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Clinical Physiology (Cardiac Physiology)

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • September 2027
  • Undergraduate
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More about University of Plymouth

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

This four-year course trains Clinical Physiologists and Healthcare Science Practitioners in Cardiovascular Physiology. Graduates perform diagnostic tests and interventions across healthcare settings.

Purpose-built facilities
We offers some of the best purpose-built undergraduate laboratories in the country.

Real-world experience
Gain valuable experience in professional healthcare clinics specialising in human pathophysiology for cardiovascular physiology.

Boost your skills
Take the opportunity to complete professional certificates in ECG or spirometry In year two.

This course is for you if...

  • you want to play a vital role in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating cardiac conditions

  • you enjoy working directly with patients and being part of a team that delivers hands-on clinical care

  • you're seeking a curriculum that combines academic study with workplace experience to develop practical skills

  • you are seeking strong professional development opportunities, including access to NHS employment and advanced training pathways.

Modules

Course Modules

Year 1
In your first year, you'll be introduced to the healthcare science profession and receive a sound grounding in the basic science underpinnings of modern disease diagnostics, evaluation and treatment. You'll also undertake a division-specific programme of study and complete clinical experiential learning in NHS clinics by day release in semester 2.

Year 2
In your second year, you'll continue to study the roles and responsibilities of a healthcare science professional and begin to specialise in the techniques and methodologies used by healthcare science practitioners in the physiological science disciplines. You will have NHS clinical experiential learning by day release in Year 2.

Placement year
You will spend a minimum of 40 weeks full-time clinical work placement activity in a host NHS trust completing all competencies within the specialist portfolio for your chosen discipline.

Final year
You'll spend your final year at University, completing a research project and specialist modules focused on your chosen discipline. You will apply everything you have learnt about science, technologies and techniques to the practice of Clinical Physiology / Healthcare science.

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.

Assessment method

Please visit our website for up to date information

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • The Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists (RCCP)
This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • Placement (mandatory) • 4 Years

Start dates

  • September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
B121
Institution code:
P60
Campus name:
Main Site
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Plymouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
B121
Institution code:
P60
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

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Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
BBB

To include a grade B in Biology and a grade B in another science subject - this can include Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Applied Science, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Nutrition, and Environmental Science/Studies.
Tariff points from EPQ and AS Levels are not considered.

T Level
M

Science or Healthcare science subjects only.

UCAS Tariff
Offer: 120

Normal minimum entry requirements are 120 points from three A Levels or equivalent, including Biology and a second science subject - this can include Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Applied Science, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Nutrition, and Environmental Science/Studies.
Applicants must attend an interview in order to secure an offer.
Any offer that is made will include the requirement to complete documents related to student conduct, in addition to satisfactory results from occupational health and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.
Applicants must meet these offer conditions in full and by any specified deadlines in order to be eligible to enrol on the programme.

Scottish Higher
Not accepted

Access to HE Diploma

Science and Healthcare subjects.
Pass all 60 credits, including 45 Level 3 graded credits.
Graded credits to include at least 33 Level 3 credits at Distinction or Merit.
Of these 33 Level 3 graded credits, 15 must be awarded by Biology modules and 18 award in additional science modules - this includes Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Mathematics and English Language grade C (Grade 4).

Scottish Advanced Higher
BBB

Including B in Biology and B in a second science - this can include Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Applied Science, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Nutrition, and Environmental Science/Studies.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD

Applied Science or Health and Social Care, to include at least 4 preferred units.
Preferred units available in the Applied Science specification:
• Unit 1: Principles and Applications of Science I 
• Unit 5: Principles and Applications of Science II 
• Unit 8: Physiology of Human Body Systems 
• Unit 9: Human Regulation and Reproduction 
• Unit 10: Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways 
• Unit 11: Genetics and Genetic Engineering 
• Unit 12: Diseases and Infections 
• Unit 17: Microbiology and Microbiological Techniques 
• Unit 20: Biomedical Science
Preferred units available in the Health and Social Care specification:
• Unit 1: Human Lifespan Development
• Unit 3: Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care
• Unit 9: Infection Prevention and Control
• Unit 11: Psychological Perspectives
• Unit 13: Scientific Techniques for Health Science
• Unit 14: Physiological Disorders and their Care
• Unit 15: Microbiology for Health Science
• Unit 19 Nutritional Health
• Unit 21: Medical Physics Applications in the Health Sector
• Unit 22: Genetics
• Unit 23: Biomedical Science
• Unit 24: Biochemistry for Health
• Unit 25: Complementary Therapies for Health and Social Care
• Unit 26: Health Psychology

Alternatively, we will consider a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma at grades Distinction, Distinction in addition to an A Level at grade B.

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
D*D*

Science and Healthcare specifications accepted on a case-by-case basis. To include sufficient Biology and additional science content.

Alternatively, we may consider a CTEC Level 3 Diploma with an additional A Level at grade B.

We encourage prospective applicants to contact us detailing the titles of the units that they are completing across these qualifications, so that we can confirm if our subject-specific requirements have been met.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Not accepted

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 28

International Baccalaureate. 28 points including 5 at Higher Level in Biology and 5 at Higher Level in a second science - this can include Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Applied Science, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Nutrition, and Environmental Science/Studies.

OCR Cambridge Technical Certificate
Not accepted

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
B

We accept the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge / Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in lieu of a third A Level subject at grade B or above. Applicants must continue to evidence an A Level in Biology and an A Level in a second Science subject as above.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDM

Applied Science or Health and Social Care, to include at least 4 preferred units.
Preferred units available in the Applied Science specification:
• Unit 1: Principles and Applications of Science I 
• Unit 5: Principles and Applications of Science II 
• Unit 8: Physiology of Human Body Systems 
• Unit 9: Human Regulation and Reproduction 
• Unit 10: Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways 
• Unit 11: Genetics and Genetic Engineering 
• Unit 12: Diseases and Infections 
• Unit 17: Microbiology and Microbiological Techniques 
• Unit 20: Biomedical Science
Preferred units available in the Health and Social Care specification:
• Unit 1: Human Lifespan Development
• Unit 3: Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care
• Unit 9: Infection Prevention and Control
• Unit 11: Psychological Perspectives
• Unit 13: Scientific Techniques for Health Science
• Unit 14: Physiological Disorders and their Care
• Unit 15: Microbiology for Health Science
• Unit 19 Nutritional Health
• Unit 21: Medical Physics Applications in the Health Sector
• Unit 22: Genetics
• Unit 23: Biomedical Science
• Unit 24: Biochemistry for Health
• Unit 25: Complementary Therapies for Health and Social Care
• Unit 26: Health Psychology

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Not accepted

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
DDM

Science and Healthcare specifications accepted on a case-by-case basis. To include sufficient Biology and additional science content.
We encourage prospective applicants to contact us detailing the titles of the units that they are completing across these qualifications, so that we can confirm if our subject-specific requirements have been met.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D

To include Biology and a second science - this can include Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Applied Science, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Nutrition, and Environmental Science/Studies.

Alternatively, we will consider one BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate at grade D alongside two A Levels at grades BB.

We encourage prospective applicants who are completing two or more BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificates to contact us detailing the titles of the units that they are completing across these qualifications, so that we can confirm if our subject-specific requirements have been met.

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
Not accepted

OCR Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma
Not accepted

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
D

Science and Healthcare specifications accepted on a case-by-case basis. To include sufficient Biology and additional science content.

Alternatively, we will consider one CTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate at grade D alongside two A Levels at grades BB.

We encourage prospective applicants to contact us detailing the titles of the units that they are completing across these qualifications, so that we can confirm if our subject-specific requirements have been met.

OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma
Not accepted

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
M2M2M2

Including Biology and a second science - this can include Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Applied Science, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Nutrition, and Environmental Science/Studies.

https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/bsc-clinical-physiology

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

Due to the limited number of seats available on this course and the associated placement opportunities, we are unable to consider applications for a contextual offer.

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For all information about tuition fees, please visit our fees and funding pages at www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees

  • Fees are correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.

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