Who is this course for?  

This MSc is designed for healthcare professionals such as nurses, physiotherapists, dietitians, GPs, hospital doctors, psychologists, occupational therapists, and others working with cardiovascular or pulmonary patients. It’s ideal for those seeking advanced expertise in rehabilitation, chronic disease management, and integrated care approaches. 

What will I study?  

You’ll explore evidence-based cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation practices, behavioural change strategies, lifestyle risk factor modification, psychosocial health, and medical management of conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. The programme also covers outcome measures, health technology, and innovation in service design, alongside research and best-practice guideline implementation. 

The MSc in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation involves students participating in a number of Level 9 modules totalling 90 ECTS.   

In Semester 1 students participate in three core modules (total 30ECTs):  

• Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Disease (10 ECT) 
• Research Methods (10 ECT) 
• Reflective Clinical Practice (Part 1 Semester 1 & Part 2 in Semester 2) (10 ECT)  

In Semester 2 students are required to complete 30 elective ECTs from the following options:  

• Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (30 ECTS)
• Lifestyle Risk Factor Modification (30 ECTs) 
• Tobacco Cessation in Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Management (10ECTs) 
• Diet and Weight Management in Preventive Medicine and Cardiovascular Health (10ECTs) 
• Physical Activity and Exercise in Chronic Disease Management (10ECTs) 
• Pharmacotherapeutic Approaches in Cardiometabolic Medicine (10 ECTS) 
• Cardiac Rehabilitation (30 ECTS)  

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

• Flexible learning: Benefit from a dual delivery approach with a fully online option. Scheduled tutorials and workshops combine with directed study, allowing you to maintain your clinical role or manage other commitments while completing your studies.
• Delivered in partnership with the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC): Our collaboration with the NIPC offers unique opportunities to learn from leading experts, engage in cutting-edge research, and explore further advancements in cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation.
• Interdisciplinary expert teaching faculty: Connect with international leaders and clinical specialists across medicine, nursing, nutrition, exercise, behavioural medicine, and public health. Learn alongside peers from diverse backgrounds worldwide. 

There is an array of employment opportunities in public health, health promotion, healthcare management, academic and research settings and the pharmaceutical industry. Graduates of the course with a clinical background will also specifically benefit from career advancement in the speciality of cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation and integrated care programmes more broadly.  

The MSc in Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation at University of Galway is delivered in partnership with the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC), which plays a key role in ensuring the programme meets high standards and provides access to leading experts and research opportunities. 

This course is delivered by an interdisciplinary teaching faculty of leading experts and clinical specialists in cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation. The Programme Board comprises of:   

Dr Jennifer Jones - Programme Director and Specialist Physiotherapist in Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation  

Prof Francis Finucane - Consultant Endocrinologist, UHG and Specialist Lead for Endocrinology, Saolta Group  

Prof Derek O’Keeffe - Consultant Endocrinologist and Expert in Diabetes and Technology & Innovation  

Prof Gerard Flaherty - Preventive Cardiology and Medical Education, University of Galway  

Prof David Wood - Adjunct Professor in Preventive Cardiology, University of Galway  

Professor Catriona Jennings - Nurse Specialist and Senior Researcher, University of Galway  

Prof Wael Tawfick  - Vascular Surgeon, UHG and Clinical Lecturer, University of Galway  

Ms Siobhan Teague - Senior Cardiac Physiologist, Health Service Executive  

Ms Gloria Avalos - Lecturer and Research Fellow, University of Galway  

Dr Rachel Garrod - Specialist Physiotherapist in Pulmonary Rehabilitation  

Dr Mandy Jones - Specialist Physiotherapist in Respiratory Physiology and Pulmonary Rehabilitation  

 Dr Lisa Hynes - Health Psychologist and Head of Health Programmes, Croí Heart and Stroke Centre  

Ms Suzanne Seery  - Senior Specialist Dietitian in Cardiovascular Health  

Ms Irene Gibson - Specialist Nurse in Health Promotion and Prevention / Management of Chronic Diseases  

Dr Yvonne Finn - Lecturer in Clinical Medicine, University of Galway  

Dr Susan Connolly - Consultant Cardiologist, Clinical Lead in Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation  

Ms Noeleen Fallon - Specialist Nurse in Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, Past President of the Irish Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation (IACR)  

Dr Marwa Said  - Family Practice Physician   

Dr Marah Elfghi - NIPC Fellow, Past graduate of MSc Preventive Cardiology  

Prof Bill McEvoy  

How will I learn?

The course starts in September and finishes in August, covering teaching and clinical placement components. Structured weekly directed study is coupled with a schedule of group-based lectures, tutorials, and interactive workshops.  

These group-based sessions are delivered online via live sessions and are timetabled for Thursdays and Fridays (3 pm – 8 pm) with occasional Saturdays (10 am – 3 pm). 

Students working simultaneously in a clinical setting can complete their studies using a fully online option, enabling access to the programme from their home country. 

How Will I Be Assessed? 

Assessments are carried out across all modules via MCQ, written papers, essays, assignments, poster preparation and a dissertation. 

Across all three semesters, students work on a primary Research Project (30 ECTS) that is submitted as a ready-to-publish article at the end of the programme.  

Each module has associated assessments. At the end of Semester 1 online examinations are run for these modules. The remainder of the course has assessments in the form of essays or equivalent- e.g., written assignments, presentations, and case reviews. 

International students with a Tier 2 Visa choosing to reside in Ireland during their studies and those not working in clinical practice are required to complete a weekly timetable of face-to-face activities that take place in a range of clinical settings.

Programme Director(s):  

Dr Jennifer Jones   
Senior Lecturer in Preventive Medicine and Cardiovascular Health,  
College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences,  
University of Galway  
Director of Education and Training,  
National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC).  
T: +353 91 893 299  
E: jennifer.jones@universityofgalway.ie 

University of Galway recognises that knowledge and skills can be acquired from a range of learning experiences. This is in line with the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) goals which aim to recognise all learning achievements by supporting the development of alternative pathways to qualifications (or awards) and by facilitating the recognition of prior learning (RPL). 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is accepted for this programme. Applicants who do not meet the standard academic entry requirements (such as a Second Class Honours, Grade 1 degree) may still be considered if they have relevant professional experience, background knowledge, and skills in healthcare or related fields. This allows experienced practitioners without the formal qualification to apply through the RPL route 

Minimum Entry Requirements

Successful applicants will possess at least a Second Class Honours, Grade 1 degree (or equivalent) in a health care discipline or related subject area (e.g., medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, dietetics, sport and exercise science, clinical or health psychology, pharmacology, health promotion, public health, etc). For those who do not hold a primary degree at the required level, consideration will also be given to applicants with relevant work experience, background knowledge, and skills.  

Entry to the Master’s programme is conditional upon achieving at least 60% in the core compulsory modules of the Postgraduate Diploma that take place in Semester 1. 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 (or equivalent). Prospective candidates may be interviewed as part of the selection process. This usually takes place remotely via telephone, Teams or Zoom.   

Academic entry requirements standardised per country are available here.  

English Language Entry Requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language proficiency of IELTS score of 6.5 is required (with no less than 6.5 in Writing and no less than 6.0 in any other band) or equivalent.  

More information on English language test equivalency are available here.  

Supporting Documents 

You will be required to provide supporting documentation as part of your application. You can check here what supporting documents are required for this course.   

You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Please review the entry requirements set out in the section above.  

You will be required to upload supporting documentation to your application electronically. See the section above on entry requirements for further information on the supporting documentation required for this course.  

Fees for Academic Year 2026/27

Course Type	Year	EU Tuition	Student Contribution	Non-EU Tuition	Levy	Total Fee	Total EU Fee	Total Non-EU Fee
Masters Full Time	1	€9,400		€18,800	€140		€9,540	€18,940

For 26/27 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 1.8% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,500 towards your tuition (2026/27).  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here. 

Postgraduate Excellence Scholarships

This scholarship is valued at €1,500 for EU students applying for full-time taught master's postgraduate courses. You will be eligible if: 

• You have been accepted to a full-time taught master's course at University of Galway,
• You have attained a first class honours (or equivalent) in a Level 8 primary degree.  

An application for the scholarship scheme is required (separate to the application for a place on the programme). The application portal for 2025 is now open and available here. Applications will close on the 30th September 2025. Full details available here.  

Global Scholarships

University of Galway offers a range of merit-based scholarships to students from a number of countries outside of the EU. Visit here for schemes currently available.  

Application Process 

Students applying for full time postgraduate programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Our application portal opens on the 1st October each year for entry the following September.

Further Information 

Please visit the postgraduate admissions webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process.