The one-year Preparing for Healthcare Studies programme prepares students for further study on a range of professional health care or biological science programmes.
It develops knowledge in foundational biology theory and skills, and in health and social care. Students can extend their academic, professional and personal skills and attributes, preparing them to make the most of their experience at UWS. Students have the time to think about how Preparing for Healthcare Studies connects to other aspects of their future personal and professional life.
The programme provides an opportunity to gain confidence developing the skills, knowledge and personal qualities that will prepare students for further undergraduate study.
Successful completion of the Certificate in Higher Education will enhance students’ application for further study on a range of programmes in the School of Health and Life Sciences. For example, students will be supported to apply for Level 7 entry to UWS’ professional degree programmes in Nursing, Midwifery or Paramedic Science.
Preparing for Healthcare Studies allows UWS to offer a place on a healthcare study preparation programme to applicants who wish to make a future application, or have been unsuccessful in their application, to join pre-registration Nursing, Midwifery or Paramedic Science programmes at UWS. This programme will also offer insights and an opportunity to better understand what is required to study undergraduate Biomedical Science programmes at UWS.
Studying Preparing for Healthcare Studies will provide foundational biology and healthcare knowledge as well as academic study skills, and better prepare these students for any future application they make to the above professional body approved programmes.
Successful completion of the Certificate of Higher Education programme will provide guaranteed interview (should the student apply) to either the BSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, BSc Midwifery or BSc Paramedic Science programmes, for the next available entrance should they wish in the future to pursue either of these programmes of study.
Whilst students are provided with a guaranteed interview for a place on a professional body approved pre-registration programme, this interview will be competitive. Entry is further subject to membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme and health screening.
On completion of the Preparing for Healthcare Studies programme, students will be able to apply for UWS’ pre-registration Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedic Science programmes.
Normal application and selection processes will apply, however graduates will be guaranteed an interview. Please note, entry to the professional body approved programmes is subject to health screening and membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.
The programme will also prepare graduates for further study in a range of biological science programmes such as Biomedical Science, Applied Bioscience and Zoology, Applied Bioscience with Forensic Investigation, Environmental Science and Sustainability or Collaborative Health and Social Care. Entry to all programmes will be subject to meeting the entry criteria.
BCC plus
In addition, offers of a place on this programme may be made to applicants interested in one of UWS’s undergraduate adult nursing, mental health nursing, midwifery or paramedic science programme’s who have not been offered a place, providing them with the opportunity to build foundational knowledge and transferrable skills for a future application.
Entry to the professional body approved programmes is subject to health screening and membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme but is not a requirement for this programme.
No articulation routes are planned for this programme.
Preparing for Healthcare Studies reflects a modular structure – four modules providing a credit total of 120 SCQF Level 7 credits - and is delivered on a full-time basis.
Modules focus on foundational biology relevant to life on earth, developing academic study skills and confidence, and developing awareness of relevant community focused health and social care policies and practice. Most of the modules are shared across academic provision within the School of Health and Life Sciences, reflecting an interdisciplinary/multi-professional ethos to learning and teaching.
Modules on the programme will be offered using an on-campus mode of delivery. All modules have face to face teaching on Lanarkshire campus. Timetables for campus teaching and learning activities shall be prepared in advance and made available to students during the Induction phase.
Library resources are available for a range of current Health and Life Science programmes and shall be enhanced to encompass relevant contemporary resources for this new programme. The Programme and modules shall each have a designated space on the UWS’ Virtual Digital Learning Platform, for all programme students.
Wider University services will also be available. Information about these will be embedded into induction and programme learning material. These include Student Support, School Librarian, Academic Skills Advisors, and Disability Services.
Four modules are studies across Year 1:
This module is delivered on campus. Students will attend lectures, practical laboratories, tutorials and workshops and participate in both independent and group work-based activities. Students are expected to extend their learning through independent study supported by the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
For the two biology focused modules, students must provide their own laboratory coat for use in the practical sessions. Safety glasses/goggles must also be worn in all practical sessions. Students can bring their own safety glasses, but these can be provided by the technical staff in the laboratories.
A range of summative assessment strategies are used to enable the student to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes. This includes laboratory-based assessments, written portfolios and essay type assessments.
The authentic assessment strategies for the Certificate of Higher Education Preparing for Healthcare Studies modules reflects the unique distinctions between the fields of healthcare practice, recognising that students will meet the module learning outcomes using assessment that prepares them for further Higher Education study, and is authentic in regards the skills required for real-world healthcare employment
We will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.