Preventive Cardiology (Masters/PDip)

NUIGalway partner with NIPC to lead the way in cardiovascular disease prevention, diabetes & obesity Ms Laura Tobin - Healthy Ireland Project lead, UL Hospital Group Dr. Sinead McCluskey - Director of Commercial Innovation, Pei Surgical

Course Overview

Multidisciplinary approaches to cardiovascular health and lifestyle medicine are the cornerstone of preventive cardiology practice. This postgraduate programme equips students with the knowledge and skills required to make meaningful contributions to primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention; both at an individual level as well as within populations. Whilst the main focus is cardiovascular and pulmonary disease prevention and rehabilitation, key learning outcomes achieved apply to non-communicable diseases and chronic disease management more widely. This course remains one of the only of its kind worldwide offering a strong component of translational science where gains in knowledge and research skills are applied to clinical practice.  

Unique features of this programme include: 

• Flexible learning: The course uses a dual delivery approach (with a fully online option available) by incorporating scheduled tutorials and workshops coupled with the directed study. This enables students to simultaneously maintain professional roles in clinical practice or manage other commitments whilst completing their studies.   
• Delivered in partnership with the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC): This partnership enables an exceptional opportunity for students to interact with leading experts as well as engage in cutting-edge research and further opportunities in preventive cardiology. 
• Interdisciplinary expert teaching faculty: Students from a variety of backgrounds from all over the world interact with international leaders and clinical specialists from medicine, nursing, nutrition, exercise, psychology, and public health. 

As reflected within the speciality of preventive cardiology, this course is interdisciplinary in nature and designed predominantly for health care practitioners. The course addresses the latest evidence-based development and practical use of cardiovascular disease risk estimation tools, implementation of best-practice guidelines and healthcare policy, behavioural change strategies, lifestyle approaches to risk factor modification, psychosocial health, and medical management of risk factors including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and smoking. Outcome measures, health technology, and innovation in service design also feature strongly There is also a specialist pathway in cardiac rehabilitation available as an option for practitioners with a specific interest in secondary prevention.  

This programme aims to provide medical doctors from all settings, nurses, physiotherapists, dietitians, psychologists, occupational therapists, podiatrists and other allied professions with knowledge and skills to provide high-quality patient care as well as an array of career opportunities in clinical service transformation, research, academia, and industry. Students are supervised in designing an original research project which addresses a specific research question in any aspect of preventive cardiology. Contributors are drawn from clinical departments at the University Hospital Galway, scientific and healthcare disciplines at the University of Galway, the Croí clinical team, and an array of established national and international partnerships. 

Scholarships available 
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here. 

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Course Outline

The MSc in Preventive Cardiology involves students participating in a number of Level 9 modules totalling 90 ECTS.  

In Semester 1 students participate in three core modules (total 30ECTs): 

• Fundamentals of Preventive Cardiology (10 ECT) 

• Research Methods (10 ECT) 
• Reflective Clinical Practice (Part 1 Semester 1 & Part 2 in Semester 2) (10 ECT) 

In Semester 2 students are required to complete 30 elective ECTs from the following options: 

• Lifestyle Risk Factor Modification (30 ECTs) 
• Tobacco Cessation in Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Management (10ECTs) 
• Diet and Weight Management in Preventive Medicine and Cardiovascular Health (10ECTs) 
• Physical Activity and Exercise in Chronic Disease Management (10ECTs) 
• Pharmacotherapeutic Approaches in Cardiometabolic Medicine (10 ECTS) 
• Cardiac Rehabilitation (30 ECTS) 

Across all three semesters, students work on a primary Research Project (30 ECT) that is submitted as a ready-to-publish article at the end of the programme.  

The course starts in September and finishes in August, covering teaching and clinical placement components. Structured weekly directed study is coupled with a schedule of group-based lectures, tutorials, and interactive workshops. These group-based sessions are delivered online via live sessions and are timetabled for Thursdays and Fridays (3 pm – 8 pm) with occasional Saturdays (10 am – 3 pm). Students working simultaneously in a clinical setting can complete their studies using a fully online option, enabling access to the programme from their home country. International students with a Tier 2 Visa choosing to reside in Ireland during their studies and those not working in clinical practice are required to complete a weekly timetable of face-to-face activities that take place in a range of clinical settings.   

Each module has associated assessments. At the end of Semester 1 online examinations are run for these modules. The remainder of the course has continuous assessments in the form of essays or equivalent—e.g., written assignments, presentations, and case reviews. 

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

Fees: Tuition

Fees: Student levy

Fees: Non EU

Find out More