The Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare Science is a two-year, part-time apprenticeship designed for people working in Healthcare Science.
You will study through distance learning while building your knowledge and practical skills in your workplace. This means you can connect what you learn with your day-to-day role and gain experience in a real clinical setting.
The course has been designed with NHS Wales Health Boards and supports the needs of the healthcare science workforce. You will develop the skills needed to work safely, communicate well and use scientific knowledge in practice.
You will also build confidence in study, research, digital skills and evidence-based practice. These skills can support your development at work and help you prepare for further study.
Your learning will combine academic study, online learning and workplace practice. You will work with university staff and a workplace clinical mentor, helping you connect theory with real healthcare situations.
This course is a strong starting point for people who want to grow their career in Healthcare Science while continuing to work.
Course details
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
You will build a strong foundation in Healthcare Science, with a focus on professional practice, communication, health and safety, science and research. You will apply this learning in your workplace, using real clinical situations, equipment and data.
In the second year, you will develop skills in a specialist area linked to your role, such as Audiology, Cardiac Physiology, Clinical Engineering, Neurophysiology, or Respiratory and Sleep Physiology. Learning is supported through the Virtual Learning Environment, online activities and workplace mentoring.
Compulsory
(20 credits)
(10 credits)
(20 credits)
(10 credits)
Semester 1 - Compulsory Modules
(20 credits)
(10 credits)
Semester 2 - Audiology Pathway
(20 credits)
(10 credits)
Semester 2 - Cardiac Physiology Pathway
(10 credits)
(20 credits)
Semester 2 - Clinical Engineering Pathway
(10 credits)
(20 credits)
Semester 2 - Neurophysiology Pathway
(10 credits)
(20 credits)
Semester 2 - Respiratory and Sleep Physiology Pathway
(15 credits)
(15 credits)
Course Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
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Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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Admissions Advice and Support
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, such as your background, experiences and individual circumstances. This is known as ‘Contextual Admissions’. For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa.
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship.
For full information read our visa application and guides.
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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Assessment is designed to test both what you know and how you use it at work. You may complete work-based observations, portfolios, technical or clinical reports, written assignments and online assessments. You will also take part in academic interviews, including viva voce assessments, where you explain your thinking and apply your knowledge to clinical situations. Your workplace mentor will provide feedback on practical skills and competence. Draft work, practice vivas and tutor feedback will help you build confidence before final assessments.
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UWTSD prides itself on being a bilingual University and although there aren’t currently any modules available through the medium of Welsh on this course, in all cases students can submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
Welsh Opportunities
As a leading Welsh university, we are proud to offer dedicated support services and halls of residence for Welsh-speaking students, encouraging the sense of community and the feeling of a home away from home, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch.
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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Develop your skills in your current Healthcare Science role.
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Support progression into a Band 4 Associate Practitioner role.
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Take on a wider range of duties within your healthcare science department.
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Build practical, digital, communication and problem-solving skills for NHS work.
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Prepare for further study and progression to higher-level healthcare science qualifications.
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You will need access to suitable computer hardware and software for your distance learning. The programme document gives an indicative cost of around £400. If buying a device is a barrier, you may be able to apply for the UWTSD digital connectivity bursary, currently worth up to £300.