Course overview
This interdisciplinary programme is available as a 9-month part-time Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) 18-month part-time Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) or a full Masters degree (MSc), depending on the level and direction of the student’s ambitions. The MSc is full-time over one year or part-time over two years. Students will gain knowledge of, and experience in, the theory and clinical application of evidence-based preventive cardiology practice. The programme covers the complete spectrum of preventive cardiology, from patients with established atherosclerotic disease and the relatives of patients with premature atherosclerotic disease, to asymptomatic people, including those with diabetes, who are at high multifactorial risk.
All three programmes include a taught component which is combined with online learning, enabling our students to work flexibly around other commitments. Students will be able to interact with their tutors and fellow students via an online virtual learning environment. The PGDip and MSc programmes additionally include a clinical practice component and a research (theory) component. Clinical placements are completed across key areas of preventive cardiology practice e.g. cardiocascular risk reduction clinics, cardiac rehabilitation, diabetes and heart failure, providing the opportunity for students to be immersed in the practicalities of current service delivery, rather than learning only about the theory. The research (theory) component provides a strong research foundation and its practical application to best practice in preventive cardiology. MSc students additionally extend this research component further and undertake a primary reaserch project.
The scientific foundation of our programme is lifestyle change (smoking cessation, healthy food choices and physical activity) through behavioural approaches, together with weight management, medical management of blood pressure, blood lipids and blood glucose and use of cardioprotective drug therapies. All MSc, PGDip and PGCert students take our core compulsory module entitled ‘Preventive Cardiology Theory and Practice’ which includes six themes:
- Risk estimation
- Smoking cessation
- Nutrition and weight management
- Physical activity and exercise
- Prevention and management of diabetes
- Medical risk factor management
These themes are then explored in greater detail in specialist optional modules, of which 2 are taken by PGCert students and 3 by PGDip and MSc students.
PGDip and MSc students are also required to take the remaining core compulsory modules:
- Reflective clinical practice (clinical placements)
- Research methods
Finally MSc students additionally undertake a primary reserach project / dissertation:
- Research Project
PGDip and MSc students who are nurses by training have the additional option of taking one of the following two modules from the MSc in Cardiorespiratory Nursing:
- Evidence-Based Health Care
- Physical Assessment Module
