This internationally recognised course is designed to train healthcare professionals to be the clinical leaders of the future by providing a mix of clinical and professional knowledge relevant to the practice of cardiology in contemporary healthcare.
Learning in key professional domains includes service leadership and development, research, commissioning and communication and teaching. The cardiology content of the programme provides comprehensive learning to meet the professional development needs of a wide range of practitioners working in cardiology including: doctors, nurses, paramedics, pharmacists, physiologists and radiographers.
The course aims to increase students’ practical and theoretical knowledge of advanced clinical and interventional cardiology, by promoting their exploration of the current evidence for diagnosis and treatment. The course seeks to enable the student to use this evidence toward good practice through focussing on the practical aspects of the care of common cardiac conditions from a medical and patient perspective. In addition, the course aims to promote a wider understanding of the differing profiles and contributory roles of the various health care professionals involved in the care of cardiac patients.
Most modules are assessed by means of a 3,000 word in-depth evaluation of a topic agreed by the student and module leader. The clinical modules are also assessed by means of an unseen written examination.
PGCert
PGDip
PGCert Modules PLUS
AND
OR
MSc
PGDip Modules
PLUS
On completion of the course, students will have a broad understanding of cardiovascular medicine combined with a portfolio of advanced research and leadership skills to support the development of specialist interest in cardiology and enhance career opportunities.
This internationally recognised course is designed to train healthcare professionals to be the clinical leaders of the future by providing a mix of clinical and professional knowledge relevant to the practice of cardiology in contemporary healthcare.
Learning in key professional domains includes service leadership and development, research, commissioning and communication and teaching. The cardiology content of the programme provides comprehensive learning to meet the professional development needs of a wide range of practitioners working in cardiology including: doctors, nurses, paramedics, pharmacists, physiologists and radiographers.
The course aims to increase students’ practical and theoretical knowledge of advanced clinical and interventional cardiology, by promoting their exploration of the current evidence for diagnosis and treatment. The course seeks to enable the student to use this evidence toward good practice through focussing on the practical aspects of the care of common cardiac conditions from a medical and patient perspective.
This course is the first of its kind and recognises the growing need for additional clinical experts in providing ward-based patient care. It provides career and professional development and thus the increasing confidence and better patient care which additional knowledge and training provides.
It is delivered in the real world setting of the modern NHS so students are able to fully understand their future role.
Close working with NHS, exposure to clinical research trials some Industry sponsored.
There will be a varied menu of assessment methods used to reflect the experiential nature and learning outcomes of this course. Examples are:
Prof Gershan Davis is Professor in Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Central Lancashire/Consultant Cardiologist, North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust. He is a Fellow of Royal College of Physicians (UK); Fellow of European Society of Cardiology; Fellow of Royal Australasian College of Physicians; Fellow of American College of Cardiology and Fellow of Higher Education Academy. He was previously Consultant Cardiologist, Director of CATH Lab and Lead for Cardiac CT, Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool and Hon Senior Lecturer in Medicine, University of Liverpool. Before joining UCLan he was the Third Year Undergraduate Lead for Liverpool University Students at Aintree University Hospital; taught Cardiology to undergraduate and postgraduate students and undertook postgraduate supervision for MD, MRes and MSc students and was examiner for University of Liverpool undergraduate and final year medical students.
His research interests include molecular aspects of obesity and obesity-related arrhythmia and medical education.
Dr Iwan Fletcher is a GP at Seascale Health Centre and Academic Fellow in Rural Medicine, University of Central Lancashire. Throughout his medical career, he has been actively involved in teaching and mentoring colleagues, medical students, allied health professionals and work experience students. This has included teaching practical skills for medical students completing a wilderness medicine module; supervising and assessing a group of Third Year medical students through their essential junior rotation in Psychiatry and helping to organise and teach on a number of sixth form summer schools.
His research interests include inpatient antipsychotic prescribing and Hepatitis B surveillance.
Dr Catherine Rollinson is a GP at Seascale Health Centre and Academic Fellow in Rural Medicine, University of Central Lancashire. Throughout her medical career, she has been actively involved in teaching medical students and peers.
Her research interests are focussed on pharmacology, in particular hormone resistance associated with obesity.
On successful completion of the MSc Hospitalist Medicine students may wish to progress to PhD or DProf study.
The Cardiovascular Research MSc offers an advanced theoretical and practical foundation in cardiovascular research. You will be taught by academic specialists who actively research the mechanisms that underlie human cardiovascular disease. This course is designed for biomedical science and medically qualified graduates who wish to pursue further academic studies or employment in a research environment.
The Cardiovascular Research MSc provides comprehensive theoretical and practical training in specialist technical skills.
Initially, you will explore Fundamental and Applied Cardiovascular Research modules as well Cardiovascular Skills before completing a research project and dissertation worth 90 credits. You will become part of a research team for approximately six months where you will design and conduct a research project under appropriate supervision.
You must study modules with a total of 180 credits to complete the programme. You will complete the course in one year, from September to September.
At the end of the course students will be able to: Evaluate and assimilate the scientific literature in a given subject area and to think critically about the results and methods. Devise a hypothesis that can be tested experimentally. Analyse data, appreciate the value of reproducibility of data and draw valid conclusions. Collect data and apply appropriate methods to test a hypothesis. Develop an ability to comprehend and synthesise complex information. Organize a work-schedule, stick to deadlines, and prioritize activities. Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and through writing.
Full details of the programme can be found in the booklet which contains the major part of the course handbook.
Teaching
We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake 700 hours of independent study.
Assessment
You will be assessed through a combination of coursework, examinations and a dissertation.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect.
Location
This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Waterloo campus. The projects will be in the supervisors’ laboratories, which can be on Waterloo, Guys, St Thomas’ or Denmark Hill campuses
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the optional modules you select.
Regulating body
King’s College London is regulated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
PhD, laboratory-based research career in academia or industry, other science-related careers. Medical graduates often subsequently pursue a specialism in cardiology.
Detailed theory teaching and clinical training is given in all sub-specialities of General Internal Medicine with emphasis on clinically relevant, state-of-the-art and topical issues. The following medical sub-specialities will be comprehensively covered in a structured way over 2 years for the University of Buckingham Clinical MD programmes:
The entire curriculum will be taught over 8 terms (for the 2-year MD), with one module per term and 4 terms each year. Students taking the combined Research cum Clinical MD programme will take the MSc in Medical Research in the Clore Laboratory in their first year and then follow the 2-year MD programme.
The total unit value of the Clinical MD curriculum is 360 units. Teaching is delivered over eight courses, each of 45 units:
One unit is equivalent to 10 hours of study, and a typical course may be broken down as follows:
Students will be expected to spend eight 10-week placements at other UK NHS Trusts. A minimum of two terms will be spent at any one trust hospital. This will provide exposure to a broader clinical experience.
During the course of all MD programmes, the teaching plans of individual specialities include attendance at a number of internationally recognised speciality medical conferences within the UK. This affords the MD fellows the opportunity to hear lectures and debates and attend workshops involving internationally renowned speakers on matters of contemporary interest, and to experience the controversies of cutting-edge research in the medical specialities concerned.
At lunch-time each Thursday a Grand Round presentation takes place at Ealing Hospital Postgraduate Centre, in the tradition of all prestigious British postgraduate medical teaching establishments. Consultant staff from medical specialities lead presentations of interesting and unusual clinical cases, followed by a lively session of questions and debate on medical issues raised. Some of the sessions are provided by invited medical speakers of international reputation. Recent advances in medical practice and a wide range of controversial and topical medical issues are discussed with the benefit of authoritative input from senior medical colleagues. This extremely valuable educational resource is part of the routine weekly schedule for all MD fellows.
The Quality Assurance Agency, QAA, is an independent body which checks the quality of UK higher education through an institutional audit. The University of Buckingham voluntarily takes part in this audit process.
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.
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
Optional modules
30 credits of optional modules drawn from the following:
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.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Cardiovascular Science MSc
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
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.
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.
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.
Physician Associates are skilled members of the health care team who are qualified to provide a wide range of medical services in practice with a licensed physician. Training as a Physician Associate allows you to develop and direct your healthcare career in a primary care setting or almost any medical specialty. This flexibility is unique to the Physician Associate role and makes it an exciting new career choice. Physician Associate training is based on a ‘fast track’ medical school model that was developed in the U.S in 1965.
UK/EU Physician Associate students may be eligible for a bursary to cover a proportion of their fees. Find out more under 'fees and additional costs'.
Our MSc in Physician Associate Studies is delivered within the University’s Institute of Medical Sciences at the Medway campus where students have the added benefit of training in a specialist facility with qualified medical practitioners engaged in postgraduate education and research.
You will spend a significant portion of the first year in the simulation suite learning hands on skills. The simulation suite is equipped with mock wards as well as a surgical suite with anesthesia and laparoscopic equipment. Highly sophisticated human simulation models will be used in the teaching of hands on skills to prepare you for your second year clinical based modules.
The Physician Associate role was introduced in the UK in 2003. Physician Associates are now recognised as skilled and valued members of the health care profession. The newly qualified Physician Associate post has been evaluated under the NHS Agenda for change at Band 7 with potential to advance to Band 8 with experience and advanced education.
Physician Associates can perform medical history and physical examinations, screen and interpret results of diagnostic studies, diagnose patients, implement treatment plans, counsel patients regarding illness and preventative medicine and facilitate access to appropriate health care resources.
As with many types of medical providers, duties of a Physician Associate will depend on the medical setting where they work, their level of experience, their specialty and their supervising physician.
Physician Associates may provide care to individuals across the age spectrum in a variety of healthcare settings. More information on the Physician Associate profession and salary may be found on the Royal College of Physicians Physician Associate Faculty web page.
Suitability
The course is aimed at people interested in pursuing a healthcare career in a primary care setting or almost any medical specialty.
It is designed for people with a strong science background. Please see more details under 'Further entry requirements'.
Content
he Physician Associate curriculum begins with a year of rigorous medical science, pharmacology and clinical reasoning taught by a qualified team of specialist physicians and Physicians Associates. One day per week in the first year is spent in a general practice clinical setting. The second year is comprised of six specialist clinical placements and intensive classroom teaching in advanced skills and concepts.
Upon successful completion of the MSc in Physician Associate Studies*, you are eligible to take the National Exam for Physician Associates and be part of the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Registry (PAMVR) which allows you to be employed by the NHS. The profession is currently working towards regulation in the UK and is overseen by the Royal College of Physicians Physician Associate Faculty.
All modules are taught using a combination of teaching methods, including lectures, problem based learning, short case review and hand on/skills practice.
Lecture, practice based learning, case review and skills application are incorporated in each module to ensure students assimilate clinical knowledge and skills in all areas.
What can I do next?
Physician Associates in the UK work in a wide variety of healthcare settings which include:
• GP surgeries
• Accident and Emergency departments
• Inpatient medical and surgical wards
• Trauma and Orthopaedics
• Mental Health
• Paediatrics
• Hospital Operating Theatres
The MSc in Physician Associate Studies is delivered within the University’s Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) at the Medway campus which has a growing reputation for expertise in medical education and research.
The Institute houses a fully equipped clinical simulation suite enabling clinicians to develop skill and expertise using specialised endoscopic surgical equipment, cardiology diagnostics or otorhinolaryngological techniques and procedures.
The teaching team is comprised of specialists in Cardiology, M.H, Endocrinology, Ear Nose and Threat (ENT), Paediatrics, Geriatrics, Emergency Medicine, Orthopaedics, GU, GI, WH, SH, Anaesthesia/Pain, GP, Neurology and Genetics
Attendance
The Physician Associate Studies programme is full time, Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5pm for 45 – 47 weeks per year.
The programme is very challenging and demanding, therefore we caution students who plan to work while enrolled on the course.
Funding
To be confirmed, please enquire
