Sam Newman is part of a brand new body of students studying Translational Cardiovascular Medicine through an innovative new distance-learning Master’s programme, offered by the University of Bristol.

The distance-learning basis of the programme means that teaching is delivered through video lectures, accompanied by printable lecture scripts and other visual aids that help student learning.

Coursework is a mixture of essays, short answer questions and multiple choice examinations, and each piece of coursework is returned with helpful, written feedback.

Twice a year, students and staff meet face-to-face; first for a two-week practical session to develop laboratory-based skills, and then regroup again for the summer exams.

“I’m really enjoying this Master’s. The university provides a great network of online communication through email and online forums, so you never feel isolated, even though it is a distance-learning programme,” Sam commented.

“The course has been challenging, but no more than I anticipated. It has been fascinating to gain in depth knowledge into a rapidly expanding area of science.”

This is the first year of the MSc in Translational Cardiovascular Medicine. Led by Sarah George, professor in Cardiovascular Signalling at the university, it is a unique programme matching clinicians to basic science. It also has links with Bristol Heart Institute, sharing teaching staff and facilities.

Sam’s degree in human physiology provides him with a solid foundation for the Master’s. He has also been gaining valuable work experience volunteering in the cardiac theatres at University Hospital Southampton.

“I think it’s really important to get as much practical experience outside university so that you can understand how your knowledge can be applied and the different contexts in which you could work in the future,” said Sam.

“I believe that this Master’s will not only provide the necessary academic and practical skills for me to become a clinical perfusionist, it will also give me the edge on the competition when applying for jobs,” he continued. “I would definitely recommend the programme to others; the workload is challenging but fulfilling, and it provides in depth explanation of intense scientific concepts. It has limitless applications.”