Diseases of the heart and circulatory system are the leading cause of death globally, with the majority of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In the UK alone, cardiovascular disease accounts for a quarter of annual deaths. Over 420 million people worldwide have diabetes, and not only does diabetes increase susceptibility to cardiovascular disease, but up to 80% of individuals with diabetes will die of cardiovascular complications. The University of Leeds is a world leader in cardiovascular and diabetes research, and the Faculty of Medicine & Health and the Faculty of Biological Sciences are home to our cardiovascular community which is dedicated to improving the prognosis of cardiovascular disease through discovery science, clinical and health research (https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/multidisciplinary-cardiovascular-research-centre/doc/mcrc).
This course will provide an in-depth and up-to-date overview of cardiovascular health and disease at the levels of the heart, vasculature, blood and diabetes, incorporating scientific, clinical and health perspectives.
For the MSc, students will undertake 105 credits of core modules on Cardiovascular Health, Disease & Diabetes (30 credits); Research Methods (15 credits); and an extensive 60-credit cardiovascular-related research, clinical or practice-based project. Students will also select 75 credits of optional modules across science, medicine and health disciplines to complement their interests and future career plans. The learning outcomes map to the 105 credits of core modules, and extend to the 75 credits of optional modules.
At a fundamental level, this course will enable students to develop an in-depth up-to-date understanding of cardiovascular health and disease at the levels of the heart, vasculature, blood and diabetes. A particularly attractive feature of this course is its flexibility and choice, enabling students to undertake a bespoke learning journey by combining a variety of optional modules that align with their backgrounds, interests, professions and future career plans, whether they are science, clinical or health related. The course culminates with selection of an extensive project, offered by leading cardiovascular researchers, clinicians and healthcare science practitioners from our cardiovascular community, enabling students to gain hands-on experience, contribute to impactful research, develop professional skills and further expand their knowledge in an area of their choosing. On completion of the course, students will be well placed to enter careers in Academia, bioscience industries, the NHS and the private sector, or to undertake further study at PhD level.
The flexible nature of the MSc course in Cardiovascular Health and Disease, including part-time options and flexible optional module choices, makes it attractive to students from different backgrounds with different career ambitions. By offering combinations of optional modules in the areas of science, medicine and health, the course is particularly aimed at BSc graduates, intercalating medical students, healthcare science practitioners (e.g. cardiac physiologists) and allied health professionals.
The teaching and practical aspects of the course are underpinned by our internationally excellent cardiovascular and diabetes research and teaching community housed within the modern facilities of the Faculty of Medicine and Health (in particular Leeds Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine; LICAMM) and the Faculty of Biological Sciences (in particular School of Biomedical Sciences). Leeds has 2 British Heart Foundation professors in the areas of Cardiovascular & Diabetes Research and Cardiovascular Imaging, as well as over 50 academics who are involved in cardiovascular and diabetes themed research projects. LICAMM also hosts two 4-Year PhD programmes (BHF programme on Cardiovascular Disease & Diabetes; International PhD Academy in Cardi
ovascular & Metabolic Disease). Our bespoke clinical skills laboratories allow for hands on simulation in ECG, ultrasound imaging, cardiac catheterisation and cardiac devices.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
The MSc programme structure comprises 105 credits of core modules (1 x 30 credits, 1 x 15 and 1 x 60) and 75 credits of optional modules.
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEDM5132M | Cardiovascular Health, Disease and Diabetes: Basics and Beyond | 30 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
| MEDM5133M | Cardiovascular Project | 60 | 1 Sep to 31 Jul | PFP |
| MEDP5321M | Research Methods | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
For optional modules (MSc): Students can select any combination of modules from across the 4 baskets to a total of 75 credits.
Up to 2 modules can be selected from Basket 1 (30 credits each) and up to 2 modules per basket from Baskets 2-4 (15 credits each), up to a total of 75 credits.
Programme leaders will meet with students to discuss optional modules and will work with students to ensure optional modules are selected based on a student’s interests, career aspirations and background, consideration will be made to ensure a balanced workload for the students in respect to their optional modules throughout the 2 years.
MSc Candidates may choose to study:
• 2 optional modules from Basket 1 and 1 optional module from those listed in baskets 2-4
• 1 optional module from Basket 1 and 3 optional modules from those listed in baskets 2- 4
• 5 optional modules from those listed in baskets 2-4
Basket 1: Candidates can select up to 2 study modules from the following 30 credit optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARCS5204M | Bradycardia Device and Rhythm Management | 30 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| ARCS5205M | Tachycardia Device and Rhythm Management | 30 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| ARCS5207M | Echocardiography Pathology | 30 | 1 Jan to 31 May | |
| ARCS5216M | Fundamentals of Echocardiography | 30 | 1 Sep to 31 Dec |
Basket 2: Candidates can select up to 2 15 credit optional modules from this basket.
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL5124M | Introduction to Pharmaceutical Science and Commerce | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BIOL5126M | Practical Bioinformatics | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| LUBS5963M | Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Creation | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MEDM5111M | Human Molecular Genetics | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MEDM5134M | Models of Human Disease for Translational Research | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| NUFF5065M | Key Issues in International Health | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Basket 3:Candidates can select up to 2 15 credit optional modules from this basket.
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL5135M | Bioimaging | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BIOL5178M | High-Throughput Technologies | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BIOL5201M | Advanced Biomolecular Technologies | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MEDM5111M | Human Molecular Genetics | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MEDS5020M | Paper Criticism in Medicine | 15 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| NUFF5435M | Human Resources Planning and Management for Health | 15 | 1 Mar to 31 Mar (1mth) |
Basket 4: Candidates can select up to 2 15 credit optional modules from this basket.
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL5135M | Bioimaging | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| BIOL5201M | Advanced Biomolecular Technologies | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| EPIB5032M | Introduction to Genetic Epidemiology | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| HECS5167M | Interpreting Biochemistry and Haematology for Healthcare Practice | 15 | 1 May to 30 Sep | |
| MEDR5180M | Clinical Trials Research | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| NUFF5435M | Human Resources Planning and Management for Health | 15 | 1 Mar to 31 Mar (1mth) |
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Last updated: 12/06/2025 16:41:36
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