Our degrees in Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare are designed for people from a wide range of healthcare backgrounds, including: healthcare scientists, nurses, physiotherapists and 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 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 respectively. It is delivered through a combination of face-to-face and distance learning.
This course is made up of three progressional levels (PG Cert, PG Dip and MSc), and you can apply to any level in the first instance. Read more about how this works under 'Choosing your course' in the admissions section.
The Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma are made up of core and optional taught modules. The MSc is made of the certificate, diploma and an extensive research project.
There are four study streams available and MSc students will receive a different award based upon the stream chosen and modules studied.
Modules shown are for the current academic year, and are subject to change depending on your year of entry.
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 a broad understanding of the practice of cardiovascular and respiratory healthcare, an opportunity to observe clinical practice and reflect on the reality of health service provision.
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.
Optional modules
You choose four modules from below.
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, and 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:
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 modules from below.
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.
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.
Optional modules
You choose four modules from below.
The Physiotherapy MSc is for qualified physiotherapists wishing to build on their skills and knowledge, advance their professional practice, and earn a further professional and academic qualification.
The course helps you to develop your clinical and communication skills, and broaden your knowledge of the physiotherapy specialty whilst earning a formal qualification.
A wide range of optional modules means you can create a study programme to suit your professional or personal aspirations.
The course is designed to fit around your existing physiotherapy practice hours. Week-long intensive study blocks allow attendance for students based in the UK, EU and internationally.
We are known for our flexible approaches to practice-based learning, with course durations and intensities that can be adapted to your individual needs and outside commitments.
Our high quality teaching and research are renowned, and have an applied focus. We have established strong links with specialist practice educators to ensure the provision of support and guidance both within the university and in practice.
A flexible modular framework normally involves six one-week study blocks at the university.
To be awarded the MSc you need to complete three core modules, three option modules and a relevant dissertation. The dissertation may be based on research carried out either in the university or in another suitable environment.
The course is delivered in a variety of ways, typically via e-learning, lectures, seminars, workbooks for work-based learning and practise in our high-tech Human Movement Laboratory, and Clinical Skills and Simulation Rooms.
Assessment is via the method most appropriate to your chosen modules.
School of Health Sciences postgraduate education
This course is part of our School of Health Sciences postgraduate education programme. The programme allows you to sign up for one module at a time and build your qualification as you go. It also gives you access to interdisciplinary modules across a broad selection of health and social science subjects.
As a student on the course, you will share your learning with other health and care specialities, allowing you to benefit from intra-professional collaboration. Our programmes are designed to allow students from other disciplines, and in some cases other professions, the opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise.
Core modules
Plus two from:
Plus
Practical Skills and Simulation Rooms
Our practical skills rooms are equipped so that you can learn and practise practical skills including palpation, massage and manipulation with other students before you work with real patients and clients.
We also have specialist classrooms for physiotherapy practise, including manual skills and exercise therapy rooms, which are equipped with treatment couches.
Human Movement Laboratory
The high-tech Human Movement Laboratory is used widely in teaching and research for students in the school of health professions studying physiotherapy, occupational therapy and podiatry, and is also used for commercial consultancy.
In the lab you will use the latest technology to measure and assess all aspects of human movement, joints, muscles, soft tissue structure and nerves. The laboratory has state-of-the-art equipment for conducting cardio-pulmonary investigations including Cosmed metabolic system and spirometry.
Masters-level education is an important component of advanced and specialist practice. It allows you greater autonomy and to accelerate personal and professional development or promotion in your practice.
Some roles that our graduates have secured include clinical specialists, consultant physiotherapists, physiotherapy management positions, general management roles, clinical educator and physiotherapy education positions.
Completion of the Physiotherapy MSc will also prepare you for further study at MPhil and PhD level if you wish to continue pursuing an academic path.
The Physiotherapy and Management MSc is for qualified physiotherapists wanting to build on their skills and knowledge, advance their professional practice, and earn a further professional and academic qualification.
The course helps you to develop your clinical and communication skills, and broaden your knowledge of the physiotherapy specialty while earning a formal qualification.
If you are already involved in NHS or private sector management or wish to pursue this specialty then this course will be especially suitable for you.
A wide range of optional modules means you can create your own study programme to suit your professional or personal aspirations.
The course is designed to fit around your existing physiotherapy practice hours. Week-long intensive study blocks allow attendance for students based in the UK, EU and internationally.
We are known for our flexible approaches to practice-based learning, with course durations and intensities that can be adapted to your individual needs and outside commitments.
Our high quality teaching and research are renowned, and have an applied focus. We have established strong links with specialist practice educators to ensure the provision of support and guidance both within the university and in practice.
A flexible modular framework normally involves six one-week study blocks at the university.
To be awarded the MSc you need to complete three core modules, three option modules and a relevant dissertation. The dissertation may be based on research carried out either in the university or in another suitable environment.
The course is delivered in a variety of ways, typically via e-learning, lectures, seminars, workbooks for work-based learning and simulation in our high-tech Human Movement Laboratory, and Clinical Skills and Simulation Rooms.
Assessment is via the method most appropriate to your chosen modules.
School of Health Sciences postgraduate education
This course is part of our School of Health Sciences postgraduate education programme. The programme allows you to sign up for one module at a time and build your qualification as you go. It also gives you access to interdisciplinary modules across a broad selection of health and social science subjects.
As a student on the course, you will share your learning with other health and care specialities, allowing you to benefit from intra-professional collaboration. Our programmes are designed to allow students from other disciplines, and in some cases other professions, the opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise.
Modules
Plus two from:
Plus
Practical Skills and Simulation Rooms
Our practical skills rooms are equipped so that you can learn and practise practical skills including palpation, massage and manipulation with other students before you work with real patients and clients.
We also have specialist classrooms for physiotherapy practise, including manual skills and exercise therapy rooms, which are equipped with treatment couches.
Human Movement Laboratory
The high-tech Human Movement Laboratory is used widely in teaching and research for students in the school of health professions studying physiotherapy, occupational therapy and podiatry, and is also used for commercial consultancy.
In the lab you will use the latest technology to measure and assess all aspects of human movement, joints, muscles, soft tissue structure and nerves. The laboratory has state-of-the-art equipment for conducting cardio-pulmonary investigations including Cosmed metabolic system and spirometry.
Masters-level education is an important component of advanced and specialist practice. It allows you greater autonomy and to accelerate personal and professional development or promotion in your practice.
Some roles that our graduates have secured include clinical specialist, consultant physiotherapist, physiotherapy management roles, general management roles, and clinical and physiotherapy education positions.
Completion of the Physiotherapy and Management MSc will also prepare you for further study at MPhil and PhD level if you wish to continue pursuing an academic path.
The Physiotherapy and Education MSc is for qualified physiotherapists wanting to build on their skills and knowledge, advance their professional practice, and earn a further professional and academic qualification.
The course helps you to develop your clinical and communication skills, and broaden your knowledge of the physiotherapy specialty while earning a formal qualification.
If you are already involved with professional training in the NHS or private sector or wish to pursue this speciality then this course will be especially suitable for you.
A wide range of optional modules means you can create your own study programme to suit your professional or personal aspirations.
The course is designed to fit around your existing physiotherapy practice hours. Week-long intensive study blocks allow attendance for students based in the UK, EU and internationally.
We are known for our flexible approaches to practice-based learning, with course durations and intensities that can be adapted to your individual needs and outside commitments.
Our high quality teaching and research are renowned, and have an applied focus. We have established strong links with specialist practice educators to ensure the provision of support and guidance both within the university and in practice.
A flexible modular framework normally involves six one-week study blocks at the university.
To be awarded the MSc you need to complete three core modules, three education modules and a relevant dissertation. The dissertation may be based on research carried out either in the university or in another suitable environment.
The course is delivered in a variety of ways, typically via e-learning, lectures, seminars, workbooks for work-based learning and simulation in our high-tech Human Movement Laboratory, and Clinical Skills and Simulation Rooms.
Assessment is via the method most appropriate to your chosen modules.
School of Health Sciences postgraduate education
This course is part of our School of Health Sciences postgraduate education programme. The programme allows you to sign up for one module at a time and build your qualification as you go. It also gives you access to interdisciplinary modules across a broad selection of health and social science subjects.
As a student on the course, you will share your learning with other health and care specialities, allowing you to benefit from intra-professional collaboration. Our programmes are designed to allow students from other disciplines, and in some cases other professions, the opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise.
Modules
Plus two from:
Plus
Practical Skills and Simulation Rooms
Our practical skills rooms are equipped so that you can learn and practise practical skills including palpation, massage and manipulation with other students before you work with real patients and clients.
We also have specialist classrooms for physiotherapy practise, including manual skills and exercise therapy rooms, which are equipped with treatment couches.
Human Movement Laboratory
The high-tech Human Movement Laboratory is used widely in teaching and research for students in the school of health professions studying physiotherapy, occupational therapy and podiatry, and is also used for commercial consultancy.
In the lab you will use the latest technology to measure and assess all aspects of human movement, joints, muscles, soft tissue structure and nerves. The laboratory has state-of-the-art equipment for conducting cardio-pulmonary investigations including Cosmed metabolic system and spirometry.
Masters-level education is an important component of advanced and specialist practice. It allows you greater autonomy and to accelerate personal and professional development or promotion in your practice.
Some roles that our graduates have secured include clinical specialist, consultant physiotherapist, physiotherapy management positions, general management positions, clinical and physiotherapy educator roles.
Completion of the Physiotherapy and Education MSc will also prepare you for further study at MPhil and PhD level if you wish to continue pursuing an academic path.
There are increasing rates of ill-health resulting from sedentary living, poor dietary habits and high stress lifestyles. The duties performed by a Clinical Exercise Specialist (CES) are linked closely to treating patients living with a long term condition in which exercise has been shown to provide therapeutic benefit. Specifically, cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary diseases, diabetes, stroke, cancer and musculoskeletal limitations remain important health concerns that have all been shown to benefit from regular, safe exercise.
Therefore, this innovative course is designed to offer you an interdisciplinary approach to exercise in clinical settings as well as vocational qualifications and experiences that will enable you to apply theory to practice. The integration of theory and practice within this course will enable you to critically analyse, adapt and modify existing approaches to develop safe and effective physical activity programmes to optimise the health-related fitness of clients.
On this course you can:
Obtain lab-based and field skills, as well as the ability to communicate with clients in a professional and approachable style.
Gain Register of Exercise Professionals endorsed vocational qualifications in clinical exercise, including exercise referral, cardiac disease, chronic respiratory diseases, stroke, cancer and falls prevention which are essential requirements should you wish to pursue a career as a clinical specialist exercise instructor.
Work with clinicians providing exercise in the management of a range of long term conditions
The programme provides an opportunity to work toward ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist certification and units aligned to National Occupation Standards for Health and Fitness.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
Health and wellbeing physiologist
Bariatric exercise physiologist
NHS trainee clinical scientist
Health advisor
Clinical Exercise Physiologist
Exercise Referral Coordinator
Exercise Therapist
PhD Research
The modular programme is offered in two formats: Full-time (12 months) and Part-time (24 months). The course includes 120 credits of taught units and a 60 credit Project. It is also possible to study parts of this course for CPD purposes, such as a single unit (30 credits) or top up a related Postgraduate Diploma to a full MSc.
The units contain vocational elements relevant for providing personalised exercise training for a range of medical conditions, including classroom, exercise laboratory and placement learning. The MSc Clinical Exercise Project unit prepares you for your independent project, where you will plan and implement a service evaluation, research project or enterprise & innovation project in the area of clinical exercise.
Teaching takes place on Thursdays, Fridays and some Saturdays, so attendance on selected weekends is necessary for the vocational training included in some of the units. Placements take place in areas such as Southampton, Winchester, Portsmouth and Chichester and are scheduled according to placement provider requirements during the week. Each unit is generally taught over a three week block, however cardiac rehabilitation requires a longer study period.
The core unit you will study is:
MSc Clinical Exercise Project (60 credits)
Optional units to choose include 120 credits from:
Exercise for Cardiac Rehabilitation (30 credits)
Exercise for Chronic Respiratory Diseases (30 credits)
Exercise and Cancer Care (30 credits)
Exercise and Fitness after Stroke (30 credits)
Exercise for Falls Prevention (30 credits)
Paediatric Exercise Science and Medicine (30 credits)
The delivery format for the course is largely based around seminar, practical, workshop and placement learning to integrate theory into practical sessions. Teaching sessions will include vocational training, seminar and exercise laboratory work, led by leading practitioners in the area of clinical exercise. You will be provided with a personal tutor to assist with academic and pastoral issues.
The course has a problem-based learning approach and you will be assessed in a variety of ways with a focus on self-reflection and initiative and problem-based assignments. Here’s how we assess you:
Vocational training (MCQ and case study)
Practical assessment
Applied essays
Case studies
Project report
Poster presentation
We have strong links with National Health Service partners in the Wessex region and professional training providers in exercise, such as the American College of Sports Medicine and the Register of Exercise Professionals. Graduates of this course possess qualifications to provide exercise in cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, exercise after cancer, exercise after stroke or exercise for falls prevention provided by leading vocational clinical exercise training providers. Having such a skills-set is important for being employable as an exercise physiologist in diverse multi-disciplinary teams, whilst also presenting the opportunity to work as an exercise entrepreneur as your own exercise service manager.
Roles our graduates have taken on include
Exercise referral coordinator
NHS trainee clinical scientist
Health advisor
Cardiopulmonary exercise physiologist
Health and wellbeing physiologist
Bariatric exercise physiologist
NHS physical activities advisor
Private exercise physiologist
The aim of our Exercise as Medicine MSc is to equip you with the knowledge and skills to effectively promote the uptake of exercise, both as a prescriptive medicine and as preventative therapy.
As the crucial role of exercise and physical activity in the prevention and treatment of diseases and medical conditions is increasingly understood, and health practitioners are encouraged to consider exercise when designing treatment plans and health interventions, so grow the opportunities for well-qualified individuals with an understanding of research in this area.
Our Exercise As Medicine MSc has been developed in response to this trend, drawing on the University's internationally-recognised research on physical activity and health. The Exercise As Medicine programme is aimed at individuals with a background in exercise science and/or physical activity wishing to enhance their scientific knowledge and skills to effectively promote the uptake of exercise both as prescriptive medicine and as preventative therapy, particularly to patients with hypertension, diabetes, pulmonary, renal, and other cardiac conditions, or those at risk of metabolic syndrome.
This MSc will therefore educate a new, highly skilled cadre of allied health professionals with the ability to work alongside clinicians and practitioners to manage the epidemic of lifestyle-related diseases and conditions.
Based in the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine – East Midlands, students registered on the programme will be taught in high quality teaching environments and have access to state-of-art laboratories designed to facilitate the transfer of cutting-edge research to front-line support and care. Students will be exposed to a range of specialist equipment and technology to facilitate their development.
The National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM) is an Olympic legacy project delivering education, research and clinical services in sport, exercise and physical activity. It aims to apply world-class expertise to policies and practice that will benefit the health and wellbeing of the nation – from everyday people at risk of ill health through to elite athletes.
A wide range of high quality research takes place within the NCSEM-EM, which is then translated into teaching and training through its educational programmes. There is also a range of clinical services offered including sport and exercise medicine, orthopaedics, and cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, as well as diagnostic facilities including a 3T MRI scanner.
NCSEM activity covers the following themes:
• Physical activity in disease prevention
• Exercise in chronic disease
• Sports injuries and musculoskeletal health
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Performance health
This course will suit you if you are a sport and exercise graduate, a graduate from a related science or a medical student looking to specialise in the field of exercise physiology.
It is designed to focus on professional skills that improve your employability, as you learn with equipment including environmental chambers, breath-by-breath analysers, blood sampling analysers and transcranial magnetic stimulation devices.
You also again gain real-world experience in areas relevant to your interests by working alongside experienced practitioners. Past projects have included working with participants in our cardiac rehabilitation programme.
Our teaching laboratories are accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), as are most of our course staff. You can register on the BASES Supervised Experience Scheme yourself to achieve personal accreditation.
The course is flexible in that it allows you to exit with a postgraduate certificate at the end of one semester (three 20-credit modules) or a postgraduate diploma at the end of two semesters (six 20-credit modules). You must complete the 60-credit research project to qualify for the MSc.
You spend around 100 hours of the course with an organisation related to the practice of physiology, which will allow you to apply your academic knowledge in a vocational setting. Previous students have worked in organisations including a cardiac rehabilitation programme and fall prevention classes with Albion in the Community. Many students have started their professional careers with the organisation that provided them with work experience.
In taught physiology modules, you'll experience and discuss the responses of the human body to various stimuli, including effect of environmental changes (heat and hypoxic chambers) and of ergogenic aids which can be used to simulate peculiar clinical conditions and help students understand better exercise tolerance. This novel approach to teaching integrative physiology will help you to develop a host of laboratory skills. You will be introduced to the latest in the research field of exercise physiology and will have an opportunity to write your own paper from your research project.
With modules such as Professional Enquiry, you'll also gain vocational skills to give you a competitive edge in the job market; through placement opportunities and chances to network in the world of exercise physiology, you'll graduate with a foot firmly in the industry.
Teaching environment
Laboratory work
Tutorials
Modules
Options
Our facilities include a gym over two floors with fitness equipment including a three-camera system to analyse weight-lifting actions and an isokinetic dynamometer to allow measurement of muscle strength.
Our sport and exercise laboratories which are all accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) include:
Career opportunities for sport and exercise scientists are growing. Sports science is recognised as a vital ingredient in the success and development of most sports and for the individuals that take part it is an everyday aspect of their training.
Many hospitals and primary care trusts are also appointing specialists with exercise backgrounds to work in areas such as cardiac rehabilitation and health promotion.
An MSc in Applied Exercise Physiology from the University of Brighton will help you to stand out in today's competitive job market. It will equip you with both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for a successful career and is also ideal preparation for continuing your study at MPhil or PhD level.
100% of students who completed their course in 2014 found full-time employment or went on to further study within six months.
More than half of our graduates secured positions as exercise physiologists in the private or public sector. 14% joined the community of sports coaches, 14% became data analysts in the private sector and 14% progressed into MPhil/PhD studies.
This programme integrates the clinical, academic and research components of neurophysiotherapy practice, with an emphasis on the management of patients with neurological disorders. The programme fosters an understanding of evidence-based practice and students are encouraged to develop as advanced practitioners. Flexibility in selection of modules allows for physiotherapists with particular interests to be accommodated.
This programme offers students the opportunity to extend their knowledge of the key practical and theoretical aspects of neurophysiotherapy, challenge the foundations of established but poorly justified treatments, develop and undertake clinical research and learn about new and emerging treatment options, enjoying the mentorship of recognised experts in neurophysiotherapy.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of four core modules (60 credits), four optional modules (60 credits) and a dissertation/report (60 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, full-time 12 months, flexible 2–5 years is offered). Students take four core modules (60 credits), and four optional modules (60 credits).
A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits, full-time one year, flexible study up to two years) is offered. The programme consists of three core modules (45 credits) and one optional module (15 credits).
Core modules
Optional modules
Dissertation/report
All MSc students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000 words.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials online learning and self-directed learning. Assessment is through written assignments, online assignments, oral presentations, multiple choice texts, literature review and research proposal, assessed coursework, unseen and prior disclosure written examinations, and the dissertation with an oral presentation.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Physiotherapy Studies: Neurophysiotherapy MSc
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
The programme will enable graduates to pursue a career in academia or research, or to use their postgraduate qualification to be successful in applying for more senior clinical or management positions within their career field. Recent physiotherapy graduates have pursued senior careers in healthcare policy, university lecturing, private practice, management or highly specialist clinical practice. Several past physiotherapy students have used the MSc successfully to gain funding for PhD studies.
Employability
This programme aims to transform the way students think about the theoretical foundation for neurophysiotherapy clinical practice and what defines expert patient care. The programme provides graduates with a rigorous, evidence-based training in best research and clinical practice, which will give them a natural advantage when applying for physiotherapy clinical, educational or research posts.
UCL is a world-leading university offering well-established and popular postgraduate physiotherapy programmes that are highly regarded both locally and internationally.
The degree offers an extensive range of core and optional modules in specialist areas and lectures, tutorial and workshops are delivered by recognised experts in physiotherapy practice. We have close links to the UCL Institute of Neurology and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery at Queen Square with its specialist physiotherapy department.
Our students come from all over the world. This cross-fertilisation of international experience and ideas generates a powerful and inspirational platform for postgraduate physiotherapy learning which, combined with the central London location, makes UCL an attractive choice for physiotherapy students.
