What is Healthcare Sciences?
Healthcare Sciences allows students studying either BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science or BSc (Hons) Physiological Sciences to specialise in a particular area. It is split into two pathways – Life Sciences and Physiological Sciences – and there are routes within the pathways: the Life Sciences routes are Blood Science, Cellular Science, Infection Science and Genetic Science, and the Physiological Sciences routes are Cardiac Physiology and Audiology. Included in each pathway is a series of integrated clinical placements each year in an approved clinical training laboratory.
Life Science route
The Life Science route will give you a thorough grounding in laboratory medicine and the scientific investigation of human health and disease. Laboratory medicine is the analysis of patients’ specimens to aid in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease. You will graduate with skills and technical knowledge in a range of biomedical techniques and you will be capable of expert analysis and interpretation.
Find about more about Life Sciences roles in the NHS.
Physiological Science route
Much of the work in the physiological sciences is directly with patients. We offer two courses in this area: Audiology, where you measure, diagnose and treat hearing and balance issues, and Cardiac Physiology, where you will perform and interpret tests used for diagnosis and monitoring in the field of cardiology, such as ECGs.
I’m interested in Healthcare Sciences, how do I apply?
You cannot apply directly for Healthcare Sciences. Instead you should apply for either BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science (UCAS code: B940) or BSc (Hons) Physiological Sciences (UCAS code: B120), depending on which pathway you want to follow; if you wish to follow the Life Sciences pathway then you would apply for BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science, and if you wish to follow the Physiological Sciences pathway, you would apply for BSc (Hons) Physiological Sciences. Assuming you enrol on one of these courses, during your first semester you would be offered the opportunity to apply to switch to Healthcare Sciences. Please note: switching to Healthcare Science is not guaranteed – this is dependent on the availability of placements (which vary from year to year) and is subject to an interview with a panel which includes the placement provider and patient volunteers.
I’ve been unsuccessful in my application for Healthcare Sciences. What happens now?
You would stay on the course you enrolled on initially – either BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science or BSc (Hons) Physiological Sciences and would complete this degree.
What will my degree title be?
If you are successful in your application for Healthcare Sciences, we would update your record to show you are now studying that course, and when you graduate your degree certificate would show you have studied a degree in BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science, followed by the route you followed (eg: Infection Science or Cardiac Physiology).
Can I work as a Biomedical Scientist with a Healthcare Science (Life Sciences) degree?
Our Healthcare Science (Life Sciences) courses are accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and approved by the Health and Care and Professions Council (HCPC), so you are eligible to register with the HCPC as a Biomedical Scientist upon graduation.
I’m studying/interested in studying the Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) in Biosciences/Pharmaceutical Sciences. Can I apply for Healthcare Sciences?
Yes. You must complete your foundation year initially. When you begin the second year (Level 4) of the IFY course, you would follow the same process as above (see 'I’m interested in Healthcare Sciences, how do I apply?').
Published: 15 November 2019