BSc (Hons)
Healthcare Science
Practical skills to equip you for the health profession
Course Overview
Why take this course?
With full accreditation, our course is at the forefront of vocational training for healthcare sciences in the UK.
You’ll be honing a range of analytical and diagnostic techniques, which have a real impact on patients’ lives. Specialism in either blood sciences, infection sciences or cellular sciences is also a key element of the course.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Tailor your studies to your area of desired practical specialisation
- Undergo simulated competency tasks before putting your learning into action during your clinical placement
- Use our modern laboratories and state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning
What opportunities might it lead to?
This course was the first in the UK to be approved by the Health Professions Council (HPC) in response to the Department of Health’s (DoH) 'Modernising Scientific Careers' programme. It is also accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and was one of the first to be accredited by Medical Education England on behalf of the DoH. This ensures that our graduates achieve an accelerated route to working for the healthcare system and our course meets the evolving needs of the NHS.
Here are some routes you can pursue:
- scientific research
- teaching
- scientific writing and the media
- pharmaceutics
- instrumentation
- further study at medical school
In James Watson West there is a simulation of a hospital ward and an operating theatre, both of these are great for preparing you for real practice and are used frequently in lessons.
Henry Barfoot, health sciences student 2013
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- B902
- Duration
- 3 years full time
- Entry
BBC from 3 A levels including Biology plus one other pure Science subject or Mathematics. All offers are subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and Occupational Health clearance.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
This course is not open to International students.
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- sci.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 5550 - Department
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
Subject:
Health Sciences and Social Work
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- The clinical and real-life learning approach that will equip you for your chosen career
- Our simulated environments that mean you’ll gain and practise the skills you’ll need before entering the workplace
- Approachable lecturers, many of whom are teacher practitioners
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
The first year will give you a general introduction to the systems of the body and the diseases that affect them.
Core units in this year include:
- Neuroscience and Pharmacology
- Cells to Systems
- Pathological Sciences 1
- Introduction to Professional Laboratory Practice - including a laboratory placement (2 days a week amounting to 6 weeks)
- Graduate Skills and Careers
- Laboratory Skill
Year two
In the second year you will build on the knowledge obtained from the previous year and carry out further practical training.
Core units in this year include:
- Research Methods
- Biomedical Toolbox
- Scientific Basis of Disease
- Pathological Sciences 2
- Healthcare Science in Practice
- Healthcare Science Placement - 2 days a week amounting to 10 weeks
Year three
During the third year you will develop in-depth knowledge of the body and its responses. You’ll also choose one specialist scientific topic focusing on either, blood, infection or cellular sciences.
Core units in this year include:
- Integrated Pathology
- Projects in Pathology
- Genetic Basis of Disease
- Clinical Laboratory Practice - 7-week long block placement during the holidays plus 3 days a week amounting to 22 weeks
Options to choose from depending on your specialism include:
- Blood Sciences
- Infection Sciences
- Cellular Sciences
Teaching and Assessment
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical laboratory work and guided reading. Our academic staff have expertise in clinical practice and research, and we provide a student-centred approach to teaching, with all units fully supported by online lecture and study materials.
How are you assessed?
On this course there is a balance of formal examinations and coursework assessment. To monitor your achievement while on placement you’ll also be expected to complete a Healthcare Science Practitioner training manual in the form of a portfolio of evidence.
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
Centre for Simulation in Healthcare
Practise procedures and respond to possible risks in a safe environment
Specialist Software and Scientific Equipment
We have an outstanding array of facilities
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
Centre for Simulation in Healthcare
Our aim is to enhance your learning and experiences through the use of innovative learning technologies. Mirroring the current clinical setting and allowing for patient-facing role play, our Centre can be used to practise procedures and respond to possible risks. You’ll get the chance to build professional practical skills and be taught through real-life scenarios using our simulated learning sessions.
Specialist Software and Scientific Equipment
We have an outstanding array of facilities providing a safe and effective learning experience. Here’s a taste of what you’ll have access to:
- hi-fidelity human patient simulators
- a simulated ward and theatre
- mobile simulators
- electronic voting systems
- an eye-tracker device
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
On graduation you will have developed a wide range of employability skills. These skills, in addition to your vocational training, will provide opportunities to follow careers within a wide range of settings including healthcare, teaching or biomedical research, or to complete higher degrees including MSc and PhDs.
Successful graduates can register with the Health Professions Council (HCPC) and Institute of Biomedical Science using the Protected title ‘Biomedical Scientist’ in order to practice within the NHS as either a biomedical scientist or healthcare science practitioner.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- biomedical scientist
- medical writer/research executive
- medical sales representative
- working within NHS laboratories
- teaching
Work experience
Work placements will be a substantial component of your course. Overall you’ll spend a total of 38 weeks on placement, which is complemented by a further 12 weeks of specific work-focused learning on campus.
Most placements are set in local clinical training laboratories, with each location carefully selected and University-approved. The substantial workplace experience you’ll benefit from is one of the highlights of this course. It will ensure you achieve a considerable level of practical competence and that you’ll be fully equipped to confidently venture into the medical and healthcare environment.
You will be required to travel to and from your placements though we try our best to keep locations within reasonable travelling distance from the University. However, it should be mentioned that you will need to arrange this travel yourself.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more