Healthcare Science BSc (Hons) / 2014
This course combines academic study with NHS placements to provide professional training in the medical and biological sciences. It leads to a career in clinical physiology, specialising in cardiac physiology or respiratory and sleep physiology.
Although I only started my course a couple of months ago, I have already learnt how to perform a patient analysis and take patient notes. These are both important processes that give great insight into the career that lies ahead of me. Xolani Machazire Healthcare Science (Physiological Sciences) BSc (Hons) First Year
Healthcare Science (Physiological Sciences) BSc (Hons) Three years, full time Apply through UCAS code B120, institution code S49 UCAS deadline is 15 January UK and EU citizens may apply Accreditation: Medical Education England Highlights
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Shared campus with one of the largest teaching hospitals in the UK
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Shared learning with students training to be doctors, nurses, radiographers, paramedics and physiotherapists (interprofessional education)
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Contact with patients by the end of your first semester
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You will experience 50 weeks of work-based training in your chosen career path of either Cardiac Physiolog y or Respiratory and Sleep Physiology
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Careers advice embedded into our teaching
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Job prospects will be excellent and vacancies with a starting salary of at least ÂŁ21,000 will be waiting for graduates across the country
Learning
Taught modules are delivered via lectures, small-group seminars and case-based learning. In year one the programme also incorporates anatomy teaching in the dissecting room, and clinical and communication skills training. Clinical training is delivered by qualified clinical physiologists in NHS hospital departments throughout London, Surrey, Sussex and Kent. Personal development and lifelong learning are encouraged through academic study, work-based practice and a focus on reflective practice and self-directed learning activities.
Degree structure
Year one combines an introduction to the basic biomedical knowledge underpinning healthcare science, with training in the physiological sciences. At the end of year one you select a speciality. Year two modules focus on techniques and methodologies in either cardiac physiology or respiratory and sleep physiology. Year three focuses on the application of learned science, technologies and techniques to the practice of clinical physiolog y in your chosen specialist field, in which you also complete a research project.
Year one
Weeks
Modules/placements
Taught
Scientific Basis of Healthcare Science
Taught
Scientific Basis of Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Sleep Science
Taught
Professional Practice
Taught Clinical
Scientific Basis of Healthcare Science 10
Clinical Training
Year two Modules/placements Taught
Pathophysiolog y of Common Cardiovascular and Respiratory Conditions
Taught
Instrumentation, Signal Processing and Imaging
Taught
Cardiac Physiolog y or Respiratory and Sleep Physiolog y
Taught
Research Methods
Taught
Professional Practice
Taught
Scientific Basis of Healthcare Science
Clinical
15
Clinical Training
Year three Modules/placements Taught
Applying Respiratory and Sleep Physiolog y to Practice or Applying Cardiac Physiolog y to Practice
Taught
Research Project in Respiratory and Sleep Physiolog y or Research Project in Cardiac Physiolog y
Taught Clinical
Professional Practice 25
Assessing your progress Your future
Clinical Training Your academic coursework, examination results, final year research project and work-based placements are all taken into account, and each annual assessment contributes to your final degree classification. Clinical physiologists play a vital role in the health service and interact with patients of all ages. Using electrocardiographs (ECGs), echocardiographs, blood pressure monitoring and a range of other techniques, healthcare science practitioners specialising in cardiac physiology assist heart disease diagnosis, pacemaker implantation, on-going patient monitoring and exercise stress testing. Respirator y and sleep physiologists undertake cardio-pulmonary exercise testing, blood gas analysis, response-to-treatment monitoring, allergy testing and polysomnography. Your patients may be referred with chest pains, abnormal chest X-rays, breathing difficulties, sleep disorders, or suspected respiratory disease such as emphysema. With research advancing, techniques evolving and the technologies used becoming more specialised, clinical physiology is a challenging, motivating and rewarding career. Oppor tunities exist to further specialise in healthcare science at postgraduate level here at St George’s.
Entry requirements If you meet the minimum requirements set out below, you will be called for interview. With the exception of GCSEs, all qualifications must be completed within a five-year period including year of application.
Nationality Citizen of the UK, EU or EEA or individuals with indefinite leave to remain
GCSEs or equivalent Grades
A* to C
Subjects
A minimum of eight subjects to include English Language, Maths and Science. Applicants without English Language GCSE should hold IELTS 7.0 or equivalent If you studied under an educational system that did not include GCSEs we will consider your academic record at the equivalent stage. However, we will not accept Adult Literacy and Numeracy or Functional Maths in lieu of GCSEs.
A Levels or equivalent A Levels Grades
BBB
Subjects
Three A2 subjects to include Biology or Human Biology, and one other science Key Skills not accepted A2 resists will be considered however you will be required to achieve higher grades
Adjusted criteria
If you are offering grades lower than BBB, your application will be considered if this achievement is 60% higher than the average performance of your school/college. International Baccalaureate
Award
Full award diploma
Scores
544 at Higher Level (HL) 444 at Standard Level (SL)
Subjects
Biology or Human Biology and one other science (at HL) Mathematics and English Language (at SL) Access diploma
Award
Full award diploma
Scores
60 credits at level 3
Grades
27 credits at distinction 18 credits at merit
If studying sciences
27 credits must be from science related modules at no lower than merit
If studying non-sciences
Your Access qualification must be supplemented by an A Level (A2) in Biology or Human Biolog y at grade B
Additional credits
With the exception of GCSE equivalents (where required) any other level 3 credits outside the 60 credit diploma will not be accepted
Other
If no GCSE English Language and Maths, you must gain 12 level 3 English equivalent credits and 12 level 2 Maths equivalent credits in addition to the 60 credit diploma. Course transcript and/or syllabus may have to be provided. All units must be verified GCSE equivalent by the local Open College Network London Region (OCNLR). Other qualifications
Birkbeck College 70% overall with 70% in parts 1, 2 and 3 of the Biology modules Certificate in Life Science Advanced GNVQ
AGNVQ Science at Distinction
Biology or Human Biology A Level (A2) at grade B
Nationality
GCSEs or equivalent
National Diploma (BTEC)
A Levels or equivalent > IB English language > Access diploma > i f first language > Other qualifications is not English
Other essential criteria > work experience > personal statement > health screening > police screening
National Diploma in Science, overall grades Distinction, Distinction, Distinction Biology or Human Biology A Level (A2) at grade B
Advanced Diploma
Society, Health and Development at grade B, or Sport and Active Leisure at grade B Supplemented by Additional and Specialist Learning: A Level (A2) Biology or Human Biology at grade B
Open University
120 Units at level 1 and 2 Level 1: Exploring Science module, 60 units Level 2: Human Biology module, 30 units Any other module, 30 units All results must be verified by 1 September of the year of entry
Scottish Highers
Five at Higher Level, all grade B, three at Advanced Higher Level, all grade B, including Biology or Human Biology and a second science
Irish Leaving Certificate
Five passes at Level B2 including English, Maths and Higher Level Biology Applicants should list their Junior Certificates on UCAS form.
English language If English is not your first language while studying, evidence of your proficiency must be dated within the last two years. IELTS
(International English Language Testing System) 7.0 overall (including 7.0 in written element, and no section less than 6.5)
Pearsons test
67 overall (including 67 in written element, and no section less than 61) *Applicants who have sat the examination more than twice in one year will not be considered.
Other essential criteria Work experience
Work or voluntary experience in a social care, medical or health-related field. For further information on work experience please visit the ‘Experience it’ section at www.tasteofmedicine.com
Personal Statement
Should demonstrate an awareness of clinical physiolog y and an interest in a clinical career.
Health and Police screening
Satisfactory clearance in both, including immunisation against Hepatitis B, MMR, Meningitis, TB and Chicken Pox.
Professional registration
If you belong to a registered professional body please provide details at interview.
Application and interview Please apply through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) by 15 January (the year of entry). www.ucas.com Interviews are held after the application closing date.
Fees UK/EU
£9,000 p/a* *2013 entry fees are subject to annual review and change. UK /EU students will not have to pay the cost of tuition upfront; students can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover the full cost of tuition fees. And there are generous bursaries available to help students from lower-income families.
sgul.ac.uk The University of London comprises 18 institutions. St George’s is now the only stand-alone medical school within the federation; combining all the benefits of a small, friendly university with those of one of the UK’s largest and most diverse. We hope this booklet gives some real insight into completing a Healthcare Science BSc at St George’s. In short, you can undertake a specialist undergraduate degree here on a hospital site in a thriving London location, leading, we trust, to an extraordinary future in the health professions. E enquiries@sgul.ac.uk T +44 (0)20 8725 2333
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St George’s, University of London Cranmer Terrace London SW17 0RE Design and copy: Crescent Lodge Photography: Lee Funnell Print: Principal Colour The material contained in this booklet is a guide only. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that its content is correct and up-to-date at the time of printing, St George’s, University of London reserves the right, without prior notice, to cease to offer programmes of study, or to amend curricula, methods and modes of teaching and assessment, entry requirements and any other details. St George’s, University of London confirms its commitment to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities and endeavours to avoid discrimination against any person on the grounds of religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, marital or parental status or politics. We strive to ensure that all members of the institution behave with courtesy towards each other and that students and staff can work in an atmosphere of mutual respect. We encourage applications from members of groups that are currently under-represented.