Program Overview

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Cardiovascular Sciences MSc

Key information

Course type: Masters Delivery mode: In person Study mode: Full time Duration: One year full-time, September to September Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent): UK 180/ ECTS 90 Application status: Open Start date: September 2025

Course essentials

The Cardiovascular Sciences MSc course provides comprehensive theoretical and practical training in specialist technical skills taught by experts in their respective fields. You will explore fundamental and applied modules focusing on the heart and vasculature and state of the art techniques in cardiovascular medicine and scientific research. You will also complete numerous Cardiovascular Skills Workshops before carrying out a research project and dissertation. Alongside your dissertation you will participate in an outreach event with the BHF centre. During your research project, you will become part of a research team for approximately six months where you will design, conduct and report on a project under appropriate supervision.

Course Aims

• Understand the theory behind the latest science in cardiovascular biology, and develop the research skills for a career in the field.
• Gain practical skills and learn how state-of-the-art techniques in cardiovascular medicine are being used in clinical settings.
• Develop a wider perspective on your career with modules related to imaging science and clinical outreach.

Base campuses

• Waterloo Campus: Home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
• Guy’s Campus: The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, and the Institute of Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience are based at the riverside Guy's Campus, next to the Shard.
• Denmark Hill Campus: Home to the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience.
• St Thomas’ Campus: Located near Waterloo Campus and home of continuing medical and dental teaching, as well as a museum dedicated to Florence Nightingale.

Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Entry requirements

UK applicants

• Standard requirements: A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
• Programme-Specific Requirements: Minimum 2:1 first degree in a biological, molecular biological or biomedical sciences-related subject or to be medically qualified. Exceptionally, a high 2:2 may be considered. Current medical students may be accepted following the successful completion of the 3rd year of their MBBS programme.

International applicants

• Equivalent International qualifications: Select a country to view equivalent qualifications
• English language requirements: English language band D. To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.

Teaching & structure

Teaching methods - what to expect

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Group Tutorials

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.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

• Coursework
• Written examinations

Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written examinations. Forms of coursework assessment may typically include oral presentations, workshop write-ups as well as a project dissertation. Coursework contributes approximately 75% and examinations approximately 25% to your final mark.

Location

This course is taught at the King’s College London Waterloo, Guy's and Denmark Hill Campuses. Practical workshops and research projects will be in the BHF Centre and aligned facilities, which can be on Waterloo, Guy’s, St Thomas’ or Denmark Hill Campuses. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught.

Structure

• Required modules:
  • Vascular Biology and Inflammation (30 credits)
  • Cardiac Syndromes and Heart Failure (30 credits)
  • Cardiovascular Workshops and Skills (30 credits)
  • Cross Cutting Techniques in Cardiovascular Research (15 credits)
  • Cardiovascular Outreach (15 credits)
  • Research Project in Cardiovascular Research (60 credits)

Careers

Employability

We designed this course to help you develop strong research skills useful for your career, whether you’re a recent graduate from a related science subject or you’re a foundation or core trainee doctor looking to improve your specialist knowledge.

Here at King’s, we offer a BHF PhD programme in Cardiovascular Science. While places are very limited, it’s a natural progression if you’re working towards a research role in academia or industry.

If you’re more interested in the practical clinical aspect, many of our students use the course to boost their knowledge in the subject during their career journey to specialist training. Of course, it’s a competitive field, but the skills and contacts you’ll develop at King’s will be useful throughout your career.

Medical graduates often subsequently pursue a specialism in cardiology.

Destinations

Recent graduates have found employment within the following job roles and companies:

• Medical Writing
• Fundraising at the British Heart Foundation

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

• UK: Full time: £16,950 (MSc) (2025/26)
• International: Full time: £35,800 (MSc) (2025/26)

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.

• Home deposit: £500
• International deposit: £2000

Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

• Books if you choose to buy your own copies
• Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
• Library fees and fines
• Personal photocopies
• Printing course handouts
• Society membership fees
• Stationery
• Travel costs for travel around London, between campuses and for project placements
• Graduation costs

Funding

To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.