Cardiovascular Science PhD, MScR

The Centre for Cardiovascular Science aims to foster and deliver research into the causes, consequences and therapy of the cardiovascular diseases.

We offer postgraduates the opportunity to work within internationally leading research programmes addressing fundamental development and control of the cardiovascular system and the origins and consequences of cardiovascular disease. The work extends from basic laboratory research through to clinical studies.

Four PhD studentships are available in September 2023, funded by the British Heart Foundation*. The studentships have a 1+3 format, the first year being a Masters in Cardiovascular Science that includes a taught element and 3 laboratory/project rotations followed by a 3 year PhD. These studentships are aimed at highly motivated candidates with research experience and a strong interest in the cardiovascular research performed within our Centre.

The Centre will also consider self-funded candidates for the PhD in Cardiovascular Science. Such candidates will be expected to have an agreement with one of our Centre’s Principal Investigators to supervise a PhD project before application and will be interviewed by the Postgraduate Director and members of the Postgraduate Committee.

In 2019, the Centre was designated as one of four British Heart Foundation Research Excellence Award (REA) and was awarded £3M over a four-year period, building upon 3 successive major REA investments since 2008.

Major research efforts are directed at:

• the metabolic syndrome and risk factors for cardiovascular disease
• mechanisms of atheromatous plaque formation and systemic and brain vascular dysfunction
• renal dysfunction and hypertension
• development and application of imaging in heart, systemic - and neurovascular diseases
• exploitation of "Big Data" and e-health science in diabetes and cardiovascular diseases

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which 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 65 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

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:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

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).

• Approved universities in 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.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements