Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine

Module Aims
Develop a critical understanding of the science underpinning preventative cardiovascular medicine and the assessment of cardiovascular risk as applied to clinical practice.

Module Content
Candidates will establish an understanding of the concept of risk and how this applies to traditional and emerging risk factors for cardiovascular disease. They will study the science behind cardiovascular function and how this relates to clinical practice, as well as emerging methods of risk calculation.

Learning Outcomes

1. The ability to appraise and apply the use of cardiovascular risk assessment tools in clinical practice and discuss the utility of emerging tools for cardiovascular risk assessment, including imaging techniques.
2. An understanding of the pathophysiology of vascular disease and examine its application to current clinical practice.

Module Aims
To develop a critical understanding of nutrition and lifestyle factors in the development of cardiovascular disease.

Module Content

• Factors, other than lipid status and hypertension, may have an important impact on cardiovascular risk. Smoking, nutrition, diabetes mellitus and physical activity are of particular importance. The impact of these factors on cardiovascular disease will be evaluated in detail. Topical issues such as macronutrient and micronutrient content of diet and their impact on cardiovascular disease will be evaluated.
• Candidates will evaluate the role of legislation in prevention of cardiovascular disease.
• Candidates will assess and employ strategies to reduce

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand and apply clinical strategies to reduce smoking.
2. Understand and appraise the role of dietary modification in the reduction of cardiovascular disease.
3. Be able to critically evaluate the role of obesity and physical activity in contributing to cardiovascular disease.

Module Aims
To develop a comprehensive understanding of lipid metabolism and disorders, and their presentation and assessment in clinical practice.

Module Content
Lipid metabolism in health and disease and how this relates to clinical presentation. Familial hypercholesterolaemia, the commonest cause of inherited premature cardiovascular disease, will be considered in detail, including the role of family cascade testing in clinical practice. This will also include evaluation of how molecular testing and modern biochemical analysis is enhancing our understanding of lipid disorders in clinical practice.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand lipid metabolism in both health and disease and demonstrate expertise in how different lipid disorders present in clinical practice and their underlying pathophysiology.
2. Understand and critically evaluate diagnostic techniques used in the clinical assessment of lipid disorders

Module Aims
To critically understand the management of inherited dyslipidaemias, with a particular focus on familial hypercholesterolemia.

Module Content
Management strategies for lipid disorders. Specific non-pharmacological interventions for lipid disorders as well as current and emerging pharmacological therapies will be evaluated.

Learning Outcomes

1. The ability to demonstrate a critical understanding of the management of lipid disorders.
2. The ability to critically appraise the potential role of novel therapies in the management of lipid disorders.

Module Aims
To develop a critical understanding of the pathophysiology and management of hypertension.

Module Content
Candidates will consider the pathophysiology of hypertension, including genetic determinants. They will evaluate both primary and secondary causes of hypertension. Diagnostic aspects will be considered, such as use of ambulatory monitoring and the use of tests to evaluate secondary hypertension. Modern management of hypertension will be considered in detail, including resistant hypertension.

Learning Outcomes

1. The ability to demonstrate a critical understanding of the pathophysiology of hypertension and its diagnosis in clinical practice.
2. The ability to critically evaluate the use of current drugs used to treat hypertension and their limitations.
3. The ability to critically appraise future targets for the treatment of hypertension.

Module Aims
To gain a critical understanding of preventative cardiovascular medicine in a wide range of relevant clinical conditions.

Module Content
A detailed understanding of the role of preventative cardiovascular medicine in conditions where this is of particular or emerging importance. The examples of diabetes mellitus, renal disease and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection will be considered in detail. The importance of preventative cardiovascular medicine in individuals with mental health conditions and chronic inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis will be evaluated. Preventative cardiovascular medicine in children and older people will also be explored in detail.

Learning Outcomes

1. The ability to critically evaluate the role of chronic disease in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease.
2. The ability to discuss strategies for reducing cardiovascular disease in patients with specific medical conditions.

As each Medical Council has their own rules/regulations with regard to Postgraduate study we recommend that you contact your local Medical Council with regard to recognition.

Upon completion of the course the University would invite you to a graduation ceremony and provide your certificate which makes no reference to the fact that the course was studied online and is therefore typically recognised the same as any other UK University qualification.

Rest assured, the overall Postgraduate Diploma carries a total of 1,200 CPD points, with the MSc an additional 600 CPD points, and all official certifications are issued directly by the University.

When you study one of our programmes you may be surprised to find that there are no lectures or seminars. Your learning will be self-directed meaning that rather than being told information you find it for yourself (with tutor guidance and support). We do this via a series of clinically rich scenarios which your tutor will post on our academic forum which you and your classmates will research, respond to and discuss.

You will be assessed through the Academic Forum, Reflective Journal and Assignments. Learning will be carried out using our online learning platform: Moodle.

You can study whenever and wherever you want - our programmes are totally flexible to fit around your other work and life commitments.

The course is specifically designed so that part of your study is the application of theory to practice in your day job.

We typically suggest that students aim to log into the Moodle platform daily. We recommend a "little and often" approach for reading, reflection and/or posting. High achieving students will typically spend 1-2 hours dedicated to their studies a day; 10 hours per week is sufficient time to spend on the platform.

Those who cannot dedicate more time than once/twice per week may struggle with the demands of this postgraduate programme.

Yes, everything is done entirely online through our learning platform, Moodle. You do not need to attend the University.

All of our courses are delivered in English, so proficiency in the English language is essential for success. If English is not your first language, we require proof of competency as part of your application. We accept the following as proof of English Language skills:

We Accept a Range of English Language Qualifications
While IELTS and TOEFL are among the most commonly used English tests, we understand that students come from diverse backgrounds — and we’re happy to work with you to accept a wide range of other recognised English language qualifications.

We accept IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Our most commonly accepted test, IELTS is globally recognised and widely used for university admissions.

We accept TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Another widely accepted test, TOEFL assesses your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in an academic setting.

We accept English Medium of Instruction (EMI) Letters
Many of our international students provide an EMI (English Medium Instruction) letter from their previous institution. This letter should confirm that you were taught in the medium of English. It is a popular and widely accepted form of proof, especially if you have completed prior academic studies in English.

Our University partners Requirements
The University of South Wales accepts an overall score of 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 for each band) and The University of Buckingham accepts an overall score of 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 for each band).

Our Flexible Instalment Plan is designed to offer ultimate flexibility to pay for your programme. You have the choice of two payment options:

Make an Upfront Payment in Full: For those who prefer to settle their fees upfront, you can pay the full amount at the beginning of your programme.

Interest-Free Payments: Alternatively, you can choose to spread your payments out with interest-free instalments every month for the duration of your course.

These options are separate from our existing lending partners, which you can explore further on our programme pages. We believe that education should be accessible to all, and our Flexible Instalment Plan is just one of the ways we are committed to supporting you in your academic journey.

We currently offer two discounts: the Early Bird Discount and the Action Taker Discount. The Early Bird discount allows you to save up to £500 or more, available only to self-funders and is a limited-time offer that runs for the entirety of November for the March cohort or the entirety of May for the September cohort. Our Action Taker Discount allows you to save up to £150 off for PGCert and £250 off for PGDip/2-year MSc programmes. To qualify for Action Takers, you must pay the deposit within 7 days of acceptance.

For Early Bird Discounts, the discount is visible if your application and acceptance are completed within the required timeframe. For Action Taker Discounts, it will reflect once conditions are met.