Cardiac Physiology BSc (Hons)

Overview

The BSc (Hons) Cardiac Physiology degree will follow the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS) curriculum designed to train prospective healthcare science practitioners in the specialism of cardiac physiology.

Delivered using a hybrid approach that relies predominantly on a distance learning, the course will initially teach you the fundamentals of professional practice, physiology, and cardiovascular and respiratory science. You'll then develop these skills further, learning the pathophysiology of disease to the cardiac and respiratory system, alongside current methods of testing for the presence of disease.

By the end of the course you'll be adept at performing and reporting on a range of clinical tests, including 12 lead ECG, ambulatory ECG recordings, non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP), ambulatory blood pressure monitors (ABPM), and exercise tolerance testing (ETT). You'll also be able to perform as a healthcare science practitioner within invasive environments where cardiac catheterisation and pacemaker implantation procedures take place, as well as have an awareness of the practical application of specialist non-invasive techniques including echocardiography.

You'll participate in six weeks of on-campus clinical simulation during the course, with one week of on-campus teaching delivered each semester. You'll also complete an integrated programme of clinical placements within a diagnostic cardiology department for a minimum of 50 weeks over the three year course.

Why us?

Upon successful completion of the course, you'll be eligible to register with the Academy of Healthcare Science as a Healthcare Science Practitioner
Our Anatomy and Physiology courses are in the top 20 in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2024)
We've adopted a hybrid approach to learning meaning you can study closer to home or your workplace when not on-campus
Our structured curriculum will prepare you to work independently within a diagnostic cardiology department and adopt an ethos of seeking out potential improvements to clinical care

Course structure

You'll study four modules per academic year, two in semester 1 and two in semester 2. Each module will be taught on one day a week during the semester, meaning you'll be expected to participate in formal sessions two days per week. These sessions will take the form of virtual lectures and seminars, where you'll take part in a collective class session at the start of the day, complete additional exercises and activities during the late morning and early afternoon, and reconvene as a class at the end of the day to discuss what's been completed.

You'll be asked to come onto campus for one week per semester. During this time, you'll participate in laboratory teaching, clinical simulation exercises, and problem-based learning activities.

Work-based learning will be delivered through clinical placement where you'll participate in supervised activities within an NHS Trust. You'll perform a range of procedures within this live hospital environment, allowing you to build on your experience working as a healthcare science practitioner.

Each module will have a combination of summative assessment and formative exercises. Summative work will be in the form of coursework through written reviews, narratives, evaluations, reflection, and oral presentations. Examinations will take place at each stage of the course ranging from multiple choice and single best answer quizzes in year 1, through to short answer and essay questions in years 2 and 3.

You'll also complete a clinical logbook and professional portfolio as part of the work-based learning component. This will involve completing assessments and collecting evidence that will collectively demonstrate your developing knowledge and skills.

Course modules

Year 1 (national level 4):

Professional Skills in Healthcare Science (30 credits)
- Explore the fundamental and professional skills required of a healthcare science practitioner. You'll learn to work within a patient-facing department, developing an understanding of the patient journey and aspects of their care. Reflective practice skills will be introduced as part of this module, and you'll develop the tools for personal development to promote employability, while gaining knowledge and understanding in the field of healthcare science relevant for today's NHS.
Cardiovascular Science in Practice (30 credits)
- This module will provide you with underpinning knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system. You'll develop essential skills that will allow you to safely and accurately perform routine investigations such as 12 Lead Electrocardiography and blood pressure measurement, adopting a patient-centred approach.
Scientific Principles of Healthcare Science (30 credits)
- Explore the key biological processes that underpin life. You'll learn how molecular composition controls the biological function of organic molecules. Study the relationship of cell organelles and their functions with the human genome, and how the genetic code is expressed resulting in changes in cell signalling, division, differentiation, and death. An understanding of the main human physiological systems will be gained along with how these systems interact on a holistic level to maintain normal body function. Changes in these systems in response to disease and infection will be introduced, as will an understanding of how the patient’s reaction to illness can be measured by healthcare science practitioners.
Respiratory and Sleep Science in Practice (30 credits)
- This module will provide you with underpinning knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the respiratory and sleep systems. You'll develop essential skills that will allow you to safely and accurately perform routine investigations such as spirometry and pulse oximetry, adopting a patient-centred approach.

Year 2 (national level 5):

Evidence Informed Practice and Leadership in Healthcare (30 credits)
- Develop your knowledge and skills of research methods and statistical analysis, including formulating and testing hypotheses. You'll calculate a range of statistical variables using dedicated software. Explore the framework governing research including research ethics. Leadership skills, critical reflection techniques, and ethical principles that support a patient-centered healthcare approach will also be studied. The principles and practices of clinical audit will also be investigated.
Cardiac and Respiratory Disease (30 credits)
- You'll continue to develop your understanding of the human body by focusing on the effects that disease can have on the physiological processes. The module will compare acquired and congenital disease and discuss a broad range of pathophysiological processes linked to specific diseases that affect the cardiac, vascular, respiratory, and sleep systems. Embedded within each discussion will be an explanation of how ageing and genetic predisposition impact risk and disease progression. There will be a broad range of conditions covered, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, asthma, and obstructive sleep apnoea. Within each discussion, there will be an explanation of diagnostic testing, prognostic assessment, and management.
Electrocardiogram Interpretation (30 credits)
- This module will develop your understanding of 12 Lead Electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation, a vital aspect of healthcare, and you'll participate in exercises to develop your analysis and interpretive skills. You'll begin by reviewing the essential characteristics of ECG interpretation including waveform recognition, normal intervals, measurement of rate, and rhythm recognition. The module will then discuss recognition of abnormal ECG rhythms including supraventricular arrhythmias, ventricular arrhythmias, junctional arrhythmias, bradyarrhythmias, and conduction abnormalities. You'll also learn how an ECG can be affected by specific disease processes, as well as abnormal metabolic, endocrine, electrolyte states.
Ambulatory Monitoring and Provocative Testing (30 credits)
- In this module, you'll enhance your understanding of a range of diagnostic testing techniques including non-invasive blood pressure measurement, ambulatory Holter monitoring, exercise treadmill testing, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. You'll explore the theoretical approach to measurement technique, focusing on how operators can perform high-quality measurements, comparing alternative techniques and discussing indications/contraindications. There'll also be a practical approach to develop your skills in performing these tests. Analysis and interpretation of results will be covered both independently and within the holistic care of a patient.

Year 3 (national level 6):

Healthcare Research Investigation (30 credits)
- In this module, which is aligned with the requirements of the National School of Healthcare Science Practitioner Training Programme, you'll apply the knowledge and skills you've learned during the course to develop and complete a research project. This project will be carried out in collaboration with a work placement provider.
Invasive Cardiology (30 credits)
- You'll expand on your knowledge and skills in relation to cardiac catheterisation and cardiac pacing in this module. You'll cover cardiac catheterisation, encapsulating the range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that can be performed within this setting. There'll be a focus on safe working within a multidisciplinary cardiac catheter laboratory team, and also on the development of technical skills to build experience on techniques used within the laboratory. Cardiac pacing will be discussed, covering the underlying physics of bradycardic pacing, indications and contraindications, implantation technique, and troubleshooting of device and lead malfunction.
Leading and Improving Patient Centred Care (30 credits)
- This module will develop your understanding of leadership in healthcare by focusing on improvement and innovation within the healthcare setting. You'll begin by discussing methods of identifying risks to patient safety and finding ways to mitigate these risks. The underpinning theory of change management will be explored, alongside the practical approaches and barriers to implementing change and innovation. There'll also be a focus on you as a learner and on different leadership styles that can exist within healthcare. You'll be asked to reflect on your own practice and link this to the models of leadership that have been discussed.
Non-Invasive Cardiology (30 credits)
- You'll further enhance your understanding of non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic testing and apply the knowledge to care pathways in this module. Imaging techniques including CT, MRI, and ECG will be discussed in relation to disease with a particular focus on echocardiography techniques. There will be an explanation of the physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology of conditions including channelopathies, heart failure, and congenital heart disease. Screening for disease will also be examined and you'll learn how this applies both generally to cardiovascular disease and in specific circumstances, such as within sport.

Facilities

Our Patient Diagnostic Suite is a multi-professional facility featuring a range of near patient testing/point of care resources for audiology, cardiology and laboratory medicine assessment and diagnostics including consultation areas for simulated patient assessment and feedback.
There are a range of simulation manikins used across most of our healthcare courses, giving you the opportunity to apply your training in a realistic, yet safe, setting.
The John Dawson Sciences Complex is based on our City Campus. It has benefited from a multi-million-pound investment in modern facilities in recent years and continues to develop as our health sciences offer grows.
This course is based in The John Dawson Sciences Complex in our City Campus, which has benefited from a multimillion-pound investment over the last 5 years. Teaching takes place in multi-media classrooms with state-of-the-art resources for learning.
The Living Lab boasts the region’s only immersive simulation room allowing participants to experience events in simulated environments. An adjacent task trainer room which can be used flexibly can aid with the development of clinical and non-technical skills. Integral cameras enable participants to view live or recorded footage in our dedicated debrief room. The Lab also has a seven-bed ward and Point of Care Testing (POCT) facility along with an OSCE suite and seminar rooms.
The facility currently has two SimMan 3Gs, a SimNewB, a SimMom birthing simulator, and two TraumaFX simbodies. A range of other clinical equipment and part task trainers as well as a pop-up ambulance are available to complement the facilities.
IT facilities at the University are excellent with hundreds of workstations available as well as wireless internet access. If you have any computer problems, just ask the friendly helpdesk team.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:
- Qualification | Minimum grade
- Irish Leaving Certificate | 112 UCAS points – Students must have H1-H7 or O1-O4 in Maths & English.
- QQI/FETAC 5| Pass profile overall. For entry we also require H1-H7 or O1-O4 in Maths and English from Irish Leaving Certificate
If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.
If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at for further advice.
We would require successful completion of an Access to Higher Education course that is accredited by the Quality Assurance Agency. We would also require a minimum of grade C in GCSE in Mathematics and English Language or the equivalent as part of your course.
If English is your second language, we require a minimum of IELTS 7.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 6.0 in each element.

Interview

Shortlisted applicants will participate in a selection interview, which will be conducted by a panel with members from the University of Sunderland, the cardiac physiology workforce, and the Patient Carer and Public Involvement participant (PCPI) group.
If you are successful at the interview stage, you'll be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, along with an Occupational Health Check.

Fees and finance

The annual, full-time fee for this course is:
- £9,535 if you are from the UK*/Europe
- £16,500 if you are an international student
*Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. The fee for your first year of study for 2025/26 will be £9,535. You will pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.
Read more about EU fees and funding in our Help and Advice article.
Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

Successful completion of this course will make you eligible to register as a qualified Cardiac Physiology Healthcare Science Practitioner with the Academy for Healthcare Science, enabling you to work within the NHS.

BSc (Hons) Cardiac Physiology

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