24/7, including: 

  • multimedia lecturecasts made up of written content, short videos, animation, audio recordings, infographics, short tests and mini-assignments 
  • discussion forums for you to chat about the module content with fellow students 
  • live Q&A sessions with your tutors 
  • a comprehensive eLibrary of textbooks and academic journals 
  • support from academic staff and your dedicated Student Support team 

To ensure you receive high-quality tutor support, each class is capped at 20 students. 

 

Assessment methods 

You’ll be assessed exclusively through assignments. These include assessed discussion forums, written assignments and journal entries. 

We’re committed to providing frequent and transparent feedback in the following ways: 

  • our assessment criteria are designed to be simple and transparent 
  • you’ll always be aware of your current provisional grade, right from the start 
  • you’ll be able to clearly view your marks in your gradebook whenever you log on to the learning platform 
  • there’s a seven-day turnaround for marking and feedback of assessed work 
  • you’ll have regular contact with your Student Support team, with whom you can discuss any concerns as soon as they arise 

  

Study duration 

Our Applied Pathophysiology and Pharmacology in the Management of Disease online professional course has a study duration of 13 weeks, including a one-week induction to help you settle into online study. 

The Applied Pathophysiology and Pharmacology in the Management of Disease online professional course offers a whole host of opportunities. This will be beneficial whether you’re looking to climb the career ladder or take the first step into healthcare – helping you stand out amongst the competition. 

If you wish to continue your studies and boost your prospects, you could choose additional health online professional courses. Alternatively, you could progress on to one of the following postgraduate certificates (60 credits); postgraduate diplomas (120 credits); or full Masters degrees (180 credits): 

Please note, acceptance on to a postgraduate qualification is subject to meeting the entry requirements of your chosen programme. 

No formal qualifications or experience is necessary.  

As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency of English is required. If English isn’t your first language, your ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5. Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.  

You don’t need to prove your English ability if you’re a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries. 

Full tuition fee:
£1,386 UK / £1,455 International (2024-25) Δ
 

  • Our online professional courses are fully inclusive – all teaching materials and required reading are included. 
  • Alumni discount of 10% of the tuition fee available if you’re a previous graduate with the University of Essex or University of Essex Online.   
  • We offer a 14-day moneyback guarantee, so if you decide your course isn’t for you during the first 14 days, we’ll give you a full refund. Terms and conditions apply. 

Δ All tuition fees shown are net of any applicable sales tax payable by you in your country of residence. Where we are required to add sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the tuition fees shown and confirmed during the payment process. 

Subject specialists, industry authorities and experienced academics: the tutors who teach on our Strategic Management in Healthcare online professional course are experts in the business field.

What our students say

testimonials

Anjelika Maromedoba -Master of Public Health (MPH)

I chose the University of Essex Online because it’s a well-known educational organisation with a high student satisfaction rate and huge variety of educational programmes.

I chose the online format of education because it was highly convenient and affordable for me as an international student. I had a full-time job and other commitments, so it was impossible for me to leave my work and study on campus.  I planned to write a dissertation and achieve a Masters degree right from graduation at the regional state university in 2007, but following my internships, work duties didn’t allow me to continue my education and I started...

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