Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare
Further your skills and broaden your opportunities in cardiovascular and respiratory healthcare.
Award titles
MSc
Duration: 1 year FT / 2 years PT
(including PG Cert and PG Dip)
Postgraduate Certificate
Duration: 9 months part-time
(standalone course)
Postgraduate Diploma
Duration: 9 months FT / 21 months PT
(including PG Cert)
Overview
Our degrees in Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare are designed for people from a wide range of healthcare backgrounds, including:
- Healthcare Scientists
- Nurses
- Physiotherapists
- Advanced Practitioners
It will take you through a programme of learning to deepen your knowledge and skills in cardiovascular and respiratory healthcare, enabling you to enhance your career in your chosen field.
The multidisciplinary lecturers will draw on their clinical and research experience at a national and international level to facilitate your learning.
You will have the opportunity to discuss new technologies for the prevention, diagnosis and management of ill-health and their impact on the delivery of person-centred healthcare.
The course is flexible and modular, and available as a full- or part-time MSc, delivered over one or two years.
It is delivered through a combination of face-to-face and distance learning
This programme offers you unique insights into developments in cardiovascular and respiratory healthcare and how to apply them to personalise healthcare decisions"
Dr Jillian Riley
Module Lead
Study programme
This course is made up of three progressional levels (PG Cert, PG Dip and MSc).
You can apply to any level in the first instance. Read more about how this works under 'Choosing your course' in the how to apply section.
The Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma are made up of core and optional taught modules.
The MSc is made up of the certificate, diploma and an extensive research project.
Meet our students
Hear from current National Heart and Lung Institute students and graduates on their website.
Structure
Modules shown are for the current academic year and are subject to change depending on your year of entry.
Please note that the curriculum of this course is currently being reviewed as part of a College-wide process to introduce a standardised modular structure. As a result, the content and assessment structures of this course may change for your year of entry. We therefore recommend that you check this course page before finalising your application and after submitting it as we will aim to update this page as soon as any changes are ratified by the College.
Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about changes we have made.
Structure
MSc
Core modules
You take all of the core modules below:
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare: Core Science
Provides an overview of cardiovascular and respiratory wellbeing, covering:
- cardiovascular and respiratory anatomy and physiology
- the epidemiology of cardiovascular and respiratory disease
- the concepts of health and well-being and physiological changes associated with haemorrhage
- immobility and bed rest
Reflections and Evaluation of Clinical Practice
Provides the opportunity to observe good clinical practice in the field of cardiovascular and respiratory healthcare with a view to critiquing it in relation to evidence-based guidelines and reflecting on how to apply improvements in practice.
Study Design
Covers the principles and practice of quantitative and qualitative research, and key issues in critically evaluating methodology. Provides a strong foundation for conducting your own research.
Quality in Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare
This module will critically consider how a focus on safety, effectiveness and the patient experience contributes to the development and delivery of high-quality healthcare services.
Optional modules
You choose three modules from the list below:
- Cardiovascular Health: Prevention and Rehabilitation
- Innovations in the Management of Cardiovascular Disease: Acute and Community
- Managing the Care of Children and Adults with Cystic Fibrosis
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Community Respiratory Care
- Respiratory Failure and Respiratory Support
Research project
You complete an extensive research project assessed by a written dissertation and oral presentation.
The research project can be undertaken in a variety of settings. It will be supervised by a member of the faculty at Imperial.
Your supervisor will provide guidance and support for developing the research question, design of the project and data collection, thesis writing and oral presentation.
We offer four types of project:
- Primary research using quantitative or qualitative methods
- Systematic review or qualitative synthesis of the literature
- An analysis of data from research databases or registries
- Clinical service improvement
Postgraduate Certificate
Core modules
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare: Core Science
Provides an overview of cardiovascular and respiratory wellbeing, covering:
- cardiovascular and respiratory anatomy and physiology
- the epidemiology of cardiovascular and respiratory disease
- the concepts of health and well-being and physiological changes associated with haemorrhage
- immobility and bed rest
Optional modules
You choose two elective modules from the list below:
- Cardiovascular Health: Prevention and Rehabilitation
- Innovations in the Management of Cardiovascular Disease: Acute and Community
- Managing the Care of Children and Adults with Cystic Fibrosis
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Community Respiratory Care
- Respiratory Failure and Respiratory Support
Postgraduate Diploma
Core modules
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare: Core Science
Provides an overview of cardiovascular and respiratory wellbeing, covering:
- cardiovascular and respiratory anatomy and physiology
- the epidemiology of cardiovascular and respiratory disease
- the concepts of health and wellbeing and physiological changes associated with haemorrhage
- immobility and bed rest
Study Design
Covers the principles and practice of quantitative and qualitative research, and key issues in critically evaluating methodology. Provides a strong foundation for conducting your own research.
Reflections and Evaluation of Clinical Practice
Provides the opportunity to observe good clinical practice in the field of cardiovascular and respiratory healthcare with a view to critiquing it in relation to evidence-based guidelines and reflecting on how to apply improvements in practice.
Quality in Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare
This module will critically consider how a focus on safety, effectiveness and the patient experience contributes to the development and delivery of high-quality healthcare services.
Optional modules
You choose three modules from the list below:
- Cardiovascular Health: Prevention and Rehabilitation
- Innovations in the Management of Cardiovascular Disease: Acute and Community
- Managing the Care of Children and Adults with Cystic Fibrosis
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Community Respiratory Care
- Respiratory Failure and Respiratory Support
Teaching and assessment
Teaching
- Blended learning
- Case-based learning
- E-learning
- Journal clubs
- Lectures
- Reflection on clinical practice
- Seminars
- Small group teaching
- Tutorials
Assessment
- Assessed journal club
- Oral presentations
- Practical examination
- Research project thesis and oral presentation (MSc students only)
- Written case study reports
- Written examination
E-learning
- Game-based online activities: Patient Journeys will be included in most specialist optional modules: using theoretically derived case studies and students trial decision-making theory in practice.
- Online chapters including: filmed lectures, animated diagrams, quizzes, voice overs, collated resources, discussion boards, reflective logs and case studies.
- Online platform including: introductory videos, self-tests, a primer setting out pre-reading and key concepts and frequently asked questions drop-box for module leader.
Course timetable
All modules are taught using blended learning (a combination of face-to-face and online teaching) to provide flexibility for you to balance your study with work.
The majority of optional modules consist of 30 hours of face-to-face teaching and up to three weeks of distance learning and independent study.
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Admissions
Minimum academic requirement
Our minimum requirement is a 2.1 degree in a relevant medical, biomedical or healthcare subject.
Substantial relevant clinical experience may also be considered.
International qualifications
We also accept a wide variety of international qualifications.
The academic requirement above is for applicants who hold or who are working towards a UK qualification.
For guidance see our Country Index though please note that the standards listed here are the minimum for entry to the College, and not specifically this Department.
If you have any questions about admissions and the standard required for the qualification you hold or are currently studying then please contact the relevant admissions team.
English language requirement (all applicants)
All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.
For admission to this course, you must achieve the higher College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for postgraduate applicants.
We will start considering applications in December. We consider applications in batches and make a proportion of offers at a set point each month, starting from January.
It takes four to six weeks to process an application and make a decision. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to interview.
How to apply
Choosing your course
This course is divided into three progressional levels of study:
- PG Certificate (PG Cert)
- PG Diploma (PG Dip)
- MSc
Each level of study has its own separate entry point; you can apply to any level in the first instance.
Read more about Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and MSc degrees
Making an application
All applicants to our Master's courses must apply online.
For full details on the online application process, please visit the admissions website.
ATAS certificate
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Award title
Students graduating with a certificate and/or diploma will be awarded:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare
- Postgraduate Diploma in Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare
MSc students will graduate with a different award title based on the specialist optional modules chosen and research project topic.
- MSc Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare for completing the core modules and four specialist optional modules, with at least one specialist optional module from each theme
- MSc Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare (Cardiovascular Care) for completing the core modules and four specialist optional modules, with three of four specialist optional modules from the cardiovascular and combined themes
- MSc Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare (Respiratory Care) for completing the core modules and four specialist optional modules, with three out of four specialist optional module modules from the respiratory and combined themes
- MSc Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare (Nursing) for completing the core modules and ‘Quality in Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare with E-health’ and 'Clinical Examination and History Taking', and two specialist optional modules from either cardiovascular or respiratory theme
Tuition fees and funding
The level of tuition fees you pay is based on your fee status, which we assess based on UK government legislation.
For more information on the funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Fees and Funding website.
Tuition fees and funding
Tuition fees (Home and EU students)
| 2020 entry | Full fee | Top-up fee* |
|---|---|---|
| MSc | £12,000 | £2,400 |
| Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) | £9,600 | £3,600 |
| Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) | £6,000 | — |
| * If you have already completed one of the above qualifications and are moving on to the next level of study, e.g. you've already completed the PG Cert and want to study the PG Dip, you will only need to pay the top-up fee for the course you’re applying for. | ||
You may apply to enter this programme at any level of study.
If you enter the MSc, without having studied the PG Cert or PG Dip, then you will pay the full fee listed for the MSc.
If you enter at the PG Cert or PG Dip level and return in future academic years to complete a higher award, you will pay the top-up fee advertised in the year of your return, instead of the full fee for your chosen course.
If you continue uninterrupted from one award to the next, you will pay the relevant top-up fee, plus any annual inflationary increases applied to the entry fee. This applies to applicants who originally entered for a PGDip or MSc. This does not apply to those who have completed a PGCert or PGDip and are re-entering for a higher award.
The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value for April 2020 will apply to fees for the academic year 2020–2021.
You could be eligible for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government if you apply for the MSc in the first instance.
PG Cert and PG Diploma students are not eligible for the Master's loan since each of these programmes are not worth 90 ECTS credits, which is one of the eligibility criteria for this loan.
Tuition fees (Overseas and Islands students)
| 2020 entry | Full fee | Top-up fee* |
|---|---|---|
| MSc | £35,600 | £7,120 |
| Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) | £28,480 | £10,680 |
| Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) | £17,800 | — |
| * If you have already completed one of the above qualifications and are moving on to the next level of study, e.g. you've already completed the PG Cert and want to study the PG Dip, you will only need to pay the top-up fee for the course you’re applying for. | ||
You may apply to enter this programme at any level of study.
If you enter the MSc, without having studied the PG Cert or PG Dip, then you will pay the full fee listed for the MSc.
If you enter at the PG Cert or PG Dip level and return in future academic years to complete a higher award, you will pay the top-up fee advertised in the year of your return, instead of the full fee for your chosen course.
If you continue uninterrupted from one award to the next, you will pay the relevant top-up fee, plus any annual inflationary increases applied to the entry fee. This applies to applicants who originally entered for a PGDip or MSc. This does not apply to those who have completed a PGCert or PGDip and are re-entering for a higher award.
The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value for April 2020 will apply to fees for the academic year 2020–2021.
You could be eligible for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government if you apply for the MSc in the first instance.
PG Cert and PG Diploma students are not eligible for the Master's loan since each of these programmes are not worth 90 ECTS credits, which is one of the eligibility criteria for this loan.
Additional costs
This section outlines any additional costs relevant to this course, which are not included in your tuition fees. It is possible that all, or only some, of these will be relevant to you.
Please note that the figures provided are usually based on the cost in the most recent academic year. These are likely to change from year to year. However, it is useful for you to be aware of the types of things you may have to pay for and their approximate cost to help you budget for student life at Imperial.
This section indicates whether any additional costs that apply are mandatory or optional. Mandatory costs are those that you will need to pay to fully participate in and complete your studies. Optional costs are not essential to your studies so you will be free to opt out of these.
| Description | Mandatory/optional | Guide to cost |
|---|---|---|
| Stethoscope | Optional | £85 |
Postgraduate Master's loan
If you are a Home or EU student who meets certain criteria, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government.
For 2019-20 entry, the maximum amount was of £10,906. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students to support you through your studies. Try our scholarships search tool to see what you might be eligible for.
There are a number of external organisations also offer awards for Imperial students, find out more about non-Imperial scholarships.
Accommodation and living costs
Living costs, including accommodation, are not included in your tuition fees.
You can compare costs across our different accommodation options on our Accommodation website.
A rough guide to what you might expect to spend to live in reasonable comfort in London is available on our Fees and Funding website.
Further information
Got a question?
Enquiries
Deborah Buck
Course Administrator
E: cardioresphealth@imperial.ac.uk
Read more about the NHLI and our research on the National Heart and Lung Institute website.
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