Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) BSc

Cardiac physiologists work in a challenging and stimulating environment. They combine caring and analytical problem solving in order to provide excellent patient care and support.

Our accreddited course focuses primarily on diagnosis and assessment of heart disease. The course integrates both academic and workplace learning.

Why choose Leeds?

• The only cardiac physiology course in the UK that sits within a School of Medicine.

• Use our 4D computer technology for enhanced learning.

• Work with patients from the Patient Carer Community group to help prepare you for placement.

• Clinical placements across Yorkshire and Humber.

• Develop your clinical skills through practical sessions in our dedicated laboratories.

• Study specialist areas of interest undertaking a research project in your final year.

• Undertake novel research with the opportunity to present at conferences and in professional journals.

• Careful timetabling means you can enjoy an extended summer break.

• Based within the globally renowned Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine means that our students have access to leading researchers and can attend and participate in academic research seminars alongside practising cardiologists and senior medical researchers.

You'll benefit from our well-established network of high-quality placements, where you’ll receive clinical training from experienced cardiac professionals. Our students often describe their placements as the highlight of the course and the degree has an excellent employability record. In fact, 87% of our students go on to work and/or study within 15 months of graduation (Discover Uni, 2020).

Visit our Cardiac Physiology website to find out more >

We have over 12 years’ experience of providing clinical physiology training and you'll be taught by experienced practising professionals. Being part of the School of Medicine links our academic expertise with world-leading research. On successful completion of the course, students are eligible to apply for registration with the Academy of Healthcare Science as a Practitioner.

Did you miss our virtual open days? Don’t worry, you can still watch our helpful course talks and student videos or find out more on accommodation, student finance, and much more. Visit our virtual open day page now to find out if Leeds is the right choice for you.

Undergraduate Virtual Open Days

You can find out more about studying Cardiac Physiology with us during our upcoming Virtual Open Day events, between 2-9th October. Register your interest to find out more.

Accreditation

The course is accredited by the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS).

Year 1

You’ll gain a broad understanding of the principles of Healthcare Science. Alongside this, you’ll be introduced to the theory and practice of cardiovascular, respiratory and sleep studies. You’ll also learn about professional working and will start to develop your independent and critical thinking skills. You will complete 10 weeks of clinical placements.

Year 2

You’ll learn about a range of non-invasive cardiac diagnostic assessments, which will prepare you for your specialist clinical placement. In particular, you’ll focus on ECG interpretation, ambulatory monitoring and exercise tolerance testing. These are the procedures you’ll train in during 15 weeks of clinical placement. In addition, you’ll study the pathophysiology of cardiac and respiratory diseases.

Year 3

You’ll learn about a range of invasive cardiac diagnostics - including diagnostic angiograms and pacemaker implants - and explore more deeply a wide range of cardiac disorders and the options available to treat and manage these conditions. You’ll also conduct a research project in one particular area of cardiology. You’ll continue to develop your practical skills both in the on-site clinical laboratories and in your dedicated final clinical placement in semester 2 of this year. In total, you'll complete 25 weeks on clinical placement during the final year.

Throughout the course, you’ll develop the skills necessary to become a cardiac physiologist. You’ll also gain more general skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, independent learning, scientific enquiry, professional working and reflective practice.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) BSc in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Learning and teaching

Methods of training are highly participative, with a combination of tutor-led input and support, learning through group work and discussion, and individual exercises and practice.

Facilities

The School has a dedicated cardiac physiology clinical skills area. The rooms consist of a separate ambulatory monitoring room, where students can be taught and can practise fitting, downloading and analysing ambulatory information. There is also a larger room for dedicated clinical skills teaching, with the equipment to perform ECGs, basic spirometry and blood pressure monitoring – all basic skills required for the Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) BSc.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

We use a range of assessment methods to assess your clinical and professional skills. These include presentations, group assessments, unseen examinations, practical skills examinations, seen examinations, along with essays and clinical practice profiles of evidence.

You’ll need to demonstrate the knowledge and application of standard concepts, information and techniques relevant to the discipline, as well as your emerging abilities, skills and competencies. You need to be able to draw on a wide variety of material and be able to evaluate and criticise received opinion.

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB including a science subject (biology, human biology, chemistry, maths and physics). Other science based subjects will be considered.

GCSE: A minimum of 5 GCSEs grade C or above (or 4 or above) required in Maths, English Language, and Science.

Other course specific tests:

You will need to show evidence of study in the last 5 years.

• Access to HE Diploma

  45 credits at level 3, which must be at distinction and include 15 credits from science subjects. We strongly advise you to contact the School to discuss the suitability of your chosen Access course. We consider Access Courses to be suitable for mature applicants (21 plus) who have been out of full-time education and have had no previous access to higher education.

• BTEC

  BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF): distinction/distinction/distinction and must contain at least one-third science content at distinction.

  Health and Social Care qualifications have insufficient science content and will only be considered with an additional science A level – biology, human biology, chemistry, maths and physics.

  All BTEC modules must be listed on your UCAS form or else your application will be rejected.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  Three Merits (M1) in 3 Principal Subjects, one of which must be a science

• International Baccalaureate

  34 points overall, including 3 higher level subjects at minimum of grade 5, one of which must be a science subject

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  (Leaving Certificate): AABBBB, including English, maths and 2 science subjects.

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  BB at Advanced Higher level and AABBB at Higher level
  Or
  B at Advanced Higher level and AAABB at Higher level.
  
  For applicants without Advanced Highers, we require AABBBB at Higher level.

  Each of these options requires 1 science, from Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry or Physics.

• Other Qualifications

  Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year: Successful completion of the year with an overall score of at least 65%

  Interdisciplinary Studies with Preparation for Higher Education: Successful completion of the year with an overall score of at least 65%

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds Offer

GCSEs

A minimum of 5 GCSEs grade C or above (or 4 or above) required in Maths, English, and Science.

A Levels

BBC and must still include a science subject to grade B.

Scottish Highers

CC at Advanced Higher level and AABBB at Higher level.

Or

C at Advanced Higher level and AABBB at Higher Level.

For applicants without Advanced Highers, we require BBBBBB at Higher level.

Each of these options requires 1 science, from Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry or Physics

Irish Highers (leaving certificate)

Require a minimum of 6 subjects taken at Higher level (not ordinary IO) and must include English language and maths plus 2 sciences from biology, physics or chemistry, grades required are minimum BBBBBB.

Cambridge Pre-U

Three Merits (M2) in 3 Principal Subjects, one of which must be a science.

IB

33 points overall, including 2 higher level subjects at minimum of grade 5, one of which must be a science subject.

BTEC

DDM, with at least one-third science content which must be at a D.

Access to HE, Foundation year or OU module candidates are not eligible for A2L offers

122 points equivalent. For Access courses we would go down to 36 credits, the specific minimum 15 distinction credits for science units must be maintained.

Visit the Lifelong Learning Centre to find out more about our Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year and Interdisciplinary Studies with Preparation for Higher Education courses. Please note, you will be expected to have achieved an overall mark of at least 65%.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

The School of Medicine does not normally participate in the UCAS Extra scheme for entry onto the Healthcare Sciences (Cardiac Physiology) BSc degree course. You must tell us in your UCAS application if you want to defer entry and if you have any prior criminal convictions.

Read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the admissions process

Please see the latest School of Medicine Admissions Appeals and Complaints Procedure.

Selection

We shortlist applicants against agreed criteria, using the information you submit on your UCAS form only. You must meet the academic entry requirement for the programme, at application or within the academic cycle. Your academic background and personal statement help us to assess your interest in the academic subject and are an important part of the process. The reference you provide on the UCAS form must also support your application.

Interviews

Shortlisted applicants are normally invited for interview at the School of Medicine. This allows us to further assess your aptitude for and interest in the course. It’s also an opportunity for you to visit the facilities, find out more about the course and meet staff and students.

If shortlisted, you'll receive a written invitation from the School to attend a selection event on a specific time and date. If this date is unsuitable, contact the School and where possible we'll offer an alternative date. If you don't notify us and don't attend a selection event, your application will be rejected.

Interviews are through multiple mini interviews, where we further assess applicants’ non-academic qualities. There are currently four interview stations, which applicants progress around. Each station currently lasts 6 minutes, with 2 minutes to move between stations and read the next task. The format of stations varies. At the end of each station the examiners award marks, according to a pre-determined standardised scale. After the completion of all stations we calculate a ranked score.

Offers are made on the basis of merit and the decision to make an offer after interview depends entirely on your performance at interview, not on your predicted or achieved academic performance, or other scores.

There will also be an opportunity at these selection events to speak with current students.

Admissions policy

School of Medicine undergraduate admissions policy 2021

Fees

UK: See fees section below

International: £25,250 (per year)

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry 
For UK full-time students starting in 2021, the fee for 2021/22 will be £9,250.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the UK government and may vary if policy changes.

EU students starting in 2021/22 
EU students starting their course in the 2021/22 academic year or later will now be classed as international students and so will need to pay the international student tuition fee.

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2022/23 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. In other years, the government has confirmed fee levels in the summer. When the fee is confirmed we will publish an update on all course pages.

Tuition fees for new international students for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for international students are published on each individual course page. These are usually published a year in advance, so 2022 course fees should be available from September 2021.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

Additional cost information

<p>You will receive a contribution towards travel costs you may incur in attending your clinical placements, this is currently available to all students attending placements outside of the Leeds area e.g. placements in Hull, Sheffield, Bradford, Doncaster, York, etc. A contribution towards accommodation costs is also provided, where travel to and from placement on a daily basis is not possible. Provision of this financial support is assessed on an individual basis, depending on placement location and circumstances.</p>

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Cardiac disease is a major problem of the Western world. In the UK the demand for cardiac physiologists is greater than the number practising, ensuring a continued future for registered cardiac physiologist professionals.

The NHS employs the majority of cardiac physiologists. Some cardiac physiologists work in the private sector and in GP surgeries. Opportunities arise for cardiac physiologists to work in the industry as application specialists, supporting clients in using and troubleshooting equipment.

Cardiac physiologists work largely autonomously, making clinical decisions and providing clinical reports. As well as conducting diagnostic assessments and providing treatment, cardiac physiologist roles can also include consultant, counsellor, advisor, educator, facilitator, researcher and therapist.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Clinical placements

You’ll undertake placements in Cardiology departments throughout the course, benefiting from our excellent and well-established network.