Career Prospects
Biomedical and healthcare science graduates may go on to a range of subject specific careers in the biological, pharmaceutical, clinical, medical, public health and other associated sectors. Graduates from this programme may also go on to specific careers in biomedical science or clinical physiology. Recent graduates have gone on to secure employment in laboratory/research work, the pharmaceutical industries, education and medical communications.
For those who wish to continue their studies, we offer a range of postgraduate programmes across the breadth of biological and healthcare sciences.
Learn more about graduate careers
Entry requirements
We will interview you as part of your application.
UCAS tariff points/grades required
120
120 UCAS Tariff Points at A2 (Grades BBB) including a minimum grade C at A2 in Biology (must include a Pass in the Biology practical assessment), Human Biology or Grade C at A2 in Applied Science. Other Sciences may be considered. General Studies is not accepted.
BTEC Extended Diploma at Level 3 (Grades DDM) in relevant subject (Applied Science)
Specific GCSE requirements
GCSE grade C or grade 4 in English Language, Science and Mathematics. GCSE Science and Mathematics requirement may be met through the Level 3 requirements for the course. Please contact the institution if further information is required.
Level 2 Functional Skills English also accepted. BTEC Level 2 in Applied Science also accepted.
Non Tariffed Qualifications
Pass Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject (Science/ Medicine/ Dentistry/ Pharmacy) with a minimum 122 UCAS tariff points.
International Baccalaureate points
26 Diploma points with HL Biology at grade 5.
7.0 overall with not less than 5.5 in any element.
There’s further information for international students on our international website if you’re applying with non-UK qualifications.
Further information
All applicants are required to pass a medical examination and receive vaccinations required for working in medical fields.
A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate is required for all students. This will be completed through the university early in the course.
This degree programme is not available to overseas applicants.
As part of the selection process, shortlisted candidates must attend an interview in person.
Course details
In Year 1, you will develop core scientific knowledge. In year 2 your clinical training is specialised in your chosen discipline and in your final year, you will cover the remaining specialist material for your discipline.
In Year 1 you will develop core scientific knowledge relevant to healthcare science. You will also begin to gain specialist knowledge of your chosen discipline. Clinical placements will introduce you to the workplace and begin your clinical skills training. In the first year, this takes the form of observational work experience.
Read more about this year of study
Core Units
Scientific Basis of Physiological Sciences
The application of science across the neurosciences or cardiac, vascular, respiratory and sleep science and safe working within the clinical healthcare setting.
Professional Practice, Research Skills and Physiological Measurements
This unit covers the generic skills essential for healthcare science students, particularly in relation to the capture, analysis and interpretation of biological information, principles of physics and professional practice for healthcare science.
Physiological Systems
The Physiological Systems unit introduces students to principles of human physiology at the organ system level with appropriate links to anatomy, cell biology, biochemistry and metabolism, disease pathology, pharmacology and therapeutics.
Cell and Molecular Biology
The unit provides a knowledge and understanding of biochemistry including basic organic chemistry. Biological molecules and their importance in cell structure and function are also studied. Students are introduced to microorganisms, with focus on the importance of identification and classification of microbes, and the techniques and skills required for their isolation, enumeration and microscopic examination.
In Year 2 your clinical training is specialised in your chosen discipline. You will extend your scientific knowledge base to include the processes of disease and some applications of physics and instrumentation used in healthcare science techniques. All students will also develop research skills in preparation for your final year project whilst continuing to build upon knowledge in your chosen specialism.
Read more about this year of study
Core Units
Specialist Studies 1
The overall aim of this module is to ensure that students have the knowledge and understanding of the breadth of the application of science within Neuro, Cardiac, Respiratory and Sleep Sciences. You will be expected to develop your skills with respect to patient-centred care, ensuring that patient values guide all clinical decisions and build your professional practice and practise safely in the workplace.
Specialist Studies 2
The aim of this module is to ensure that students understand the further aspects of the science within Neuro, Cardiac, Respiratory and Sleep Sciences, and its application. You will be expected to further build your professional practice and practice safely in the workplace, using critical reflection to review and improve your performance.
Disease Processes and Statistics
This unit concerns the concepts of health and disease and looks at various causes and mechanisms of a range of disease processes in humans. The unit allows students to understand a range of statistical methods applying them to real world situations.
Professional Practice, Signal Processing and Instrumentation
This unit is designed to help students continue to develop as safe, competent practitioners by introducing the themes of quality, leadership and safety. The physics element provides the knowledge to understand basic instrumentation and its use.
Year 3 covers the remaining specialist material for your chosen discipline and continues your clinical training in that specialism. In addition, you will complete your project.
Your study includes work-based learning (22 weeks) in your chosen specialist area: Cardiac Physiology, Respiratory and Sleep Physiology, or Neurophysiology.
Read more about this year of study
Core Units
Applying Specialist Studies to Practice 1
Students will gain further and in-depth knowledge of the range of physiological investigations in their chosen subject discipline and learn to apply this knowledge to enhance and develop their clinical skills with respect to patient centred care.
Project
This unit allows all final year students to plan and undertake either a laboratory based research project or a library based dissertation in an area of their own interest. Students have the opportunity to develop a research question, plan an appropriate investigation and undertake that investigation under the guidance of an allocated supervisor.
Applying Specialist Studies to Practice 2
The unit further extends the learning in Applying Specialist Studies to Practice in the student's chosen subject discipline.
Professional and Evidence-based Practice
This unit will give students the knowledge required to progress in their professional development, understand the role of key bodies and policy, evaluate research and practice in a safe, patient focused way.
Assessment weightings and contact hours
10 credits equates to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, and independent study. A 3 year degree qualification typically comprises of 360 credits (120 credits per year). The exact composition of your study time and assessments for the course will vary according to your option choices and style of learning, but it could be:
Study
- Year 1 20% lectures, seminars or similar; 80% independent study
- Year 2 15% lectures, seminars or similar; 85% independent study
- Year 3 15% lectures, seminars or similar; 85% independent study
Assessment
- Year 1 45% coursework; 25% practical; 30% examination
- Year 2 65% coursework; 5% practical; 30% examination
- Year 3 60% coursework; 5% practical; 35% examination
Additional information about this course
The programme is accredited by Health Education England and the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists. Upon successful completion of the programme you will be eligible to apply to the voluntary registers held by the Academy for Health Care Science.
Placements options
The clinical placement consists of 10 weeks of observational work experience in selected disciplines in the first year, followed by discipline specific placements for 18 weeks in Year 2 and 22 weeks in Year 3.
Fees
UK, EU and Channel Island students
UK, EU and Channel Island students: Full-time fee: £9,250 per year. This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation and may increase each academic year in line with inflation or UK government policy for both new and continuing students.
UK, EU and Channel Island students: Part-time fee: £2312.50 per 30 credits studied per year. This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation and may increase each academic year in line with inflation or UK government policy for both new and continuing students.
Non-EU international students
Non-EU international students: Full-time fee: £16,000 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Non-EU international students: Part-time fee: £4000 per 30 credits studied per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Additional Information
A degree typically comprises 360 credits, a DipHE 240 credits, a CertHE 120 credits, and an integrated Masters 480 credits. The tuition fee for the placement year for those courses that offer this option is £1,850, subject to inflationary increases based on government policy and providing you progress through the course in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study). The tuition fee for the study year abroad for those courses that offer this option is £1,385, subject to inflationary increases based on government policy and providing you progress through the course in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Part-time students may take a maximum of 90 credits each academic year.
Additional costs
Specialist Costs
£100
Students often choose to buy a laptop in their first year however there are PCs in campus. Printing of coursework can be required each year, including the dissertation in the final year. You will be provided with a laboratory coat and safety glasses on commencement of your programme. If you lose or damage these, replacement is your responsibility. Similarly, you will be provided with three sets of uniforms for your placements over the three years the cost of replacing these/additional uniform will be your responsibility.
Placement Costs
£2500
You will go on placement during each year of the programme. The placement could be anywhere in the North West (occasionally Yorkshire) and will be sourced by the University. You will need to budget for travel costs to placement (an estimated cost is £200 to £500 in the first year, then £500 to £1000 in the second and third years) but these and other reasonable expenses (as defined by the NHS) are currently reimbursed.
Professional Costs
A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service certificate is required for all students, completed through the University early in the course.
Funding
For further information on financing your studies or information about whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships, follow the links below:
Bursaries and scholarships
Money Matters
Programme Review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the latest online learning technology. For further information on when we may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our Terms and Conditions.
Important Notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most up to date information for your chosen course of study.
Confirmation of Regulator
The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory framework can be found at officeforstudents.org.uk.
All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current Student Protection Plan.
