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Cardiovascular Science MSc
Cardiovascular diseases remain a major cause of death and ill health worldwide. This established MSc programme, taught by scientists and clinicians who are leaders in their field, offers students the opportunity to learn about topical areas in cardiovascular science, preparing them for further research or a career in industry.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2018
Modes and duration
Tuition fees (2018/19)
- UK/EU:
- £12,150 (FT) £6,070 (PT)
- Overseas:
- £24,420 (FT) £12,150 (PT)
Application dates
Note on fees: The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Current Students website. Fees for flexible, modular study are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session.
Entry requirements
A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a scientific or medical discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, or a recognised taught Master's degree.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Standard
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.
Select your country:
About this degree
Students will develop a detailed knowledge of molecular and cellular cardiovascular science, animal models of cardiovascular disease, microvascular biology and mechanisms by which the heart and vasculature function in health and disease, as well as laboratory and statistical methods. They will gain valuable research skills and an awareness of the ethical, legal and social aspects of developments in cardiovascular disease.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of five core modules (90 credits), two optional modules (30 credits) and the research project (60 credits).
Core modules
- Cardiovascular Science and Disease
- Animal Models of Cardiovascular Disease
- Congenital Heart Disease - Fundamentals
- Heart and Circulation (30 credits)
- Basic Statistics for Medical Science
Optional modules
30 credits of optional modules drawn from the following:
- Genetics of Cardiovascular Disease
- Clinical Application of Pharmacogenetic Test
- Drug Discovery II
- Microvascular Biology
- An Introduction to Molecular Laboratory Methods in Cardiovascular Research
- Clinical Cardiology (open to clinicians only)
Clinical Cardiology is an academic MSc module rather than a standard clinical placement. The emphasis is on appreciating the impact of advances in cardiovascular science upon clinical practice.
Dissertation/research project
All MSc students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000-12,000 words and an oral presentation (60 credits).
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, presentations, tutorials, journal clubs, a quiz, statistical and laboratory practicals and anatomical examination of human congenital heart disease specimens. Assessment is through written and oral examinations, coursework essays, case reports, journal club and other oral presentations and the dissertation.
Funding
Home/EU applicants may apply for the MSc Cardiovascular Science Bursaries.
Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.
MSc Cardiovascular Science Bursary
- Value:
- £2,000 (1 yr)
- Eligibility:
- UK, EU
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
All graduates of this programme will be well placed for a PhD in this field and a career in research, and will have a sound basis for entry into the pharmaceutical industry.
Basic scientists may use the MSc as a stepping-stone to MBBS studies. The programme also provides an excellent training for related fields such as scientific journalism and in areas requiring critical appraisal of complex data.
Recent career destinations for this degree
- Doctor, Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Senior Lecturer, Lahore Medical & Dental College
- GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law), BPP
- PhD in Cardiac Electrophysiology, University of Surrey
- PhD in Cardiovascular Science, UCL
Employability
In addition to the academic insight into cardiovascular science, this programme supports the development of a wide range of skills which students will use at work.
Oral and written communication skills are enhanced. Writing essays and the research project dissertation involves searching the literature, selection and interpretation of publications, and organisation of complex ideas into the final report.
Learning activities in the statistics module develop quantitative analytical skills.
Students undertake group and independent projects. They gain insight into research planning and time management. They are supported by a personal tutor and informed by careers events and UCL Careers.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
Why study this degree at UCL?
The UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science brings together world-leading scientists and clinicians working in cardiovascular research to conduct innovative research for the prevention and treatment of diseases of the heart and circulation, and provide world-class teaching and training, and forward-thinking policy development.
UCL has one of the largest, most dynamic cardiovascular research bases in the UK. This interdisciplinary programme is taught in collaboration with UCLH, the Institute of Ophthalmology, the Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Barts Heart Centre, offering students access to a world-leading community at the forefront of cardiovascular research.
Department: Institute of Cardiovascular Science
Student / staff numbers
› 66 staff
including 49 postdocs
› 18 taught students
› 29 research students
Staff/student numbers information correct as of 1 August 2017.
Research Excellence Framework (REF)
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: Institute of Cardiovascular Science
80% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
What our students and staff say
"UCL is a prestigious university with an international reputation in the research field. I investigate novel therapies for protecting coronary heart disease patients from acute ischaemia-reperfusion injury during heart attack or during cardiac bypass surgery, thereby preventing heart failure and improving patient survival."
Professor Derek Hausenloy
MSc Cardiovascular Science
Reader in Cardiovascular Medicine
"UCL has a strong international reputation in both teaching and research; the breadth of research and subjects, as well as its strong links to several hospitals in London, is second to none. This combination makes UCL a unique environment in which to learn and/or carry out translational research in experimental medicine. The latter has been possible by forging active collaborations with hospital-based clinicians and scientists at the Royal Free Hospital, Great Ormond Street and UCLH."
Professor Lucie Clapp
Cardiovascular Science MSc, Clinical and Experimental Medicine: Translational Clinical Science MSc, British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Biomedicine PhD
UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science
Application and next steps
Applications
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
Application fee: There is an application processing fee for this programme of £75 for online applications and £100 for paper applications. More details about the application fee can be found at www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
This programme is designed for both scientists and 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 deadlines
- All applicants
- 20 August 2018
Any late applications will only be considered after all those received by the closing date.
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study Cardiovascular Science at graduate level
- why you want to study Cardiovascular Science at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to this programme
- how your academic background meets the demands of this challenging programme
- where you would like to go professionally with your degree
Together with essential academic requirements, 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.
Contact information
- Mrs Joanna Pajerska, Education Officer
- j.pajerska@ucl.ac.uk
- +44 (0)20 7679 9245
Page last modified on 23 April 2018 by UCL Student Recruitment Marketing
