BSc (Hons) Cardiac Physiology

Learn the fundamentals of professional practice, physiology, and cardiovascular and respiratory science. Develop these skills further, learning the pathophysiology of disease in the cardiac and respiratory system, alongside current methods of testing for the presence of disease.

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Cardiac physiology students using a manikin

Start date/study mode:

UCAS codeB810

Duration3 years

Fee (UK)£9,790

LocationOn campus

Course summary

This course follows the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS) curriculum. It prepares you for a career as a healthcare science professional, specialising in cardiac physiology.

You’ll learn the core principles of professional practice, human physiology, and the science behind the heart and lungs. As you progress, you’ll build on this knowledge by exploring how diseases affect the heart and respiratory system. You'll also learn how to use modern techniques to detect and diagnose these conditions.

By the end of the course, you’ll be confident in carrying out and interpreting a variety of clinical tests. This includes:

12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)
Ambulatory ECG monitoring
Non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) checks
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM)
Exercise tolerance tests (ETT).

You’ll also gain the skills to work in more advanced clinical settings. This includes environments where procedures like cardiac catheterisation and pacemaker implantation are performed. You'll also learn how to use specialist non-invasive techniques, like echocardiography, in practice.

Our structured curriculum will prepare you to work within a diagnostic cardiology department.

Why Sunderland for Biological Sciences

Accreditations and approvals

The course is accredited with the National School of Healthcare Science
Upon successful completion of this course, you'll be eligible to register with the Academy of Healthcare Science as a Healthcare Science Practitioner.

What you'll study

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific modules. If you’re not sure what you need before picking a module, your course leader can help.

Undergraduate module credits should total 120 credits per academic year. If optional modules are available, choose an amount that totals 120 credits.

How you'll learn

We've adopted a hybrid approach to learning, so you can study closer to home or your workplace when not on campus. You'll need to come onto campus for one week per semester. During this time, you'll take part in laboratory teaching, clinical simulation exercises, and problem-based learning activities.

You'll study four modules per academic year, two in semester 1 and two in semester 2. Teaching for each module will be one a week during the semester. This means you'll need to take part in formal sessions two days per week. The sessions take the form of virtual lectures and seminars.

At the start of the day, you'll take part in a collective class session. You'll then complete extra exercises and activities during the late morning and early afternoon. Finally, you'll reconvene as a class at the end of the day to discuss what you've done.

Clinical simulation

You'll participate in six weeks of on-campus clinical simulation during the course, with one week of on-campus teaching delivered each semester. You'll also complete an integrated programme of clinical placements within a diagnostic cardiology department for a minimum of 50 weeks over the three-year course.

Clinical placement

Work-based learning will be delivered through clinical placement where you'll participate in supervised activities within an NHS Trust. You'll perform a range of procedures within this live hospital environment, allowing you to build on your experience working as a healthcare science practitioner.

Assessment

Each module includes both summative assessments and formative exercises. Summative assessments consist of:

Coursework
Written reviews
Narratives
Evaluations and reflections
Oral presentations.

Examinations will take place at each stage of the course. These range from multiple choice and single best answer quizzes in year 1, through to short answer and essay questions in years 2 and 3.

You'll also complete a clinical logbook and professional portfolio as part of the work-based learning component. This will involve completing assessments and collecting evidence that demonstrates your developing knowledge and skills.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is 96-112 UCAS points from a minimum of two A Levels or equivalent (for example, 1 x AVCE double award) including biology or chemistry. Please note we don't accept General Studies AS or A Level.

We accept a maximum of 20 points from Level 3 Key Skills qualifications.

We would require successful completion of an Access to Higher Education course that is accredited by the Quality Assurance Agency.

You also need three passes at GCSE grade C or above. This must include maths and English language, or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you've studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade, you'll need to achieve a grade 4 or above.

See how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff calculator(opens in new tab).

Our admissions policy uses a range of flexible options to support you to study with us. This may include a reduced offer of up to 16 UCAS Tariff points, (or equivalent). Find out if you're eligible for a tariff point reduction.

If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Fees and finance support

UK£9,790

Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. If you're a Home fee-paying student, the fee for your first year of study for 2026/27 will be £9,790. You'll pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

Please note, this course is not available to international students.

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