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Health Sciences (with Foundation Year) Cert HE

This course is designed for those who plan to apply for a place on one of our pre-registration courses such as such as nursing, midwifery, paramedic practice, physiotherapy and diagnostic radiography, allowing you to develop the knowledge and understanding of a broad range of health-related topics and professional skills in preparation for your application.

 

C992 CertHE/HScFY

Course routes:

 

Course overview

Completion of this Cert HE will help you with any future UCAS application** to study a course in our Nursing, Midwifery & Health Professions leading to eligibility for professional registration, but does not in itself guarantee a place as other entry criteria apply. Offers are made to eligible candidates on a competitive basis following a selection process.

**Please check the full entry criteria, including any Level 2 (for example, GCSE) requirements, for your chosen pre-registration course. This Cert HE is designed to help you with your UCAS application for a place on your chosen pre-registration course in a health profession, but completing the Cert HE does not in itself guarantee a place on a pre-registration course. Offers are made to eligible candidates on a competitive basis following a selection process.

Your Cert HE also gives you access to most of our undergraduate courses in Life & Physical Sciences and Crime, Forensics & Investigative Sciences.

Your Cert HE qualifies you to apply for entry to the second year of study (advanced entry) for the following courses:

• BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences
• BSc (Hons) Nutrition
• BSc (Hons) Food Science and Technology
• BSc (Hons) Health Sciences
• BSc (Hons) Human Biology

This course includes a foundation year - ideal if you need additional preparation or if you don't have sufficient grades to join Year 1 of a degree.

Our Cert HE Health Sciences (with Foundation Year) includes an integrated foundation year if you are not eligible to join Level 4 (Year 1) of our Cert HE directly.

Download pdf Order prospectus

 

Course details

Course structure

Foundation year core modules

An Introduction to Anatomy and Pathophysiology

This core module gives you the opportunity to develop a basic knowledge of human anatomy and physiology as part of your foundation year. It focuses on the concept of homeostasis – how all systems work in harmony. The content is delivered using a systems approach across a range of body systems.

Big Data

Big data – it’s a phrase that a lot of people would argue is overused, or at least not always used in the appropriate context. So, what is it really? How is it made and how do we make sense of it?

You learn how big data is not just abundant but a growing field in so many aspects of our society from policing and conservation to health and bioinformatics. You explore how groups and communities use and share big data to help keep themselves safe in disaster zones around the world. You begin to value the role data plays in helping to make sense of community relationships in society, from uncovering criminal networks, tracking disease outbreaks to developing a deeper understanding of our ecology.

Data might end up in a data-frame spreadsheet format but it doesn’t begin there. It is often created with people and animals engaging with each other and technology. You explore how search engines collate and store the data we need to help make predictions, enhance decision making, or simply to better understand society’s needs.

This is a 20-credit module.

Chemical Science and the Environment

This module provides an overview of fundamental concepts in chemistry and their application in the context of environmental and life sciences

Chemistry is the study of the structure, properties and reactivity of elements and compounds, and plays a key role in all physical, life and applied sciences. The topics covered include the structure of the atom, the periodic table, chemical bonding, chemical reactivity, environmental science, biogeochemistry, pollution, green chemistry and climate change.

This is a 20-credit module.

Experimental Methods for Life Science

This module is based around a series of laboratory sessions. The first sessions emphasise important foundation skills, such as how to work safely in a practical environment and how to properly document practical work. These are followed by a series of sessions based on your wider academic interests including the basics of microscopy, handling microorganisms, safe handling food, using volumetric glassware and investigating acid base titrations.

This is a 20-credit module.

Global Grand Challenges

You focus on how science can help address some of the global grand challenges that face society. A group project enables you to develop innovative answers to some of the biggest issues of our time based on health and wellbeing, resilient and secure societies, digital and creative economy, sustainable environments and learning for the 21st century. The themes reflect the University’s focus on externally facing research that makes a real, practical difference to the lives of people and the success of businesses and economies.

Introduction to Health Sciences

You build a foundation of science knowledge applicable to healthcare, within a health and social care arena. You learn through a variety of teaching methods, including lectures to provide the core underpinning knowledge, seminars, group work, and role play to develop your knowledge and understanding.

 

Year 1 core modules

Anatomy and Physiology

You gain a basic knowledge of human body structure and to relate this knowledge to both the understanding of the mechanisms associated with the control and regulation of physiological processes of the major organs systems of the body. This will allow you to develop ability to apply, evaluate and interpret the knowledge to solve problems in the discipline. You also develop applied contexts of the knowledge such as the construction of biological profiles for human identification including sex, age at death, stature determination and biological affinity. The module will be delivered through lectures, computer- aided learning via interactive web-based activities and labs.

Application of Health Sciences

You study the breadth of health science, clinical and non-clinical support services within the National Health Service in the delivery of high- quality, person-centred care.

You learn through a variety of teaching methods, including lectures to provide the core underpinning knowledge, seminars, group work, and role play to develop your knowledge, understanding and confidence.

Service user/carer involvement provides you with a valuable insight into personal experience of current healthcare provision.

This is a 20-credit module.

Biochemistry and Chemical Science

You will develop an understanding of key concepts necessary to underpin subsequent studies in chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical sciences and molecular biology. Building of the underlying principles of chemistry is essential to understand complex biological systems. This module will introduce the fundamentals of chemistry and link them to the key biomolecules and biochemical processes which form the basis of life.

This is a 20-credit module.

Cell Biology

You increase your understanding of biological processes at the cellular level. You will explore eukaryotic cell architecture and function with a molecular and mammalian focus, and learn about cell division and the cell cycle, genetic organisation of cells, DNA replication and gene expression. Your exploration of these aspects of cell and molecular biology will be supported by a series of laboratory-based sessions.

Microbiology

You are introduced to a range of microscopic organisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa, microbial cell structure and function, microbial growth, microbial diversity, and the importance of microbes in the environment, industry and human health.

Pathology

You gain an overview of normal histology and cytology of major organs and systems of the human body and molecular and cellular factors underpinning the pathology of common diseases. The causes, mechanisms and extent of disease are examined, as well as adaptations to injury, such as apoptosis and necrosis (death of living cells or tissues), autophagy, inflammation, wound healing, and neoplasia (abnormal new growth of cells).

 

Modules offered may vary.

 

How you learn

You learn through a variety of teaching methods including lectures, seminars, laboratory work, projects and examinations. You are also expected to undertake self-study to review lecture notes, prepare coursework assignments, work on projects and revise for assessments.


Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
Find out more about our disability services

Find out more about financial support
Find out more about our course related costs

 

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Examples of typical entry qualifications include any combination of Level 3 qualifications (for example, A/AS levels, BTEC Certificates/Diplomas, Access to HE).

Any Level 3 subject is acceptable for entry to this course. You are expected to provide evidence of English language and mathematical skills equivalent to at least GCSE grade C/4.

Non-EU international students who need a student visa to study in the UK should check our web pages on UKVI-compliant English language requirements. The University also provides pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet the minimum English language requirement.

Applicant Days
If you receive an offer to study with us you may be invited to attend one of our Applicant Days. This is a great opportunity to learn more about studying at Teesside by exploring our campus, seeing our excellent facilities, meeting staff and students, and finding out more about your course.

The Applicant Day provides you with information, guidance and advice to help you make the right choice. Even if you have attended an Open Day we encourage you to attend the Applicant Day - we are confident you will find your visit a useful experience.

Alternative progression routes
If you are not eligible to join this course directly then we may be able to help you prepare for admission by studying appropriate pre-degree Summer University modules.

Please contact us to discuss the alternative progression routes available to you.

For general information please see our overview of entry requirements


You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL

 

Employability

Career opportunities

The Cert HE Health Sciences course provides you with a broad knowledge and understanding of health-related topics. The course provides you with a range of study routes and career opportunities.

Successfully completing the Cert HE Health Sciences can help you in a new application for one of our pre-registration health courses. Course options could include (see Nursing, Midwifery & Health Professions for the latest list of available courses):

  • BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy
  • BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography 
  • BSc (Hons) Midwifery 
  • BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (Adult) 
  • BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (Child)
  • BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (Learning Disabilities) 
  • BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (Mental Health) 
  • BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy 
  • BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Studies 
  • BSc (Hons) Paramedic Practice 
  • BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy 

If you wish to be considered for a place on a course within Nursing, Midwifery & Health Professions, you are required to submit a new application through UCAS, normally at the beginning of your Level 4 studies (for example Year 1 of the Cert HE Health Sciences course). Applications are subject to the normal selection processes.

Alternatively, you can choose to continue on a course within Life & Physical Sciences. Some courses in this discipline may allow you to progress with advanced entry to Level 5 (Year 2) directly after completing your Cert HE Health Sciences.

The admissions criteria for all our courses are available on the University’s web pages. The time spent studying health sciences degree will help you in your new application by building your knowledge in fundamental key subjects and developing your competencies in a range of relevant skills. Your health sciences course tutors are there to advise you on your personal development in preparation for your application and interview. 

If you are thinking about transferring to a new course after one or more years of study on your health sciences degree then you are strongly advised to read the guidance on student loan eligibility for transferring students provided by Student Funding England, and to seek individual advice from the Student Loan Company to satisfy yourself that you will have access to sufficient funding to enable you to complete your studies.
Find out more

 
 

Other course routes

Full-time

Entry to 2024/25 academic year

Fee for UK applicants
£9,250 a year

More details about our fees


What is included in your tuition fee?

  • Length: 2 years
  • UCAS code: C992 CertHE/HScFY
  • Start date: September
  • Semester dates

Apply online (full-time) through UCAS

 

Part-time

  • Not available part-time
 

Choose Teesside

  • News

    Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Paul Croney OBE, and Professor Mark Simpson, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) receiving a tour of BIOS.. Link to View the pictures. Teesside University launches bid to further expand health, medical and clinical provision
    Ambitious plans to support the region’s healthcare needs have been unveiled at an event showcasing Teesside University’s new £36.9m BIOS facility.

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Get in touch

UK students

Email: shlsadmissions@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: 01642 738801


Online chat (general enquiries)

 

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