What is healthcare science?
Healthcare and medical scientists work in a wide range of careers, and are recognised for their skills, knowledge and expertise, which span a wide range of disciplines within the NHS, in medical research, and with a diverse range of graduate employers across the private sector. This degree is designed for those with a broad interest in the medical sciences who want to experience working at the forefront of scientific research and practice. It also provides a firm base from which to pursue further study in a variety of allied subjects, including graduate entry medicine.
Our three-year healthcare science course offers a direct entry route following A level (or equivalent) study in biology or chemistry. However, we also offer a four-year programme with an integrated year of foundation study for applicants who have not previously studied biology or chemistry. Both courses lead to the same qualification and offer the opportunity to study at the world-class University of Nottingham.
How will I study?
The course is based in the School of Graduate Entry Medicine and Health in Derby, a multidisciplinary school which welcomes students and staff into a supportive and stimulating environment. We strive for excellence in both teaching and research and enjoy state-of-the-art facilities. You will be taught in small classes, and will experience a wide range of teaching styles. You may also share some classes with medical students in the school. In the final year of the programme, you will undertake a full 60 credits of project study and will work in the laboratory or clinic for several months to experience the cutting edge of clinical and scientific research.
If you study on the Foundation Year, you will initially be taught in a small group, before merging with the three-year programme at the end of the first year. During this time, you will develop your knowledge and study skills further in preparation for the later years of undergraduate study.
All students will have a personal tutor to provide pastoral support.
Assessment
Our assessment strategy is designed to reflect the diverse population of students on the course. Assessment is wide-ranging and aimed specifically at enabling you to develop self-awareness of your performance.
Career prospects
As a graduate in healthcare science, you will have obtained a broad range of skills valued by many employers in scientific and clinical research and within the NHS. Examples of just a few of the professions that our graduates can enter as trainee practitioners/scientists include: pharmaceutical and clinical research, respiratory physiology, haematology, biotechnology and tissue banking.
Healthcare Science students also work closely (and share some teaching) with our graduate entry medical students in the school and are therefore very well placed to undertake further study in graduate entry medicine and other postgraduate study (e.g. PhD, MSc).
As this is a new course, our first cohort of students are not due to graduate from the BSc Healthcare Science until 2013. We are therefore unable to provide starting salary indicators for Healthcare Science graduates.
Application and interview
We usually consider candidates applying for B900 on the basis of their UCAS form without interview. Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications may be invited to an interview.
Offers for the BSc Healthcare Science with a Foundation Year (UCAS code B902) will usually be required to attend an interview. Interviews will be arranged once academic and other information has been reviewed.
Open days
University-wide open days are held in June and September – for details please see www.nottingham.ac.uk/opendays