Program Overview

This innovative course is designed to provide you with education and training in cardiovascular, respiratory and sleep sciences, and is particularly designed for those of you who are interested in disease processes, diagnosis and improving the quality of life of patients. If you would like to work hands-on with people, rather than in a laboratory, this might be the course for you.  

Following successful completion of your first year, if you are interested, you will be able to apply to transfer onto our accredited BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Physiological Science) practitioner training programme (having satisfied Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health checks). Transfer to the accredited Healthcare Science award is subject to selection interview and the availability of clinical placements.  Please look at the Universities information about the Healthcare Science award if you think that this is a route that you may wish to follow. If you do not transfer at this stage you will continue with your study towards a degree in Medical Physiology & Diagnostics.

Medical Physiology and Diagnostics provides similar academic content to that within the Healthcare Science programme but without the need to commit to clinical placement and can offer you the opportunity to enter clinical practice on graduation. You will follow one of two pathways, either Cardiovascular Physiology or Respiratory Physiology and Sleep Science. Medical Physiology and Diagnostics covers the theoretical knowledge required for you to pursue a career as a scientist within a healthcare environment or other areas that require detailed knowledge of human physiology and understanding of disease processes. Knowledge of the normal structure and function of the human body will be developed so that you can appreciate the range of clinical abnormalities that occur as a result of disease. Although the main focus will be either Cardiac Physiology or Respiratory and Sleep Science, depending on your choice of specialist area, the academic provision will not be limited to these areas but will also cover the physiology and pathophysiology of the wider systems to provide an extensive knowledge base. You will consider the diagnostic tests used within your specialist professional area and be able to understand how test results are used to plan subsequent treatment. It will provide you with a comprehensive appreciation of a number of specialisms in physiological sciences through broad experiential components in cardiovascular, respiratory and sleep sciences in order to develop a more holistic view of the areas contributing to high-quality care.

Opportunities for progression

During your studies on the Medical Physiology and Diagnostics award you will follow one of two pathways, either Cardiovascular Physiology or Respiratory Physiology and Sleep Science. This will give you the essential skills for you to be able to work as a Healthcare Associate Practitioner in your specialist field, as an associate practitioner you will gain experience in the workplace via this route. This may then allow you to become a practitioner via the newly developing recognition scheme, or it will allow you to apply for entry to the Scientist Training Programme.