About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: C991
- Applications: UCAS
- Level: Undergraduate
- Tariff points: Normally 320 minimum
- Department: Applied Sciences
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: Three years full-time
- Delivery: Full-time (with integrated placements)
- Study Abroad: No
- Programme leader: Dr Carolyn Paul
Introduction
This course provides the principal training route for Healthcare Science Practitioners within the NHS and is delivered through a unique collaboration between the University of the West of England and local NHS providers within the south-west region.
Specifically, the course provides:
- A broad knowledge base in biosciences with specific areas of deeper understanding relevant to healthcare sciences.
- The opportunity to develop specialist skills and knowledge in Cardiovascular or Respiratory and Sleep pathways of Healthcare Science (Physiological Sciences) through the provision of targeted work experience in healthcare science laboratories.
- An understanding of the importance of patient-centred care, evidence-based practice, clinical audit and multidisciplinary team working.
- The underpinning knowledge to enable you to gain the accompanying skills and attitudes to work as a Healthcare Science Practitioner in the Physiological Sciences.
- An excellent preparation for work after graduation with the opportunity to develop specialist knowledge and skills within pathways specifically designed for the pursuance of a career as a Healthcare Scientist in the NHS.
Structure
Content
The course focuses on providing students with a strong foundation in Healthcare science and specialist knowledge and training in either the Cardiovascular or Respiratory & Sleep Sciences. The combination of modules offered enables students to understand the science of the causes, diagnosis and treatment of disease while working at the cutting edge of healthcare sciences using state-of-the-art equipment in a patient-facing environment. The Healthcare Science degrees are distinctive in that work-based training is fully integrated into the three year course and represents a significant proportion of the total credit for the course.
The number of students recruited onto the full-time route will have been determined by the total number of placements available to us through an NHS Regional Workforce Development Group. Within this total number students will know the breakdown of Cardiovascular and Respiratory & sleep placements available and their first year learning experience at university and on placement will enable them to consider which specialism interests them. Interviews will be held as part of the allocation process for their subsequent study.
In the first year students follow a curriculum common across the whole of the Healthcare Science programme together with some Physiological Science-specific modules. The first year incorporates short experiential and introductory placements, including 6 weeks over the summer, in local healthcare science settings, providing students with a wide appreciation of the two pathways available within the Healthcare Science (Physiological Science) programme. In Year 2, students start to specialise in Cardiovascular or Respiratory & Sleep Science with 15 weeks placement in their chosen discipline between the end of their second and third year. In their final year students spend the first semester in university studying a curriculum that is focused on their chosen speciality before going out on placement in January for their final 25 weeks work-based learning. This provides the student with practical experience of working in laboratory medicine and the opportunity to develop and enhance their professional skills and knowledge within the workplace at different stages in their academic progression such that they are qualified to move straight into the profession at the end of their studies.
The local Strategic Health Authority has undertaken to financially support students on placement based on the following principles:
- students will receive a contribution towards travel costs for distances beyond 10 miles.
- students may receive a contribution towards accommodation costs under the following circumstances:
- when placements are more than 30 miles away; or
- where placements cannot be reached using public transport and the student does not have use of a car.
3. students with the use of a car may prefer to drive distances greater than 30 miles. In those cases travel costs will be paid.
Teaching and learning
The framework of teaching and learning for the programme is the UWE culture of student-centred learning in action, with guided individual learning encouraged through lectures, workshops, tutorials and practical work both within the Department of Applied Sciences. The Department is very well equipped with modern lecture theatres and laboratories.
Whilst on the 15 and 25 week placements you will undertake a 30-credit Professional Practice in Healthcare Science module which incorporates the Department of Health'sHealthcare Science Practitioner Training Programme Training Manuals with learning outcomes mapped to assignments to allow the award of marks. Furthermore, during the final 25 week placement you will conduct a placement based Healthcare Project.
Special Features
Professional accreditation
UWE Bristol is the first University in the UK to gain professionally recognised accreditation from the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS), Medical Education England and the Health Professions Council for its Healthcare Science degree. To find out more, please click here.
Careers/further study
This course is an excellent preparation for entry into a range of careers relating to healthcare science, or for postgraduate study. The nature of the work of Healthcare Scientists who work in physiological sciences typically features more direct contact with patients and the use of specialist equipment. They work in hospital clinics, departments or as part of the medical or surgical team or in the community. In addition, the course develops many transferable skills, including interpersonal skills, teamwork, communication, leadership, problem solving and numeracy that allow you to compete effectively in the graduate employment market. Healthcare scientists in the physiological sciences have direct contact with patients assessing the function of major organ systems such as the heart, brain and lungs and the impact that disease or treatment may have on them.
Graduate destinations
Find out what our graduates are doing six months after graduating- includes examples of careers, employers and further study. Download a PDF from graduate destinations.
Creating employable students
UWE places strong emphasis on employability and skills development at every level. Through work placements, volunteering, study abroad and UWE initiatives which nurture talent and encourage innovation, students gain valuable real world experience and graduate with diverse career opportunities and a competitive place in the job market.
See great graduate prospects for further information.
Be inspired
A day in the life - explore NHS careers in the South West.
Useful links
UWE - careers in science
Healthcare Science in the NHS
Health Professions Council (HPC)
The UWE careers service provides guidance and support throughout your studies in addition to useful resources, CV checks, career coaching and details of current job vacancies.
For further information on careers, have a look at the following links:
Careers in Healthcare Science
Cardiac Physiology
Respiratory Physiology
Vascular Physiology
Entry
Typical offers
- Tariff points: Normally 320 minimum
- GCSE: English Language, Mathematics and Double Science at grade C or above.
- A-level subjects: Grade C or above in Biology or Chemistry, plus a pass in another science subject.
- Specific subjects: Biology, Chemistry
- Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; achievement of 15 level 3 credits at merith in Biology or Chemistry, and an additional 15 level credits at merit in another Science subject; achievement of level 2 credits giving GCSE equivalence in English Language, Mathematics and Science.
- Baccalaureate IB: 27
Advice on typical offers
In addition to the 'typical offer' given here, please read the general information about entry requirements.
Entry requirements
As well as meeting the academic entry requirements, applicants should meet the following selection criteria:
Health Assessment/Declaration - applicants must be in good health. Those offered a place are required to complete a questionnaire and be prepared to undergo a medical examination if necessary.
Disclosure of Criminal Background - the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 does not apply and all convictions, including those which are spent, must be disclosed. Applicants who are offered a place must undergo a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check and will be required to complete a Disclosure Application Form. All information will be treated in confidence and only taken into account when absolutely necessary. The cost associated with a CRB check is at the applicant's expense.
Questionnaire - shortlisted applicants may be required to complete a biographical questionnaire.
Applicants whose first language is not English should have a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 or above with a minimum of 6.5 in all sections of the test. Full details of this language test can be obtained from the British Council. Please note the University's published list of alternative English Language qualifications does not apply to this course.
Interview - shortlisted applicants may be interviewed.
You might also be interested in the following course:
BSc(Hons)Applied Biomedical Science (Clinical)
How to apply
Please see the general information about applications.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011