Postgraduate Diploma in Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine
Validated by University of South Wales
Our flexible, online one-year Diploma in Preventive Cardiology can enhance your skills and knowledge, and boost your earning potential. You will gain the expertise to identify early warning signs, address modifiable risk factors, and collaborate seamlessly with like-minded multidisciplinary groups to drive positive outcomes.
This prevention cardiovascular diploma programme offers an in-depth exploration of the intricate factors contributing to cardiovascular diseases, providing a comprehensive understanding of lifestyle modification and evidence-based interventions. Our topical and current curriculum draws on the latest insights into cardiovascular risk management, lipid metabolism and disorders, as well as the management of hypertension. These topics are designed by experts in the field, ensuring you gain a comprehensive understanding of crucial preventive cardiology subjects, and empowering you to excel in your professional journey.
Next intake: March 2025Key Facts
In addition to this, our Cardiovascular Diploma has been approved by the Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom (RCP), enabling graduates of this programme to receive CPD points as accredited by the RCP.
On successful completion of this Diploma in Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, you will gain:
- A systematic understanding of the care of patients in preventative cardiovascular medicine.
- A critical awareness of current issues affecting the care of patients undertaking preventative cardiovascular treatments.
- An advanced knowledge of preventative cardiovascular medicine that will facilitate decision-making in unpredictable and/or complex situations.
- An ability to use knowledge to adapt professional practice to meet the changing demands of healthcare systems.
Faculty
Programme Leader
Dr Dev Datta MB BCh (Wales), MD, FRCP, FRCPath
Current post: Consultant in Biochemistry and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Llandough
- Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists
- Fellow of the...
Tutor - Dr. Zahid Khan
- UK cardiology trainee registrar
- ALS instructor with the UK Resuscitation Council
- PLAB 2 examiner with GMC
Dr. Khan was a former student with Learna, and after completing his MSc in...
Tutor - Dr Mehmood Butt
- Cardiologist and the Director of Catheter Laboratory at King’s College Hospital Dubai
- Ex-Consultant at Joh Radcliffe University Hospital Oxford and University Hospital Wales, Cardiff
- CCT certified specialist from the General...
Validating partner
University of South Wales
The University of South Wales (USW) is a modern, industry focused University located in Cardiff, Newport and Pontypridd in South Wales, UK. It was rated best in the UK for the Health Professions in the Guardian University Guide 2020 and, in the latest Complete University Guide 2022, is in the top 10 in the UK for Health Studies. USW is one of Britain’s largest and most exciting new universities attracting a cosmopolitan mix of students from across the globe.
Accreditors and Endorsers
UEMS - European Union of Medical Specialists
This postgraduate course has also been accredited by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS)
Heart UK
This Postgraduate Diploma has been endorsed by Heart UK.
Heart UK members receive a £300 discount on this course.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a full list of our FAQs visit our FAQs page.
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.
Postgraduate Diploma courses
In order to be eligible for our Postgraduate Diploma courses you need to hold a medical degree or undergraduate degree in a health related science and be working within the field that you wish to study, as the course is designed to further your knowledge within your chosen subject and is not designed to introduce these as new topic areas.
We have two intakes a year in March and September. Click the following link for the up to date application deadlines and module dates: Module Dates.
The Action Taker Discount offers savings based on your programme: £150 off for PGCert and £250 off for PGDip/2-year MSc programmes. To qualify, you must pay the deposit within 7 days of acceptance. This discount is not available during February and August and not available in combination with the Early Bird Discount. The Action Taker Discount will be applied to your final payment. To take advantage, act quickly after acceptance to secure your savings.
Next intake: March 2025 Key Facts
Programme Leader
Dr Dev Datta MB BCh (Wales), MD, FRCP, FRCPath
Current post: Consultant in Biochemistry and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Llandough
- Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists
- Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians
- Member of the Association for Clinical Biochemistry
- Medical Lead for the All Wales Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Cascade Testing Service
- Chair of HEART UK lipoprotein apheresis sub-group
- Deputy chair of the HEART UK medical, scientific and research committee
Dr Datta completed undergraduate medical training in Cardiff and underwent postgraduate training in cardiology in Scotland and Wales and then biochemistry and metabolic medicine in Cardiff. He was awarded a BHF junior research fellowship and completed his MD in vascular biology at the Wales Heart Research Institute in Cardiff.
He runs a cardiovascular risk factor and lipid clinic and the lipoprotein apheresis service in Wales. He is currently medical lead for the Welsh Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Service. He leads a weight management service and provides medical input to adults with eating disorders as well as contributing to general clinical services in our medical biochemistry laboratory. His research interests are in familial hypercholesterolaemia.
Tutor - Dr. Zahid Khan
- UK cardiology trainee registrar
- ALS instructor with the UK Resuscitation Council
- PLAB 2 examiner with GMC
Dr. Khan was a former student with Learna, and after completing his MSc in Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine and didn't hesitate to take the opportunity of joining our fantastic team of tutors. Dr Khan has also taught at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia as well as completing an MSc in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
Tutor - Dr Mehmood Butt
- Cardiologist and the Director of Catheter Laboratory at King’s College Hospital Dubai
- Ex-Consultant at Joh Radcliffe University Hospital Oxford and University Hospital Wales, Cardiff
- CCT certified specialist from the General Medical Council
- Fellow of European Society of Cardiology
- Fellow of British Society of Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology
- Fellow of The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
Register Interest
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Why Study a Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine Postgraduate Diploma with Learna
We have over 10 years’ experience delivering online courses, giving you access to flexible, affordable distance learning in partnership with world-leading educators.
100% Flexible
Our courses are 100% online. No fixed study times mean you can log in and learn whenever and wherever.
Multidisciplinary - study in a group of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
Expert Led
All of our programmes are authored and developed by world leading experts in their field.
Our faculty are selected due to their subject expertise, experience and teaching abilities to ensure the highest standards of educational excellence.
Career Boosting
Get a University Validated postgraduate qualification in just 1 calendar year instead of 2 academic years.
40% of our alumni reported an increase in salary 2 years after studying with us.
Who is this course for?
This online preventive cardiology course is aimed at:
- GPs
- Secondary Care Trainees in Diabetes
- Medical Biochemists
- Junior Doctors
- Paramedics
- Dietitians
- Allied Health Professionals
- Specialist Nurses working in FH and Practice Nurses running CV clinics who wish to develop their skills in this area of work
How Will I Learn?
You'll learn through our flexible, interactive online platform, which allows you to engage with clinical cases, complete assignments, and collaborate with fellow students at times that suit your schedule. There's no fixed timetable—simply log in daily to participate in the week's activities.
Learn through engaging discussion
Our teaching approach is highly interactive, using small groups of 10-20 students to foster a collaborative environment where you can engage in thoughtful discussions and receive guidance from your tutor. You'll have access to learning resources and discussion forums that encourage ongoing interaction and deeper engagement with the material.
Throughout your studies, you'll receive support from a dedicated expert tutor and our Student Support Team, ensuring you have the resources needed to navigate the course successfully.
Curriculum
Our diploma in preventive cardiology allows you to study for just one calendar year and is a part-time, distance-learning course. The course is worth 120 credits and comprises six modules of 20 credits, each running over a period of six weeks.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
- 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.
- 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
- Understand and apply clinical strategies to reduce smoking.
- Understand and appraise the role of dietary modification in the reduction of cardiovascular disease.
- 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
- Understand lipid metabolism in both health and disease and demonstrate expertise in how different lipid disorders present in clinical practice and their underlying pathophysiology.
- 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
- The ability to demonstrate a critical understanding of the management of lipid disorders.
- 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
- The ability to demonstrate a critical understanding of the pathophysiology of hypertension and its diagnosis in clinical practice.
- The ability to critically evaluate the use of current drugs used to treat hypertension and their limitations.
- 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
- The ability to critically evaluate the role of chronic disease in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease.
- The ability to discuss strategies for reducing cardiovascular disease in patients with specific medical conditions.
Assessment Methods
This programme emphasises learning through active participation in case-based discussions, reflection, and real-life scenarios. Students engage with clinical cases that mirror everyday practice, fostering problem-solving and evidence-based application from the very beginning.
Across the modules, assessments are integrated with learning. Each week, you will work through two to three clinical cases, discussing and reflecting on them with peers under the guidance of an expert tutor. These discussions form the core of your learning and are also the basis for your assessments.
Our innovative teaching methods are designed to help you translate this learning into real-world clinical practice. You'll need to regularly log in to participate in discussions, ideally on a daily basis, and commit approximately two hours per day to your studies. Our dedicated Student Support Team is available to assist with any challenges you may encounter, from navigating our online platform to managing deadlines.
How Foundational Knowledge is Developed
The programme is structured so that foundational knowledge is introduced through carefully designed clinical cases. Each case is crafted to highlight essential concepts and progressively deepen your understanding as you apply critical thinking and evidence-based analysis. This hands-on approach ensures that you are not only acquiring theoretical knowledge but also learning how to apply it in a practical, clinical setting.
This programme is suited for professionals who thrive in an online, discussion-based learning environment. Please note that this course focuses on interactive, applied learning through peer collaboration and case discussions. You will be fully supported, encouraged and led through the programme to success and graduation!
- Every week students are presented with two/three clinical case-based scenarios that are reflective of every day clinical practice and research.
- Tutors will post a number of questions and prompts to aid students in a formal discussion of each case.
- These discussions are facilitated throughout by your tutor and are then assessed at the end of every module.
For this assessment, students will work on a group assignment and/or an individual assignment.
- Group assignments are designed to hone skills in the multidisciplinary, holistic approach to modern treatments and patient management by requiring group participation in a single piece of work.
- Individual assignments are designed to hone skills in academic career progression through such tasks as reviewing papers, developing scientific posters or abstracts, peer-reviewing, social media activities, patient information leaflets and essays.
The reflective journal is used by students throughout each module to monitor personal progress. This is guided by weekly feedback from your tutor and is graded at the end of every module. The journal typically includes the following:
- Initial expectations and reasons for taking the course.
- Module and/or personal learning objectives.
- Description of events, issues and learning points within current personal practice.
- Change in every day practice due to knowledge gained on each module.
- A description of what has been learned during the module.
- Students are provided with case-based problems in the form of a one-hour timed examination.
- The exam consists of 30 'Single Best Answer' questions.
- Students are required to complete the exam online within the set time.
Entry requirements
Our distance learning diploma in preventative cardiovascular medicine is conducted entirely online and is accessible to both UK and international registered healthcare professionals.
Applicants will typically hold a first degree or equivalent (including international qualifications) in a relevant professional healthcare or management field.
Registered healthcare professionals or experienced managers working in the healthcare field, without these recognised qualifications will be considered on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience may be taken into account. In some cases, applicants may be asked to submit a piece of work for assessment in order to confirm that they are able to work comfortably at postgraduate level, and demonstrate the requisite clinical and professional knowledge.
Documents Required
- A copy of your updated CV including your address and date of birth.
- A copy of your undergraduate degree certificate.
- The name and email address of someone who is able to provide a reference, this can be a work colleague, employer or former tutor.
- A detailed personal statement explaining why you would like to undertake the course.
- A copy of your proof of English competency (see below).
English Language Requirements
Proficiency in the English language is also essential to completing our courses. If English is NOT your first language, we ask for proof of competency during the application process. We are able to accept an IELTS overall score of 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 for each band) or an equivalent qualification.
If you do not meet these requirements, please don’t worry. The University of South Wales run a number of English Language Programmes at the Centre for International English to prepare you for your academic studies. You can also contact our admissions team on admissions@diploma-msc.com for more information on the qualifications we accept.
Course Fees
Option 1: Upfront Payment in full. Option 2: Interest free payments every other month for the duration of the course.
| Date | Instalments | Up-Front Payments |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | £800 | £4,800 |
| 1st May 2025 | £800 | |
| 1st July 2025 | £800 | |
| 1st September 2025 | £800 | |
| 1st November 2025 | £800 | |
| 1st January 2026 | £800 |
† Deposits are non-refundable
†† Prices are subject to review following each intake
Option 3: Lower your monthly payments by spreading the cost for between 2 and 8 years with a loan from our lending partner Lendwise*.
*Subject to eligibility criteria.
Learna | Diploma MSc has a partnership with Lendwise which is a leading private student loan provider, to help UK students fund their course fees should they require financing. Lendwise is a UK-based education finance platform through which candidates can fund their postgraduate and professional qualification studies at leading educational institutions.
A Lendwise loan comes with a fixed interest rate for the duration of the loan (between 2 and 8 years) and no early repayment penalties. The interest rate offered will depend on the overall applicant profile and the application process is entirely online.*
*Other sources of funding are available.
Learna | Diploma MSc does not offer financial advice, recommend or endorse any financial product. You should always check the suitability of the product that is of interest to you. If you are in any doubt as to its suitability, we suggest that you seek independent professional advice.
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Why Learna
We have over 10 years’ experience delivering online diploma courses, giving you access to flexible, affordable distance learning in partnership with world-leading educators.
Our courses are some of the most affordable of their kind, providing value for money without compromising on quality. We also don't apply an international surcharge. No fixed timetable means you can log in & learn on the go, at your convenience.
Being totally online means we can select the very best tutors and resource editors, no matter where they’re located.
Connect with multidisciplinary people around the world to expand your insights & broaden your career prospects.
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