Cardiology PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships for Self-funded Students

A PhD in Cardiology gives you the chance to lead your own research project that will further our current understanding of cardiovascular sciences.

Whether you are modelling blood motion in deformable vessels, identifying platelet interactions to prevent cancer, or understanding cardiovascular risk in patients with kidney disease, you will be aiming to improve the lives of millions of people around the globe.

What’s it like to study a PhD in Cardiology?

Doing a PhD in Cardiology you will become proficient in the skills necessary to contribute to a research portfolio which spans genetics and development, experimental cardiology, vascular biology, and clinical research, as well as healthcare evaluation, implementation, and policy.

Some typical research topics in Cardiology include:

• cardiac and vascular electrophysiology
• heart failure and arrhythmias
• cardiovascular genetics and development
• obesity
• stroke
• imaging and regenerative therapy

Typical Cardiology PhD research projects take between three and four years to complete.

To be awarded your PhD, you must submit a thesis of about 60,000 words and defend it during your viva exam.

PhD in Cardiology entry requirements

The entry requirements for a typical PhD in Cardiology usually involve a Bachelors and a Masters degree in a related subject. You will also need to submit a compelling research proposal detailing your study plans. You may also need some professional experience in Cardiology, depending on the programme.

PhD in Cardiology funding options

In the UK, PhDs in Cardiology are funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), which provides a tuition fee waiver and a living cost stipend. Depending on the programme, you may submit your own research proposal before being considered for funding or apply for a project that already has funding attached.

It is also possible to apply for a PhD loan to help with the costs of a doctorate in Cardiology (although this cannot be combined with Research Council funding). Other options for financial support include university scholarships, graduate teaching assistantships and charities.

If you are considering a part-time PhD in Cardiology, it may also be worth asking your employer if they are happy to sponsor you. 

PhD in Cardiology careers

Depending on your area of interest, you could take up an academic, postdoctoral, or clinical role in the public and private sectors and work with colleagues in imaging, regenerative medicine, genetics, and epidemiology to name a few.