Build knowledge in cardiovascular, respiratory and sleep sciences, with the clinical and interpersonal skills the profession demands

About the apprenticeship

Course length: 3 years, part-time

Start date: September 2024

Course level: Level 6

University award: BSc (Honours) Healthcare Science

How much it costs: funded through the employer

Accredited by: National School of Healthcare Science

Course summary

• Build knowledge in cardiovascular, respiratory and sleep sciences.
• Developed with industry professionals to help you gain the clinical skills and interpersonal skills the profession demands.
• Suitable for new recruits to the industry and school leavers, as well as for existing staff looking to gain a relevant degree.

The apprenticeship has been developed with NHS trusts and services, and higher education providers, allowing you to benefit from a combination of work-based learning modules and specialist education. You’ll also gain the essential components of professional practice you need to be successful in a complex and dynamic modern workplace.

This course meets the healthcare science practitioner apprenticeship standard.

How you learn

You’ll learn through a blended learning approach of lectures, class-based seminars and discussions, clinical work, and further learning opportunities, such as seminars in the workplace. 

You’ll study on campus for a total of:

• four one-week study blocks in year one
• three one-week study blocks in year two
• four shorter study blocks in year three

You will progress through the course following successful achievement of assessments, which address the learning outcomes for each module and allow you to complete the course. The integrated end-point assessment checks that the employee meets the apprenticeship standard and is ready to join the profession with full occupational competence.

Campus facilities

You'll learn in modern facilities at our Collegiate Campus including mock wards and operating rooms, simulation suites, and interactive manikins.

Entry requirements

Throughout the course, apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours at university. They can be existing employees looking to develop their careers, or new applicants to the business.

Applicants must:

• be over 18
• not be in full time education
• have the right to abode in the UK
• meet the course entry requirements

GCSE (or equivalent)

GCSE (or equivalent) Maths, English and Science at Grade C, 4 or above

If you don't have this yet, you'll need to achieve this level before you take your end-point assessment.

UCAS points and college grades

Plus one of the following:

• 112 UCAS points from at least two A levels (including at least 32 points in Biology), or equivalent BTEC National qualifications (including suitable biology modules). We accept AS levels. General Studies will not be accepted.
• 96 UCAS points from three A levels (including 32 points in Biology). General Studies will not be accepted.
• Access to Higher Education Diploma from a relevant Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education -recognised Access to Higher Education course, (mainly consisting of Biology and Chemistry related modules), or an equivalent Access to Higher Education certificate. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3 (with at least 15 level 3 credits graded at distinction level)
• Successful completion of a level 3 Healthcare Science Assistant apprenticeship.

Additional qualifications

Applicants who do not meet the above academic criteria but have sufficient relevant experience in the workplace will be considered on an individual basis.

Modules

Year one

• Professional practice 1
• Healthcare science: anatomy and physiology
• Fundamentals of healthcare science
• Healthcare science in context
• Scientific basis of healthcare science: cardiovascular science
• Scientific basis of healthcare science: respiratory and sleep science

Year two

• Professional practice 2
• Research methods
• Pathology of common cardiac and respiratory conditions
• Instrumentation signal processing and imaging
• Cardiac physiology OR Respiratory and sleep physiology

Year three

• Professional practice 3
• Advanced specialist topics in cardiovascular or respiratory sleep sciences
• Applying cardiac physiology in practice or Applying respiratory and sleep sciences in practice
• Research project

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change.