Healthcare Science (Life Sciences) - BSc (Hons) Degree

This degree can be studied as a three-year full-time degree or a four-year full-time degree that includes a year of foundational study. Our foundation year is intended to prepare you for your subsequent years of studying, offering you the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence.

The foundation year will be relevant to:

1. Students who aspire to enrol onto the first year of a science-based honours degree programme within the Cardiff School of Health Sciences, who have not achieved the standard entry requirements to enter at year one of the chosen degree.
2. Students who have not studied subjects that provide the necessary background within the scientific disciplines required to enter at year one of the chosen degree.

Find out more about the foundation year​.

Please note: You will need to apply using a specific UCAS code if you wish to undertake the 4 years including foundation.

In addition, you will need to pass the foundation year with an overall mark of 70% at the first attempt, with a minimum of 65% from the Term 2 Biological Sciences module. See entry requirements for further detail.

Students will graduate with one of the following awards:

• BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Blood Science)
• BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Cellular Science)
• BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Genetics Science)
• BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Infection Science)

If competition for certain specialisms should arise, academic achievement, the outcome of an interview process, student engagement with the programme and student CV may be taken into account.

Year One (Level 4):
You will cover fundamental biochemistry, cell biology and genetics, microbiology, immunology, and human physiology, providing the necessary scientific knowledge for further study. In addition, you will be able to develop relevant analytical, communication and professional skills as well as undergoing a period of generic work-based training.

Students will complete 4 weeks of interprofessional placement at the university across the 3 years of the progame and during this first academic year will undertake a 3-week work-based placement in one of our accredited NHS clinical laboratories.

Modules (All Core):

• Biochemistry (20 credits)
• Cell Biology & Genetics (20 credits)
• Human Anatomy & Physiology (20 credits)
• Infection & Immunity A (20 credits)
• Laboratory Skills & Data Analysis (20 credits)
• Professional & Interprofessional Development (20 credits)

Year Two (Level 5):
You will acquire expertise in a comprehensive range of specialist investigative techniques, epidemiology & data analysis and research methods. You will also have an introduction to the disciplines of blood science, cellular science, genetic science and infection science. Students will explore the nature and importance of disease processes and their clinical investigation and embark upon a specialist 15-week work-based training period in a clinical laboratory environment which continues into the third and final year of the programme.

Modules:

• Analytical, Research & Diagnostic Methods (20 credits)
• Blood & Cellular Sciences (20 credits)
• Infection & Immunity B (20 credits)
• Molecular Biology & Genetics (20 credits)
• Physiology, Pharmacology & Toxicology (20 credits)
• Professional Practice and Specialism A (20 credits)
• Healthcare Science Specialism Placement A (non-credit bearing)

Year Three (Level 6):

The final year consists of a combination of clinical placement, academic distance learning and block release at the university. In this year your will focus on integrating your learning to support a multidisciplinary approach to research, diagnosis and management of disorder and disease. Subjects covered will emphasise the multidisciplinary approach to laboratory investigation of disease, and patient management. Students will undertake specialism specific modules via distance learning and block release, whilst completing the equivalent of a 25-week period of work-based training in a clinical laboratory environment. This work-based training continues through from the year 2 placement.  The final year research project which will be undertaken as part of your work-based training, will further encourage independent enquiry and critical analysis.

Modules:

• The Biology & Laboratory Investigation of Disease (20 credits)
• Contemporary Topics in Healthcare Science (20 credits)
• Professional Practice & Work-Based Training  (20 credits)
• Research Project (40 credits)
• Blood Sciences - Specialism B (20 Credits) OR
• Cellular Sciences - Specialism B (20 Credits) OR
• Genetic Sciences - Specialism B (20 Credits) OR
• Infection Sciences - Specialism B (20 Credits)

A range of teaching and learning methods are employed throughout the programme. These include lectures, tutorials, workshops and a significant number of laboratory-based practical sessions. The Moodle VLE is also used to provide students with key information relating to programme modules, careers advice information and administrative information relating to their programme of study.

All students are assigned a personal tutor when they first enrol, who will remain their tutor and provide pastoral support throughout their studies. Students produce a PDP (Personal Development Portfolio) during year one, and the personal tutorial system encourages students to continue to develop their interpersonal and reflective skills throughout their studies. We are proud of our ‘Open Door Policy’ that encourages students to contact staff for advice and guidance whenever they require it.

Students are also allocated a work-based training tutor. This member of staff will be one of our HCPC registered lecturers and will provide additional support to students whilst they are out on placement.

You are continually assessed through examinations, coursework and portfolio assignments, case studies and in the final year, a work based research dissertation/scientific poster presentation.

In addition, whilst undertaking work based training, students are required to complete a Healthcare Science Practitioner Training Manual and the Institute of Biomedical Science pre-registration portfolio for the Certificate of Competence.

Healthcare Science is a continually changing, dynamic, professional and scientific discipline concerned with understanding how diseases develop and how they may affect the normal functioning of the body. The aim of the discipline is the investigation of the disease process and, ultimately, the development of methods for monitoring, diagnosing, treating and preventing disease.

Healthcare Science offers challenging and rewarding career opportunities within the National Health Service and many other organisations including the Health Protection Agency, National Blood Authority and Medical Research Council.

Successful completion of the Healthcare Science programme at Cardiff Metropolitan University will allow graduates to apply for registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Work based training:extended periods of training in NHS laboratories are embedded across the three years of this degree programme. This ensures that students gain in depth knowledge, understanding and experience of the healthcare science environment in preparation for employment as a Healthcare Science Practitioner/Biomedical Scientist within the NHS.

Further information about career opportunities in Healthcare Science can be found here:
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/Explore-roles/healthcare-science/roles-healthcare-science/life-sciences

Typical Offers

​The following requirements are based on typical offers relevant to entering year 1 of the degree.

If you do not meet these entry requirements, we also offer a Foundation Year which allows progression to Year 1 upon successful completion. You will need to pass the foundation year with an overall mark of 70% at the first attempt, with a minimum of 65% from the Term 2 Biological Sciences module.

• Tariff points: 112-120
• Contextual offer: See our contextual offers page.
• GCSE: Five GCSEs at Grade C / 4 or above to include English Language / Welsh First Language, Mathematics / Mathematics – Numeracy and Science.
• English Language Requirement: Academic IELTS 7 overall with at least 6.5 in all elements, or equivalent.
• A level subjects: Minimum three A levels. Grades BC in Biology and an equivalent Science.
• Relevant subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, IT, Mathematics, Food Technology, Environmental Science or Geography considered as the equivalent Science. Welsh Advanced Skills Baccalaureate considered as a third subject.
• BTEC National / Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: DDM within Applied Science.
• T Level: Science subject considered, alongside a further relevant Level 3 qualification.
• Access to Higher Education Diploma: 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction in both Biology and an equivalent Science. Access to Higher Education Diplomas in the areas of Biosciences, Health Care, Health Science and Science are acceptable. A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above in English language, Mathematics and Science will also be required.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: Minimum two Grade 5/6 in Higher Level Biology and equivalent Science.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: H1 in both Biology and an equivalent Science. Higher level subjects only considered with a minimum grade H4.
• Scottish Advanced Highers: Grades CD in Biology and an equivalent Science. Scottish Highers are also considered, either on their own or in combination with Advanced Highers.​

• Other requirements: Successful interview, DBS and Occupational Health check.

We will interview all eligible applicants who are studying, or have studied, an appropriate Access to Higher Education Health related Diploma; level 3 or 4 work based learning qualification or similar level 3 programme; that meets the Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRB) requirements for the programme.

Combinations of the above qualifications are accepted if they meet our minimum requirements. If your qualifications aren’t listed, please contact Admissions or refer to the UCAS Course Search.

Further information on Overseas qualifications can be found here.

If you are a mature applicant, have relevant experience or RPL that you would like us to consider, please contact Admissions.​

Due to the nature of the programme, we are not able to consider international applicants. We welcome applicants from the Republic of Ireland, as they are considered as Home applicants for fee purposes. Please check our Fee Status Assessment here​ for further information.

How to Apply

Further information on how to apply can be found here.

All healthcare students, including those who have not subscribed to NHS Wales Bursary which provides financial support for tuition fees and for some aspects of maintenance in return for their commitment to work in Wales after graduation, are eligible for support from NHS Wales in the form of reimbursement of clinical placement travel and subsistence expenses which may be claimed through the Cardiff Metropolitan University Student Services Placements Office. For further information on reclaiming placement expenses please contact cpt@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

Please contact financeadvice@cardiffmet.ac.uk if you have any queries about funding, including student finance and NHS bursary. For further information about the NHS Bursary Scheme, please click here.

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

For course specific enquiries, please contact the programme leader, Victoria Bradley: Email:vbradley@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Tel: 029 2020 5608