Preventive Cardiology

The taught modules address the development and practical use of cardiovascular disease risk estimation tools, implementation of healthcare policy, behavioural change strategies, lifestyle approaches to risk factor modification, and medical management of risk factors including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity and exposure to tobacco. The course is delivered largely online (with a fully online option available) and is full-time in-service, this allows students to simultaneously maintain professional roles in clinical practice or manage other commitments while completing their studies. Scheduled virtual tutorials take place typically 1–2 Thursday/Friday evenings (3–7pm) and 1 Saturday per month.

Overseas students residing in Ireland are required to participate full time in person for the in-service taught component (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm). This is delivered by the NIPC multidisciplinary faculty at the Croí Heart and Stroke Centre.

3 GOOD REASONS TO STUDY THIS COURSE
1. Flexible learning: Delivered largely online (with fully online options) using scheduled remote tutorials and workshops coupled with directed study, enabling students to simultaneously maintain professional roles in clinical practice or manage other commitments while completing their studies.

2. Delivered in partnership with the NIPC: Students have an array of opportunities to apply their learning to patient care at the Croí Heart and Stroke Centre in Galway.

3. Interdisciplinary expert teaching faculty: Students interact with a variety of esteemed teachers, including clinical specialists from cardiology, nursing, nutrition, exercise, behavioural medicine and public health.

Minimum Entry Requirements
Successful applicants will possess at least a Second Class Honours, Grade 1 degree in an appropriate life science, biological science, medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, dietetics or other allied health professions. For those who do not hold a primary degree at the required level, a special case will be made if they have demonstrated aptitude for the course material through at least three years of high quality work experience in a relevant field of cardiovascular health.

Candidates coming to Ireland from abroad or who do not have a degree from Ireland or the UK will be asked to provide evidence of an acceptable result in one of the recognised English language proficiency tests, e.g., IELTS total score of 6.5.

WHEN TO APPLY: University of Galway does not set a deadline for receipt of applications (with some exceptions). Offers will be issued on a continuous basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

1 year.

Career Opportunities
Graduates of the course will be positioned as leaders in cardiovascular disease prevention and will find ample opportunities to apply their learning across a variety of clinical settings in both primary and secondary care.

There will also be employment opportunities in public health, health promotion, healthcare management, academic and research settings, and the pharmaceutical industry. Clinician graduates will benefit from career advancement within their chosen disciplines. Master's students completing the 5,000-word 'ready-for-publication' dissertation will be supported in preparing their work for submission to a peer-reviewed journal, which will further augment their career prospects.