PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

KEY FACTS

Programme name Introduction to Health Sciences

Award Certificate of Higher Education
School School of Health & Psychological Sciences
Department or equivalent School of Health & Psychological Sciences
UCAS Code B70F
Course Code HEUHSC
Programme code HECEHSC01
Route Code USHESC
Type of study Full Time
Total UK credits 120
Total ECTS 60

PROGRAMME SUMMARY

Introduction to Health Sciences is offered as a one-year full-time programme of study.

The programme will offer an introduction to clinical and professional healthcare. Your
programme of study will equip you with an introduction to the appropriate knowledge,
skills and values to meet the changing needs of complex healthcare in the 21st Century
across a range of healthcare disciplines. You will be expected to demonstrate
professional values, champion diversity and challenge inequalities.

The programme provides a thorough education in the core components required to

study one of the following health related BSc (Hons) programmes at City, University of
London:
• BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult Nursing)
• BSc (Hons) Nursing (Children's Nursing)
• BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health Nursing)
• BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography
• BSc (Hons) Therapeutic Radiography and Oncology
• BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy

The programme comprises the following modules:

• HS1926 Introduction to Science Related to Health Care
• HS1927 Academic Skills
• HS1928 Key Skills in Health Sciences
• HS1929 Personal and Professional Development
• HS1930 Introduction to the Healthcare Professions

In ‘Introduction to Science Related to Healthcare’ you will be introduced to some of the

concepts and principles of science that inform health care. This will prepare you for
future health science studies at BSc level.

In 'Academic Skills' you will receive thorough preparation in the academic skills you will
need for successful study at university level.

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In 'Key Skills in Health Sciences' you will develop your knowledge of the main sources
of research evidence and data in relation to health and social care. This will enhance
your intellectual and practical skills in the collection, interpretation, and evaluation of
such data in preparation for future studies at BSc level.

In 'Personal and Professional Development' you will develop as an independent and

reflective learner. This will enhance your ability to work effectively and collaboratively
with others.

In 'Introduction to the Healthcare Professions' you will be acquainted with the roles of
different providers of health and social care services. You will have the opportunity to
select five out of the six BSc health related programmes on offer for taster sessions
related specifically to that discipline.

Aims
The educational aims of the programme are to:
• Provide you with the knowledge and skills to prepare you for entering one of the
aforementioned health related (Hons) programmes
• Provide a supportive environment, which fosters academic and personal
development and uses appropriate learning resources
• Enhance the development of your interpersonal skills
• Use a variety of appropriate teaching and learning methods, to provide education
and training that is relevant, intellectually challenging and enjoyable
• Develop your analytical, critical and problem-solving faculties

By completing the Introduction to Health Sciences programme, you will develop skills of
enquiry in your subject and develop different approaches to problem solving as well as
identify the limitations of your knowledge. This will enable you to develop a range of key
transferable skills needed to work effectively within the current and future health and
social care environment. The programme will provide you with an entry route to a wide
variety of health-related studies at BSc level.

The overall aims and objectives of this programme are consistent with City, University
of London's strategic aims, in particular 'to provide high quality education which meets
the needs of our students and their employers'.

WHAT WILL I BE EXPECTED TO ACHIEVE?

On successful completion of this programme, you will be expected to be able to:

Knowledge and understanding:

• Discuss the key principles of science that inform health care
• Discuss the key principles of the Key Skills in Health Sciences
• Describe a range of interdisciplinary approaches to the collection, interpretation and
analysis of healthcare data

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• Examine the roles of different providers of health and social care services

Skills:
• Demonstrate an ability to comprehend new knowledge
• Access and use a range of learning resources
• Review and present experimental data
• Use numerical methods in solving problems
• Operate collaboratively as part of a team
• Communicate using multiple media including verbal, written, presentation, and word
processing skills
• Apply Information Technology skills relevant to the activities of health care
professionals
• Accurately record observations in various contexts, which can be transferred to this
key aspect of a health professional’s life
• Demonstrate that you have acquired a wide range of transferable, lifelong and
independent learning skills

Values and attitudes:

• Use appropriate interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrate respect of the cultural needs of others
• Behave in a responsible and professional manner
• Show integrity and promote diversity, equity and dignity in all encounters with other
students and staff

This programme has been developed in accordance with the QAA FHEQ for the
Certificate of Higher Education.

HOW WILL I LEARN?

The Introduction to Health Sciences programme is designed to satisfy the academic

development needs of potential BSc healthcare students. Teaching and assessment
methods are tailored to the learning objectives of each module component. The range
of teaching methods used is wide and includes lectures, tutorials and practical classes.
Lectures are used to communicate core material and as a foundation for further reading.
Lectures are based around presentations and hand-outs provide core notes e.g.
definitions and diagrams. Interaction with you in lectures is encouraged. Lecture notes
are provided on the virtual learning environment Moodle. However, you are expected to
take your own notes too. In addition, during your self-directed study time you will
undertake thorough background reading. Reading lists are provided for this purpose.
Tutorials develop problem-solving skills in an environment that encourages an
interactive approach to learning. Practical classes provide opportunities to develop
clinical skills and to give demonstrations of techniques covered in lectures. Your self-
directed study time will also be used to prepare for the practical sessions, and also to
practice the techniques being taught during the labs. Formative feedback (oral or

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written) will provided based on online exercises or in class tasks to aid you with your
progress.

The programme consists of around 30% contact time and 70% self-directed
independent study time. Independent study times are for you to revise and prepare for
teaching sessions, including preparation of coursework. This programme will include an
average of 16 contact hours per week - around 336 contact hours per year. In addition,
you will be expected to undertake 30 independent study hours per week (around 900
per year). Some of these hours will include use of online learning tools such as Moodle.

Entrants to the programme will attend for a week of induction at City, University of
London. During this week, you will be given an introduction to the structure and
organisation of the programme.

Registration Period
• The normal length of this programme is 1 year;
• The maximum period of registration for this full-time programme is 2 years

Student Support
At the start of the programme you will be assigned a Personal Tutor. Your Personal
Tutor will support you in your academic and personal development, and is your first
point of contact for any pastoral, professional or academic concerns you might have.
Your tutor will invite you to both group and individual tutorials. Group tutorials are a
chance to catch-up with your tutor and the other members of your tutorial group. Each
student will also be invited to one 20-minute individual catch-up meeting per term.

WHAT TYPES OF ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK CAN I EXPECT?

Assessment and Assessment Criteria

Assessment on the Introduction to Health Sciences programme is through a variety of
methods. Methods of assessment include: closed book summative examinations (i.e.
written exams which may include multiple choice questions, short answer questions or
essays) and coursework (e.g. writing or assessing a report, preparing a presentation).
Theory examinations are utilised to ensure the core science concepts are understood
and allow you to demonstrate your scientific knowledge. Coursework assessment
permits you to spend time on compiling work, reflecting on the application of your
studies and putting your knowledge into context.

Assessment Criteria are descriptions, based on the intended learning outcomes, of the
skills, knowledge or attitudes that you need to demonstrate in order to complete an
assessment successfully, providing a mechanism by which the quality of an assessment
can be measured. Grade- Related Criteria are descriptions of the level of skills,
knowledge or attributes that you need to demonstrate in order to achieve a certain grade
or mark in an assessment, providing a mechanism by which the quality of an
assessment can be measured and placed within the overall set of marks. Assessment
Criteria and Grade-Related Criteria will be made available to you to support you in
completing assessments. These may be provided in programme handbooks, module

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specifications, on the virtual learning environment or attached to a specific assessment
task.

Feedback on assessment
Feedback on your work, as well as your mark will be provided to you. This may be in a
number of different forms; including written feedback, discussion of feedback in a group,
or individual verbal feedback. Feedback should be used to help you to improve on any
areas of weakness and to support your progress. Feedback will be provided in line with
our Assessment and Feedback Policy. In particular, you will normally be provided with
feedback within three weeks of the submission deadline or assessment date. This would
normally include a provisional grade or mark. For end of module examinations or an
equivalent significant task (e.g. an end of module project), feedback will normally be
provided within four weeks. The full assessment policy can be found at:
https://www.city.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/452565/Assessment-and-
Feedback-Policy...pdf

Assessment Regulations
In order to pass your Programme, you should complete successfully the relevant
modules and assessments and will therefore acquire the required number of credits.

The pass mark for each module is 40%. Individual assessment components within each
module also carry a pass mark of 40%. Full details for passing each assessment
component can be found in the individual Module Specifications. You must pass all
modules to successfully complete this programme.

If you fail an assessment component or a module, the following will apply:

1. Resit: you will be offered one resit attempt.

If you are successful in the resit, you will be awarded the credit for that module. The
mark for each assessment component that is subject to a resit will be capped at the
pass mark for the module (i.e. 40%). This capped mark will be used in the calculation
of the final module mark together with the original marks for the components that you
passed at first attempt.

If you do not meet the pass requirements for a module and do not complete your resit
by the date specified the Assessment Board will require you to be withdrawn from the
Programme.

If you would like to know more about the way in which assessment works at City, please
see the full version of the Assessment Regulations at:
http://www.city.ac.uk/__data/assets/word_doc/0003/69249/s19.doc

WHAT AWARD CAN I GET?

Certificate of Higher Education:

You need to successfully complete all core modules for this programme

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Programme HE Credits Weighting Class %
Stage Level (%) required
1 4 120 100 With Distinction 70
With Merit 60
Without classification 40

WHAT WILL I STUDY?

The Introduction to Health Sciences programme incorporates 5 core modules. The

numbers of allocated credits indicate the relative proportions of subject matter for each
module.

Module Title SITS Module Core/ Compensation Level

Code Credits Elective Yes/No
Introduction to Science HS1926 30 C N 4
related to Health Care
Academic Skills HS1927 30 C N 4

Key Skills in Health HS1928 15 C N 4

Sciences
Personal and HS1929 15 C N 4
Professional
Development
Introduction to the HS1930 30 C N 4
Healthcare Professions

TO WHAT KIND OF FURTHER STUDIES MIGHT I GO ON?

Successful completion of the Introduction to Health Sciences programme provides

several career routes:

1. You will be eligible for progression to one of the aforementioned health related BSc
(Hons) undergraduate programmes (listed on page 1) at City, University of London
(Programme Stage 1) subject to all of the following:
• Achieving >60% overall with no failed modules
• Attendance >80% in all modules is strongly advised
• Successful admissions interview*
• Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Please note,
that for clinical BSc programmes an Occupational Health clearance for
the relevant profession will also be required. A clinical visit form will also
be required for BSc Radiography programmes.

You will be required to apply to one of the aforementioned BSc health-related clinical
undergraduate programmes (listed on page 1) offered at SHS, either by direct
application or via UCAS. Details of the application process will be provided by the
programme team during Term 1.

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*If you have had a successful interview for one of the health-related BSc programmes
at City, University of London within the last 12 months, you may be required to re-
interview (e.g. if you were offered a place on one of the BSc programmes but did not
achieve the required grades)

2. It will provide you with an additional qualification to your academic achievements and
CV for the application to higher education courses at other institutions nationwide.

Guidance will be made available to students who do not meet the admission criteria for
BSc programmes via the careers Service at City University
https://studenthub.city.ac.uk/careers-and-volunteering.

If you would like more information on the Careers support available at City, please go
to: http://www.city.ac.uk/careers/for-students-and-recent-graduates.

WHAT STUDY ABROAD OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

There are no study abroad options are available for this programme.

WHAT PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE?

There are no placement opportunities available for this programme.

WILL I GET ANY PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION?

There is no professional recognition attached to this programme.

HOW DO I ENTER THE PROGRAMME?

Admissions are considered from students with a wide range of backgrounds. In general,
applicants for the Introduction to Health Sciences programme will require:

A LEVELS:
• 64 UCAS points from 2 A levels (grades CC) if applicants have a grade C or
higher in one of the following subjects: Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics,
Biology.
• 80 UCAS points from at least 2 A levels (Grades BB) in subject areas which fail
to meet the entry requirements for their intended undergraduate degree
programme.
• We do not accept A levels in General Studies or Critical Thinking

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma:

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• MMP (should be in Medical Science/Applied Science/Forensic Science or
Health and Social Care). Contact the admissions team at City, University of
London for details.

Access to HE Diploma
Pass in a QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma in a Nursing, Health, Science, or
Social Care subject NOT Nutrition or Paramedic Studies with full award (60 credits)
of which a minimum of 45 credits must be at Level 3 including 18 credits at
Distinction.

GCSE/National 4 / National 5
All applicants will also require GCSE grade 4 (C) or above in five subjects to
include English Language and Mathematics. Functional Skills level 2 in Maths
and English will also be considered.

Overseas qualifications are considered on a case-by-case basis. In addition to the

above, English Language requirements must include one of the following:
• GCSE: English Language Grade 4 (C)
• IELTS: 7.0 overall, with at least 7.0 in the listening, reading, writing and speaking
sections

All students are required to complete, and pass, the Disclosure and Barring Service
(DBS) check in advance of registering for the programme.

Prospective students who do not meet the above criteria may be considered on an
individual basis and will be called for interview.

Tier 4 visa applications

We welcome applicants on Tier 4 visa applications. If you have any queries we
recommend that you speak to the admissions tutor before applying.

Version: 5.0
Version date: May 2023
For use from: 2023-24