Postgraduate study
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Cardiovascular Biology MScR

Awards: MScR

Study modes: Full-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Cardiovascular Biology

The aim of this programme is to give you a broad-based training in biomedical research, with a focus on cardiovascular science. This includes an introduction to cardiovascular development, the development of cardiovascular disease, organ function and dysfunction, and the cardiovascular system in reproduction and inflammation.

You will gain an integrated view of the physiology and pathology of cardiovascular system from both basic and clinical scientists.

You will attend research seminars and tutorials by senior clinicians and basic scientists, and conduct three research projects in the internationally renowned laboratories of the Centre for Cardiovascular Science.

You will also deliver research-orientated presentations and gain skills in critical reading of scientific literature and in the writing of scientific reports.

Programme assessment

Students produce written reports from each of their research projects, which are assessed by two of the Centre’s PIs. The research supervisor also contributes a mark based on performance in the laboratory.

This is the ideal programme for high-calibre students who wish to progress to a PhD in cardiovascular science.

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, in a relevant biological discipline, or a medical/veterinary degree.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

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:

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).

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:

Tuition fees

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.

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

  • Centre for Cardiovascular Science
  • Queen's Medical Research Institute
  • 47 Little France Crescent
  • Little France
  • Edinburgh
  • EH16 4TJ

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.

When completing the online application form you are not required to complete a research proposal. You will select your first research project at the beginning of the programme. (Please ignore any automatically generated emails requesting this information from you during the application process.)

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

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

Further information

  • Centre for Cardiovascular Science
  • Queen's Medical Research Institute
  • 47 Little France Crescent
  • Little France
  • Edinburgh
  • EH16 4TJ