Please note the course details apply to 2025 entry. Details for 2026 entry for our postgraduate courses will be published from mid-October 2025.
Cardiovascular Sciences MSc
Key information
Course type:
Masters
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time
Duration:
One year full-time, September to September
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent):
UK 180/ ECTS 90
Application status:
Closed
Start date:
September 2025
The Cardiovascular Sciences MSc offers an advanced theoretical and practical foundation in cardiovascular research. You will be taught by academic and clinical specialists who actively research the mechanisms that underlie human cardiovascular disease. This course is designed for biomedical science and medically qualified graduates who wish to pursue further academic studies or employment in a research environment.
Key benefits
- Research-led study programme that is hosted within a leading British Heart Foundation funded cardiovascular Centre of Research Excellence.
- Lectures delivered by experienced multi- disciplinary researchers on contemporary issues.
- A highly successful study course that offers entry into a research career, with two-thirds of graduates progressing to a PhD, MD or specialist cardiology training.
- Join a research team, supervised by one of our specialists, then report on your findings for your 60-credit project.
- For each subject, you'll learn from top academics, hear from leading professionals working in the field and visit a clinic to see the practice for yourself.
“The MSc was a great choice. I gained insight into the Cardiovascular system, the research techniques used in this field and, most importantly, gained a critical insight into the issues faced by researchers. I experienced amazing teaching on this course with well-chosen and organised modules”
The Cardiovascular Sciences MSc course provides comprehensive theoretical and practical training in specialist technical skills taught by experts in their respective fields. You will explore fundamental and applied modules focusing on the heart and vasculature and state of the art techniques in cardiovascular medicine and scientific research. You will also complete numerous Cardiovascular Skills Workshops before carrying out a research project and dissertation. Alongside your dissertation you will participate in an outreach event with the BHF centre. During your research project, you will become part of a research team for approximately six months where you will design, conduct and report on a project under appropriate supervision.
Course Aims
- Understand the theory behind the latest science in cardiovascular biology, and develop the research skills for a career in the field.
- Gain practical skills and learn how state-of-the-art techniques in cardiovascular medicine are being used in clinical settings.
- Develop a wider perspective on your career with modules related to imaging science and clinical outreach.
Base campuses
Waterloo Campus
Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
Guy’s Campus
The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience are based at the riverside Guy's Campus, next to the Shard.
Denmark Hill Campus
Home to the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience.
St Thomas’ Campus
Located near Waterloo Campus and home of continuing medical and dental teaching, as well as a museum dedicated to Florence Nightingale.
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
Regulating bodies
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
UK applicants
Standard requirements
A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).
Programme-Specific Requirements
Minimum 2:1 first degree in a biological, molecular biological or biomedical sciences-related subject or to be medically qualified. Exceptionally, a high 2:2 may be considered. Current medical students may be accepted following the successful completion of the 3rd year of their MBBS programme.
In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
International applicants
Equivalent International qualifications
English language requirements
English language band:
D
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Selection process
Applications must be made online using King's Apply, the Admissions Portal. A non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.
You will be admitted on the basis of your academic ability together with recommendations from academic referees and an interview, if practicable. At the time of the interview you will have an opportunity to view the facilities and to meet past and present students.
Personal statement and supporting information
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
| Personal Statement | Yes |
A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). |
|---|---|---|
| Previous Academic Study | Yes | A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents. |
| Reference | Yes | One reference is required, professional references will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. |
| Other | Optional | You may also wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application |
Teaching methods - what to expect
Lectures
Seminars
Group Tutorials
We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake 700 hours of independent study.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
- Coursework
- Written examinations
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written examinations. Forms of coursework assessment may typically include oral presentations, workshop write-ups as well as a project dissertation. Coursework contributes approximately 75% and examinations approximately 25% to your final mark.
We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.
Location
This course is taught at the King’s College London Waterloo, Guy's and Denmark Hill Campuses. Practical workshops and research projects will be in the BHF Centre and aligned facilities, which can be on Waterloo, Guy’s, St Thomas’ or Denmark Hill Campuses. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Structure
Required modules
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180 credits. You are required to take:
Vascular Biology and Inflammation (30 credits)
Cardiac Syndromes and Heart Failure (30 credits)
Cardiovascular Workshops and Skills (30 credits)
Cross Cutting Techniques in Cardiovascular Research (15 credits)
Cardiovascular Outreach (15 credits)
Research Project in Cardiovascular Research (60 credits)
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Employability
We designed this course to help you develop strong research skills useful for your career, whether you’re a recent graduate from a related science subject or you’re a foundation or core trainee doctor looking to improve your specialist knowledge.
Here at King’s, we offer a BHF PhD programme in Cardiovascular Science. While places are very limited, it’s a natural progression if you’re working towards a research role in academia or industry.
If you’re more interested in the practical clinical aspect, many of our students use the course to boost their knowledge in the subject during their career journey to specialist training. Of course, it’s a competitive field, but the skills and contacts you’ll develop at King’s will be useful throughout your career.
Medical graduates often subsequently pursue a specialism in cardiology.
Destinations
Recent graduates have found employment within the following job roles and companies:
- Medical Writing
- Fundraising at the British Heart Foundation
Tuition Fees
UK:
Full time: £16,950 (MSc) (2025/26)
International:
Full time: £35,800 (MSc) (2025/26)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
Deposit
If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.
The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.
- If you receive an offer before March, payment is due by 20 March.
- If you receive an offer between 1 March and 20 May, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 21 May and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 16 July and 10 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer from 11 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.
If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.
Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.
Additional Costs
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
- Books if you choose to buy your own copies
- Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
- Library fees and fines
- Personal photocopies
- Printing course handouts
- Society membership fees
- Stationery
- Travel costs for travel around London, between campuses and for project placements
- Graduation costs
Funding
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
The Cardiovascular Sciences MSc course provides comprehensive theoretical and practical training in specialist technical skills taught by experts in their respective fields. You will explore fundamental and applied modules focusing on the heart and vasculature and state of the art techniques in cardiovascular medicine and scientific research. You will also complete numerous Cardiovascular Skills Workshops before carrying out a research project and dissertation. Alongside your dissertation you will participate in an outreach event with the BHF centre. During your research project, you will become part of a research team for approximately six months where you will design, conduct and report on a project under appropriate supervision.
Course Aims
- Understand the theory behind the latest science in cardiovascular biology, and develop the research skills for a career in the field.
- Gain practical skills and learn how state-of-the-art techniques in cardiovascular medicine are being used in clinical settings.
- Develop a wider perspective on your career with modules related to imaging science and clinical outreach.
Base campuses
Waterloo Campus
Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
Guy’s Campus
The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience are based at the riverside Guy's Campus, next to the Shard.
Denmark Hill Campus
Home to the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience.
St Thomas’ Campus
Located near Waterloo Campus and home of continuing medical and dental teaching, as well as a museum dedicated to Florence Nightingale.
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
Regulating bodies
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
UK applicants
Standard requirements
A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).
Programme-Specific Requirements
Minimum 2:1 first degree in a biological, molecular biological or biomedical sciences-related subject or to be medically qualified. Exceptionally, a high 2:2 may be considered. Current medical students may be accepted following the successful completion of the 3rd year of their MBBS programme.
In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
International applicants
Equivalent International qualifications
English language requirements
English language band:
D
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Selection process
Applications must be made online using King's Apply, the Admissions Portal. A non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.
You will be admitted on the basis of your academic ability together with recommendations from academic referees and an interview, if practicable. At the time of the interview you will have an opportunity to view the facilities and to meet past and present students.
Personal statement and supporting information
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
| Personal Statement | Yes |
A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). |
|---|---|---|
| Previous Academic Study | Yes | A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents. |
| Reference | Yes | One reference is required, professional references will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. |
| Other | Optional | You may also wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application |
Teaching methods - what to expect
Lectures
Seminars
Group Tutorials
We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake 700 hours of independent study.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
- Coursework
- Written examinations
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written examinations. Forms of coursework assessment may typically include oral presentations, workshop write-ups as well as a project dissertation. Coursework contributes approximately 75% and examinations approximately 25% to your final mark.
We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.
Location
This course is taught at the King’s College London Waterloo, Guy's and Denmark Hill Campuses. Practical workshops and research projects will be in the BHF Centre and aligned facilities, which can be on Waterloo, Guy’s, St Thomas’ or Denmark Hill Campuses. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Structure
Required modules
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180 credits. You are required to take:
Vascular Biology and Inflammation (30 credits)
Cardiac Syndromes and Heart Failure (30 credits)
Cardiovascular Workshops and Skills (30 credits)
Cross Cutting Techniques in Cardiovascular Research (15 credits)
Cardiovascular Outreach (15 credits)
Research Project in Cardiovascular Research (60 credits)
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Employability
We designed this course to help you develop strong research skills useful for your career, whether you’re a recent graduate from a related science subject or you’re a foundation or core trainee doctor looking to improve your specialist knowledge.
Here at King’s, we offer a BHF PhD programme in Cardiovascular Science. While places are very limited, it’s a natural progression if you’re working towards a research role in academia or industry.
If you’re more interested in the practical clinical aspect, many of our students use the course to boost their knowledge in the subject during their career journey to specialist training. Of course, it’s a competitive field, but the skills and contacts you’ll develop at King’s will be useful throughout your career.
Medical graduates often subsequently pursue a specialism in cardiology.
Destinations
Recent graduates have found employment within the following job roles and companies:
- Medical Writing
- Fundraising at the British Heart Foundation
Tuition Fees
UK:
Full time: £16,950 (MSc) (2025/26)
International:
Full time: £35,800 (MSc) (2025/26)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
Deposit
If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.
The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.
- If you receive an offer before March, payment is due by 20 March.
- If you receive an offer between 1 March and 20 May, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 21 May and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 16 July and 10 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer from 11 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.
If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.
Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.
Additional Costs
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
- Books if you choose to buy your own copies
- Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
- Library fees and fines
- Personal photocopies
- Printing course handouts
- Society membership fees
- Stationery
- Travel costs for travel around London, between campuses and for project placements
- Graduation costs
Funding
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
Application closing date guidance
We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed and we may need to request further information from you during the application process.
The final application deadlines for this programme are:
· Overseas (international) fee status: 25 July 2025 (23:59 UK time)
· Home fee status: 25 August 2025 (23:59 UK time)
If the programme becomes full before the final application deadlines stated above, we will close the programme to further applications. Please note, you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if we are unable to process further offers because places are filled and we close the course before the final application deadline.
Key information
Course type:
Masters
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time
Duration:
One year full-time, September to September
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent):
UK 180/ ECTS 90
Application status:
Closed
Start date:
September 2025
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