Unlike most of our degree courses, you cannot apply directly for this course. Instead, you complete a first year of either Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) or Physiological Science BSc (Hons). You then undertake clinical placements and designated modules, which lead to the award of the degree title Healthcare Science BSc (Hons). Your exact degree award will depend on the placements and modules that you have completed. There are two main routes: Physiological science (cardiac physiology / audiology) Life science (blood science / cellular science / infection science / genetic science) Physiological science route The Physiological Sciences route is about understanding how the human body functions, from the level of the cell up to the whole body. You will gain a thorough understanding of how the body functions and how cells, tissues and organs work together. The course covers all of the systems of the whole body in health and disease, and you have the option of studying the body from the level of cell biochemistry or genetics. Our Physiological Science route contains two specialist areas of clinical physiology: cardiac physiology and audiology. Cardiac physiologists investigate the function of the heart to assist in diagnosing heart disease, for example by using electrocardiograph (ECG), echocardiographs or blood pressure monitoring. Audiologists identify and assess hearing and/or balance disorders, recommending and providing appropriate rehabilitation and management of the disorder. If you would like to follow this routes, then you should apply for Physiological Science BSc (Hons) and specialise after the first year. Life science route The Life Sciences route will give you a thorough grounding in pathology and the scientific investigation of human health and disease. Pathology is the analysis of patients’ specimens to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. You will graduate with skills and technical knowledge in a range of biomedical techniques and you will be capable of expert analysis and interpretation. The Life Science division is offered in four specialist areas: blood science, cellular science, infection science and genetic science. Blood science includes the disciplines of biochemistry, blood transfusion, haematology and immunology. Cellular science encompasses histology and cytology, which enable the accurate diagnosis of disease, such as cancer, by the study of cells and tissue using a microscope. Infection science covers the culture and identification of viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause disease, antibiotic sensitivity testing and infection control. Genetic science focuses on the areas of molecular genetics (diagnosis of inherited diseases) and cytogenetics (chromosomal disorders, diagnosis and prognosis of cancer). If you would like to follow this route, then you should initially apply for Biomedical Science BSc (Hons). Why Healthcare Science? The primary benefit of specialising in Healthcare Science is that it fits closely with the Department of Health’s Modernising Scientific Careers agenda. Our course is an accredited programme for working as a healthcare science practitioner in the NHS, with a starting salary range of around £21,000. Progression through all of the pay bands could lead to a salary of over £80,000 per year. Please note that in order to undertake your chosen route within Healthcare Science, there need to be appropriate placements available. The availability of such placements will vary from year to year.

If you switch to this degree you will be well-prepared to apply for roles as a healthcare scientist within the NHS. NHS salaries for staff working in healthcare science range from around £21,000 to around £80,000 per year. At entry level, the work involves obtaining diagnostic data from patients and working as part of a multidisciplinary team that also includes doctors, nurses and radiographers. Experience This course provides significant amounts of work-based learning, with compulsory unpaid placements amounting to 10 weeks in Year 1, 15 weeks in Year 2 and 25 weeks in Year 3. The University of Sunderland is committed to ensuring that every student has an impressive range of opportunities to enhance their CV and gain valuable experience. For more information about work placements, internships, volunteering and all other work opportunities, see the Employability section of this website. University Language Scheme It is usually possible to take a module from the free University Language Scheme, which will earn credits towards your degree. The language module can be taken on top of or as part of the 120 credits needed to complete a year. Language skills increase your international mobility and you can choose between French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese at a range of levels. If your first language is not English, please check with your tutor about entry requirements.