Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare
MSc
Duration: 1 year FT / 2 years PT
(including PG Cert and PG Dip)
Postgraduate Certificate
Duration: 9 months part-time
(standalone course)
Postgraduate Diploma
ECTS: 60 credits
(including PG Cert)
Overview
Our degrees in Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare are designed for people from a wide range of healthcare backgrounds, including:
- healthcare scientists
- nurses
- physiotherapists
- 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.
It is delivered through a combination of face-to-face and distance learning.
Study programme
This course is made up of three progressional levels (PG Cert, PG Dip and MSc).
You can apply to any level in the first instance. Read more about how this works under ‘Choosing your course’ in the how to apply section.
The Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma are made up of core and optional taught modules.
The MSc is made up of the certificate, diploma and an extensive research project.
Streams
There are four study streams available. MSc students will receive a different award based upon the stream chosen and modules studied.
- General stream
MSc Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare
- Cardiovascular Care stream
MSc Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare (Cardiovascular Care)
- Nursing stream
MSc Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare (Nursing)
- Respiratory Care stream
MSc Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare (Respiratory Care)
Structure
Modules shown are for the current academic year and are subject to change depending on your year of entry.
Please note that the curriculum of this course is currently being reviewed as part of a College-wide process to introduce a standardised modular structure. As a result, the content and assessment structures of this course may change for your year of entry. We therefore recommend that you check this course page before finalising your application and after submitting it as we will aim to update this page as soon as any changes are ratified by the College.
Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about changes we have made.
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 the list below:
- Cardiovascular Health: Prevention and Rehabilitation
- Clinical Examination and History Taking
- Heart Failure: Prevention and Management
- Innovation In Management of Cardiovascular Disease: Acute and Community
- Managing The Care of Children And Adults With Cystic Fibrosis
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation And Community Respiratory Care
- Quality In Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare With E-Health
- Respiratory Failure And Respiratory Support
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. It will be supervised by a member of the faculty at Northampton.
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:
- Primary research using quantitative or qualitative methods
- Systematic review or qualitative synthesis of the literature
- An analysis of data from research databases or registries
- Clinical service improvement
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 the list below:
- Cardiovascular Health: Prevention and Rehabilitation
- Clinical Examination and History Taking
- Heart Failure: Prevention and Management
- Innovation In Management of Cardiovascular Disease: Acute and Community
- Managing The Care of Children And Adults With Cystic Fibrosis
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation And Community Respiratory Care
- Quality In Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare With E-Health
- Respiratory Failure And Respiratory Support
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 wellbeing 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 the list below:
- Cardiovascular Health: Prevention and Rehabilitation
- Clinical Examination and History Taking
- Heart Failure: Prevention and Management
- Innovation In Management of Cardiovascular Disease: Acute and Community
- Managing The Care of Children And Adults With Cystic Fibrosis
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation And Community Respiratory Care
- Quality In Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare With E-Health
- Respiratory Failure And Respiratory Support
Teaching and assessment
Teaching
- Blended learning
- Case-based learning
- E-learning
- Journal clubs
- Lectures
- Reflection on clinical practice
- Seminars
- Small group teaching
- Tutorials
Assessment
- Assessed journal club
- Oral presentations
- Practical examination
- Research project thesis and oral presentation (MSc students only)
- Written case study reports
- Written examination
E-learning
- Game-based online activities: Patient Journeys will be included in most specialist optional modules: using theoretically derived case studies and students trial decision-making theory in practice.
- Online chapters including: filmed lectures, animated diagrams, quizzes, voice overs, collated resources, discussion boards, reflective logs and case studies.
- Online platform including: introductory videos, self-tests, a primer setting out pre-reading and key concepts and frequently asked questions drop-box for module leader.
Course timetable
All modules are taught using blended learning (a combination of face-to-face and online teaching) to provide flexibility for you to balance your study with work.
The majority of optional modules consist of 30 hours of face-to-face teaching and up to three weeks of distance learning and independent study.
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Minimum academic requirement
Our minimum requirement is a 2.1 degree in a relevant medical, biomedical or healthcare subject.
Substantial relevant clinical experience may also be considered.
International qualifications
We also accept a wide variety of international qualifications.
The academic requirement above is for applicants who hold or who are working towards a UK qualification.
For guidance see our Country Index though please note that the standards listed here are the minimum for entry to the College, and not specifically this Department.
If you have any questions about admissions and the standard required for the qualification you hold or are currently studying then please contact the relevant admissions team.
English language requirement (all applicants)
All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.
For admission to this course, you must achieve the higher College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for postgraduate applicants.
How to apply
You can submit one application form per year of entry, and usually choose up to two courses.
We will start reviewing applications in December and will invite successful candidates to interview in the new year.
Places are filled on a first come, first served basis so we recommend submitting your application as early as possible.
Choosing your course
This course is divided into three progressional levels of study:
- PG Certificate (PG Cert)
- PG Diploma (PG Dip)
- MSc
Each level of study has its own separate entry point; you can apply to any level in the first instance.
Making an application
All applicants to our Master’s courses must apply online.