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Accessibility & LanguageCardiac Rehabilitation (PgCert)
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PgCert (Cardiac Rehabilitation)
College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, School of Medicine- Title of Award
- PgCert (Cardiac Rehabilitation)
- Course Code
- PGC-CRB
- Average Intake
- 25
- Delivery
- Online
- Award Type
- Special Purpose
- Next Intake
- September 2026
- Duration
- 5 Months, part-time
- ECTS Weighting
- 30
Why Choose This Course?
Course Information
Who is this course for?
The PgCert in Cardiac Rehabilitation is designed for:
- Healthcare professionals such as nurses, physiotherapists, dietitians, and exercise specialists working in cardiac or pulmonary rehab.
- Clinicians and allied health staff involved in chronic disease prevention and management.
- Graduates in health sciences seeking to specialize in cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation.
- Professionals aiming to advance research-based practice in integrated care and rehabilitation services.
What will I study?
The course addresses the latest evidence-based, implementation of best-practice guidelines and healthcare policy, behavioural change strategies, lifestyle approaches to risk factor modification, psychosocial health, and medical management of risk factors including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and smoking. Outcome measures, health technology, and innovation in service design also feature strongly to enable programme uptake and high-quality delivery. Whilst focusing on cardiovascular and pulmonary populations the content aligns strongly with the management of non-communicable diseases.
Evidence, Guidelines & Practice of Cardiac Rehabilitation
Learn the latest best-practice guidelines and healthcare policy for cardiovascular and pulmonary rehab.
- Behaviour Change & Education
Explore strategies for lifestyle modification, psychosocial health, and patient education.
- Intensive Risk Factor Management
Understand medical and lifestyle management of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and dyslipidaemia.
- Current Perspectives & Future Advances
Engage with health technology, outcome measures, and innovation in service design for chronic disease care
Curriculum Information
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Glossary of Terms
- Credits
- You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
- Module
- An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
- Optional
- A module you may choose to study.
- Required
- A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
- Semester
- Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year.
Year 1 (30 Credits)
RequiredMD1800: Cardiac Rehabilitation
MD1800: Cardiac Rehabilitation
Semester 2 | Credits: 30
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Critically discuss the standards and core components of cardiac rehabilitation
- Devise key recommentions for contemporary practice in cardiac rehabilitation based on a critical evaluation of the latest evidence-base
- Critically evaluate a range of examples of innovation in cardiac rehabilitation, including the use of digital health and technology enabled delivery.
- Construct an effective personalised and comprehensive treatment plan that draws on extensive understanding of the multidisciplinary nature, complexities and challenges within current cardiac rehabilitation practice.
- Effectively apply advanced skills in behaviour change and programme evaluation.
Assessments
- Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
The above information outlines module MD1800: "Cardiac Rehabilitation" and is valid from 2023 onwards.Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
- Flexible learning: Online delivery using scheduled tutorials and workshops coupled with directed study enables students to simultaneously maintain professional roles in clinical practice or manage other commitments whilst completing their studies.
- Delivered in partnership with the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC): This partnership enables an exceptional opportunity for students to interact with leading experts as well as engage in cutting-edge research and further opportunities in cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation.
- Interdisciplinary expert teaching faculty: Students from a variety of backgrounds from all over the world interact with international leaders and clinical specialists from medicine, nursing, nutrition, exercise, behavioural medicine, and public health.
There is an array of employment opportunities in public health, health promotion, healthcare management, academic and research settings, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Graduates of the course with a clinical background will also specifically benefit from career advancement in the speciality of cardiac rehabilitation as well as cardiovascular health more broadly.
The PgCert in Cardiac Rehabilitation at University of Galway is delivered in partnership with the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC). This collaboration ensures alignment with best-practice standards and access to leading experts in cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation.
This course is delivered by an interdisciplinary teaching faculty of leading experts and clinical specialists in cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation. The Programme Board comprises of:
Dr Jennifer Jones - Programme Director and Specialist Physiotherapist in Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation
Prof Francis Finucane - Consultant Endocrinologist, UHG and Specialist Lead for Endocrinology, Saolta Group
https://research.universityofgalway.ie/en/persons/francis-finucane/
Prof Derek O’Keeffe - Consultant Endocrinologist and Expert in Diabetes and Technology & Innovation
https://research.universityofgalway.ie/en/persons/derek-okeeffe/
Professor Catriona Jennings - Nurse Specialist and Senior Researcher, University of Galway
Dr Lisa Hynes - Health Psychologist and Head of Health Programmes, Croí Heart and Stroke Centre
Ms Suzanne Seery - Senior Specialist Dietitian in Cardiovascular Health
Dr Yvonne Finn - Lecturer in Clinical Medicine, University of Galway https://research.universityofgalway.ie/en/persons/yvonne-finn/
Dr Susan Connolly - Consultant Cardiologist, Clinical Lead in Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation
Ms Noeleen Fallon - Specialist Nurse in Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, Past President of the Irish Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation (IACR)
Prof Bill McEvoy - https://research.universityofgalway.ie/en/persons/john-william-mcevoy/
Professor Molly Byrne Professor of Health Psychology in the School of Psychology, University of Galway
Ms Wendy Yell Specialist Occupational Therapist in Cardiac Rehabilitation
Professor Robyn Gallagher Expert in Digital Health and Current President of the International Council of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation
How will I learn?
The Postgraduate Certificate in Cardiac Rehabilitation involves students participating in a 30 ECTS Level 9 module that runs from the first week of January to the end of May each year.
This core teaching is delivered with scheduled virtual tutorials and workshops taking place typically 1-2 Thursday/Friday evenings (3 pm -8 pm) and 1 Saturday per month (10 am – 3 pm). Between these sessions students are expected to complete directed study tasks, extended learning and complete the assessments associated with this module.
- Unit 1: Evidence, Guidelines and Practice of Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Unit 2: Health Behaviour Change
- Unit 3: Lifestyle and Medical Risk Factor Management in Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Unit 4: Current Perspectives and Future Advances in Cardiac Rehabilitation
How Will I Be Assessed?
Each Unit above has an associated assessment which is all in the form of essays or equivalent, e.g., written assignments, poster presentations, and case reviews.
There are no exams—coursework accounts for 100% of the assessment.
Course queries:
Programme Director(s):
Dr Jennifer Jones
Senior Lecturer in Preventive Medicine and Cardiovascular Health,
College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences,
University of Galway
Director of Education and Training,
National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC).
T: +353 91 893 299
E: jennifer.jones@universityofgalway.ie
Accreditations & Awards
I decided to undertake the Cert to ensure that clinically I was working to the highest standards of evidence available and that our service was optimised to ensure our patients met their goals also. While it was challenging to get back into the domain of research and online education, I really enjoyed the course and felt that we received a broad spectrum of knowledge and experiences while also meeting my objectives. I look forward to bringing in changes to how I work with the confidence the course has provided me with and am happy to recommend it to all professionals working or hoping to work
Ruth Coleman
Senior Physiotherapist, Department of Health
Meet our Employers
Entry Requirements and Fees
Minimum Entry Requirements
Successful applicants will possess at least a Second Class Honours, Grade 1 degree (or equivalent) in a health care discipline or related subject area (e.g., medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, dietetics, sport and exercise science, clinical or health psychology, pharmacy, health promotion, public health etc). For those who do not hold a primary degree at the required level, consideration will also be given to applicants with relevant work experience, background knowledge and skills.
Overseas students will need to satisfy the University’s English Language requirement of IELTS 6.5 or above (or equivalent).
Academic entry requirements standardised per country are available here.
English Language Entry Requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language proficiency of IELTS score of 6.5 is required (with no less than 6.5 in Writing and no less than 6.0 in any other band) or equivalent.
More information on English language test equivalency are available here.
Supporting Documents
You will be required to provide supporting documentation as part of your application. You can check here what supporting documents are required for this course.
You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.
Please review the entry requirements set out in the section above.
You will be required to upload supporting documentation to your application electronically. See the section above on entry requirements for further information on the supporting documentation required for this course.
Closing Dates
For Entry January 2026, closing date = 8 December 2025
Notes
- You will need an active email account to use the website and you'll be guided through the system, step by step, until you complete the online form.
- Browse the FAQ's section for further guidance.
Fees for Academic Year 2026/27
| Course Type | Year | EU Tuition | Student Contribution | Non-EU Tuition | Levy | Total Fee | Total EU Fee | Total Non-EU Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG Cert | 1 | €3,300 | €6,350 | €70 | €3,370 | €6,420 |
This Online-Course is ineligible for student study visa or ILEP, but international students may undertake this programme remotely.
Application Process
Students applying for full time postgraduate programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.
Our application portal opens on the 1st October each year for entry the following September.
Further Information
Please visit the postgraduate admissions webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process.
Why University of Galway?
World renowned research led university nestled in the vibrant heart of Galway city on Ireland's scenic West Coast.
Contact the School of Medicine
Clinical Science Institute, Costello Road, Shantalla, Galway, H91 V4AY
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Meet Our Alumni
Course Introduction
Course is ineligible for student study visa or ILEP; international students may undertake remotely
Gain expertise in cardiac rehabilitation, blending disease-specific theory, practical skills, research, integrated care approaches & evidence-informed innovation in rehab service delivery. Focused on cardiovascular & pulmonary prevention & rehab, with outcomes extending to chronic disease management.
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