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Health Sciences
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By studying health sciences at the OU you’ll gain a broad scientific understanding of the function of the human mind and body and the causes of some of the human diseases and disabilities affecting populations across the globe. Diagnosis, prevention and treatment of a range of conditions, and their impact on people’s lives, is explored using a multidisciplinary approach combining human physiology and anatomy, cell biology, microbiology, biochemistry, physics and psychology. You can choose from courses that address a range of health topics including acute and chronic conditions, genetic and nutritional disorders, mental health and infectious diseases.
You will acquire a range of transferable skills and develop your ability to understand health and disease from a multidisciplinary, evidence-based perspective.
Whether you’re just starting out in your career or looking for new challenges in your current role, our qualifications in Health Sciences can help you build a career in a range of health and healthcare-related professions and laboratory-based occupations.
Degrees
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More about Degrees
More about Degrees
undergraduate.qualification.health-sciences,qualification,,degree,1Undergraduate or bachelors degrees are nationally recognised qualifications consisting of academic study designed to help you gain a thorough understanding of a subject.
For a degree in a named subject, such as business studies or humanities, you'll study mainly in your chosen subject, although you may be able to include some modules from other subjects.
With The Open University you could also study an Open degree where you can combine a range of modules from similar or different subjects to suit either your particular career or personal interests.
You can use a degree to:
- change careers or progress your current career
- gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in
- gain professional recognition
- go onto postgraduate study, such as a diploma or masters degree.
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Undergraduate or bachelors degrees are nationally recognised qualifications consisting of academic study designed to help you gain a thorough understanding of a subject.
For a degree in a named subject, such as business studies or humanities, you'll study mainly in your chosen subject, although you may be able to include some modules from other subjects.
With The Open University you could also study an Open degree where you can combine a range of modules from similar or different subjects to suit either your particular career or personal interests.
You can use a degree to:
- change careers or progress your current career
- gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in
- gain professional recognition
- go onto postgraduate study, such as a diploma or masters degree.
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Health Sciences
A broad degree exploring a variety of topics including human biology; long term conditions; infectious disease; cellular and analytical biology; neurobiology; cognitive psychology; and mental health. -
Natural Sciences
Study a broad range of science subjects or specialise in astronomy, planetary science, biology, health sciences, chemistry, analytical science, environmental science, Earth sciences, or physics. -
Open degree
The BA/BSc Open Degree is a qualification that gives you a huge choice in terms of subjects and modules that you study to make up your degree.
Foundation Degrees
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More about Foundation degrees
More about Foundation degrees
undergraduate.qualification.health-sciences,qualification,,foundation-degree,1Foundation degrees are nationally recognised qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession; they combine work place learning with academic study. Designed and developed with external partners, you must be working either as a paid employee or as a volunteer in a related work setting.
A foundation degree is equivalent to two thirds of an honours degree. They aim to enhance the professional and technical skills of staff within a profession or those intending to go into that profession.
You can use a foundation degree to:
- change careers or progress your current career
- gain technical and professional skills
- gain professional recognition
- achieve a full honours degree through further study.
Most of our foundation degrees are also offered as diplomas of higher education for those living and working in Scotland.
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Foundation degrees are nationally recognised qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession; they combine work place learning with academic study. Designed and developed with external partners, you must be working either as a paid employee or as a volunteer in a related work setting.
A foundation degree is equivalent to two thirds of an honours degree. They aim to enhance the professional and technical skills of staff within a profession or those intending to go into that profession.
You can use a foundation degree to:
- change careers or progress your current career
- gain technical and professional skills
- gain professional recognition
- achieve a full honours degree through further study.
Most of our foundation degrees are also offered as diplomas of higher education for those living and working in Scotland.
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Paramedic Sciences
Develop the knowledge, skills and competencies which underpin paramedic practice in emergency care settings. You must be supported by your employer for the work-based modules.
Diplomas of Higher Education
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More about Diplomas of Higher Education
More about Diplomas of Higher Education
undergraduate.qualification.health-sciences,qualification,,diploma-he,1A Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) is equivalent to two thirds of an honours degree. They are nationally recognised qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession, or academic study.
DipHEs are designed to increase the professional and technical skills of staff within a profession or extend your knowledge and understanding of a particular subject. A DipHE shows that you are capable of extended study at university level.
You can use a DipHE to:
- change careers or progress your current career
- gain technical and professional skills
- gain a greater knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in
- gain professional recognition
- achieve a full honours degree through additional study.
The Diploma of Higher Education might be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland.
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A Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) is equivalent to two thirds of an honours degree. They are nationally recognised qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession, or academic study.
DipHEs are designed to increase the professional and technical skills of staff within a profession or extend your knowledge and understanding of a particular subject. A DipHE shows that you are capable of extended study at university level.
You can use a DipHE to:
- change careers or progress your current career
- gain technical and professional skills
- gain a greater knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in
- gain professional recognition
- achieve a full honours degree through additional study.
The Diploma of Higher Education might be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland.
OU Diplomas
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More about OU Diplomas
More about OU Diplomas
undergraduate.qualification.health-sciences,qualification,,diploma,1OU Diplomas are specially designed Open University qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession, or academic study. For example The Open University's Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) is the most popular route into a career in teaching at secondary level in Scotland.
You can use an OU Diploma to:
- enhance or progress your current career
- to gain professional recognition.
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OU Diplomas are specially designed Open University qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession, or academic study. For example The Open University's Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) is the most popular route into a career in teaching at secondary level in Scotland.
You can use an OU Diploma to:
- enhance or progress your current career
- to gain professional recognition.
Certificates of Higher Education
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More about Certificates of Higher Education
More about Certificates of Higher Education
undergraduate.qualification.health-sciences,qualification,,certificate-he,1A Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) is a nationally recognised qualification focusing on either a particular job or profession, or academic study. Equivalent to the first year of a full honours degree, they are the most basic level of qualification that can be gained in higher education and show that you are capable of studying successfully at university level.
You can use a CertHE to:
- gain confidence to study successfully at university level
- change careers or progress your current career
- build on your existing experience and gain new skills
- gain a broad introduction to a subject you are interested in
- achieve a foundation degree, DipHE or full honours degree through additional study.
)
A Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) is a nationally recognised qualification focusing on either a particular job or profession, or academic study. Equivalent to the first year of a full honours degree, they are the most basic level of qualification that can be gained in higher education and show that you are capable of studying successfully at university level.
You can use a CertHE to:
- gain confidence to study successfully at university level
- change careers or progress your current career
- build on your existing experience and gain new skills
- gain a broad introduction to a subject you are interested in
- achieve a foundation degree, DipHE or full honours degree through additional study.
OU Certificates
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More about OU Certificates
More about OU Certificates
undergraduate.qualification.health-sciences,qualification,,certificate,1OU Certificates are specially designed Open University qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession, or academic study. For example The Open University's Certificate in Supporting Learning in Primary Schools is designed for teaching assistants and other kinds of classroom support staff, including volunteers. Not all OU Certificates are entry level qualifications.
You can use an OU Certificate to:
- enhance or progress your current career
- gain a greater knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in.
)
OU Certificates are specially designed Open University qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession, or academic study. For example The Open University's Certificate in Supporting Learning in Primary Schools is designed for teaching assistants and other kinds of classroom support staff, including volunteers. Not all OU Certificates are entry level qualifications.
You can use an OU Certificate to:
- enhance or progress your current career
- gain a greater knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in.
Getting started with an Access module
There are two ways to start a qualification. If you haven’t studied for a long time or need to build your confidence, beginning your studies with an Access module may be the right choice for you.
Choose a qualification to find out more.
Study a module as a standalone course
You can study a single module on its own for personal interest or to improve your career prospects. See the list of all our individual courses in Health Sciences.
Postgraduate options
If you already have a degree, you may want to see postgraduate courses and qualifications in Science.
Undergraduate
International students
If you want to study for an undergraduate qualification and you are living outside the UK and Republic of Ireland, visit our international prospectus.
Your questions
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