Heart Failure

You are required to have an MBBS (Medical Bachelor & Bachelor in Surgery) or equivalent for applicants with qualifications from outside of the UK.

You are also required to have two years of postgraduate clinical experience in cardiology and a documented familiarity with heart failure. You may be asked to present evidence of competency that might include certification or a letter from your supervisor.

Heart failure is a growing epidemic and a rapidly evolving subspecialty within cardiology. Our Heart Failure MSc is a structured international teaching programme and the first of its kind.

The population of patients with heart failure is growing, and heart failure is now the leading cause of hospitalisation among adults over 65. An impressive advancement in the development of drugs and devices that prolong life expectancy in patients with heart failure has resulted in a significant demand for physicians with expertise in this important area.

While current awareness of heart failure among physicians is good, there remains a pressing need for experts to safely and effectively manage patients with this condition. The Heart Failure MSc will provide you with a unique set of skills and knowledge to manage the increasingly complex patients with heart failure, developing you into a heart failure specialist.

By joining this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to excel as a heart failure specialist, supported by leading experts in a renowned academic setting.

Unrestricted grants from our pharmaceutical partners AstraZeneca, Vifor Pharma, Bayer and Servier fund partial scholarships on this course.

Course highlights

This course offers a distinctive learning experience, delivered by a diverse team of experts:

• Teaching led by a multidisciplinary group of cardiologists and allied health professionals
• Guest lectures from international key opinion leaders in heart failure

You will develop a unique combination of skills:

• Advanced clinical expertise in heart failure management
• Experience in cutting-edge heart failure research

The curriculum is designed to be current and comprehensive:

• Content aligned with the latest European Society of Cardiology heart failure guidelines
• Online modules enabling flexible, self-paced learning

St George's offers a world-class learning environment:

• Sharing a campus with one of the country's largest teaching hospitals
• Recognised for excellence in research, clinical practice, and teaching

Course structure

The MSc comprises of ten compulsory modules (12 credits each) and a research project with a thesis (60 credits). It is structured to provide flexibility, catering to professionals who need to balance their studies with existing work commitments on a part-time basis. To enhance flexibility, we employ a technology-rich model, delivering a substantial portion of learning materials online and providing resources to support self-directed learning and reflective practice.

The course utilises a diverse range of teaching and learning strategies:

• Each module features an online component that students can work through at their own pace, with gated assessments to ensure progression and build a solid foundation in the subject matter.
• Face-to-face sessions take place four times each year at St George's, allowing for balance with clinical work. These practical and clinical sessions offer direct contact with lecturers and peer learners
• Additional reading materials are provided to encourage self-directed study and broader exploration, helping students develop insight into their learning styles and take responsibility for their professional growth.

This blend of strategies aims to foster an investigative, independent, and individualised approach to learning. Students will undertake an extended research project, with the intention of producing at least one publication.

Careers

This MSc is the UK’s first Master’s-level qualification in heart failure. With a Master’s degree in Heart Failure, you will demonstrate to potential employers your advanced expertise and commitment to excellence in heart failure management.

In today's healthcare landscape, where efficient resource utilisation is paramount, professionals with specialised qualifications are increasingly valued. Your expertise will be crucial in ensuring that investigations and treatments are conducted with optimal efficiency and effectiveness. This degree will set you apart from your peers and open doors to exceptional career opportunities within national health systems.

For physicians, this MSc will elevate your career prospects beyond your current cardiology experience. You'll be ideally positioned for roles that demand the skills of a heart failure specialist, allowing you to take on leadership positions in this critical area of cardiovascular medicine. Whether you aim to lead a specialist heart failure unit, contribute to ground-breaking research, or shape policy in heart failure care, this qualification will provide you with the knowledge and credibility to achieve your career goals.