The School of Health Sciences undergraduate programmes will relocate to the Magee campus in Derry~Londonderry from September 2022.
Postgraduate Health Sciences teaching will move to the University’s Belfast campus at the same time.
The School of Health Sciences will remain at Jordanstown for the 21/22 academic year to enable sufficient time for transition arrangements to the new locations.
This location decision reflects the benefits and opportunities presented by the co-location of the School of Medicine, Paramedic Practice and the award-winning School of Nursing based at the University’s Magee campus.
Our Magee campus will best enable the NHS strategic emphasis on development of multi-disciplinary teams and rich opportunities for interprofessional learning.
The BSc Hons Health Physiology programme is ideal for students who are interested in technology, health and wellbeing.
Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are the leading causes of premature death worldwide. This course focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disease and equips you with practical skills to carry out cardiovascular and respiratory investigations commonly used in clinical settings. In year 2 you can choose to remain on the Health Physiology pathway or apply to transfer to a Healthcare Science pathway which includes NHS placement across Year 2 and 3.
In this section
On campus attendance required for all modules.
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until near the start date and may be subject to change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days of attendance will often be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10- or 20-credit modules and postgraduate course typically 15- or 30-credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Masters courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be via one method or a combination e.g. examination and coursework . Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessment. The precise assessment will depend on the module and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification and the assessment timetable. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have four learning outcomes, and no more than two items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised.
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6 (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Masters degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study. In Masters degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures correct for academic year 2019-2020.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.
Our vision is aligned to the strategic growth plan for the city and region.
Enjoy student life in one of Europe's most vibrant cities.
Find out more - information about accommodation
Our facilities in Magee cater for many sports ranging from archery to volleyball, and are open to students and members of the public all year round.
Find out more - information about sport
At Student Wellbeing we provide many services to help students through their time at Ulster University.
Find out more - information about student wellbeing
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
In this section
Year: 1
Status: C
This module will provide the student with an understanding of the theoretical principles and practical application of range of cardiovascular techniques. This module helps to ensure that the student can undertake a range of cardiovascular physiological measurements and work safely within a clinical area.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module introduces the student to the basic science behind the physiological assessment and diagnosis of the normal lung and simple respiratory disorders. Students will study dynamic lung volumes, respiratory air flow rates and oxygen saturation developing practical and diagnostic skills in respiratory investigation.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module will examine how biological systems are organised and controlled at the cellular and molecular level and the study of anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system, the blood and lymphatic systems (including the role of the renal system) and the respiratory system. The role of these systems in the maintenance of homeostatic balance in the overall function of the body is considered.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module involves the systematic study of the functional anatomy and physiology in the human body of the nervous system, the special senses, the endocrine, reproductive and musculoskeletal systems and the gastrointestinal tract. The role of these systems in the maintenance of homeostatic balance in the overall function of the body is considered.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module provides the student with the theoretical and practical understanding of equipment used in the diagnosis and monitoring of normal and diseased states. The module introduces Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, Clinical Bioinformatics and Health Informatics and Epidemiology and Public Health.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module provides opportunities to learn in an interprofessional context. Students will acquire skills for both academic and practice based learning. It will provide them with an opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills on issues relating to professional practice and personal development within a supportive environment.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module supports students personal and professional development by increasing their knowledge of the healthcare and their awareness of how their personal behaviours can impact on care delivery.
The module also supports students to develop personal skills and strategies to enhance opportunities to match career aspirations
Year: 2
Status: C
This gives the student theoretical and practical understanding of equipment used in the diagnosis and monitoring of normal and diseased states. The student will be able to describe and converse at the appropriate level with both clinical staff and patients on the application of the equipment. They will also be aware of the governing legislation and safety of application of these technologies.
Year: 2
Status: C
In order to practise effectively in a healthcare environment, practitioners require an understanding of key pathophysiological concepts of common cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. This module will examine the commonality of physiological responses at the organ and cellular level that give rise to diverse pathologies within the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. This will facilitate an understanding of the underpinning physiological processes that are involved in the manifestation of common disease states. This module introduces and develops key concepts in relation to common cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. It provides the student with the necessary underpinning knowledge in pathophysiology for effective practice as a healthcare science practitioner.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module will develop the necessary theoretical and practical skills required to perform, analyse, interpret, diagnose and evaluate electrocardiographical findings. It further develops theoretical and practical competence of electrocardiography.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module will help the student to develop an understanding of modern concepts of drug action and the pharmacology, clinical uses and limitations of drug therapy. The student will also learn to critically evaluate available information and current research on the efficacy and limitations of drugs.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module examines the process of sleep in the normal individual and the changes seen in a range of sleep disorders. The student will study a selection of subjective and objective sleep assessment investigations used to identify simple pathologies. This will facilitate the recognition of normal sleep and a range of sleep disorders.
Year: 2
Status: C
The module provides a foundation of knowledge and skills for using research evidence to inform practice and for designing and conducting research and clinical audit post-registration. The focus is on research design and qualitative and quantitative methods appropriate for healthcare research. A series of lectures and seminars provide theoretical knowledge and practical experience of research activities including data analysis.
Year: 3
Status: C
In this module students will develop research skills by undertaking a research study on a topic related to practice. Each student, supported by a supervisor, will have an opportunity to undertake one of the following types of research project (i) a systematic critical review to inform practice; (ii) a research protocol involving the design of a research study to produce evidence to inform practice or (iii) research report involving the collection and/or analysis of data to produce evidence to inform practice.
Year: 3
Status: C
This module supports student personal and professional development by facilitating preparation for recruitment and selection procedures, enhancing knowledge of health policy and skills for continuing professional development and lifelong learning.
Year: 3
Status: C
The aims of this module are to develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills
required to perform cardiac ultrasound, analyse data obtained and interpret indices for a
range of cardiac conditions.
Year: 3
Status: C
This module facilitates and encourages the student to examine aspects of professional development and entrepreneurial skills in an area of employment of interest to themselves. The module will support the student to develop a strong employability profile.
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
This module introduces the student to areas of advanced respiratory investigation in respiratory muscle function testing, capillary/arterial blood sampling and analysis and sleep studies. The module complements and builds upon previous techniques addressed to provide an integrative and holistic interpretation of investigations in the light of patient history, presenting symptoms and full set of investigative results from other tests performed in the care and diagnostic pathway.
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
This module continues student development of knowledge and practical skills in advanced respiratory investigations including challenge tests, field exercise and paediatric investigations. Emphasis for this final year specialist respiratory and sleep science theme remains on fostering the necessary skills to integrate previous diagnostic and therapeutic learning with new to ensure the best patient focused care.
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
This research informed, evidence based module provides the underpinning theoretical and practical skills required to begin to perform, analyse, interpret and diagnose a range of invasive cardiac investigations. Investigations included in the module are cardiac catheterisation, percutaneous coronary interventions, haemodynamics and implantable cardiac device management. It provides healthcare scientists an opportunity to develop specialist knowledge in cardiac care pathways and cardiac service development.
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
This research informed, evidence based module provides the underpinning theoretical and practical skills required to begin to perform, analyse, interpret and diagnose a range of provocation investigations within cardiology. Investigations included in the module are exercise stress testing, head up tilt table testing and Valsalva manoeuvres. It provides healthcare scientists an opportunity to develop specialist knowledge in cardiac care pathways and cardiac service development.
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
This module will support students to develop the necessary theoretical and practical skills required to support further training and a career in neurophysiology.
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
In this section
Grades BBC to include a grade B from one of the following: Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, CCEA Single Award Life & Health Sciences (first taught September 2016), Double Award Applied Science, Double Award Life & Health Sciencesor Double Award Health & Social Care. Applicants can satisfy the requirement for the A level grade C (or equivalent) by substituting a combination of alternative qualifications recognised by the University.
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma(2012 Suite) in a relevant science based BTEC.
Award profile of DDD
OR
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma(2016 Suite) in a relevant science based BTEC.
Award profile of DMM
You may also meet the course entry requirements with combinations of different qualifications to the same standard (provided subject requirements are met). Examples of combinations include:
A levels with BTEC Level 3 QCF Subsidiary Diploma or BTEC RQF National Extended Certificate
A level with BTEC Level 3 QCF Diploma or BTEC Level 3 RQF National Diploma.
For further information on the entry requirements for this course please contact the administrator as listed in Contact details.
112 UCAS tariff pointsto include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at Higher level).
Course Specific Subject requirements:
Higher Level subjects must include Maths, English and least two H3s from Physics, Chemistry or Biology.
Grades BBCCC to include two subjects, one of which must be a grade B, from the following maths, physics, chemistry, biology, double award health and social care, double award life and health sciences, double award applied science.
Grades CCD including at least one subject grade C from the following maths, physics, chemistry, biology, double award health and social care, double award life and health sciences, double award applied science.
For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above in English Language, additionally GCSE maths Grade C/4.
Please note that for purposes of entry to this course the Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Application of Number is NOT regarded as an acceptable alternative to GCSE Maths.
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
Applicants should note that, as they will be engaged in 'regulated activity' involving children or vulnerable adults as part of their course, there is a compulsory, legal requirement to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure from AccessNI. The cost for this is payable by the applicant and is currently 33. More information on Enhanced Disclosures may be accessed by www.accessni.gov.uk (http://www.accessni.gov.uk).
You will also be requried to demonstrate good health prior to commencing the course. You will therefore complete a health declaration form which will be screened by Occupational Health who will confirm your medical fitness to undertake the course. Following the screening, you may be requried to undertake a vaccination programme. You will be liable for the cost of both the health screening and vaccinations. Costs will be confirmed.
HND(science related)entry requirement:
Pass HND with overall Merit to include 45 distinctions in level 5 credits/units.
HNC (science related) entry requirement:
Pass HNC with overall to include 75distinctions in level 4/5 credits/units.
Ulster Foundation Degree
Pass in Foundation Degree in a science related area with an overall mark of 50% in level 5 modules. Applicants will be considered for year one entry only.
Applicants who have successfully completed studies equivalent in content and level to the year 1 modules will be considered for direct entry into year 2 of this course.
In this section
This degree course is designed especially to prepare graduates for the myriad of career opportunities which include education, health promotion, pharmaceutical, medical device sales/marketing. You may also elect to undertake further study for a PhD and opportunities exist for post graduate research studies at Ulster and elsewhere.
You will undertake work placement in the final year of the programme. This will provide you with an opportunity to develop specific skills that will enhance your employability and support your career aspirations.
Fees illustrated are based on academic year 22/23 entry and are subject to an annual increase.
If your study continues into future academic years your fees are subject to an annual increase. Please take this into consideration when you estimate your total fees for a degree.
Additional mandatory costs are highlighted where they are known in advance. There are other costs associated with university study.
Visit our Fees pages for full details of fees.
Correct at the time of publishing. Terms and conditions apply.
£4,630.00
£9,250.00
£15,360.00
Additional Costs - AccessNI check, Health Screening, Uniforms.
Placement Expenses - students may incur expenses during periods of placement. Some placements may be oustside Northern Ireland and will incur additional costs.
Uniforms - as part of your course, you will be requried to purchase a uniform during the first week of semester. 2020/21 costs were approx £100.
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
Admissions contact:
Karen McCarroll
Course director:
Nicole Blackburn
International Admissions Office
E: internationaladmissions@ulster.ac.uk
