MSc Perfusion Science
Overview
This blended learning programme integrates academic knowledge and understanding of perfusion science with both the needs of the working professional clinical perfusion scientist and the demands of professional registration with the Society of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain and Ireland (SCPS).
This programme is only available to students who have secured a clinical perfusion scientist trainee position with an accredited training centre in Great Britain or Ireland. Successful completion of the programme will lead to accreditation as a clinical perfusion scientist by the SCPS.
The MSc provides a high-quality, research-led education that will equip you with enhanced knowledge, understanding and critical awareness of the current approaches and emerging research relating to perfusion science. It will cover:
- Advanced physiology and disease states of organs that are affected by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and thereby relevant to perfusion science.
- Composition and function of blood and implications of transfusion and use of CPB on function.
- Detailed knowledge regarding pathobiology, epidemiology and symptoms of cardiovascular diseases (coronary artery disease, valve and heart disease, paediatric heart disease) and their current treatments.
- Theoretical background in quantitative statistics leading to more advanced knowledge on clinical trial design and management.
- Principles and practical aspects of the currently used techniques in adult and paediatric perfusion science.
- Key elements of a well-designed research project.
The programme provides a firm theoretical grounding in the basic scientific principles and clinical applications of perfusion science. In conjunction with work-based practical training, this will provide you with the essential skills for employment or a further degree in this field. In addition, you will also be introduced to key practical techniques that you will require as a perfusion scientist.
Please note, this programme requires students to attend lectures, tutorials and workshops in intensive week-long study blocks in Bristol (3-4 times per year), combined with distance learning.
Programme structure
Consists of six taught units, a work-based assessment and research project.
- Anatomy and physiology of organs affected by CPB - theoretical aspects of anatomy and physiology relevant to Perfusion Science (20 credits)
- Clinical Trials and Statistics - principles of clinical trial design and knowledge of appropriate use of statistics (10 credits)
- Adult CPB principles and practice - a comprehensive coverage of key topics related to the principles and the use of CPB (20 credits)
- Coronary Artery Disease - the clinical problem of coronary artery disease including patient diagnosis, underlying pathology, risk factors and pharmacological and interventional treatments (20 credits)
- Heart and Valve Disease - key topics related to adult cardiac and valve disease, including diagnosis of disorders and integration of pathophysiology with clinical management (20 credits)
- Paediatric Perfusion and Circulatory Support - clinical problem of paediatric congenital heart (genomics, epidemiology, pathology, complications, surgical treatments). Strategies for organ retrieval and protection, the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and circulatory support (20 credits)
- Work-based assessment - log-book of a minimum of 150 supervised CPB cases demonstrating competent and independent management of CPB and critically responding to changing clinical parameters and the demands of the patient (10 credits)
- Research Project - a choice of a laboratory based research project or a literature review, project proposal, or data analysis project (60 credits)
This part-time programme requires students to attend lectures, tutorials and workshops in intensive week-long study blocks in Bristol (3-4 times per year), combined with distance learning.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details.
Entry requirements
An upper second-class honours degree (or, exceptionally, a lower second-class honours degree) in a science or medicine-related subject. Applicants must have secured a clinical perfusion scientist trainee position at an accredited training centre in Great Britain or Ireland.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- UK: part-time (two years)
- £4,950 per year
- Overseas: part-time (two years)
- £12,000 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Bench fees
£1,000 – payable in 2nd year only. Further information about bench feescan be found on our webpages. Confirmation of bench fees will be stated in the offer letter sent to applicants.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding for 2023/24
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
This programme will accredit trainees as clinical perfusion scientists.
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk
- Contact
- Dr Fiona Holmes, Programme Co-Director
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 3423583
- perfusion-msc@bristol.ac.uk
- Faculties
- Schools
- Partnerships