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.
If you would like to follow this route, then you should apply for BSc (Hons) Physiological Sciences (UCAS code: B120) and then apply to your preferred route during the first year. You will then graduate with a BSc (Hons) degree in either Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) or Healthcare Science (Audiology).
Life Science route
The Life Science route will give you a thorough grounding in pathology and the scientific investigation of human health and disease. Pathology is the analysis of patients’ specimens to aid in the diagnosis 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. We offer four courses in this area: Blood Sciences, Infection Sciences, Cellular Sciences and Genetic Sciences.
If you would like to follow this route, you should apply for BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science (UCAS code: B940) and then apply to your preferred route during the first year. You will then graduate with a BSc (Hons) degree in Healthcare Science (Cellular, Infection, Genetic or Blood Sciences).
Why us?
- An accredited course to become a healthcare science practitioner in the NHS, with a starting salary range of around £21,000 which could lead to a salary of over £80,000
- All Healthcare Science courses fulfil the requirements of the NHS’s Health Education England Healthcare Science Programme Board specification for the Practitioner Training Programme (PTP)
- BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Life Sciences) courses are approved by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and lead to eligibility to join the HCPC register as a Biomedical Scientist
- ’Hands on’ approach to learning in our state-of-the-art interactive learning facility 'The Living Lab’
- The University has over 100 years of expertise in teaching science
- Longstanding partnerships with regional NHS Trusts ensure a high quality work-based learning experience
- You will be taught by academic staff as well as Healthcare Science Practitioners and will gain practical workplace experience alongside academic learning in your chosen specialism
Course structure
Unlike most of our degree courses, you cannot apply directly for this course. Instead, you complete the first year of either Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) or Physiological Science BSc (Hons) and if you secure a clinical placement (subject to availability and successful interview) you move onto this course, BSc (Hons) Healthcare Sciences: Physiological/Life.
Your exact degree award will depend on the placements and modules that you have completed. There are two main routes: Physiological Science (Cardiac Physiology / Audiology) and Life Science (Blood Science / Cellular Science / Infection Science / Genetic Science).
The content of the course will prepare you for working in the NHS as a healthcare science practitioner.
Employment
Healthcare science offers attractive salaries and career prospects.
If you switch to this degree you will be well-prepared to apply for roles as a healthcare scientist within the NHS.
Career options
NHS salaries for staff working in healthcare science range from around £21,000 to around £80,000 per year.
At entry level, the work involves obtaining diagnostic data from patients and working as part of a multidisciplinary team that also includes doctors, nurses and radiographers.
Experience
This course provides significant amounts of work-based learning, with compulsory unpaid placements amounting to 10 weeks in year 1, 15 weeks in year 2 and 25 weeks in year 3.
The University of Sunderland is committed to ensuring that every student has an impressive range of opportunities to enhance their CV and gain valuable experience.
