Integrative Healthcare

The BSc (Hons) Integrative Healthcare is the only course of its kind in Scotland and has been developed in consultation with industry to closely reflect the changing requirements of the healthcare sector in the UK and abroad.

Healthcare practitioners face ever more challenges that require new and innovative approaches to addressing the healthcare needs of 21st century clients; increasingly, additional or alternative methods of care, such as complementary therapies, are being considered.

In this course, you will develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of complementary therapies, research and healthcare, while enhancing your analytical, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. A critical awareness of current issues and developments in complementary therapies will also form part of the programme. Throughout the degree, there is an emphasis on the wide range of diverse and complex perspectives of health, particularly social policy, ethics, the law, politics, physiology and sociology.

As you progress through the programme, your learning will become more self-directed: years three and four will be fully-online, with attendance only required for a two-day induction in each of the years. Two virtual residentials will also take place in years three and four, one per semester each year. An online induction programme will be available prior to the start of each of the four years to help you get the most from your studies. This will allow you the flexibility to study from your own location.

Module outline

Year 1 - CertHE

Core modules are:
Semester 1

• Massage therapy

• Professional practice

Semester 2

• Clinical sports massage

• Foundational research skills and clinical practice

Both semesters

• Anatomy and physiology of the human body

• Contemporary aromatherapy 1

• Foot reflexology

Year 2 - DipHE

Core modules are:
Semester 1

• Pathological processes of the human body

Semester 2

• Developing research skills and clinical practice

• Mental health and counselling skills

Semesters 1 and 2

• Clinical reflexology

• Contemporary aromatherapy 2

• Remedial massage and sports therapy

You will also choose one of the following optional modules:
Semester 1

• Integrative healthcare: extending practice 1

• Integrative healthcare: extending practice 2

Year 3 - BSc

Core modules are:
Semester 1

• Comparative therapeutic practice

• The role of integrative healthcare in the management of injury and disease

Semester 2

• Concepts of nutrition within therapeutic interventions

• Research skills for integrative healthcare

You will also choose two option modules, one from each of the following semesters:
Semester 1

• Professional and therapeutic relationships

• The intensive use of aromatics in healthcare

Semester 2

• Advancing manual therapeutic modalities

• Therapeutic practices in a supportive setting

Year 4 - BSc (Hons)

Core modules are:
Semester 1

• Integrative health and science in society

Semester 2

• Evidence-based clinical practice

Semesters 1 and 2

• Dissertation (double credit)

You will also choose two option modules, one from each of the following semesters:
Semester 1

• Remote and rural care

• Supporting palliative care

Semester 2

• Prehabilitation and rehabilitation

• Psychopathology

This outline reflects the modules as currently delivered and is subject to change.