Program Overview

An Introduction to Dermoscopy (online)

Dermoscopy is a non-invasive, widely used diagnostic tool that aids the diagnosis of skin lesions and is proven to increase the accuracy of melanoma diagnosis.

Course Details

• Start date: 2 March 2026
• Duration: 12 weeks
• Study hours: 60 hours
• Fee: £1195

Who it's for

This 12-week online course is designed specifically for doctors who are involved in the care of dermatology patients with skin lesions, and who are interested in the management of benign and malignant skin lesions, or who wish to learn about dermoscopy to improve their skill in the diagnosis of melanoma. The course is also for specialist nurses actively working in Skin Cancer Clinics, subject to appropriate qualification.

What you'll learn

This programme aims to develop competency in using a dermatoscope to:

• differentiate melanocytic from non-melanocytic skin lesions
• differentiate malignant from non-malignant skin lesions
• assist in the early diagnosis of melanoma
• assist in management decisions relating to pigmented skin lesions
• assist in the diagnosis of some non-melanocytic skin lesions

Topics covered

Six topics have been written by leading dermatologists in the field of dermoscopy. Participants are expected to complete a topic every two weeks. Features of the course include:

• detailed topic materials with specific aims and objectives
• "Virtual Dermatoscope" featuring a large bank of dermoscopic images
• clinical cases and interactive quizzes (with immediate performance feedback) for each module
• live interactive expert lectures using Adobe Connect software
• group discussion forums led by expert tutors
• collaborative learning is strongly encouraged
• participants will be able to discuss difficult or interesting cases that they encounter in their own practice (camera recommended)
• tutors will also share cases from their clinics
• forums aim to enable students to learn from each other and receive feedback from tutors

Course Structure

• Week 0: Pre-course preparation
• Week 1: Topic 1
• Weeks 2-3: Topic 2
• Weeks 4-5: Topic 3
• Weeks 6-7: Topic 4
• Weeks 8-9: Topic 5
• Weeks 10-11: Topic 6
• Week 12: Examination week

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must fulfil all of the following criteria to be considered eligible for this course:

• hold a medical degree
• see patients with skin lesions regularly
• have an excellent command of English
• own or have access to a computer with high-speed internet

Equipment

Access to a dermatoscope is highly recommended in order to participate in this course. Access to a camera to share your dermatoscopic images with the online community is also recommended but not essential.

Benefits

• this is an entirely online course, run over 12 weeks, with online assessments
• learn flexibly, in your own time
• gain insights into the latest techniques from international experts in the field of dermoscopy, who write the topics for this course
• experience live interactive expert lectures
• work and learn collaboratively with your peers from across the world in group discussion forums led by expert tutors