Cardiac Device and Rhythm Management PGCert

Course overview

Cardiac disease causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. There is increasing demand across all cardiac specialties and particularly within cardiac rhythm management. Cardiac arrhythmia specialists and cardiac device practitioners are sought after individuals who work across hospital and community environments, combining clinical excellence with patient centered care and trouble shooting skills.

Making an impact

The Cardiac Device and Rhythm Management PG Cert is designed to facilitate the development of highly competent, knowledgeable advanced practitioners, who will make a significant contribution to both individual patient care and to the wider healthcare services. The course is designed for healthcare professionals with a specialist interest in cardiac rhythm management and implantable cardiac devices (including pacemakers, defibrillators and heart failure devices), and those who encounter cardiac patients on a routine basis.

Why study at Leeds?

The course is run within the School of Medicine, taught by practicing multi-professional team, with excellent simulation opportunities including simulation for device lead implantation and close industry links.

Course highlights

Devices implant simulation equipment, highly experienced healthcare professionals and medics working in a tertiary centre. Active research Institute providing cutting edge, pre-clinical, clinical and translational research into cardiac science and devices.

Course details

This is a nine month course with teaching during two week-long intensive study weeks in Leeds: one in the first semester and the other in the second semester. International students will require one short term study visa because both study weeks are within a six-month period. You will complete the rest of your study from your home country and submit your assessment online.

To gain the PG Cert qualification you will complete both 30 credit modules:

The Bradycardia Device and Rhythm Management module covers many aspects of bradycardia rhythm management with primary focus on bradycardia devices. This module is particularly relevant for practising cardiac physiologists and allied health professionals who are involved with cardiac pacemaker implantation and follow up.

Topics covered include anatomy; physiology; pathophysiology related to conduction system; pharmacology; pacemaker implantation and follow up; and patient management.

The Tachycardia Device and Rhythm Management module covers many aspects of tachyarrhythmia management with the primary focus on cardiac devices and electrophysiology. This module is particularly relevant to practising health professionals who are involved in caring for patients with tachyarrhythmias and heart failure.

Topics covered include electrophysiology and haemodynamics; electrophysiology studies; ICD Implant and follow up indications; contraindications; procedures; troubleshooting; DVLA regulations; MHRA; and ethics.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Cardiac Device and Rhythm Management PGCert in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Learning and teaching

You’ll learn through a mix of taught sessions, seminars, debates and practical sessions; these will be supported by online resources. Teaching will occur across two, week-long, intensive study block weeks on campus.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Assessment across the course is tailored towards your own professional expertise. Case studies are utilised to demonstrate understanding of the core components of the course, and through utilising a case study approach you can develop your ability to bring together evidence from a variety of sources and apply to your own professional requirements. This ensures assessment is relevant and meaningful to your own clinical area.

Applying

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements

• GCSE English and Maths grade C or above or equivalent

• Relevant undergraduate degree in a related field including BSc (Hons) Clinical Physiology (Cardiology) or BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) or equivalent e.g. HNC MPPM, professional body exams such as BHRS.

• Undergraduate degree in a related field 2:2 including nursing, radiography, or equivalent.

• There must be evidence that you have studied within the last 5 years and must have access to cardiac assessment opportunities as part of your current role.

English requirements for candidates for whom English is not their first language:

• GCSE English Language grade C or above

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in every skill. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Applications are considered on the basis of the applicant’s qualifications and experience. Applications may close before the deadline date if numbers accepted reach capacity.

Deadline for applications is 15 November 2024.

Your application must include a reference indicating managerial consent in support of your application, including indication that you are employed in an appropriately related clinical area and that you have the appropriate time for study. The references should be provided on headed paper with either a stamp from the institution or an electronic signature.

You should demonstrate through the supporting statement how the course will be of direct benefit to your personal and professional development.

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

If you have any questions please email pgmed-admissions@leeds.ac.uk.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

School of Medicine Taught Postgraduate Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Medicine

Contact us

School of Medicine Postgraduate Admissions

Email: pgmed-admissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £4,750 (Total)

International: £11,000 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Studying in the School of Medicine at Leeds is an amazing opportunity, but we know that the cost can be difficult for many people to meet. If you are keen to join us, a range of funding opportunities are available.

Career opportunities

Graduates from this course will be equipped to work in cardiac device based roles. This may include cardiac physiology, cardiac nursing, device industry and post-graduate research roles.