Study options
- Starting in
- September 2025
- Location
- Distance Learning
- Fees
- Home: £4,300
Overseas: £12,100
EU/EEA/Swiss students
What you'll study
The curriculum will be covered in a ‘taught course’ of 2 semesters divided into modules. Each taught module accounts for 15 credits and each module takes 4 weeks to cover the taught materials including one or more module assignments.
Teaching will mainly be in the form of lectures, with self-directed learning following these. Each module will be accompanied by a tutorial to consolidate the learning and answer any questions.
Structure
PGCert students will be required to complete 4 taught modules of their choice (2 in semester 1 and 2 in semester 2).
Compulsory/Core modules
In this module, the students will learn about normal cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, liver, haematological and immune physiology and function. This is followed by pathophysiological processes in these system that result from critical illness. Students will learn about body's response to common insults such as infection, trauma and surgery and how the immune system and cellular processes manage this in an adaptive and at times maladaptive ways. The concepts of shock, cellular dysoxia and genetic factors will also be discussed.
In this module, students will become familiar with support of the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, liver and haematological systems. The principles of management for each of the systems, including fluid resuscitation, inotropes, vasopressors, mechanical support of heart and lungs as well as extracorporeal techniques will be discussed. They will understand principles of renal and liver support, as well as becoming familiar with dialysis and haemofiltration. This will be coupled with general considerations in managing critically ill patients, such as nutrition and metabolic support.
In this module the students will learn about the (patho)physiology of consciousness, it's assessment and management. This will encompass the initial emergency management as well as the ongoing care to include Airway, Breathing and Circulation. The student will learn the details of physiological monitoring and management of cardiorespiratory, metabolic, endocrine, renal and neurological systems. They will develop an understanding of the importance of good nursing care, physiotherapy, speech and language and occupational therapy.
In this module, the students will learn about approach to the early care of the multiply injured patient, including haemodynamic resuscitation, management of severe chest, abdominal pelvic and long bone injuries. The module will then focus on anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system and the effect of diseases and injury on it. The students will learn about management of traumatic brain and spinal cord injury as well as cerebrovascular events, CNS infections, and other neurological conditions resulting in admission to critical care.
Compulsory/Core Elective modules
In this module, the students will learn about normal cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, liver, haematological and immune physiology and function. This is followed by pathophysiological processes in these system that result from critical illness. Students will learn about body's response to common insults such as infection, trauma and surgery and how the immune system and cellular processes manage this in an adaptive and at times maladaptive ways. The concepts of shock, cellular dysoxia and genetic factors will also be discussed.
In this module, students will become familiar with support of the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, liver and haematological systems. The principles of management for each of the systems, including fluid resuscitation, inotropes, vasopressors, mechanical support of heart and lungs as well as extracorporeal techniques will be discussed. They will understand principles of renal and liver support, as well as becoming familiar with dialysis and haemofiltration. This will be coupled with general considerations in managing critically ill patients, such as nutrition and metabolic support.
In this module the students will learn about the (patho)physiology of consciousness, it's assessment and management. This will encompass the initial emergency management as well as the ongoing care to include Airway, Breathing and Circulation. The student will learn the details of physiological monitoring and management of cardiorespiratory, metabolic, endocrine, renal and neurological systems. They will develop an understanding of the importance of good nursing care, physiotherapy, speech and language and occupational therapy.
The module will cover clinical outcomes and quality of life following critical illness, psychological effects of critical illness, costs and resource utilization, scoring systems in critical care, and the practice of critical care and the law (UK). Module will also focus on decision making around withholding/withdrawing life sustaining treatment, end of life care, brain stem death, and organ donation. Students will learn the science of decision making, as well as communication skills with colleagues, patients and relatives, and breaking bad news.
This module will provide the students with detailed knowledge about research methodology. Students will learn the differences between research, audit and quality improvement. They will learn about: - Research legislation, ethics and governance; - Study design, from observational to randomised controlled studies, and translational research; - Introduction to statistics and it's appropriate use; - How to present and publish data; - How to read a paper and review the literature. And finally, how to implement research/evidence based medicine and standards of care.
This module will describe the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of a varied group of patients requiring specialist considerations during their critical illness. The module will cover managing patients with chronic renal disease, endocrine, and neurological problems. It will also cover special considerations in patients with burns, obstertrics, old-age, high risk surgical and immunocompromise (cancer and HIV), as well as those requiring cardiothoracic surgery, cadriac bypass (including ECMO), and long-term respiratory support.
In this module, the students will learn about approach to the early care of the multiply injured patient, including haemodynamic resuscitation, management of severe chest, abdominal pelvic and long bone injuries. The module will then focus on anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system and the effect of diseases and injury on it. The students will learn about management of traumatic brain and spinal cord injury as well as cerebrovascular events, CNS infections, and other neurological conditions resulting in admission to critical care.
This module will cover important aspects of ICU organisation, from staffing to equipment and information technology to continuous audit and quality control. It will also discuss major incident planning and management, as well as aspects of toxicology and environmental hazards (including biological threats and terrorism). It will end with microbiology and infection control as applied to critical care, with special focus on development of microbial resistance emerging throughout the world.
Assessment
- You will receive continuous assessment in your taught modules
- Each module will be assessed on the basis of written work, examinations and presentations
Teaching
You will learn by means of a variety of academic activities, including lectures, seminars, tutorials.
You will have an Academic Adviser who will guide you in both academic and pastoral matters throughout your studies.
Where you'll learn
Facilities
- The William Harvey Research Institute offers state-of-the art core facilities, including a Genome Centre, a flow cytometry and cell sorting station, and in vivo imaging facilities
- A Learning Resources Centre, open around the clock, with 200 networked PCs solely for the use of postgraduate students
- Medical libraries located at the Royal London and St Bart's hospitals and at the main university campus at Mile End
- Access to the Postgraduate Reading Room
- Research access to the British Library
- Watch our video to discover online study at Queen Mary
About the Institute
William Harvey Research Institute
The William Harvey Research Institute (WHRI) places a high value upon training the next generation of researchers. We are part of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at Queen Mary University of London, which is ranked joint seventh in the UK for the quality of our research (REF 2021).
Our primary research focus and excellence lies in our cardiovascular, inflammation and endocrine research themes. In addition, we achieve international excellence in critical care and perioperative medicine research. We aim to combine talents from different disciplines such as genomics, cell biology, and pharmacology, with translational bench-to-patient studies and large-scale clinical trials.
We are currently the largest pharmacological research institute in the UK University sector, and one of the largest in Europe. The Centre employs 530 clinicians and scientists from 45 countries.
Career paths
With an aging population, the demand for qualified professionals in the field is increasing. There is a growing need for trainee doctors, specialist nurses and allied health professionals to deliver safe and effective patient care. This online learning programme, aimed at clinicians and senior nurses working in Intensive Care Medicine, will give you the skills to advance your knowledge in the field.
- 93% of WHRI graduates are in employment or further study (2020/21)
- 88% of WHRI graduates in employment or study are in highly skilled work or graduate study (2020/21)
Fees and funding
Funding
There are a number of ways you can fund your postgraduate degree.
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Postgraduate loans (UK students)
- Country-specific scholarships for international students
Our Advice and Counselling service offers specialist support on financial issues, which you can access as soon as you apply for a place at Queen Mary. Before you apply, you can access our funding guides and advice on managing your money:
Entry requirements
UK
Degree requirements
This programme is aimed at doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. Postgraduate experience of critical care medicine is essential.
Find out more about how to apply for our postgraduate taught courses.
International
English language requirements
The English language requirements for our programmes are indicated by English bands, and therefore the specific test and score acceptable is based on the band assigned to the academic department within which your chosen course of study is administered. Note that for some academic departments there are programmes with non-standard English language requirements.
The English Language requirements for entry to postgraduate taught and research programmes in the William Harvey Research Institute falls within the following English band:
Band 4: IELTS (Academic) minimum score 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Please note, there are some postgraduate programmes with non-standard English language requirements in this Institute.
We accept a range of English tests and qualifications categorised in our English bands for you to demonstrate your level of English Language proficiency. See all accepted English tests that we deem equivalent to these IELTS scores.
Visas and immigration
Find out how to apply for a student visa.