phd in echocardiography uk

• Schools & departments

Cardiovascular Science PhD, MScR

Awards: PhD, MScR

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Cardiovascular Science

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Research profile

The Centre for Cardiovascular Science aims to foster and deliver research into the causes, consequences and therapy of the cardiovascular diseases.

We offer postgraduates the opportunity to work within internationally leading research programmes addressing fundamental development and control of the cardiovascular system and the origins and consequences of cardiovascular disease. The work extends from basic laboratory research through to clinical studies.

Four PhD studentships are available in September 2023, funded by the British Heart Foundation*. The studentships have a 1+3 format, the first year being a Masters in Cardiovascular Science that includes a taught element and 3 laboratory/project rotations followed by a 3 year PhD. These studentships are aimed at highly motivated candidates with research experience and a strong interest in the cardiovascular research performed within our Centre.

The Centre will also consider self-funded candidates for the PhD in Cardiovascular Science. Such candidates will be expected to have an agreement with one of our Centre’s Principal Investigators to supervise a PhD project before application and will be interviewed by the Postgraduate Director and members of the Postgraduate Committee.

In 2019, the Centre was designated as one of four British Heart Foundation Research Excellence Award (REA) and was awarded £3M over a four-year period, building upon 3 successive major REA investments since 2008.

Major research efforts are directed at:

• the metabolic syndrome and risk factors for cardiovascular disease
• mechanisms of atheromatous plaque formation and systemic and brain vascular dysfunction
• renal dysfunction and hypertension
• development and application of imaging in heart, systemic - and neurovascular diseases
• exploitation of "Big Data" and e-health science in diabetes and cardiovascular diseases

Training and support

The Centre has an excellent track record for training provision to basic scientists and clinicians. Trainees on our programmes receive direct support from at least two academic advisors during their studies and a dedicated thesis committee provides guidance throughout the programme of research. In addition to research training, the Centre hosts an active seminar series for distinguished external speakers and a them-based forum for presentation of internal research at all levels (PhD, post-doctoral, principal investigators).

The Centre offers training to clinicians and basic scientists from biomedical and non-biomedical backgrounds. Several training schemes are offered, covering full- and part-time study.

In addition, there are three distinct 4-year PhD programmes, applications for which should be made directly to the Centre.

The CVS is situated in the £50 million, purpose-built Queen's Medical Research Institute adjacent to the new Medical School and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Little France. Trainees can access the BHF Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facilities. In addition, the Centre supports a high quality suite for in vivo physiological studies.

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Additional costs.

The Centre will consider self-funded candidates for the PhD in Cardiovascular Science.

As a self-funding student you will be responsible for securing funding to cover your tuition fees and living costs for the duration of your studies. You would also be expected to cover the project research costs. These are defined by the project supervisor and are typically in excess of £10,000 per year.

Tuition fees

Scholarships and funding, featured funding.

• Centre for Cardiovascular Science funding
• College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine funding opportunities
• Research scholarships for international students
• Principal's Career Development PhD Scholarships

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• CVS Postgraduate Administrator, Lynn Meikle
• Phone: +44 (0)131 242 6724
• Contact: [email protected]
• CVS Postgraduate Director, Dr Sari Pennings
• Phone: +44 (0)131 242 6195
• Contact: [email protected]
• Centre for Cardiovascular Science
• Queen's Medical Research Institute
• 47 Little France Crescent
• Little France
• Programme: Cardiovascular Science
• School: Edinburgh Medical School: Clinical Sciences
• College: Medicine & Veterinary Medicine

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD Cardiovascular Science - 3 Years (Full-time)

Phd cardiovascular science - 6 years (part-time), msc by research cardiovascular science - 1 year (full-time), msc by research cardiovascular science - 2 years (part-time), application deadlines.

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

• How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

Before making your application, you must make contact with a potential supervisor to discuss your research proposal. Further information on making a research degree application can be found on the College website:

• How to apply for a research degree

You will be formally interviewed (in person, by video-conferencing or Skype).

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

DPhil in Cardiovascular Science

• Entry requirements
• Funding and Costs

College preference

• How to Apply

About the course

This DPhil programme, which includes funding support from the British Heart Foundation (BHF), is for basic science graduates who want to undertake advanced research into cardiovascular disease in Oxford.

The programme provides you with a solid grounding in the study of cardiac and vascular biology through access to taught courses and advanced level seminars, and a choice of projects which includes approximately 70 principal investigators directly engaged in cardiovascular research. These cover all aspects of cardiovascular science, including cardiac imaging, cell signalling, clinical trials and human genetics, developmental biology and regenerative medicine, myocardial biology, integrated physiology, and vascular biology. There are multiple collaborations within and between different departments and research themes, and research interactions have been greatly enhanced and facilitated by a British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) award, one of only six in the UK.

You are provided with a co-ordinated programme of post-graduate teaching in your first year and the possibility of experiencing research in more than one laboratory.

In your first term you will attend a series of six micro-rotations where you will meet graduate students and principal investigators working in six broad areas of cardiovascular science :

• Atherosclerosis, Diabetes and Inflammation (academic lead Charis Antoniades )
• Cardiac Biology and Imaging (academic lead Craig Lygate )
• Cardiac Signalling and Metabolism (academic lead Manuela Zaccolo )
• Contemporary Technologies and Target Discovery (academic lead Blanca Rodriguez  and Angela Russell )
• Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine (academic lead Nicola Smart )
• Endothelial Cell and Vascular Biology (academic lead Kim Dora )

Micro-rotations include attendance at lab meetings, journal clubs and hands-on experience of key experimental techniques. They are designed to give you exposure to the many possibilities for cutting-edge research projects, as well as generate interest in areas of research that you may not have had access to previously.

An important part of the student experience is graduate tutorials every Monday morning and Friday afternoon. Topics include how to choose a good scientific problem, how to choose a good supervisor, and classic experiments in cardiovascular medicine. Students give short presentations and write News and Views style articles on recent papers. In Friday tutorials students are asked to reflect on that week’s micro-rotation and start discussing which principal investigator’s project they found most interesting and why.

Mid-way through your first term in Oxford you will choose supervisors for typically two 10 to 12-week laboratory mini-rotations, which will expose you to techniques and research modalities. You will be expected to design and execute experimental protocols, critically appraise research methods and experimental results, and communicate research results and their implications to a wide audience.

Students decide their main research project from one of the mini-rotations, allowing time to develop and write a full project proposal before the second year commences. By doing this you will gain a greater understanding of the cardiovascular research field and can bring a broader perspective to your research project than is possible under the standard three-year DPhil.

The first year of your graduate studies will be overseen by an academic mentor who will monitor your academic progress and be available to offer advice and support throughout the course of your graduate studies. The department aims for you to be associated with one host laboratory for the first nine months of your graduate studies under the supervision of a laboratory mentor who will ensure you receive appropriate training in laboratory methods and in planning, executing and analysing experiments.

Once you have commenced your research projects, you will attend graduate tutorials, to present your latest results and discuss a range of research methods as well as journal clubs where you can discuss papers directly relevant to current lab projects. Your first year is monitored by presentations on your laboratory rotations, typically in the ninth week of each term, ie three times in the first year.

These regular small group meetings and social interactions help foster a distinct cadre of graduate students who share a common interest in, and enthusiasm for, cardiovascular science.

From the second year onwards, you will spend the remainder of the programme carrying out a specific research project, under the supervision of two named supervisors.

You will have access to a wide range of training in generic research skills provided through seminars and short courses. Examples of the courses that may be available to you include:

• proteomic methodologies
• genomics and bioinformatics
• confocal microscopy and image analysis
• statistics and experimental design
• information technology/computing skills
• written and oral presentation skills
• laboratory experience.

You are encouraged to develop DPhil projects that bridge the work of two separate laboratories or that involve two complementary experimental approaches. You are expected to attend regular lab meetings and take part in all departmental graduate student training and assessment sessions.

Regular mini-symposia will be held, in which first and second year students will give 15-minute presentations on their current research followed by student networking events and informal meetings with committee members.

The taught component during your programme also includes the possibility to attend final-year undergraduate lecture options, including Pharmacology and signalling, Endocrinology and metabolism, Cardiovascular science, Molecular pathology, Development and disease, Infection, Immunity and Neuroscience.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Medical Sciences Doctoral Training Centre, and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Medical Sciences Doctoral Training Centre. It is anticipated that students will meet with their supervisors at least once a fortnight, on average, across a year.

Applicants are advised to visit the course page on the centre's website for further information about supervisors associated with this course (see Further Information and Enquires ).

All students will be initially admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student (PRS). Within a maximum of six terms as a PRS student you will be expected to apply for transfer of status from Probationer Research Student to DPhil status.

A successful transfer of status from PRS to DPhil status will require the submission of a report on progress to date on research and future plans. Students who are successful at transfer will also be expected to apply for and gain confirmation of DPhil status within ten terms of admission, to show that your work continues to be on track.

Both milestones normally involve an interview with two assessors (other than your supervisor) and therefore provide important experience for the final oral examination.

You will be expected to submit an original thesis of up to 50,000 words within a maximum of four years from the date of admission. To be successfully awarded a DPhil in Cardiovascular Science you will need to defend your thesis orally (viva voce) in front of two appointed examiners.

Graduate destinations

The majority of the students that graduate from this scheme go on to undertake postdoctoral research in prestigious laboratories in the UK or overseas. Other graduates have entered the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2024-25

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in a relevant biological science subject.

For clinically qualified applicants, please apply to other Oxford DPhil courses.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

• Research or working experience in a relevant field may be an advantage.
• Whilst not required, publications demonstrating previous research success in a relevant field is likely to advantage your application. 

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  standard level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's standard level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are normally held as part of the admissions process and are expected to be held in January 2024.

Applications are reviewed by a panel of academics associated with the programme. A short-list of applicants is confirmed, based on assessment of achieved or predicted undergraduate degree grade, academic references, personal statement and CV. It is expected that the ratio of interviewed candidates to places will be approximately 3:1.

The interview panel will include at least three academics. The interview will last approximately 30 minutes and will include a five minute presentation of work the candidate has performed for a project or dissertation, which may be accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation or two-side handout. This will be followed by questions related to your project or the general field of Cardiovascular Sciences

How your application is assessed

Your application will be assessed purely on your proven and potential academic excellence and other entry requirements described under that heading.

References  and  supporting documents  submitted as part of your application, and your performance at interview (if interviews are held) will be considered as part of the assessment process. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.

An overview of the shortlisting and selection process is provided below. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide  more information about how applications are assessed . 

Shortlisting and selection

Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. However, please note the following:

• socio-economic information may be taken into account in the selection of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of  the University’s pilot selection procedure  and for  scholarships aimed at under-represented groups ;
• country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
• protected characteristics may be taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has approved a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.

Initiatives to improve access to graduate study

This course is taking part in a continuing pilot programme to improve the selection procedure for graduate applications, in order to ensure that all candidates are evaluated fairly.

For this course, socio-economic data (where it has been provided in the application form) will be used to contextualise applications at the different stages of the selection process.  Further information about how we use your socio-economic data  can be found in our page about initiatives to improve access to graduate study.

Processing your data for shortlisting and selection

Information about  processing special category data for the purposes of positive action  and  using your data to assess your eligibility for funding , can be found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.

Admissions panels and assessors

All recommendations to admit a student involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise, and must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent within the department).

Admissions panels or committees will always include at least one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the  About  section of this page;
• the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
• minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

Some postgraduate research students in science, engineering and technology subjects will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate prior to applying for a  Student visa (under the Student Route) . For some courses, the requirement to apply for an ATAS certificate may depend on your research area.

You will have access to:

• Experimental facilities, as appropriate to your research
• IT support from both the host department for your research and University IT Services
• Library services such as the  Radcliffe Science Library and the  Cairns Library

The provision of project-specific resources will be agreed with the relevant supervisor during the planning stages for the research project.

Medical Sciences Doctoral Training Centre

The Medical Sciences Doctoral Training Centre (MSDTC) accommodates the interdisciplinary, cross-departmental DPhil programmes in medical sciences.

Most are structured DPhil programmes, which provide students with the opportunity to undertake two or three 'rotation' projects and relevant course work in their first year of each four-year structured programme. The main doctoral project starts in the second year of each programme. Most of our programmes receive external core-funding, and currently from the Wellcome Trust (WT), British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and EPSRC.

The MSDTC also accommodates the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars’ Programme, the DPhil in Cancer Science programme funded by CRUK which welcomes applications from clinicians, basic scientists, and medical undergraduates, and the new DPhil in Inflammatory and Musculoskeletal Disease which is funded by the Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research and is open to Oxford University medical students wishing to undertake DPhils in the fields of musculoskeletal disease, inflammation and immunology.

The department also offers an exciting new programme (the DPhil in Advanced Bioscience of Viral Products) run in collaboration with Oxford Biomedica, which aims to deliver the next generation of bioscience leaders to advance research on the underpinning bioscience of viral products for future gene therapies and vaccines.

Each programme has a distinctive intellectual flavour, designed to nurture independent and creative scientists. Students are supported in their development through:

• supervision and mentoring by world-class academics training in a wide range of research techniques
• development of student resilience and maintenance of mental health and wellbeing from the start and throughout each programme.

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All applicants who are offered a place on this course will be offered a fully-funded scholarship, covering course fees for the duration of their course and a living stipend.

Please see the Graduate School website for further details about funding for this course.

Annual fees for entry in 2024-25

Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.

Information about course fees

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Continuation charges

Following the period of fee liability , you may also be required to pay a University continuation charge and a college continuation charge. The University and college continuation charges are shown on the Continuation charges page.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees (or, after fee liability ends, continuation charges) and living costs. However, please note that, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the range of likely living costs for full-time study is between c. £1,345 and £1,955 for each month spent in Oxford. Full information, including a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs, is available on our living costs page. The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. When planning your finances for any future years of study in Oxford beyond 2024-25, it is suggested that you allow for potential increases in living expenses of around 5% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. UK inflationary increases will be kept under review and this page updated.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . For some courses, the department may have provided some additional advice below to help you decide.

The following colleges accept students on the DPhil in Cardiovascular Science:

• Balliol College
• Brasenose College
• Christ Church
• Corpus Christi College
• Exeter College
• Green Templeton College
• Hertford College
• Jesus College
• Keble College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Magdalen College
• Merton College
• New College
• Oriel College
• Pembroke College
• The Queen's College
• Reuben College
• St Anne's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• St Hilda's College
• St Hugh's College
• Somerville College
• Trinity College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

Before you apply

We strongly recommend you consult the Medical Sciences Graduate School's research themes to identify the most suitable course and supervisor .

Our  guide to getting started  provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application.  You can use our interactive tool to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it's important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under a December or January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the  information about deadlines  in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable per course application. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Readmission for current Oxford graduate taught students

If you're currently studying for an Oxford graduate taught course and apply to this course with no break in your studies, you may be eligible to apply to this course as a readmission applicant. The application fee will be waived for an eligible application of this type. Check whether you're eligible to apply for readmission .

Application fee waivers for eligible associated courses

If you apply to this course and up to two eligible associated courses from our predefined list during the same cycle, you can request an application fee waiver so that you only need to pay one application fee.

The list of eligible associated courses may be updated as new courses are opened. Please check the list regularly, especially if you are applying to a course that has recently opened to accept applications.

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

You do not need to make contact with the department before you apply but you are encouraged to visit the relevant departmental webpages to read any further information about your chosen course.

If you have any general enquiries about the course, these should be directed to the course administrator via the contact details provided on this page. 

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents .

For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application .

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Proposed field and title of research project

Under 'Field and title of research project' you should enter one or more areas of cardiovascular research from the list below which you would like to study:

• Atherosclerosis, Diabetes and Inflammation (academic lead Charis Antoniades)
• Cardiac Biology and Imaging (academic lead Craig Lygate)
• Cardiac Signalling and Metabolism (academic lead Manuela Zaccolo)
• Contemporary Techniques and Technologies (academic lead Blanca Rodriguez)
• Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine (academic lead Nicola Smart)
• Endothelial Cell and Vascular Biology (academic lead Kim Dora)
• Target Discovery and Chemical Biology (academic lead Angela Russell)

You should not use this field to type out a full research proposal. You will be able to upload your research supporting materials separately if they are required (as described below).

Proposed supervisor

It is not necessary for you to identify a potential supervisor in your application.

Referees: Three overall, academic preferred

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

Your references should generally be academic, though professional references are acceptable if they are relevant to the course.

Your references will support intellectual ability, academic achievement, motivation, ability to work in a group.

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

Statement of purpose/personal statement: A maximum of 500 words

You should provide a statement of your research interests, in English, describing how your background and research interests relate to the programme. If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

The statement should focus on academic or research-related achievements and interests rather than personal achievements and interests.

This will be assessed for:

• your reasons for applying;
• evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study;
• the ability to present a reasoned case in English;
• capacity for sustained and focused work; and
• understanding of problems in the area and ability to construct and defend an argument.

It will be normal for students’ ideas and goals to change in some ways as they undertake their studies, but your personal statement will enable you to demonstrate your current interests and aspirations.

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice . You'll find the answers to most common queries in our FAQs.

Application Guide Apply

ADMISSION STATUS

Open - applications have been reopened

Advance notice of closure will only be provided on this page - no other notification will be given FAQ: Can I apply twice during an admissions cycle?

12:00 midday UK time on:

Friday 1 December 2023 Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships Final application deadline for entry in 2024-25

*Three-year average (applications for entry in 2021-22 to 2023-24)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the Medical Sciences Doctoral Training Centre

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Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ [email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 289548

Application-process enquiries

See the application guide

Other courses to consider

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Cardiovascular Sciences - PhD/ MSc by Research

Annual tuition fee for 2024/25: UK: £4,778 International: £27,360 More details

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Our Cardiovascular Sciences PhD/MSc by Research in the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences  will provide you with the skills needed to contribute to research within the broad spectrum of cardiovascular medicine. We have groups working on world-leading discovery science, translational and clinical research.

We have access to cutting-edge technology which supports ground-breaking discoveries in our 4 main themes:

• Cardiac Diseases - Our research aims to understand how our genes, environment, lifestyle, and activity of the heart interact to shape the function of our hearts.
• Thrombosis and Haemostasis - Our expertise means we are ideally placed to develop new strategies for therapeutic intervention in thrombosis and haemostasis driven pathology.
• Vascular Biology, Inflammation and Angiogenesis - Our established multi-disciplinary research theme is focused on the multifaceted biology of endothelial cells.
• Imaging and Technology - Our technology experts are developing and applying innovative ways to image cardiovascular systems in vitro and in vivo.

You will join a diverse and multidisciplinary team of world-leading researchers, who will support you to produce original and impactful research addressing the causes, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, the world’s biggest killer.

Our PhD/MSc by Research program is intended for students who wish to obtain high quality research training that will enable them to conduct independent investigative research.

By studying in the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences you will be joining over 60 postgraduate research students covering a wide range of topics including:

• Chronic cardiovascular disease, such as atrial fibrillation, heart failure, structural heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, sudden cardiac death and cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease. As well as precision medicine approaches to treat these diseases.
• Platelet-related disorders from the basic cell biology of platelets and megakaryocytes, through to the genetics of rare bleeding disorders and development of novel anti-thrombotic strategies for patients.
• Thrombo-inflammation, interaction of immune and endothelial cells, the development of atherosclerosis, development of immune therapies to resolve inflammation and thrombo-inflammation.
• Application and development of advanced microscopy methods from the single molecule level e.g. the study of receptor signalling, through to in vivo imaging of the beating heart microvasculature and development of clinical and preclinical thermoacoustic/ photoacoustic imaging of diseases such as atherosclerosis.

You will work closely with your supervisory team who will help you clarify your project and support your development. You will attend a weekly institute-wide seminar series to develop your general cardiovascular knowledge, and take part in annual away days, giving you the chance to present your work and network with colleagues. Your thesis will represent an original contribution to knowledge and demonstrate independent judgement. 

To help you identify a supervisor related to your research area of interest you may like to explore the research of our academic staff or search the  Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences website for all you need to know about our staff, news, research areas and impact.

There are also existing research opportunities within the Institute offering specific topics and projects on which you can complete your PhD. Search our Doctoral Researcher Database to find out about our latest vacancies and scholarship opportunities.

Why study this course?

When you join your programme you will become part of the ICVS postgraduate research (PGR) community, as well as the wider   Graduate School within the College of Medical and Dental Sciences  giving you access to:

• Supervision from leading academics to support you through your research programme including research techniques and training.
• Training and development courses to enable you to gain research and generic (transferable) training skills.
• Weekly institute seminars covering a breadth of cardiovascular-related topics.
• Monthly PGR and post-doctoral research presentations, and an annual away day, giving you the opportunity to present your work.
• Opportunities to attend and take part in University-wide Research Festivals and other postgraduate activities to boost your academic and networking skills.
• An allocated academic mentor so you can access pastoral support.
• State-of-the art facilities to support a range of teaching, learning and research activity with access to dedicated write up rooms, libraries, and computer facilities.
• Social and networking activities organised by the local PGR Reps and academic PGR Team.

You will also become part of the wider University of Birmingham postgraduate research community located at Westmere House where you have access to training and skills development, careers and employability advice, wellbeing and counselling services as well as welcome activities and events.

Ask a student mentor

The best people to ask about postgraduate study are the students that have done it. Our mentor scheme enables you to directly contact student mentors with any questions that you have about studying here and will offer help and advice from a student perspective. Please feel free to contact the mentors directly using the question box on their profile page.

UK: £4,778 full-time, £2,389 part-time International £27,360 full-time, £13,680 part-time

The above fees are for one year only. If you are studying over two or more years, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years.

Find out about our latest vacancies and scholarship opportunities by searching our  Doctoral Researcher Database .

We welcome enquiries from students who have obtained funding and self-funded students looking to conduct research in other areas and encourage prospective doctoral students to  contact our staff  to discuss their intended area of study. 

To search for postgraduate research funding opportunities to support your studies at the University of Birmingham use our funding database .

How To Apply

Before you make your application.

When submitting an application for any postgraduate programme, you are also required to submit supporting documentation to accompany your application form. To give your application the best chance of success follow our  step-by-step guide .

Making your application

If you have got everything ready to apply then please go to the Apply Now button at the top of this page. We look forward to receiving your application.

International applicants

We encourage you to apply early, so that you have plenty of time to prepare the necessary travel, study and immigration documents. In some cases, it may be a time-consuming process. You will find further information and guidance for prospective students regarding visas and immigration on our Student Help pages.

After you have submitted your application

Once you've completed your online application and submitted it electronically, it will be checked by staff in the Postgraduate Admissions team before being sent to the College of Medical and Dental Sciences for consideration. Selection processes differ depending on the type of application you have made.

If you need any help with you application or have any further queries please contact us:

Email: [email protected] Telephone: +44 (0)121 414 5005

You may wish to register your interest with us to receive regular news and updates on postgraduate life within this Department and the wider University.

• How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page . Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Our Standard Requirements

2:1 honours degree in a subject relevant to the research area you applying to.

International Requirements

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 14/20 from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Argentinian university, with a promedio of at least 7.5, may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent

Applicants who hold a Masters degree will be considered for admission to PhD study.

Holders of a good four-year Diplomstudium/Magister or a Masters degree from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5 will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a good 5-year Specialist Diploma or 4-year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan, with a minimum GPA of 4/5 or 80% will be considered for entry to postgraduate taught programmes at the University of Birmingham.

For postgraduate research programmes applicants should have a good 5-year Specialist Diploma (completed after 1991), with a minimum grade point average of 4/5 or 80%, from a recognised higher education institution or a Masters or “Magistr Diplomu” or “Kandidat Nauk” from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0-3.3/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold a Masters degree from the University of Botswana with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (70%/B/'very good') will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Please note 4-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a Diploma of Higher Education. 5-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a British Bachelor (Ordinary) degree.

Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

A Licenciatura or Bacharelado degree from a recognised Brazilian university:

• A grade of 7.5/10 for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement
• A grade of 6.5/10for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement

Holders of a good Bachelors degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good post-2001 Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a minimum average of 14 out of 20 (or 70%) on a 4-year Licence, Bachelor degree or Diplôme d'Etudes Superieures de Commerce (DESC) or Diplôme d'Ingénieur or a Maîtrise will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Holders of a bachelor degree with honours from a recognised Canadian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A GPA of 3.0/4, 7.0/9 or 75% is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1.

Holders of the Licenciado or equivalent Professional Title from a recognised Chilean university will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD study will preferably hold a Magister degree or equivalent.

Students with a bachelor’s degree (4 years minimum) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. However please note that we will only consider students who meet the entry guidance below.  Please note: for the subject areas below we use the Shanghai Ranking 2022 (full table)  ,  Shanghai Ranking 2023 (full table) , and Shanghai Ranking of Chinese Art Universities 2023 .

需要具备学士学位（4年制）的申请人可申请研究生课程。请根据所申请的课程查看相应的入学要求。 请注意，中国院校名单参考 软科中国大学排名2022（总榜） ，  软科中国大学排名2023（总榜） ，以及 软科中国艺术类高校名单2023 。  

Business School    - MSc programmes (excluding MBA)  

商学院硕士课程（MBA除外）入学要求

School of Computer Science – all MSc programmes 计算机学院硕士课程入学要求

College of Social Sciences – courses listed below 社会科学 学院部分硕士课程入学要求 MA Education  (including all pathways) MSc TESOL Education MSc Public Management MA Global Public Policy MA Social Policy MA Sociology Department of Political Science and International Studies  全部硕士课程 International Development Department  全部硕士课程

  All other programmes (including MBA)   所有其他 硕士课程（包括 MBA）入学要求

Please note:

• Borderline cases: We may consider students with lower average score (within 5%) on a case-by-case basis if you have a relevant degree and very excellent grades in relevant subjects and/or relevant work experience. 如申请人均分低于相应录取要求（5%以内），但具有出色学术背景，优异的专业成绩，以及（或）相关的工作经验，部分课程将有可能单独酌情考虑。
• Please contact the China Recruitment Team for any questions on the above entry requirements. 如果您对录取要求有疑问，请联系伯明翰大学中国办公室   [email protected]

Holders of the Licenciado/Professional Title from a recognised Colombian university will be considered for our Postgraduate Diploma and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent.

Holders of a good bachelor degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Bacclaureus (Bachelors) from a recognised Croatian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 4.0 out of 5.0, vrlo dobar ‘very good’, or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelors degree(from the University of the West Indies or the University of Technology) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A Class II Upper Division degree is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1. For further details on particular institutions please refer to the list below.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Masters degree or Mphil from the University of the West Indies.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, or a GPA of 3 out of 4, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalár from a recognised Czech Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, velmi dobre ‘very good’ (post-2004) or 2, velmi dobre ‘good’ (pre-2004), or a good post-2002 Magistr (Masters), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 7-10 out of 12 (or 8 out of 13) or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters/ Magisterkonfereus/Magister Artium degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Ecuadorian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 70% or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Magister/Masterado or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Licenciado with excellent grades can be considered.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalaurusekraad from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 4/5 or B, or a good one- or two-year Magistrikraad from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with very good grades (grade B, 3.5/4 GPA or 85%) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

Holders of a good Kandidaatti / Kandidat (old system), a professional title such as Ekonomi, Diplomi-insinööri, Arkkitehti, Lisensiaatti (in Medicine, Dentistry and Vetinary Medicine), or a Maisteri / Magister (new system), Lisensiaatti / Licenciat, Oikeustieteen Kandidaatti / Juris Kandidat (new system) or Proviisori / Provisor from a recognised Finnish Higher Education institution, with a minimum overall grade of 2/3 or 4/5, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters/Maîtrise with a minimum overall grade of 13 out of 20, or a Magistère / Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies / Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures Specialisées / Mastère Specialis, from a recognised French university or Grande École to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Magister Artium, a Diplom or an Erstes Staatsexamen from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5, or a good two-year Lizentiat / Aufbaustudium / Zweites Staatsexamen or a Masters degree from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good four-year Ptychio (Bachelor degree) with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, from a recognised Greek university (AEI), and will usually be required to have completed a good Metaptychiako Diploma Eidikefsis (Masters degree) from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

4-year Licenciado is deemed equivalent to a UK bachelors degree. A score of 75 or higher from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC) can be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 60 is comparable to a UK 2.2.  Private universities have a higher pass mark, so 80 or higher should be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 70 is comparable to a UK 2.2

The Hong Kong Bachelor degree is considered comparable to British Bachelor degree standard. Students with bachelor degrees awarded by universities in Hong Kong may be considered for entry to one of our postgraduate degree programmes.

Students with Masters degrees may be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Alapfokozat / Alapképzés or Egyetemi Oklevel from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 3.5, or a good Mesterfokozat (Masters degree) or Egyetemi Doktor (university doctorate), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a 60% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the 4 year Sarjana (S1) from a recognised Indonesian institution will be considered for postgraduate study. Entry requirements vary with a minimum requirement of a GPA of 2.8.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution, with 100 out of 110 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold the Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Students with a Bachelor degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for entry to a postgraduate Masters degree provided they achieve a sufficiently high overall score in their first (Bachelor) degree. A GPA of 3.0/4.0 or a B average from a good Japanese university is usually considered equivalent to a UK 2:1.

Students with a Masters degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for PhD study. A high overall grade will be necessary to be considered.

Students who have completed their Specialist Diploma Мамаң дипломы/Диплом специалиста) or "Magistr" (Магистр дипломы/Диплом магистра) degree (completed after 1991) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate Masters degrees and, occasionally, directly for PhD degrees.  Holders of a Bachelor "Bakalavr" degree (Бакалавр дипломы/Диплом бакалавра) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of  2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, may also be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/50

Holders of a good Postgraduate Diploma (professional programme) from a recognised university or institution of Higher Education, with a minimum overall grade of 7.5 out of 10, or a post-2000 Magistrs, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 16/20 or 80% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in Libya will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of a Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved score of 70% for 2:1 equivalency or 65% for 2:2 equivalency. Alternatively students will require a minimum of 3.0/4.0 or BB to be considered.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magistras from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, or a good post-2001 Magistras, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, or a Diplôme d'Études Supérieures Spécialisées (comparable to a UK PGDip) or Masters degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (70-74% or A or Marginal Distinction from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 60-69% or B or Bare Distinction/Credit is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Malaysian institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum of 3.0) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from the University of Malta with a minimum grade of 2:1 (Hons), and/or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (Honours) from a recognised institution (including the University of Mauritius) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2:1).

Students who hold the Licenciado/Professional Titulo from a recognised Mexican university with a promedio of at least 8 will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Students who have completed a Maestria from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree, licence or Maîtrise and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students with a good four year honours degree from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. PhD applications will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Doctoraal from a recognised Dutch university with a minimum overall grade of 7 out of 10, and/or a good Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (minimum 4 years and/or level 400) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of B/Very Good or 1.6-2.5 for a 2.1 equivalency, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters, Mastergrad, Magister. Artium, Sivilingeniør, Candidatus realium or Candidatus philologiae degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0/4 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in the Palestinian Territories will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3/4 or 80% for 2:1 equivalency or a GPA of 2.5/4 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.    

Holders of the Título de Licenciado /Título de (4-6 years) or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Paraguayan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 4/5 or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  The Título Intermedio is a 2-3 year degree and is equivalent to a HNC, it is not suitable for postgraduate entry but holders of this award could be considered for second year undergraduate entry or pre-Masters.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría / Magister or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Título/Grado de Licenciado/a with excellent grades can be considered.

Holders of the Licenciado, with at least 13/20 may be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent. The Grado de Bachiller is equivalent to an ordinary degree, so grades of 15+/20 are required.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría or equivalent qualification.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4 out of 5, dobry ‘good’, and/or a good Swiadectwo Ukonczenia Studiów Podyplomowych (Certificate of Postgraduate Study) or post-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4.5/4+ out of 5, dobry plus 'better than good', will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Licenciado from a recognised university, or a Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializados (DESE) from a recognised Polytechnic Institution, with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, and/or a good Mestrado / Mestre (Masters) from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Romanian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree/Diploma de Master/Diploma de Studii Academice Postuniversitare (Postgraduate Diploma - Academic Studies) or Diploma de Studii Postuniversitare de Specializare (Postgraduate Diploma - Specialised Studies) to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Диплом Специалиста (Specialist Diploma) or Диплом Магистра (Magistr) degree from recognised universities in Russia (minimum GPA of 4.0) will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes/PhD study.

Students who hold a 4-year Bachelor degree with at least 16/20 or 70% will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Students who hold a Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies,Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. A score of 14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2

Students who hold a Bachelor (Honours) degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (or a score of 60-69% or B+) from a well ranked institution will be considered for most our Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees with a 2:1 requirement.

Students holding a good Bachelors Honours degree will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good three-year Bakalár or pre-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, Vel’mi dobrý ‘very good’, and/or a good Inžinier or a post-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Diploma o pridobljeni univerzitetni izobrazbi (Bachelors degree), Diplomant (Professionally oriented first degree), Univerzitetni diplomant (Academically oriented first degree) or Visoko Obrazovanja (until 1999) from a recognised Slovenian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8.0 out of 10, and/or a good Diploma specializacija (Postgraduate Diploma) or Magister (Masters) will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor Honours degree (also known as Baccalaureus Honores / Baccalaureus Cum Honoribus) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (70%) or a distinction (75%).

Holders of a Masters degree will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelor degree from a recognised South Korean institution (usually with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/4.5) will be considered for Masters programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 7 out of 10 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or a CGPA 3.30/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Kandidatexamen (Bachelors degree) or Yrkesexamen (Professional Bachelors degree) from a recognised Swedish Higher Education institution with the majority of subjects with a grade of VG (Val godkänd), and/or a good Magisterexamen (Masters degree), International Masters degree or Licentiatexamen (comparable to a UK Mphil), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good "PostGraduate Certificate" or "PostGraduate Diploma" or a Masters degree from a recognised Swiss higher education institution (with a minimum GPA of 5/6 or 8/10 or 2/5 (gut-bien-bene/good) for a 2.1 equivalence) may be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0, 3.5/5 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bachelor degree (from 75% to 85% depending upon the university in Taiwan) from a recognised institution will be considered for postgraduate Masters study. Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for entry to our postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree or Mphil from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a Bachelors degree from the following universities may be considered for entry to postgraduate programmes:

• Ateneo de Manila University - Quezon City
• De La Salle University - Manila
• University of Santo Tomas
• University of the Philippines - Diliman

Students from all other institutions with a Bachelors and a Masters degree or relevant work experience may be considered for postgraduate programmes.

Grading Schemes

1-5 where 1 is the highest 2.1 = 1.75 2.2 = 2.25 

Out of 4.0 where 4 is the highest 2.1 = 3.0 2.2 = 2.5

Letter grades and percentages 2.1 = B / 3.00 / 83% 2.2 = C+ / 2.5 / 77%

Holders of a postdoctoral qualification from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.  Students may be considered for PhD study if they have a Masters from one of the above listed universities.

Holders of a Lisans Diplomasi with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0 from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a Yuksek Diplomasi from a recognised university will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (2.1) or GPA of 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree / Диплом бакалавра (Dyplom Bakalavra), Диплом спеціаліста (Specialist Diploma) or a Dyplom Magistra from a recognised Ukrainian higher education institution with a minimum GPA of 4.0/5.0, 3.5/4, 8/12 or 80% or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

The University will consider students who hold an Honours degree from a recognised institution in the USA with a GPA of:

• 2.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement 
• 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement 

Please note that some subjects which are studied at postgraduate level in the USA, eg. Medicine and Law, are traditionally studied at undergraduate level in the UK.

Holders of the Magistr Diplomi (Master's degree) or Diplomi (Specialist Diploma), awarded by prestigious universities, who have attained high grades in their studies will be considered for postgraduate study.  Holders of the Fanlari Nomzodi (Candidate of Science), where appropriate, will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of the Licenciatura/Título or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Venezuelan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Scales of 1-5, 1-10 and 1-20 are used, an overall score of 70% or equivalent can be considered equivalent to a UK 2.1.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Maestria or equivalent qualification

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Vietnamese institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum GPA of 7.0 and above) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.  Holders of a Masters degree (thac si) will be considered for entry to PhD programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5/5.0 or a mark of 2.0/2.5 (A) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Students who hold a good Bachelor Honours degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

International Students

Learn more about  international entry requirements  

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries; our  country pages  show you what qualifications we accept from your country.

English Language Requirements

You can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:

• by holding an  English language qualification  to the right level
• by taking and successfully completing one of our  English courses for international students

Please note IELTS requirements for Postgraduate Research programmes in the College of Medical and Dental Sciences are 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band.

If you need help with your English language skills then support is available.

The English for Academic Purposes Presessional course is for international students who have a conditional offer to study at the University, but who do not currently meet the English language requirements. The course is tailored to your level of English and allows you to meet the English language requirements for your programme without retaking IELTS. The EAP programme runs throughout the year and offers different programme lengths ranging from 42 weeks to 6 weeks. The length of course you need depends on your future course, your existing IELTS score and the English level you need for your university degree.

Find out more about the  English for Academic Purposes Presessional  course.

There is a diverse range of research areas within Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences. To help you identify a supervisor related to your research area you may like to explore the research interests of our academic staff or search the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences staff list :

• Cardiac Diseases - Our research aims to understand how our genes, environment, lifestyle, and activity of the heart interact to shape the function of our hearts.
• Thrombosis and Haemostasis  - Our expertise means we are ideally placed to develop new strategies for therapeutic intervention in thrombosis and haemostasis driven pathology.
• Vascular Biology, Inflammation and Angiogenesis  - Our established multi-disciplinary research theme is focused on the multifaceted biology of endothelial cells.
• Imaging and Technology  - Our technology experts are developing and applying innovative ways to image cardiovascular systems in vitro and in vivo.

There are also existing research opportunities within the Institute offering specific topics and projects on which you can complete your PhD. Search our  Doctoral Researcher Database  to find out about our latest vacancies and scholarship opportunities or if you are looking to conduct research in other areas  contact our staff  to discuss your intended area of study.

Related research

• Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences

We have a global reputation for our world leading research and teaching as follows:

• Times 2023: Ranked 15th for Medicine.
• Complete University Guide 2024: Ranked 19th for Medicine.
• QS World rankings 2023: 67th for Medicine. The Life Sciences and Medicine overarching faculty area is ranked joint 62nd in the world.
• US News rankings 2023: 58th for Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems.
• Times Higher Education rankings 2024: 74th for Clinical & Health.

Our employability rates within the College are excellent, with 95% of all surveyed students achieving employment within a year of study.

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Applying for a PhD or MD(Res)

Before you apply, check your eligibility for study.

Please check the College’s entry requirements for graduate programmes to ensure you are eligible to apply.

The National Heart and Lung Institute will accept the following for entry to the PhD or MD(Res) programme:

• External applicants (full-time or part-time study)
• Imperial College London staff

Tuition fees

The level of tuition fees you pay depends on your fees status (Home/Overseas). Information on fees for each year of study is available on the College’s Postgraduate tuition fees   page .

Fees for Imperial staff

• Please note that staff who are employed by Imperial College London (e.g. Research Assistants, Technicians, Clinical Research Fellows etc.) need to upload a copy of their current contract along with their application.
• As a member of staff, you may be eligible for a discounted rate of fees. For more information, please refer to the College’s Tuition Fee Remission Scheme .

Fees for clinical staff at NHS Trusts

If you hold a staff contract with Imperial College London or associated NHS Trusts (e.g. Brompton and Harefield, Chelsea and Westminster, etc), you may be eligible for a departmental bursary entitling you to a third off tuition fees. You will need to supply a copy of your current contract along with your application.  Please refer to the relevant   FoM Tuition Fee Bursary policy (PDF) . ‌

Please note this does not apply to externally funded applicants or those with an honorary contract only.

Identify and contact a supervisor

You need to:.

contact and make an agreement with an NHLI academic supervisor with an outline of your research project

• apply for a  studentship

Please read through the research interests of our Department to find out more about our supervisors and our research. Applications without a named supervisor will not be considered.

How to apply

Submit a college application online.

Once you have an agreement with an NHLI supervisor,   you will   need to submit a formal application for admission via  Imperial College London's online application site .

• Clinical Medicine Research (National Heart and Lung Institute) (MD(Res)) [Code: A3P1DH]
• Clinical Medicine Research (National Heart and Lung Institute) (PhD) [Code: A3Z1DH]

Full-time (FT) or part-time (PT) study‌

• Students devoting 50-79% of their time to the programme will follow 'True PT milestones' and will be registered as part-time.
• Students devoting 80-100% of their time to the programme will follow 'FT milestones' and will be registered as full-time.
• All Imperial College London staff must select ‘Staff’ under the ‘Student Type’ field in their application.

Please note: You are not eligible to study if you can only devote less than 50% of your week’s time to the degree programme.

For further guidance when   completing   the form   please refer to the College's postgraduate application webpages . 

Provide two referees

You will be asked to provide the contact details of two referees in your application. The reference should indicate your suitability to undertake a PhD or MD(Res). You cannot use your proposed supervisor(s) as referee(s).

Once your application is received, the referees will be sent a link from Imperial's  Registry where they can submit their references. You will be able to see the status of your references through your account.

In case there are any problems or delays, one or both references can be sent directly to  [email protected]  as long they are sent by the referee from an official University or company email address.

Please follow up any outstanding references as this will delay your application progressing .

How we process your application

Initial processing by college admissions team.

Your application is assessed for eligibility by the Medicine Postgraduate Admissions team in the College. When this has been confirmed, the application is forwarded on to the Department (NHLI PGR Team) for review.

Processing by NHLI PGR team

Once your application is with nhli pgr team there are several steps to the application:.

• The proposed supervisor(s) must confirm that they have an agreement with you.
• Once your references have been received and initial checks of your application have been completed by the PGR team , including supervisor agreement and funding status, then your application will proceed to the next step. College does not allow backdating of course start dates. If you wish to curtail your course end date, you and your supervisor must present your case and evidence to be considered by the Director of Postgraduate Studies.
• The PGR team will arrange an interview between you and a postgraduate research tutor. This is in addition to any interview your supervisors may have already conducted. This interview is to determine, independently from your supervisor(s), your potential to undertake a PhD or MD(Res) within NHLI.
• The applicant and proposed supervisor(s) must complete and sign the NHLI01 Registration Form detailing the proposed project, funding, start date and supervisory package. 
• If your application relates to the Partner Research Institution (PRI) scheme or Split PhD scheme , or is the outcome of a funded studentship application, then the necessary documents need to be forwarded with your application to the  Director of Postgraduate Studies for final approval.
• We are happy to receive the research proposal as part of the registration process; however, it can also be submitted up to six weeks after your start date. This should be prepared by you with input from your supervisor(s). You can see our  Research proposal guide (doc)  for advice on writing a research proposal.
• The PGR team will forward your application and documents to the Director of Postgraduate Studies.  Only when approval is received from the Director of Postgraduate Studies can your application be accepted by the Department and an offer made by Medicine Postgraduate Admissions.

Clinical Research Fellows:

Please note that for clinical postgraduate students, employment as a Clinical Research Fellow does not automatically guarantee registration for a higher degree. You need to submit an application and follow the process detailed above. You also need to send your employment contract to [email protected]  once an offer has been made on your Imperial Gateway account. Please ensure your employment contract dates cover the entirety of the research programme for eligibility for fees remission (please refer to the 'Tuition Fees' section above).

Final processing by College Admissions team

The Admissions team at College will then process your offer; this may be conditional on you meeting certain requirements including the English language requirement and academic  entry requirements .

Processing timelines

Your proposed start date should allow at least two to three clear calendar months from submitting your application.

Backdating enrolment is no longer permitted by College Admissions. The PGR office team may be able to advise on a route, if there are exceptional circumstances.

• Please refer to the flowchart below to give you an idea on the application process and its duration.

Medical Imaging MRes + MPhil/PhD

London, Bloomsbury

This degree aims to train future leaders in AI-powered medical imaging innovations. From undertaking next-generation medical imaging research, development and enterprise, to producing intelligent, radical healthcare innovations focused on either imaging or imaging-enabled systems, this group of researchers are working to transform healthcare and medicine.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

Applications open

• Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or another closely related discipline, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Knowledge and expertise gained in the workplace may also be considered, where appropriate.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

If you are intending to apply for a time-limited visa to complete your UCL studies (e.g., Student visa, Skilled worker visa, PBS dependant visa etc.) you may be required to obtain ATAS clearance . This will be confirmed to you if you obtain an offer of a place. Please note that ATAS processing times can take up to six months, so we recommend you consider these timelines when submitting your application to UCL.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

In partnership with our NIHR Biomedical Research Centres and Unit, PhD projects will be strongly multi-disciplinary, bridging the gap between engineering, clinical sciences and industry. Over 100 non-clinical and clinical scientists across UCL will partner to co-supervise a new type of individual, ready to transform healthcare and build the future UK industry in this area.

Who this course is for

As a multi-disciplinary subject at the interface of physics, engineering, life sciences and computer science, our postgraduate students have a diverse range of options upon graduation. Many choose to continue in academia through the subsequent award of a PhD studentship or a postdoctoral research post.

What this course will give you

The programme sits within i4health, a new centre for doctoral training focused on intelligent, integrated imaging in healthcare. The i4health centre aims to transform patient care through next-generation imaging tools and analysis. UCL's internationally leading positions in medical imaging and devices, data science and AI, robotics, and human-centred design, together with unique access to healthcare data and equipment, ideally place our centre to lead this transformation. UCL has significant activity in medical and biomedical imaging and several centres of excellence in their own right, and receives significant funding for its high-quality research. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is a British Research Council which funds the i4health centre among other centres for doctoral training. UCL currently holds over 40% of the EPSRC funding portfolio in medical imaging more than any other university.

The foundation of your career

Postgraduate study within the department offers the chance to develop important skills and acquire new knowledge through involvement with a team of scientists or engineers working in a world-leading research group. Graduates complete their study having gained new scientific or engineering skills applied to solving problems at the leading edge of human endeavour. Skills associated with project management, effective communication and teamwork are also refined in this high-quality working environment.

Employability

A common career route is employment in industry where newly-acquired skills are applied to science and engineering projects within multi-national medical device companies, or alternatively, within small-scale start-up enterprises. A substantial number of graduates also enter the NHS or private healthcare sector to work as a clinical scientist or engineer upon completion of further clinical training.

Supervision and mentorship are available from scientists and engineers who have collaborated nationally and internationally across clinical, industrial and academic sectors. This provides natural opportunities to work in collaboration with a variety of external partners and showcase output at international conferences, private industry events and clinical centres to audiences of potential employers. Moreover, the department holds close working relationships with a number of charitable, research council and international organisations, for example, in new projects involving radiotherapy and infant optical brain imaging in Africa.

Teaching and learning

The MRes programme will be delivered through a combination of formal lectures, seminars, laboratories, workshop sessions and independent or group project work.

The MRes year consists of compulsory units and transferable skills (135 credits) and further optional modules (45 credits). The MRes project is a compulsory element and often (but not necessarily) forms the basis for PhD research. Students will be provided with a list of available projects before enrolment which will be subject to a selection process.

Advanced electives are available to all students in years two and three (MPhil and PhD) and are designed to enhance learning and skills.

Students are registered for the MPhil degree from year two and transfer to PhD status.

The modules of this MRes Programme will be assessed by a series of methods including exams, coursework, group work, lab sessions and project work.

Each taught MRes module typically consists of around 30-40 lectures over a ten-week term (excluding reading week). During each week, including problem classes, you should therefore expect about 10 contact hours. This time is made up of formal learning and teaching events such as lectures and problem classes. You will need to spend your own time in addition to the timetabled hours reviewing the material and completing coursework. You should expect to be spending at least 40 hours per week on your studies as a full-time student. A pro-rata rate should be used as a guide for part-time students. Lectures are timetabled between 9am and 6pm apart from Wednesday afternoon when there are no lectures.

Research areas and structure

Our Methodological Research Portfolio is focussed around three major themes:

Imaging Technologies

• Imaging Devices
• Image Acquisition
• Image Reconstruction

Image Computing

• Image Analysis
• Computational Modelling

Integrated systems

• Actionable Analytic Systems
• Interventional Systems

Our Enabling Technology Portfolio includes:

• AI and Machine Learning
• Data Science and Health Informatics
• Robotics and Sensing
• Human-Computer Interaction

Finally, the eight clinical research programmes in our Translational Portfolio are:

• Cancer Imaging
• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Infection and Inflammation Imaging
• Neuroimaging
• Ophthalmology Imaging
• Paediatric Imaging
• Perinatal Imaging

Research environment

Our vision is to train the translational imaging research leaders of the future, filling a critical gap identified in academia, pharmaceutical and medical devices industries, while delivering internationally competitive research. Our innovative training has a strong focus on new image acquisition technologies, novel data analysis methods and integration with computational modelling.

The MRes degree is a 1 year programme followed by the research degree is a 3 year programme (full-time or 5 year part-time) which offers an MPhil or PhD outcome.

You are required to register for the MPhil degree and then transfer to PhD after successful completion of an upgrade Viva (9 -18 months after initial registration).

Upon successful completion of your approved period of registration you may register as a completing research student (CRS) whilst you write up your thesis.

Students are permitted to include an internship either via an interruption or in conjunction with their research - these opportunities are discussed with the supervisor and programme directors. Students are strongly encouraged to attend and present at conferences relating to their area of research.

Upon successful completion of your approved period of registration you may register as a completing research student (CRS) whilst you write up your thesis

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team .

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

There are no additional costs associated with this programme.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

Please visit the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Intelligent, Integrated, Imaging in Healthcare (i4Health) for current funding information. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/intelligent-imaging-healthcare/ For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

Deadlines and start dates are usually dictated by funding arrangements so check with the department or academic unit to see if you need to consider these in your application preparation. In most cases you should identify and contact potential supervisors before making your application. For more information see our How to apply page.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Year of entry: 2023-2024, got questions get in touch.

Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering

[email protected]

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Clinical Ultrasound MSc/PGDip/PGCert

Please note the application portal is now open for applications to the MSc only. It will go live on 1 st June 2024 for September 2024 entry onto the PGCert and PGDip. Both Home and International students will be eligible to apply; however, we are only accepting applications from students who have secured suitable NHS placements prior to application.

The MSc in Clinical Ultrasound provides a contemporary research-enhanced curriculum with a minimum of 800 hours of professional practice experience and an accelerated route into the profession. It is an ideal study pathway for trainee sonographers and existing Healthcare Professionals wishing to achieve excellence in all aspects of clinical ultrasound practice. The programme has a strong emphasis on the development of professional skills for effective communication, evidence-based practice, and leadership in healthcare, alongside promoting a systematic understanding of the core principles underpinning ultrasound practice to guide image optimisation and clinical reasoning. Entry at PG Cert level is suitable for students’ learning ultrasound for the first time. The PG Cert focuses on understanding the science and technology underpinning ultrasound examinations and supports students in gaining clinical proficiency in either General Medical Ultrasound, Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, or Obstetrics and Gynaecology Ultrasound. On completion of the PG Dip, graduates will be able to practice ultrasound independently (although a 3-month preceptorship period is recommended). Entry at PG Dip level is aimed at existing PG Cert-qualified ultrasound practitioners who wish to extend their clinical and professional training to broaden or deepen their ultrasound practice. The PG Dip year emphasises the importance of improving the delivery of ultrasound services through education, leadership, and research. The MSc year is aimed at existing PG Dip qualified ultrasound practitioners. Academic support is provided for completing a Clinical Ultrasound research project to publication standard.

Key benefits

• King's Health Partners is one of only eight UK Academic Health Science Centres, where world-class research, education and clinical practice are brought together for the benefit of patients by translating cutting-edge research and existing best practice into excellent patient care.
• This is an established course, which has been accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE) since 1993. Successful reaccreditation was granted most recently in January 2023.
• High quality partnership working with professional practice partners and other stakeholders ensures graduates have the knowledge, skills and personal attributes required for working in the NHS. Clinical placement providers are currently eligible to receive NHS England funding to cover tuition fees and salary costs.
• Our Simulation and Interactive Learning (SaIL) Centre provides ultrasound scanners, simulators, and a simulated clinical environment.
• Innovative teaching partnerships with Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital
• Taught by leading experts in a range of specialist areas, including Ultrasound Physics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General Medical Ultrasound, and Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
• Clinical proficiency gained through extensive one-to-one scanning experience: you will develop and apply diagnostic ultrasound imaging skills through a supervised clinical placement.
• Course essentials
• Entry requirements
• Teaching & structure

Employability

Our graduates work in various roles in healthcare, usually at NHS Band 7 or above.

• Fees & Funding

Application closing date guidance

Please note the application portal is now open for applications to the MSc only. It will go live on 1 st June 2024 for September 2024 entry onto the PGCert and PGDip.

Our final application deadline for September 2024 entry will be 31 July 2024 (23:59 UK time).

Both Home and International students will be eligible to apply however we are only accepting applications from students who have secured suitable NHS placements prior to application.

If high numbers of applications are received, we may close the application before the advertised closing date.

If you are interested and you meet the academic and placement requirements, we recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible as we may need to request further information from you to assess your application.

• How to apply
• Register your interest
• Chat to a student
• Order a prospectus

For queries please contact us at the following email address

Related departments

• School of Life Course & Population Sciences

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British Society of Echocardiography (BSE)

The British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) was formed in 1990 and exists to promote the study and advancement of ultrasound imaging and Doppler techniques in cardiology. It represents the interests of those working in clinical echocardiography at all levels, and in all areas, including adult and paediatric cardiology, cardiovascular research and teaching. With well over 4,500 members, it is the largest of the professional groups affiliated to the British Cardiovascular Society. It also has functional links to the Working Group on Echocardiography and the European Society of Cardiology.

Website: www.bsecho.org

Contact: [email protected]

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Medical Ultrasound (Echocardiography) MSc

Imperial college london, different course options.

• Key information

Course Summary

Tuition fees, entry requirements, similar courses at different universities, key information data source : idp connect, qualification type.

MSc - Master of Science

Subject areas

Ultrasound: Medical

Course type

The MSc in Medical Ultrasound provides clinicians and medical scientists with intensive training in both the theoretical basis of medical ultrasound and the required scanning and diagnostic skills. The programme runs successfully through a combination of educational materials and opportunities to interact online alongside more traditional teaching methods. This blended format of delivery consists of teaching sessions (face-to-face or made available online), live webinars, discussion fora, formative and summative assessments administered through our virtual learning environment, and a range of resources to facilitate self-study and progression. This allows for much of the programme to be studied remotely if required.

The programme is both academic and vocational in nature, and is the only MSc of this type to offer a clinical attachment as part of it. As an academic degree, it does not provide candidates with an automatic qualification to practise as a sonographer, and national examinations may be required to achieve this. Nevertheless, the programme follows the core British Society of Echocardiography syllabus and prepares any future candidate for successful completion of the national examinations.

Each specialism is run independently in its respective hospital department. You will have exposure to the real life workings of a department and to patients, gaining hands-on experience through a placement with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

Our MSc in Medical Ultrasound is recognised as an important qualification for people who would like to pursue a career within the field of medical ultrasound. Many students go on to study for an MD(Res) or PhD, while most of the medically qualified students return to clinical practice. Others have gone into a wide range of careers, including specialised sonographers, physiologists, and other healthcare professionals in the NHS or abroad.

UK fees Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

International fees Course fees for EU and international students

Students need to have a minimum requirement of 2.1 degree in medicine, biological sciences, engineering or physical sciences.

Medical Ultrasound MSc

Bristol, university of the west of england, teesside university, middlesbrough, medical ultrasound pgcert, medical ultrasound pgdip, msc medical ultrasound, aecc university college.