Program Overview

MSc Translational Cardiovascular Medicine

Overview

Ranked 1st globally in THE subject rankings for research quality in clinical and health subjects (THE2025)

This programme aims to develop your interest in translational cardiovascular research and medicine, and equip you with an enhanced knowledge, understanding and critical awareness of the current approaches and emerging research in this area. As you learn on our programme, you will gain an appreciation of how laboratory-based research into cardiovascular disease informs the development of novel therapeutics and clinical interventions in cardiovascular medicine; ‘bench-to-bedside’ research. Our research-rich teaching delivered by clinicians and scientists will enhance your knowledge and understanding of several cardiovascular diseases; and you will study multiple aspects such as risk factors, epidemiology, pathophysiology, current and emerging therapies. Moreover, we will teach you how to be critical of the research underlying current clinical practices in cardiovascular medicine. You will also learn how research is conducted, including design of experimental and clinical studies, current research techniques and clinical skills, and how research data is critically analysed and interpreted. You will then apply this knowledge to your own research project on a focused topic related to translational cardiovascular medicine.

The programme is designed to appeal to a wide range of students, including biomedical scientists, allied health professionals and clinicians. A variety of assessment and teaching activities will enable you to foster development of key academic, research and transferable skills to prepare you for employment, or to study for a further higher degree in this field. You have the option to study by distance learning or on campus, full time or part time.

Campus-based students will attend lectures, tutorials, journal clubs, visits to clinical settings and workshops.

Key Information

• Programme duration:
  • Postgraduate Certificate: One year part-time
  • Postgraduate Diploma: One year full-time, two years part-time
  • MSc: One year full-time, two years part-time
• Start date: September 2025
• Application deadline:
  • Overseas applicants: 25 July 2025
  • Home applicants: 8 August 2025
• Delivery method: On-Campus
• Location: Clifton
• Awards available: MSc, PG Certificate (Postgraduate Certificate), PG Diploma (Postgraduate Diploma)

Programme Structure

The MSc programme consists of 6 taught units and a research project.

Entry Requirements

You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in a biological, health or medicine-related science subject, or medicine.

Examples of acceptable degrees include but are not limited to: Anatomy, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science, Cardiac Physiology, Clinical Sciences, Forensic Science, Genetics, Healthcare Sciences, Life Sciences, Medical Science, Medicine, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Perfusion Science, Physiology, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science, Psychology, Vascular Science, Veterinary Sciences.

If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.

We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree.

We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications:

• Evidence of relevant work experience, paid or voluntary which could include, but not be limited to, experience in a healthcare setting (ideally with links to cardiac science, cardiology or cardiac surgery), laboratory work (clinical or academic), academic work, medical writing or clinical trials; for a minimum of three months.
• A postgraduate qualification.

Bench fees only apply to students who choose to take the optional lab-based project for the MSc award only.

This programme is available as an intercalated degree for current undergraduate medicine, dentistry or veterinary students from the University of Bristol or other universities.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Admissions Statement

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and Funding

• Home: MSc full-time £14,800 per year
• Overseas: MSc full-time £34,900 per year
• Overseas: MSc part-time £17,450 per year
• Home: PG Diploma full-time £11,840 per year
• Overseas: PG Diploma full-time £27,920 per year
• Home: PG Diploma part-time £5,920 per year
• Overseas: PG Diploma part-time £13,960 per year
• Home: PG Certificate part-time £5,920 per year
• Overseas: PG Certificate part-time £13,960 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

Bench Fees

£2,268 for the optional lab-based project. Further information about bench fees can be found on our webpages. Confirmation of bench fees will be stated in the offer letter sent to applicants.

Alumni Discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding and Scholarships

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career Prospects

Our MSc programme is suitable for a wide range of students: basic scientists, clinicians and allied health professionals (for example, radiologists, cardiac physiologists, perfusion scientists, and cardiac nurses). The programme may help you apply for a PhD, for additional training (for example, the NHS Scientist Training Programme or Clinical Perfusion), or enhance your existing career as an allied health professional or clinician.