Healthcare Science

Healthcare science in physiological sciences is a specialist clinical profession concerned with the measurement, investigation, and monitoring of bodily systems to support the diagnosis and management of disease. Physiological scientists work in NHS departments including cardiology, respiratory medicine, audiology, neurophysiology, and sleep medicine, using complex equipment to perform investigations such as electrocardiography, lung function testing, sleep studies, hearing assessments, and nerve conduction studies. The role requires both scientific and technical expertise and the ability to work sensitively with patients who are often anxious or unwell.

At Manchester Metropolitan University, this programme is offered in part-time mode with a sandwich year and a work placement, making it well suited to people who are already working in healthcare science support roles and want to develop their qualifications alongside practical experience. The part-time route is particularly common in healthcare science, where many practitioners move from support worker roles into graduate-level training while continuing to work. The sandwich and placement components provide structured clinical experience in recognised NHS or approved healthcare settings, which is essential for developing the practical competencies the profession requires.

You will study anatomy and physiology, the pathophysiology of the conditions investigated in physiological science departments, the operating principles of the equipment used, measurement theory, data interpretation, and the clinical and professional frameworks that govern healthcare science practice. Research skills and the ability to evaluate clinical evidence critically are developed alongside practical and clinical competence.

Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as healthcare scientists, the professional regulatory requirement for practice in NHS clinical settings. Working as a registered physiological scientist, you can specialise progressively in one of the main physiological science disciplines, and experienced practitioners can move into team leadership, clinical specialist, and service management roles. Postgraduate study and clinical scientist training programmes provide further routes to advanced and consultant-level clinical practice.