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Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) BSc Honours

Analyse the human heart with the latest tech at our brand-new facilities. We are one of only two universities to offer this course in London
Code
B702
Start
September 2024
Duration
3 years full-time
Attendance
Full-time
Fees
£9,250 (UK) *
Course leader
Lesley Davies

This course has reached full capacity and will no longer be recruiting for September 2023. The next course entry will be September 2024.

Why choose Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) BSc Honours at Middlesex?

Our healthcare science degree with a specialism in cardiac physiology is quite rare in the UK and is one of only 2 such courses in London.

Develop practical skills in our new facilities, learn from teaching staff who have worked in the industry, and spend nearly a year working within cardiology departments using our industry links to London and the South East NHS.

This course is designed to meet the demands of the Department of Health's Modernising Scientific Careers programme so you develop the specific skills that are in short supply – and high demand.

What you will gain

You will graduate with the ability to critically evaluate research evidence in the context of current theory and practice and the confidence to solve clinical problems under pressure. You will also have the communication skills to provide an excellent standard of patient care

Our graduates have gone on to become cardiac physiologists employed by the NHS and in private organisations, including the following; Harley Street Clinic, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Barts Health NHS Trust, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust and The Royal Brompton Hospital, among many others.

Accreditations

This course is accredited by the National School of Healthcare Science, T and NHS England (formerly HEE).

What you will learn

Covering everything from diagnostics and monitoring to analytical and intervention procedures, you’ll gain an expert understanding of the heart, how it functions, and how to provide treatment to patients of all ages.

You’ll develop experience and skills in varied investigations, such as electrocardiograms (ECGs), exercise stress testing, blood pressure measurement and cardiac angiography.

We will help you put theory into practice at our brand new West Stand facility where you will be based with other healthcare science students.

You will be amongst the first cohorts to fully experience this exciting £23 million redevelopment which has created a state-of-the-art educational and high-performance centre for teaching and research excellence.

To develop your knowledge and skills you will be using facilities such as the cardiology practical lab and cardiology simulation suite. You'll be using revolutionary technology to create simulations, with the latest virtual and augmented reality.

In this healthcare science cardiac physiology degree you will:

  • Study the most recent research and use the most up-to-date technology in the field
  • Get plenty of hands-on learning experience in our specialist labs
  • Have clinical placement opportunities throughout London and the South East
  • Develop the skills and knowledge needed to start a career in cardiac physiology.

3 great reasons to pick this course

Excellent career prospects
The NHS is one of the world's largest employers this degree provides you with the skills, knowledge and experience to work at its centre

Cutting-edge healthcare science labs
You will develop your skills on the same systems used by practising scientists in the clinical environment, ensuring you are industry-ready when you graduate

State-of-the-art facilities
In partnership with Saracens Rugby Club, you’ll have access to the fantastic resources at StoneX Stadium, including the brand new £23 million redevelopment project of the West Stand


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This degree is designed to develop the knowledge, skills, attitude and ethical values required to provide excellent patient-centred care, and to work safely and effectively in the National Health Service.

You will learn to execute specialist procedures in cardiac science including:

  • Exercise stress testing – monitoring the effects of exercise upon the heart
  • Pacemaker implantation and follow-up – measurements and programming pacemaker devices
  • Cardiac angiography – imaging and assessing blood vessels supplying the heart) when permitted.

You will also learn to carry out electrocardiograms (ECGs), blood pressure measurements and ambulatory recording analysis.

Year 1

Broad scientific training; basic physiology and pathophysiology, introduction to the ECG, blood pressure and basic arrhythmia, plus an introduction to diagnostic procedures and development of professional practice.

Year 2

More specialised training with advanced pathophysiology and arrhythmia, exploration of non-invasive diagnostic procedures and more practical workshops, using the equipment in the cardiac lab and simulation suite.

Year 3

Mostly clinical experience as you spend up to 25 weeks on clinical placement, with theoretical classes on provocative electrocardiography, pacing and cardiac catheterisation, plus an advanced understanding of professional practice and clinical governance.

Modules

  • Year 1 - Compulsory

    • Professional Practice (15 credits)

      The module is designed to ensure that you acquires the knowledge, gain the skills and develop the attitude required for a career as a Healthcare Science Practitioner. It also provides an insight into the roles and responsibilities of the practitioner and will help you develop your communication, study and team working skills.

    • Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Sleep Science (30 credits)

      The module aims to provide you with the basic theory and practice of cardiac, vascular, respiratory and sleep sciences. On completion of this module you will be able to outline the basic principles underpinning routine physiological investigations and procedures carried out in the diagnosis and treatment of common cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. You should also be able recognise and explain normal test results, and identify safe and effective clinical practice..

    • Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems (15 credits)

      The module aims to provide you with an in-depth knowledge of the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology related to cardiology, vascular, respiratory and sleep sciences

    • Clinical Technology and Mathematics (15 credits)

      The module introduces you to the basic principles of both physics and mathematics that are related to healthcare and ensures that you have a good range of the mathematical and statistical skills that underpin the practice of healthcare science.

    • Social Aspects of Healthcare (15 credits)

      The module aims to introduce you to the principles and core concepts of the sociology of health and illness, plus the importance of epidemiology, health prevention and protection and public health function.

    • Biological Basis of Healthcare (30 credits)

      The module aims to provide you with the basic knowledge and understanding of the biology related to healthcare, with a solid foundation on which to build the knowledge and skills required to work as a Healthcare Science Practitioner.

  • Year 2 - Compulsory

    • Cardiovascular Science (45 credits)

      This module will provide you with a firm grounding in interpretation of the abnormal ECG and its causative pathologies. Recording of the blood pressure through non-invasive measurement at rest and on the ambulant patient is discussed. The module also provides a detailed background for ambulatory monitoring of the ECG.

    • Cardiovascular & Resp Cond (30 credits)

      The module aims to provide you with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of disease processes and common diseases associated with the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It will explore the epidemiology, public health and psychosocial aspects of each disease.

  • Year 3 - Compulsory

    • Pacing and Catheterisation (45 credits)

      The module aims to provide you with knowledge and understanding of a pacing and cardiac catheterisation in adults. In addition, you will gain a deep appreciation of physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology related to each investigative procedure or therapeutic intervention.

    • Provocative Electrocardiography (15 credits)

      The module aims to provide you with a knowledge and understanding of provocative electrocardiography. In addition, you will gain a deep appreciation physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology related to this investigative procedure. This module will also build on earlier work to develop the themes of public health and epidemiology of cardiovascular disease, risk factors, risk assessment and primary prevention including behavioural change management. It will also explore the importance of patient-centred care and the clinical audit.

    • Dissertation (30 credits) - Compulsory

      This module will build on the skills you have acquired when undertaking previous research modules and from the knowledge gained throughout the programme. Further development of analysis, critical thinking and scientific literary style will be promoted. You will be enabled to pursue areas of individual interest in the subject area appropriate to their target award and will have the opportunity of gaining increased theoretical and practical knowledge in a chosen specialist field. Individual research experience will be gained in an area that may provide future employment opportunities. Personal responsibility for own learning through self-directed study and supervised preparation will be fostered. It is an integral part of the degree programme, furthering the development of skills in critical analysis and reflection.

To find out more about this respected course, please download the Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) BSc Honours specification (PDF).

  1. Teaching and independent learning
  2. Assessment and feedback

Our healthcare sciences labs offer cardiac and neurophysiology students the best in medical monitoring equipment.

The Sheppard Library

Our library is open 24 hours a day during the term and includes:

  • Over 1,000 study areas with rooms for group study and over 600 computer spaces
  • 350,000 books and e-books and more than 24,000 online journals
  • Free laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing.

A cardiac physiology student in conversation with another student

Student support

We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health and disability support.

Additional needs

We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.

Wellness

Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.

Work while you study

Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.

Financial support

You can apply for scholarships and bursaries and our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.

We have also reduced the costs of studying with free laptop loans, free learning resources and discounts to save money on everyday things. Check out our guide to student life on a budget.

How can the BSc Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) support your career?

The NHS is one of the largest employers in the world and this degree provides you with the skills, knowledge and experience to work at the heart of the NHS as a healthcare scientist in cardiac physiology. The NHS has recognised a skills shortage in this area and our course is designed to meet the requirements of the sector.

You can find more useful information about cardiac physiology careers when you visit the NHS careers website.

Graduate job roles

On completion of the programme, you would be eligible to apply for Band 5 physiological science posts in the NHS, although many employers will retain an apprentice graduate in a Band 5 position or higher.

You could also further your studies on an NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) to become a physiological scientist, working in the NHS at Band 7 or higher.

You can find more useful information about Healthcare Science careers on the NHS careers website.

Graduate employers

Our graduates have gone on to become cardiac physiologists employed by the NHS and in private organisations, including the Harley Street Clinic, Huddersfield NHS, Kingston Hospital and Royal Brompton among many others.

Transferable skills

You will develop skills such as teamwork, communication, task management, problem-solving, and decision-making

MDXworks

Our employability service, MDXworks will launch you into the world of work from the beginning of your course, with placements, projects and networking opportunities through our 1000+ links with industry and big-name employers in London and globally.

Our dedicated lifetime career support, like our business start-up support programme and funding for entrepreneurs, has put us in the top 20 UK universities for business leaders and entrepreneurs – Business Money 2023 and a top 10 university for producing CEOs (Novuana, 2023).

Global network

You’ll study with students from 122 countries who’ll hopefully become part of your global network. And after you graduate, we'll still support you through our alumni network to help you progress in your chosen career.

Work placements

Placements are a key element of the course. Over the three years, you may spend up to a total of 50 weeks in NHS clinical physiology departments at hospitals in London or the South East. The availability and operation of these placements is subject to the control of the placement organisation.

Your time on placements is usually Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and is divided as follows:

Year 1 – up to 10 weeks
Year 2 – up to 15 weeks
Year 3 – up to 25 weeks

All placement providers are officially approved by the University and learning opportunities and support will be available to help you complete your Practitioner Training Programme (PTP) training manual.

In the final year, you also have an opportunity to undertake a research project, which could include a clinical audit - research projects carried out on placement will normally require local ethical approval.

  1. UK entry
  2. Interview
  3. How to apply

The fees below are for the 2024/25 academic year:

UK students1

Full-time: £9,250

Additional costs

The following study tools are included in your fees:

  • Free access to resources, learning materials and software you need to succeed on your course
  • Free laptop loans for up to 24 hours
  • Free specialist software for your course
  • Free printing for academic paperwork
  • Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.

Scholarships and bursaries

To help make uni affordable, we do everything we can to support you including our:

  • MDX Excellence Scholarship offers grants of up to £2,000 per year for UK students
  • Regional or International Merit Awards which reward International students with up to £2,000 towards course fees
  • Our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.

Find out more about undergraduate funding and all of our scholarships and bursaries.

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase undergraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.

Lesley Davies FHEA
Course Leader

Lesley is an experienced Cardiac Physiologist, who has worked in prestigious hospitals such as Kings College Hospital and University College London Hospital.

She started her cardiac career as a humble Cardiographer, working her way up to Head of Department and is a great believer in continued education and professional development.

Lesley has gained numerous clinical skills in many areas of cardiac physiology, with vast experience in interventional cardiology, from simple angiography to more complex procedures such as TAVI, experiences she willingly shares with her students.

After becoming involved in training and education in 2001, achieving the D32 and D33 NVQ Assessor awards, Lesley continued to develop clinical and educational skills, leading her to an academic role at Middlesex in 2012. Since then she has gained a PGCert in HE and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Lesley has been hugely influential in the progressive development of the cardiac programmes at Middlesex, including the introduction of the apprenticeship degree programmes, and continues to strive for excellence. She works closely with Health Education England (HEE) ensuring that programme developments are creating a skilled workforce of tomorrow, and is a member of the Pan London Education Alliance.

  • Iqra Sheikh

    Second year student, BSc Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology)

    When my dad had a heart problem, I saw how the doctors helped him. I became intrigued as to how the main organ of the body can be fixed. I wanted to know more about this, and also I wanted to feel that I could give back.

    The first time I came to Middlesex University for an open day it just immediately felt like home. The staff were so friendly and just made me feel comfortable. The university is really accommodating to students. I love that there are two different libraries. The campus has lots of halal food options on offer, which is great for me. I think that this reflects the fact that MDX really respects diversity.

    The lecturers are always happy to offer 1:1 help. They focus on you as individuals and they want you to become the best health practitioner possible. I feel that I can ask any questions in class, which is a big deal for me as I’m usually quite shy. Hands on learning is a huge aspect of the course and we have access to some amazing facilities, from EEG machines to exercise testing machines. Before going on placement, we could practice and get a feel of how everything works. They don’t send us off on our placements without feeling like we understand it all properly.

    I am currently on my placement, five days a week at North Middlesex Hospital. I get to be involved in and experience many different things and the experience helps to open doors when you’re looking for jobs. There is a lot of patient contact and we are given mentors who support us throughout.

    After I have finished this course, I would like to pursue a master’s in paediatric cardiac physiology. This is my way of giving back but also simultaneously doing something I enjoy.


We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

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Duration: 3 years full-time

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Start: September 2024

Duration: 3 years full-time

Code: B610

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