Birmingham, United Kingdom
1 up to 2 Years
Full time, Part time
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
GBP 31,390 / per year **
* international students: may 12 | UK students: august 29
** international: £31,390 | UK full-time: £10,900 | UK part-time: £5,450
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.
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.
Scholarships and Funding
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.
125th Anniversary Scholarships for International Students
We have a proud heritage of removing barriers to education. In 2025, we celebrate our 125th anniversary as a University. To mark this milestone, we’re offering £5,000 scholarships to students from a select number of countries.
Scholarships for international students
At Birmingham, we believe in removing all barriers to education, so all of our talented students can achieve their full potential. As an international student you can take advantage of our wide range of University run scholarships as well as the many scholarships and bursaries from external funding organizations.
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.
Within term two, you'll study the core module Respiratory Medicine in Secondary Care, which looks at topic areas including cystic fibrosis, lung cancer and respiratory failure. You'll also study optional modules and deliver a presentation to your peers. In term two, you'll also write the protocol for your dissertation.
In the third term, you'll learn about clinical presentations, clinical approach and management of common allergic diseases, with a focus on those that can affect either upper or lower airways. This is alongside a list of optional modules, earning you the relevant credits. The majority of your dissertation is completed during term three. You'll be supported by the academics in the team to plan and conduct your own research project, culminating in a research dissertation. This module runs parallel to the rest of the taught components of the course which also includes a research protocol and oral presentation as part of the assessment.
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 below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.
The following must be taken:
- Respiratory Medicine in Secondary Care
- Respiratory Medicine in the Community
- Dissertation MSc Respiratory Medicine
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.
- Health Information and Health Informatics
- Adult Learning Theory and its Application to Multidisciplinary Healthcare Simulation.
- Clinical Trials
- Epidemiology, Statistics and Research Methods
- Health Economics
- Introduction to Leadership and Management for Health
- Healthcare Public Health
- Human Factors in Healthcare
- Palliative Care of Cancer Patients
- Radiation Biology
- Legal Aspects
- Occupational Exposure and Risk Assessment
- Principles and Practices of Occupational Health
- Systematic Reviews and Evidence Synthesis
Program Tuition Fee
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.
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.
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.