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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 you the opportunity to learn about topical areas in cardiovascular science, preparing you for further research or a career in industry, healthcare or beyond.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2021
Modes and duration
Application dates
Tuition fees (2021/22)
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 Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees. 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
UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses
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
You 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 principles and statistical methods. You will gain an awareness of research integrity and practice valuable research skills relating to developments in cardiovascular science.
You will undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of three compulsory modules (60 credits), two to four optional modules (60 credits) and the research project (60 credits).
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Cardiovascular Science.
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
- Heart and Circulation (30 credits)
- Animal Models of Cardiovascular Disease
- Basic Statistics for Medical Sciences
Optional modules
60 credits of optional modules drawn from the following:
- Cardiovascular Science and Disease
- Congenital Heart Disease - Fundamentals
- Genetics of Cardiovascular Disease and Related Complex Diseases
- Genomics and Drug Development
- Drug Discovery II (30 credits)
- Microvascular Biology
- Fundamental Genetic Laboratory Methods in Cardiovascular Research (30 credits)
- Clinical Cardiology (open to clinicians only; availability subject to any restrictions due to COVID-19)
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, quizzes, online statistical and laboratory practicals and anatomical examination of human congenital heart disease specimens. Where possible we intend to provide some core face to face laboratory practicals and cardiovascular anatomy laboratory sessions. Assessment is through written and oral examinations, coursework essays, case reports, journal club and other oral presentations and the dissertation.
Additional costs
For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
Funding
Home/EU applicants may apply for the MSc Cardiovascular Science Bursaries
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
As a graduate of this programme, you will be well placed for a PhD in this field and a career in research. You will also have a sound basis for entry into the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.
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.
Employability
In addition to academic insights into cardiovascular science, this programme provides you with a wide range of skills sought by employers:
- Oral and written communication skills
- Selection and interpretation of written content and organisation of complex ideas - through essays and the research project dissertation
- Quantitative analytical skills - through a statistics module
- Project management - through both group and independent projects
- Research planning and time management
During the programme, you will be supported by a personal tutor and informed by careers events and UCL Careers.
Why study this degree at UCL?
You will become part of the UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, which 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, as well as education and policy development.
UCL has one of the largest, most dynamic cardiovascular research bases in the UK. This interdisciplinary programme is taught in collaboration with University College London Hospital (UCLH), UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Barts Heart Centre and their researchers and clinicians, offering you access to a world-leading community at the forefront of cardiovascular research.
There is an annual careers event for MSc students, which includes alumni, industry, healthcare and scientific publishing representatives.
Department: Institute of Cardiovascular Science
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.
This programme requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found in our How to apply section.
There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
This programme is designed for scientists, clinically-related staff and clinicians who wish to gain a thorough background in cardiovascular science, either for further research in this field or for entry into industry.
Application deadlines
- All applicants
- 31 May 2021
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.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 11 June 2021
