University College London (UCL)
Physiotherapy Studies: Cardiorespiratory MSc
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
5 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
This program is designed for those interested in developing advanced skills to assess, treat, and manage patients with cardiorespiratory conditions. It covers core topics like respiratory and cardiovascular physiology, clinical assessment, and evidence-based treatment approaches. Students get hands-on experience through practical sessions and clinical placements that help build confidence in working with diverse patient groups. The curriculum aims to deepen understanding of the physiotherapy profession and improve clinical reasoning, making graduates better prepared for specialized roles in cardiopulmonary care.
The course also emphasizes research methods and critical thinking, encouraging students to stay current with the latest developments in the field. Through seminars, coursework, and practical assessments, learners develop skills in interpreting complex patient data and applying treatment strategies effectively. This program aims to support students in becoming competent, reflective practitioners who can contribute meaningfully to healthcare teams. It’s a good fit for those seeking to specialize or advance their careers in physiotherapy with a focus on heart and lung health.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Master's Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Master's Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or an ethnic or religious background, it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, online learning and self-directed learning.
Meet the academics currently leading this programme on the Department's website.
Assessment is through written assignments, oral presentations, multiple-choice tests, submission of the literature review and research proposal, assessed coursework, unseen and prior disclosure written examinations, and the dissertation with an oral presentation.
Most modules are delivered as blocks of study, normally over six consecutive days from 9-5pm. Overall, we expect full-time students to study a full 35-hour week, with time outside classes spent in self-directed study. Part-time and flexible students study at a pro-rata rate.
Modules outside of this pattern will have around two to three hours contact time per week.
A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, full-time nine months, flexible 2-5 years) is offered. A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits, part-time nine months) is offered.
Modules
Full-time
This programme is offered as full-time (one year) or as a part-time/modular flexible (two years +) course. The content includes a set of four or five taught compulsory modules, plus the research project (dissertation) module. These compulsory modules are focused on the specialty (pathway) you choose: Cardiorespiratory; Neurophysiotherapy; Paediatrics or Musculoskeletal. You must then choose three or four optional modules to complement your specialty and complete the degree requirements. We continually review the optional modules on this course to ensure they fit the remit of this programme and reflect current research in our field.
In First Term, you are likely to register for and focus on your compulsory modules, as these modules set the foundation for your degree, preparing you for further topics by introducing the fundamental principles in your specialty. You will also acquire the research and statistics skills necessary for conducting research.
In Second Term, while you may still be completing your compulsory modules, you are probably also now doing your optional modules and developing the concepts you learnt in First Term. You will be choosing your research during this time and beginning work on this project.
In First and Second Term, you will work on your research project, as well as completing your optional modules. You will hand in your research project towards the end of the academic year.
Part-time
Students have two years to complete their course of 180 credits. In Year 1, you will need to undertake 90 credits comprising both core and optional modules. In Year 2, you will register for the remaining 90 credits, including the 60-credit research project module.
Flexible
Students have up to five years to complete their course of study, which consists of 180 credits. The 60-credit research project is usually taken in the final year.
Compulsory modules
- Physiotherapy Research and Dissemination
- Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Skills
- Respiration Through Life, Health and Disease
- Research Project
- Applied Statistics for Health Research I
Optional modules
- Health Management and Clinical Exercise for Pulmonary Disease
- Physical Activity and Clinical Exercise in Cardiovascular Disease
- Paediatric Neuro-Physiotherapy
- Paediatric Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy
- Clinical Exercise and Physical Activity
- Paediatric Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- The Heart Through Life, Health and Disease
- Neurophysiotherapy: Evidence for Rehabilitation and Practice
- Leadership and Professional Development
- Rehabilitation and Management for People Living with Long-term Neurological Conditions
- Work-Based Learning in Health
- Patient Safety
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment, and module content and availability are subject to change.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Physiotherapy Studies: Cardiorespiratory. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Physiotherapy Studies: Cardiorespiratory. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Physiotherapy Studies: Cardiorespiratory.
What this course will give you
- Study at one of the world's top ten universities. UCL is ranked 3rd in the world for public health (ShanghaiRankings 2024), 9th in the world as a university (QS World Rankings 2026) and is rated No.1 for research power and impact in medicine, health and life sciences (REF 2021).
- Choose from a diverse array of compulsory and optional modules in specialist areas, including acute care, rehabilitation and respiration.
- Learn through lectures, tutorials and workshops delivered by world-renowned experts in physiotherapy practice.
- Tap into our close links to Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, UCLH, Harefield and the Brompton Hospital, as well as many other specialist cardiorespiratory physiotherapy teams and departments in London and outside it. This allows you to tap into the expertise of clinical colleagues working directly with patients with a range of complex conditions. These hospitals are world-renowned for their cutting-edge interventions and innovative approaches to practice.
- Study and network with students from all over the world, and benefit from a cross-fertilisation of international experience and ideas, as part of an inspirational postgraduate learning environment.
- Hear from expert speakers from a wide range of different clinical settings, including NHS departments, the private sector and charitable organisations.
- Study at UCL’s Bloomsbury campus, in the heart of a London district famous for its cultural and educational institutions.
- Fit the course around your work and life with flexible study options.
The foundation of your career
Recent graduates have pursued senior careers in healthcare policy, university lecturing, private practice, management and highly specialist clinical practice. Several students have also used the MSc successfully to gain funding for PhDs.
Graduates of this course have gone on to work with the NHS and hospitals all over the world.
*Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the cohorts 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23.
Employability
By the end of your Master’s degree, you will have the subject expertise and skills to progress into academia or research, or pursue more senior clinical or management positions in your chosen field.
This Master’s degree will transform the way you think about cardiorespiratory patient care and give you a solid theoretical base to enhance your clinical practice.
Networking
We hold social events throughout the year for the whole student cohort to enable networking between students. Students on the Master's courses have the opportunity to join events such as the Otto Wolff lectures hosted by the research and teaching departments. These cover a variety of topics and provide an opportunity to hear from national and international experts and to network at the social event that usually accompanies these events.