The Programme

• Course Content

   This Postgraduate Certificate comprises three 20 credit modules:

  Acute Cardiac Care (Semester 1) – This module develops students’ advanced knowledge, critical understanding, and clinical reasoning in the assessment and management of patients with acute and complex cardiac conditions. The content integrates four key areas of cardiovascular nursing practice: cardiac imaging, coronary artery disease, rhythm disorders, and acute cardiovascular care. Students will explore advanced methods of cardiac assessment, including imaging techniques to support diagnosis and clinical decision-making. The module will review the pathophysiology, evidence-based management, and modern interventions for patients presenting with coronary artery disease, including acute coronary syndromes, and rhythm disturbances. Emphasis will be placed on acute cardiovascular care, including the recognition and management of haemodynamic instability, cardiac arrest care, and post-intervention recovery. Through simulation, practical workshops, and case-based learning, students will refine advanced clinical assessment, decision-making, and leadership skills essential for high-quality, evidence-based cardiac nursing practice.

  Advanced Cardiac Nursing; Living with Heart Disease (Semester 2) - Today’s healthcare environment increasingly demands clinical reasoning, digital literacy, confident oral communication, and the ability to justify and defend decisions. These transferable skills are critical for effective practice and are expected to evolve further in the future. This module follows the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Core Curriculum for Cardiovascular Nurses and Allied Professionals, exploring the epidemiology, aetiology, and pathophysiology of major cardiac conditions. It integrates themes such as prevention, rehabilitation, frailty, end-of-life care, and digital health, using a blend of lectures and workshops with case studies and ESC guidelines to develop students’ ability to interpret evidence and apply it to safe, person-centred cardiac nursing practice

  HSN7076 – Evidence Based Practice - Students will examine the principles and seven step process of Evidence Based Practice, including reflection on practice, identifying topics of inquiry, forming searchable clinical questions, locating appropriate evidence sources, interpreting research quality, and evaluating how evidence informs decision making, quality improvement and practice development.

   

• Outcomes

  Upon successful completion of this course, students will graduate with a Post Graduate Certificate (PG Cert) in Advanced HealthCare Practice (Cardiology).  

• Delivery

  Students should note that delivery may be via blended learning, with a mix of online and face to face classes as detailed within the module timetable on Canvas.

  Autumn (AUT) teaching commences w/c Monday, 21 September 2026 (Week 1) and finishes w/c  Monday, 14 December 2026 unless otherwise advised.

  Spring (SPR) teaching commences w/c Monday, 18 January 2027 (Week 18) and finishes w/c Monday, 27 April 2027 unless otherwise advised.

  Venue for first class listed below - thereafter, students should check the Weekly Planner facility on QSIS for remaining venues.

  First Semester	(Day)	(Time)	TBC
  Second Semester			TBC

• Selection Criteria

  Applicants shall normally hold a relevant 2.2 Honours degree or above, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. 

  Applicants who do not hold a 2.2 Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) may be considered on a case-by-case basis where they can demonstrate evidence of successful study at Level 6 in a healthcare related subject. 

  Applicants must provide evidence of at least 20 CAT points at Level 3/6. Certificates must clearly state level of study and credit worthiness in order to meet the entry requirements. 

  In addition, applicants accessing postgraduate certificates must be working in the relevant clinical area. 

  International Trained Nurses/Midwives: If you hold an international qualification you will need to provide a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability. This should be obtained prior to submitting your application. You can apply for a statement through the ENIC website: Statement of Comparability (enic.org.uk)