Cardiovascular Science iBSc

The course is multidisciplinary covering emerging and exciting topics on diagnostics, advances in treatment and surgical intervention and devices in cardiovascular disease. World-leading biomedical scientists from departments and faculties across the School of Life and Medical Sciences at UCL teach on this course, including representatives from:

• Institute of Cardiovascular Science
• Divisions of Biosciences
• Division of Medicine

With constant interaction between students and tutors, interactive and practical sessions are important features of the course. In many instances, students will have the flexibility to expand on an area that is of interest to them particularly through the research project that runs throughout the academic year, and which can either be laboratory or in silico based. This flexibility, along with interaction with internationally known, expert researchers and clinicians in the cardiovascular field will provide a varied and dynamic year. By the end of the course, students will be empowered with contemporary knowledge of different approaches and interventions that can be harnessed for a personalised medicine approach in patients with cardiovascular disease.

• Develop an understanding of common cardiovascular diseases and their management.
• Appreciate controversies and as well as the limitations of current knowledge.
• Critically appraise research and the evidence base for current and future clinical practice.
• To become an independent learner and gain transferable skills.
• Better inform your practice as a doctor in the future, particularly in the field cardiology and cardiovascular medicine. 

September 2025

Location: London, Bloomsbury

The course has been designed to provide 3rd year medical students with a connected curriculum in cardiovascular medicine, which feeds into a series of clinical case studies. This one year programme is made up of 120 credits.  The course modules cover a variety of aspects of heart and vascular function in health and disease from pathophysiology, pharmacology and therapeutic strategies through to genetic and anatomical basis of congenital heart disease. Each module is led by one or more course tutors who direct the content of the module and oversee tutorials or and laboratory-based practicals. 

• Heart and Circulation (Term 1; 30 credits)
• Evidence-based Cardiovascular Medicine (Term 2; 15 credits)
• Research Project (All Year; 45 credits)

• Congenital Heart Disease Fundamentals (Term 1)
• Introduction to Molecular Laboratory methods (Term 1)
• Cardiovascular Science and Diseases (Term 2)

• Receptor Mechanisms
• Drug Design and Development
• Fundamentals of Anaesthesia, Surgery and Acute Physiology
• Changing Population Perspective
• Health Research Methods
• Multi-Morbidity

• Prof Lucie Clapp
• Dr David Thompson and Dr Richard Issitt
• Prof Ann Walker
• Prof Andrew Cook
• Dr Petros Syrris
• Dr Jennifer Steeden

Modules are assessed in a variety of ways including oral presentations, written essays, poster presentations, practicals and unseen written exams.

• Essay (3000 words) - 15%
• Unseen Invigilated Exam (3 hours) - 50%
• Poster Project and Oral Presentation - 20%
• Practical Session Report - 15%

• Coursework - 50%
• Exam (Essay 2000 word & Online Exam 90 mins) - 50%

• Oral Presentation (10 mins + 10 mins questions) - 25%
• Dissertation (7500 words) - 75%

• Word Case Report (750 words) - 30%
• Online case-based Assessment - 70%

• Methodology Essay (1000 words) - 50%
• Unseen Invigilated Written Exam (1 hour) - 50%

• Essay (3000 words) - 100%

Any 2nd year medical student can apply for the iBSC.  There are also a limited number of spaces on course-specific modules available to 3rd year UCL students with an interest in cardiovascular science. Those interested in taking a module should first contact the Undergraduate Education Administrator

Any 2nd year medical student with strong interest in cardiovascular health and disease is encouraged to apply. iBSc applications are open to external applicants but the programme is oversubscribed for 2024/25 but we hope to welcome you in 2025/2026. Those interested in applying should see the external candidates information page.

September 2025

Location: London, Bloomsbury

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places.

This programme is designed for both future scientists and future clinicians who wish to gain a thorough background in cardiovascular science, either for further research in this field or for entry into the pharmaceutical industry.

Application forms are available from the UCL Medical School in early February.  Make sure to give yourself enough time to apply as you may be required to provide signed references. Your personal statement for the application form should be a maximum of 1 A4 page of single-spaced, point 12 Times New Roman text.

Please be aware the programme can be oversubscribed for the upcoming academic year. Any late applications will only be considered after those received by the closing date.

This programme is designed for both future scientists and future clinicians who wish to gain a thorough background in cardiovascular science, either for further research in this field or for entry into the pharmaceutical industry.

When we assess your application, we would like to learn why you want to study Cardiovascular Science and what attracts you to this programme.

The personal statement is your opportunity to elaborate on your reasons for applying to this programme and how your interests match what the programme will deliver.  

Application forms are available from the UCL Medical School in early February.  Make sure to give yourself enough time to apply as you may be required to provide signed references. Your personal statement for the application form should be a maximum of 1 A4 page of single-spaced, point 12 Times New Roman text. 

Audrey Everson, Undergraduate Education Administrator

Email: ics.undergraduate@ucl.ac.uk

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7612 6589

Subject area: Cardiovascular Science

Faculty: Population Health Sciences

Department website: Institute of Cardiovascular Science

The following students were nominated for prizes in 2022 - 2023:

• Meriam Abdelmoumene - Faculty Medal, Dean's List and HAB Simmons
• George Ponodath - Jane Dacre Prize
• Ameera Milhan - Sheila Glennis Haworth Overall Prize (Awarded)