Ranking
1st
choice for graduate employers
Respiratory Medicine MSc / PGDip / PGCert
- Delivery formatIn person
- Start dateSeptemberDuration1 year (full-time) 2 year (part-time)
- AwardMaster of Science / Postgraduate Diploma / Postgraduate Certificate
- Entry requirements2:1 Honours degree or equivalent professional qualification (e.g. nursing, physiotherapy, biomedical science or medical degree).
- Fees£10,900 (full-time) / £5,450 (part-time)
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Page contents
Course overview
Become part of the next generation of experts investigating why respiratory conditions are one of the most common causes of death and poor health worldwide.
Develop skills to thrive in an in-demand health sector whilst studying in cutting edge facilities for precision medicine.
Course Structure
As a full-time student, you'll typically take three modules in each term, followed by a dissertation. Whilst content of the course may change, here's what you can expect to study in each term.
This term begins with introductory sessions on respiratory anatomy, physiology and other basic sciences. The first core module you study this semester is Respiratory Medicine in the Community, which covers common conditions including asthma. You'll study at least one optional module, then end the term with a presentation to your peers where you can share what you learnt in your optional module and how it applies to respiratory medicine. Finally, during this term you'll pick your dissertation topic from a list we provide.
Course highlights
What makes this course different?
This programme offers a comprehensive overview of common respiratory conditions, covering their diagnosis, management, and the integration of public health, community, and secondary care in service delivery.
Our course provides specialised training for aspiring respiratory specialists in both primary and secondary care, catering to medical professionals and allied healthcare workers alike.
Study in one of the UK’s largest healthcare regions.
- Our partnership with University Hospitals Birmingham is integral to Birmingham Health Partners, which also works with Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital. This also provides teaching from leading paediatricians where students' studies require it.
- The University’s cutting-edge facilities, including the Institute for Translational Medicine (ITM), support advancements in respiratory medicine like lung cancer and asthma. Students may also observe clinical trials during UHB placements.
The University of Birmingham is also ranked as the first choice for leading graduate employers in the UK.
- 19th
for Medicine in the Complete University Guide (2024)
- 19th
for Medicine in the Times Higher Education (2024)
- 68th
in the world for Life Sciences and Medicine (2024 QS World Rankings)
Birmingham is one of the most diverse cities in the UK, which brings with it the challenge of managing disease in different communities, whose health beliefs may differ. From a learning perspective this means opportunities to see different models of care at work, from intense hospital-based work to integrated and virtual care models in the community setting.
Course delivery
Our blended learning approach gives you exposure to a range of experiences, on campus, online and on specialist placements.
- Adaptable learning styles - Lectures, seminars, small group work.
- Workplace-based placement - work alongside our prestigious NHS partner, University Hospitals Birmingham to facilitate clinically relevant learning.
- Assessment - Multiple choice questions, short answer questions and written assignments are used for summative assessments, with shorter written work being possible to gain formative feedback on prior to the summative elements.
Module information
With a wide selection of optional modules available, you'll have the flexibility to customize your learning experience and degree to suit your individual goals and interests. For the masters course, you'll have to complete the three core modules (20 credits each), a dissertation and a variety of optional modules to provide the total of 120 credits.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Core Modules
2025/26 Session
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Respiratory Medicine in Secondary Care | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Respiratory Medicine in the Community | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Allergy | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Dissertation MSc Respiratory Medicine | 60 | Full Term |
Students are required to choose 60 credits from the below; other modules in the College which are offered openly by their module leads may be considered after discussion with the programme lead. Students should be aware that timetabling considerations may impact on the modules they can choose. Students are required to choose at least one methodological module which will train them in relevant research methods they plan to use in their dissertation module.
Optional Modules
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Health Information and Health Informatics | 10 | Semester 2 |
| Adult Learning Theory and its Application to Multidisciplinary Healthcare Simulation. | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Clinical Trials | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Epidemiology, Statistics and Research Methods | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Health Economics | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Introduction to Leadership and Management for Health | 10 | Semester 2 |
| Healthcare Public Health | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Human Factors in Healthcare | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Palliative Care of Cancer Patients | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Radiation Biology | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Legal Aspects | 10 | Semester 2 |
| Occupational Exposure and Risk Assessment | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Principles and Practices of Occupational Health | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Systematic Reviews and Evidence Synthesis | 20 | Semester 1 |
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2:1 Honours degree
or equivalent professional qualification (e.g. nursing, physiotherapy, biomedical science or medical degree).
On a case-by-case basis, other classifications of degrees and/or relevant qualifications and experience of working within respiratory medicine will be considered.
For international students there is an English language requirement to have an IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band.
If you're made an offer of a place to study and you don't already meet the language requirement, you have the option to enrol on our English for Academic Purposes Presessional Course. If you successfully complete this, you'll be able to fulfil the language requirement without needing to take a further qualification.
Fees and scholarships
- £10,900
Full-time
- £5,450
Part-time
Please note that international students are only eligible to study this programme on a full-time basis.
Postgraduate Masters Loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
- 29 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Career opportunities
By completing this programme, you'll be well-prepared to work at an advanced level in respiratory medicine, whether as a clinical nurse specialist or allied healthcare professional. If you're medically qualified, you'll gain a competitive edge over those who have completed Deanery-based training and assessment, giving you a strong advantage when applying for consultant roles.
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.