Course modalities offered

University of Bradford
Healthcare Science (Life Sciences) BSc (Hons) BSc (Hons)
University of Bradford

Key Course Facts

Course Description

Do you want to get involved in the world's battle against COVID19 and future pandemics?

If so, a degree in Healthcare Science could be for you.

Healthcare and Biomedical scientists have been working tirelessly since the pandemic began to develop diagnostic tests, run COVID testing laboratories, develop vaccines and support doctors in the urgent research into treatment and prevention strategies for the virus. It is a career at the cutting-edge of medical research.

The BSc (Hons) in Healthcare Science takes a multidisciplinary approach to the study of human disease.

It examines the causes of disease, and the effects of disease on the normal structure and functions of the human body. You’ll gain a firm understanding of the scientific basis for laboratory investigation, diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease.

The programme also develops and applies new technologies that help improve patient care.

In year 3, you will specialise in one of the following pathways:

  • Genetics

  • Cellular Sciences

  • Infection Sciences

  • Blood Sciences

Each pathway contains a work-based training placement, which is integrated with the academic content. This provides invaluable applied experience, developing your skills and boosting your employability. Every effort will be made to accommodate your preference of specialist pathway. This is, however, dependent on placement provision available at the time.

On graduation, you’ll be able to practice as a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist in NHS Pathology laboratories.

Professional accreditation This course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), National School of Healthcare and Science (NSHCS) and Health Education England, and has approval from the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as a biomedical scientist.

Accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).

This degree meets NHS requirements for the role of a Healthcare Science Practitioner. Academic study is integrated with 50 weeks of work based training underpinned by professional practice. Delivered by academic and clinical staff with active patient involvement the degree constantly evolves to embed new science and technology e.g. genomics.

Accredited by the NSHCS (National School of Health Care Science), on behalf of Health education England, for the purpose of eligibility for registration as a Health-care Science Practitioner on the AHCS (Academy for Healthcare and Science) voluntary accredited register.

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 10 graduates of Healthcare Science (Life Sciences) BSc (Hons) BSc (Hons) at University of Bradford for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Healthcare Science.

Overall student satisfaction
80 /100
10 total respondents
chart data
Source: National Student Survey NSS 2022
This particular course
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates of Healthcare Science (Life Sciences) BSc (Hons) BSc (Hons) at University of Bradford

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Healthcare Science (Life Sciences) BSc (Hons) BSc (Hons) at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25000 £25000 £27000
25-75 percentile range £24000 - £25000 £16000 - £36000 £16500 - £36500
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Dec 20, 2022
All Healthcare Science courses of University of Bradford


Salary of all UK Graduates of Healthcare Science

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25486 £26511 £29290
25-75 percentile range £23611 - £29333 £21098 - £33046 £22774 - £39903
Source: Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) by UK Department for Education Dec 20, 2022
All Healthcare Science courses of UK

What You Will Learn

Programme content: As a student of Healthcare Science (Life Sciences) BSc (Hons), BSc (Hons) you will study the following course modules.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

chart data
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Dec 20, 2022
All Healthcare Science courses of University of Bradford

Current jobs

Job in line with future plans

Utilise skills from studies

Work is meaningful

Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Dec 20, 2022

Required skill level of job after 15 months

% Skilled jobs

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Healthcare Science (Life Sciences) BSc (Hons) BSc (Hons) at University of Bradford

39% Nursing Professionals
35% Other Health Professionals
11% Therapy professionals
3% Caring personal services
2% Administrative occupations
1% Elementary occupations
1% Natural and social science professionals
1% Business and public service associate professionals
1% Managers, directors and senior officials
1% Welfare and housing associate professionals
Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Dec 20, 2022

The assessment strategy is designed to allow students to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes of an individual module appropriate to the level of study and the learning outcomes of the programme. These learning outcomes are consistent with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. Students will be examined, primarily, on the breadth of knowledge via MCQ and short answer examinations. Coursework assignments will give students the opportunity to gain experience in report writing and data handling and interpretation . As student’s progress, they will have the opportunity to demonstrate increasing skills of analysis, synthesis and criticism through a wide variety of assessment strategies, including written and oral examinations, report writing, group work, essays, including a dissertation/piece of independent study writing, oral presentations, case studies and the project report. The project report provides a major opportunity to demonstrate autonomy in data handling and critical interpretation in a research context. Student’s professional competencies will be assessed primarily in the workplace through the work-based learning modules and facilitated by a ‘Learning contract’.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Minimum Required UCAS Tariff

120 UCAS tariff points to include A Level Biology or Chemistry at grade B, plus GCSE English, Maths and two Sciences at grade C or 4.

Source: UCAS Feb 9, 2023

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

chart data
Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Dec 20, 2022
This particular course

Qualification requirements

120 UCAS tariff points to include A Level Biology or Chemistry at grade B Please note we accept Extended project points but not General Studies.

As UCAS tariff. To include Advanced Higher Biology or Chemistry at grade B. Applicants should also have a broad range of Ordinary subjects at Grade C or above to include English, Maths and Science.

As UCAS tariff. Must be in a Science subject and include a minimum of 12 credits of Biology or Chemistry at Distinction.

120 UCAS tariff points to include Higher Level Chemistry or Biology at grade 6, one other subject at grade 6 and a third subject at grade 5. Plus HL 3 or SL 4 in Maths and English Language and Literature A or English B. (Language A: Literature, Literature and Performance and Language ab initio are not accepted).

BTEC Extended Diploma in a relevant Science subject to include 6 of the following units passed at Merit: Physiology of Human Body Systems Human Regulation and Reproduction Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways Genetics and Genetic Engineering Diseases and Infections Applications of Inorganic Chemistry Applications of Organic Chemistry Microbiology and Microbiological Techniques Industrial Chemical Reactions Practical Chemical Analysis Biomedical Science

As part of the selection process, we interview short-listed candidates prior to making offers. All places are offered subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The University welcomes applications from students with a wide range of qualifications from the UK and overseas, including combinations of qualifications. To check whether your qualifications meet the entry requirements for this course, please contact the University. Please note that BSc Healthcare Science is not suitable for international students. English Language requirements for International and EU applicants: The standard University requirement is IELTS 6.0 with no sub-test less than 5.0 (or equivalent). However, if you require a Tier 4 (student) visa to study you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) department's requirement which is currently IELTS 6.0 with no sub-test less than 5.5. Conditional offers to international students will be made on this basis.

Source: UCAS Feb 9, 2023

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 5.0
    • A-level Humanities
    • General Test
    • (no subscore less than 7.0)
    • 5.0
    • A-level Sciences
    • General Test
    • 4.5
    • Foundation / Pathway Courses
    • 5.0
    • Foundation Law
    • 6.0
    • Graduate Degrees
    • (no subscore less than 5.0)
    • 7.0
    • Graduate Degrees Education, Law
    • 6.0
    • Undergraduate Degrees
    • (no subscore less than 5.0)
    • 6.0
    • Undergraduate Degrees Law etc.
    • (no subscore less than 5.0)
Do you not fulfill the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements?
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still be able to join Healthcare Science (Life Sciences) BSc (Hons), BSc (Hons).

Costs

Tuition Fees Healthcare Science (Life Sciences) BSc (Hons) BSc (Hons)

England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
EU £20118 year 1
International £20118 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
EU £21124 year 1
International £21124 year 1
Source: UCAS Feb 9, 2023

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

Source: Own research based on surveys and university data

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2024

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of University of Bradford in top UK and global rankings.

chart data

Rankings of University of Bradford in related subject specific rankings.

Medicine & Health

    • #37 
    • #47 
    Health Professions
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 24 September, 2022]

See all university rankings of University of Bradford

What students say about studying Healthcare Science in the UK?

  • *real* day in the life of health science student
  • Part One: What is Healthcare Science – Physiological Sciences?
  • Health science: What will your university day look like?
  • What can you expect as a Healthcare Science student?
  • A Career in Healthcare Science

About University of Bradford

The University of Bradford is a government funded research university based in the metropolitan city of Bradford, England. While the university is most well known for its very high volume of research output, it is also known for its substantial efforts in becoming an ‘Ecoversity’, setting an example for other institutions on the subject of sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

  • what’s the student experience like at bradford? | student life at bradford
  • what advice would you give new students? | student life at bradford
  • what things can you not live without at university? | student life at bradford
  • what advice would you give your first-year self? | student life at bradford
  • why did you choose to study at bradford? | student life at bradford
  • how did you feel before coming to university? | student life at bradford

Where is this programme taught

University of Bradford
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Main Site - Richmond Road
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