Clinical leaders of the future will require not just specialist knowledge but tools to implement such knowledge in the context of a changing healthcare environment that emphasises the evidence base, clinical leadership and change management.
This programme combines the theory and practice of cardiology with the skills and experience of service leadership and development, research, commissioning, and communication and teaching in a course designed to achieve a mix of clinical and professional knowledge relevant to the practice of cardiology in contemporary healthcare.
This acclaimed nationally recognised programme, has recently been redesigned (pending validation in April 2013) to meet the needs of:
- doctors training in cardiology who wish to undertake advanced postgraduate education to masters level as part of their preparation for certification
trust grade and specialty and associate specialist doctors who wish to undertake advanced postgraduate education to masters level to support the development of a specialist interest in cardiology
nurses, paramedical practitioners, cardiac technicians and pharmacists who wish to develop a specialist interest in cardiology
- overseas students who wish to undertake postgraduate education to masters level.
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: 6 years
Course structure
The course requires 120 taught credits and a 60-credit dissertation.
Most modules (20 credits per module) are delivered intensively over one week. Students should allow approximately 165 hours of private study time for reading, research and assignment writing for each module.
Students studying the MSc are also required to undertake a 16,000-word dissertation on a subject which reflects the clinical and professional nature of the course, demonstrates the depth of study achieved in the modules completed, and is located within the student?s sphere of practice.
Course content includes taught modules, plenary sessions, workshops and individual tutorials, combined with individual student presentations delivered over two years (for part-time study). Staff provide direction within the lectures and seminars with learner autonomy encouraged and supported through group work and assessment. Learning is supported further by the use of a dedicated online resource (studentcentral), visual aids and handouts. Students are expected to support their learning by the use and critical appraisal of primary sources of information.
The course has an inter-professional modular framework, and it is intended that participants will share their occupational experiences, breaking down professional barriers which can hinder successful team working. In so doing, a sense of the true multidisciplinary nature of cardiology, with respect for differing profiles and contributions, is fostered.
Areas of study
The cardiology content of the programme is based upon the British Cardiovascular Society's core syllabus for cardiology and comprises three modules: Cardiology Principles and Practice, Diagnosis and Investigation, and Invasive and Surgical Procedures. The course lays the theoretical and practical foundations for advanced practice in clinical and interventional cardiology and provides comprehensive learning to meet the professional development needs of a wide range of practitioners.
Emphasis is placed on good practice based upon the current evidence for diagnosis and treatment, focusing on the practical aspects of the care of common cardiac conditions from a medical and patient perspective. In addition the course aims to promote a wider understanding of the differing profiles and contributory roles of the various health care professionals involved in the care of cardiac patients.
For those seeking an introduction to postgraduate training, two courses are available: a postgraduate certificate and postgraduate diploma in Cardiology, as well as a postgraduate certificate in Cardiology Practice in the Community.
Syllabus
Clinical modules
Acute Cardiology Principles and Practice
Fundamentals of Cardiac Diagnostic Procedures and Investigations
Invasive and Interventional Cardiology
Professional modules
Research Methods and Critical Appraisal
Leading and Transforming Services OR Clinical Commissioning for Quality Care
Communication, Learning and Teaching in Health and Social Care
Dissertation
Typical entry requirements
individual offers may vary
For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing.
Other:
Applications are welcomed from international students with appropriate qualifications and experience. Where necessary, applicants may enrol in the extended masters programme within the GPHSS. This is an intensive period of training in academic writing, English language and related skills which takes place before admission to the MSc course.
Applications will be made direct to Postgraduate Medicine, BSMS. Applicants will be interviewed. They will be expected to be aware of the latest trends and developments in cardiology, for example through reading appropriate journals.
Claims for the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) will be considered.
Degree and/or experience:
The programme is open to post-registration doctors and qualified practitioners in any profession allied to medicine; those with a first degree will have minimum of two years clinical practice; those without will have a minimum of five years post-qualification practice in cardiology. Students will need to demonstrate adequate capacity to study at masters level.
For doctors in training: advanced postgraduate education to masters level as part of their preparation for certification.
For trust grade and specialty and associate specialist doctors: advanced postgraduate education to masters level to support the development a specialist interest in cardiology.
For nurses, paramedical practitioners, cardiac technicians and pharmacists: advanced postgraduate education to masters level to support the development a specialist interest in cardiology.
For overseas students: advanced postgraduate education in clinical and professional skill to masters to support the development of local speciality and leadership roles.
The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study.
The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take. Different rules apply to research degrees - please contact the Doctoral College for advice.
To help you plan for your time here we will be providing further information about what is included in your tuition fee, and any optional costs you may need to budget for, later in the autumn.
Our website wwww.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.
You should not apply unless you can meet all the entry requirements for this course. Please contact the course team before applying if you are unsure about any of the specific entry requirements.
Entry requirements
For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing.
Other:
Applications are welcomed from international students with appropriate qualifications and experience. Where necessary, applicants may enrol in the extended masters programme within the GPHSS. This is an intensive period of training in academic writing, English language and related skills which takes place before admission to the MSc course.
Applications will be made direct to Postgraduate Medicine, BSMS. Applicants will be interviewed. They will be expected to be aware of the latest trends and developments in cardiology, for example through reading appropriate journals.
Claims for the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) will be considered.
Degree and/or experience:
The programme is open to post-registration doctors and qualified practitioners in any profession allied to medicine; those with a first degree will have minimum of two years clinical practice; those without will have a minimum of five years post-qualification practice in cardiology. Students will need to demonstrate adequate capacity to study at masters level.