In this interview, we sit down with Michael Papadakis, Programme Director of our MSc in Sports Cardiology.
Academic interests and expertise
Can you tell us about your academic and research background?
I am a Professor of Cardiology at City St George’s, University of London. My research interests include preventive cardiology, sports cardiology, inherited heart conditions and cardiac imaging. I am currently credited with more than 150 publications in peer reviewed medical journals and more than 19,000 citations. I have contributed to international projects that have shaped education and clinical practice in sports cardiology including the International recommendations for the interpretation of the athlete’s ECG and the European and American guidelines relating to exercise and sport participation in individuals with heart disease.
What inspired you to specialise in your current field of study?
I was drawn to sports cardiology because it brings together three things I care deeply about: working with young people, promoting sport and focusing on prevention. What inspired me most is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference by helping young athletes stay safe, supporting informed decisions, and in some cases preventing catastrophic events. At the same time, the field has a wider public health impact, as it promotes cardiovascular health and contributes to reducing the long-term burden of heart disease in society.
How do you see your field evolving over the next decade?
Sports Cardiology is one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving areas within cardiovascular medicine, and I anticipate substantial growth over the next decade. First, there is a global shift towards prevention rather than treatment, with increasing emphasis on athlete screening programmes. Second, participation in recreational and endurance exercise continues to rise worldwide, meaning that a larger and more diverse athletic population will require expert clinical assessment. Finally, scientific and sporting organisations are increasingly demanding standardisation, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making, which is likely to accelerate the development of formal training pathways and certification for clinicians working in this area. Together, these trends will drive a growing need for highly trained and certified Sports Cardiology specialists making programmes such as the Sports cardiology MSc increasingly relevant and essential to the field.
Why this course?
What makes this postgraduate programme unique within its field?
This programme is unique in that it is the only MSc in Sports Cardiology taught in English that delivers the full Sports Cardiology curriculum as defined by leading European and US scientific bodies. Through our established large-scale cardiac screening programme, our extensive athlete patient population at St George’s Hospital, and our unique specialist cardiac pathology unit, students gain unparalleled exposure to the breadth and volume of real-world cases across the spectrum of sports cardiology.
What support is offered to help students transition from undergraduate to postgraduate study?
Moving from undergraduate learning to postgraduate study can be a significant step, particularly in a specialised and clinically focused field such as sports cardiology. To support this transition, the programme provides structured academic and pastoral support from the outset. Students receive a comprehensive induction introducing the curriculum, learning platform, expectations at MSc level, and key academic skills such as critical appraisal, scientific writing, and evidence-based practice. Throughout the programme, each student has access to approachable academic staff for guidance, regular opportunities for feedback, and clear signposting to university-wide learning resources. In addition, the programme places a strong emphasis on mentoring and peer support, creating an environment where students feel comfortable seeking help, discussing challenges, and developing confidence as postgraduate learners.
Are there opportunities for networking with alumni or industry professionals during the course?
Students have extensive opportunities to network with leading professionals in sports and exercise medicine and to engage with individuals who may become future collaborators or employers. A key strength of the programme is the direct access students have to experienced clinicians and decision-makers in elite sport, including medical directors, sporting directors, and team doctors who contribute to teaching and case-based learning. In addition, students take part in visits to sporting venues during the Emergency Response Planning module, where they interact with professionals responsible for medical provision and athlete safety in real-world environments. Students are also encouraged to participate in cardiac screening events organised in collaboration with the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), offering valuable exposure to community-based prevention work, multidisciplinary teamwork, and practical experience while expanding their professional network within the field.
Career paths
What career paths have graduates from this programme typically followed?
Graduates from the programme have progressed into a range of career paths that reflect the multidisciplinary nature of sports cardiology. Many have used the MSc to expand their existing clinical practice either by enhancing the sports cardiology component of their service or by establishing new athlete-focused clinical pathways within their institutions. Others have gone on to work with charitable organisations, sporting bodies, and specialist clinical units, supporting cardiovascular evaluation of athletes and contributing to services focused on inherited cardiac conditions and sudden cardiac death prevention. In addition, the programme has supported graduates who wish to follow structured professional training routes within the NHS. Several have successfully applied to highly competitive programmes such as the Scientist Training Programme and the Echocardiography Training Programme, enabling them to train while employed and progress towards specialist roles, including cardiac physiologist careers with expertise relevant to athlete assessment.
Tips for offer holders
If you could highlight one thing that students should look forward to in this programme, what would it be?
If I had to highlight one thing students should most look forward to, it would be the unmatched exposure to sports cardiology in practice. Because the programme is delivered within the clinical and academic environment of City St George’s, University of London and St George’s Hospital, students learn from and alongside experts who are actively assessing athletes every day.
What advice would you give offer holders as they prepare to join this course?
I would encourage students to refresh core cardiovascular physiology and ECG interpretation before joining the course, as this will help them get the most out of the taught modules and case-based discussions. Take advantage of the opportunities that make the course unique and engage with the faculty, participate in our outpatient clinics and community/sport screenings and use the programme to build your professional network.