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Digital Healthcare Science (BSc) (Full-Time, 2021 Entry)

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UCAS Code
I511

Qualification
Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Duration
3 years full-time

Start Date
27 September 2021

Department of Study
Warwick Manufacturing Group

Location of Study
University of Warwick


There is a recognised need for a new type of health science practitioner, taking on a role focused on health and wellbeing. With our Digital Healthcare Science (BSc), you will be taught how to support individuals to help themselves to better health and wellbeing.


Course overview

Are you good with people, interested in health and wellbeing, curious about digital technologies?

By studying WMG’s new BSc in Digital Healthcare Science, you will learn how to support individuals to help themselves to better health and wellbeing, and to use leading-edge science and technology to contribute to improving health services for individual users. The degree has been developed as a result of a recognised need from our NHS partners for a new type of Health Science Practitioner.

With four sciences – behavioural science; healthcare and physiological sciences; science of digital healthcare; science of shared clinical decision-making – interwoven throughout the programme, this course will provide a breadth of scientific training. This will include high-level consultation skills; a holistic, evidence- and values-based approach to shared decision making; and clinical physiology. You will also develop the knowledge and skills to work with the digital technologies that play an ever-increasing role in supporting health and wellbeing.

The course will be a mix of taught sciences and practical placements. Teaching will be blended in each of the first two years, into five concentrated learning blocks, blended into five concentrated learning blocks. Between these blocks, you will complete a programme of activities including a clinical placement. . Your third year continues to build on this and addresses practice and research in more depth.


Course structure

Four sciences are interwoven throughout the programme:

  1. Behavioural Science
  2. Healthcare and Physiological sciences
  3. Science of Digital Healthcare
  4. Science of Shared Clinical Decision-making

This course will give you a breadth of scientific training including high-level consultation skills; a holistic, evidence- and values-based approach to shared decision making; and clinical physiology. You will also develop the knowledge and skills to work with the digital technologies that play an ever-increasing role in supporting health and wellbeing.

The theme for Year One is 'individuals, wellbeing, choices and decisions'. You will be introduced to the concepts of digital healthcare, and of personalised health and wellbeing. You will gain an understanding of the science of wellbeing; nutrition, metabolism and physical activity; health behaviour; and clinical decision-making.

In Year Two you will learn to support people within their context, and to optimise digital healthcare technologies as part of that support. From big data, machine learning, artificial intelligence and the design of digital healthcare systems, to applied behavioural science and the psychology of mental health, you will be able to understand the importance of context and personalisation and the digital systems that can support this approach.

Year Three continues to build on this and addresses practice and research in more depth.


How will I learn?

The course will be a mix of taught sciences and practical placements.

The course will be a mix of taught sciences, blended into five concentrated learning blocks each year. Between these concentrated blocks, you will complete a programme of activities including a clinical placement.

Before each teaching block, you will study a virtual case designed to integrate the different strands of science learning on that block. This case-based learning will incorporate personal and group study, web-based discussions and tutor interaction.

The third year comprises four taught modules, a placement-learning project, and a 30-credit work based project/dissertation.


How will I be assessed?

The course has been designed so that your learning is integrated across the sciences and a Personal and Professional Development (PPD) strand. Your assessments will also be integrated to reflect that.

In the first two years you will complete three written assignments per year, as well as being marked on the quality of the work demonstrated in your learning log, which you will maintain throughout the course. At the end of each year there will be a practical examination known as an 'Objective Structured Science and Clinical Examination'.

Throughout the course you will have formative tests to help you ensure that your learning is on track. You will also have regular tests within your Health placements:

  • Case-based Discussions (CBD) where you will talk about someone you have engaged with in the workplace, showing your supervisor that you have a grasp of the important points
  • Directly Observed Practical Skills (DOPS) where you demonstrate your competence to an educational supervisor.

Your third year research project is assessed not only through your written report, but also by your presentation. You will also be expected to engage in a professional discussion with an assessor and in an 'Observed Clinical Event'. This is to demonstrate your handling of a typical situation that might be encountered by a health and wellbeing scientist.

General entry requirements

A level:

  • ABB to include at least one Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths or a related subject
  • You also need to meet the additional requirements listed below

IB:

  • 34 points to include grade 5 in Higher Level in at least one Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths or a related subject
  • You also need to meet the additional requirements listed below

BTEC:

  • We welcome applications from students taking BTECs. Applicants must be studying an A level or BTEC in a related subject, such as, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Human Biology, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology or Mathematics.
  • You also need to meet the additional requirements listed below

Additional requirements for BSc Digital Healthcare Science:

  • You are required to pass a DBS check and health screening.
  • You will need to obtain an overseas police check from any country where you have lived for 6 months or more in the last five years.
  • You will also need to meet our English Language requirements.
  • You will be expected to attend an interview. The DHS team will conduct an interview with each student to ensure that the students individual values and behaviours align with the values of the NHS constitute.

International Students

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

Find out more about international entry requirements.


Contextual data and differential offers

Warwick may make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances. These include students participating in the Realising Opportunities programme, or who meet two of the contextual data criteria. Differential offers will be one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer (to a minimum of BBB).


Warwick International Foundation Programme (IFP)

All students who successfully complete the Warwick IFP and apply to Warwick through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme (selected courses only).

Find out more about standard offers and conditions for the IFP.


Taking a gap year

Applications for deferred entry welcomed.


Year One

Individuals, wellbeing, choices and decisions

  • Introduction to Digital Healthcare
  • Personalised Health and Wellbeing Stratification
  • Eating Behaviour
  • Science of Wellbeing
  • Nutrition, Metabolism, and Physical Activity
  • Science of Clinical Decision-Making
  • Personal and Professional Development 1

Year Two

Supporting people in their context and optimising digital healthcare

  • Design of Digital Health Systems
  • Big Data in Healthcare, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
  • Psychology of Mental Health and Behavioural Change
  • Applied Behavioural Science
  • Mental Health, Addiction and Sleep
  • People in Context: Determinants of Health and Wellbeing
  • Personal and Professional Development 2

Year Three

Practice and research

  • Health Ergonomics and Human Systems Integration
  • Self-help Across the Lifespan
  • Activating Health and Wellbeing
  • Contributing to a Health and Wellbeing Service
  • Research Project
  • Personal and Professional Development 3

There are no optional modules for this course.

Tuition fees

Find out more about fees and funding


Additional course costs

There may be costs associated with other items or services such as academic texts, course notes, and trips associated with your course. Payment of travel to and from your placement may account for around £350 per academic year.

Your career

This is a new course so our first cohort of students have not yet graduated. However, we expect that our students will have an interest in areas such as career posts in the NHS, in private practice, in occupational health within industry and commerce, and in wider digital health practice.


Helping you find the right career

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant to support you. They offer impartial advice and guidance, together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

  • Career planning for WMG students
  • Options in Engineering
  • Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
  • Effective Applications for WMG students
  • Researching Employers for WMG students

Find out more about careers support at Warwick.

This information is applicable for 2021 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.