Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) BSc Honours
Analyse the human heart with the latest tech at our brand-new facilities. We are one of only two universities to offer this course in London
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Viewing course details for 2025 year of entry
- Code
- B702
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Start
- September 2025
- Fees
- £9,250 (UK)
- Duration
- 3 years full-time
- Course Leader
- Lesley Davies
- Study mode
- On campus
- Location
- Hendon campus
- Entry Requirements
- 120 UCAS points
- Placement year
- No
- School / Department
- Faculty of Science and Technology
Why choose Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) BSc Honours at Middlesex?
Our healthcare science degree with a specialism in cardiac physiology is quite rare in the UK and is one of only 2 such courses in London.
Develop practical skills in our new facilities, learn from teaching staff who have worked in the industry, and spend nearly a year working within cardiology departments using our industry links to London and the South East NHS.
This course is designed to meet the demands of the Department of Health's Modernising Scientific Careers programme so you develop the specific skills that are in short supply – and high demand.
What you will gain
You will graduate with the ability to critically evaluate research evidence in the context of current theory and practice and the confidence to solve clinical problems under pressure. You will also have the communication skills to provide an excellent standard of patient care
Our graduates have gone on to become cardiac physiologists employed by the NHS and in private organisations, including the following; Harley Street Clinic, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Barts Health NHS Trust, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust and The Royal Brompton Hospital, among many others.
Accreditations
This course is accredited by the National School of Healthcare Science, T and NHS England (formerly HEE).
What you will learn
Covering everything from diagnostics and monitoring to analytical and intervention procedures, you’ll gain an expert understanding of the heart, how it functions, and how to provide treatment to patients of all ages.
You’ll develop experience and skills in varied investigations, such as electrocardiograms (ECGs), exercise stress testing, blood pressure measurement and cardiac angiography.
We will help you put theory into practice at our brand new West Stand facility where you will be based with other healthcare science students.
You will be amongst the first cohorts to fully experience this exciting £23 million redevelopment which has created a state-of-the-art educational and high-performance centre for teaching and research excellence.
To develop your knowledge and skills you will be using facilities such as the cardiology practical lab and cardiology simulation suite. You'll be using revolutionary technology to create simulations, with the latest virtual and augmented reality.
In this healthcare science cardiac physiology degree you will:
- Study the most recent research and use the most up-to-date technology in the field
- Get plenty of hands-on learning experience in our specialist labs
- Have clinical placement opportunities throughout London and the South East
- Develop the skills and knowledge needed to start a career in cardiac physiology
3 great reasons to pick this course
Course content
This degree is designed to develop the knowledge, skills, attitude and ethical values required to provide excellent patient-centred care, and to work safely and effectively in the National Health Service.
You will learn to execute specialist procedures in cardiac science including:
- Exercise stress testing – monitoring the effects of exercise upon the heart
- Pacemaker implantation and follow-up – measurements and programming pacemaker devices
- Cardiac angiography – imaging and assessing blood vessels supplying the heart) when permitted.
You will also learn to carry out electrocardiograms (ECGs), blood pressure measurements and ambulatory recording analysis.
Year 1
Broad scientific training; basic physiology and pathophysiology, introduction to the ECG, blood pressure and basic arrhythmia, plus an introduction to diagnostic procedures and development of professional practice.
Year 2
More specialised training with advanced pathophysiology and arrhythmia, exploration of non-invasive diagnostic procedures and more practical workshops, using the equipment in the cardiac lab and simulation suite.
Year 3
Mostly clinical experience as you spend up to 25 weeks on clinical placement, with theoretical classes on provocative electrocardiography, pacing and cardiac catheterisation, plus an advanced understanding of professional practice and clinical governance.
About your course
This is a three year degree. It can also be studied part-time.
The module is designed to ensure that you acquires the knowledge, gain the skills and develop the attitude required for a career as a Healthcare Science Practitioner. It also provides an insight into the roles and responsibilities of the practitioner and will help you develop your communication, study and team working skills.
The module aims to provide you with the basic theory and practice of cardiac, vascular, respiratory and sleep sciences. On completion of this module you will be able to outline the basic principles underpinning routine physiological investigations and procedures carried out in the diagnosis and treatment of common cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. You should also be able recognise and explain normal test results, and identify safe and effective clinical practice.
The module introduces you to the basic principles of both physics and mathematics that are related to healthcare and ensures that you have a good range of the mathematical and statistical skills that underpin the practice of healthcare science.
The module aims to introduce you to the principles and core concepts of the sociology of health and illness, plus the importance of epidemiology, health prevention and protection and public health function.
The module aims to provide you with the basic knowledge and understanding of the biology related to healthcare, with a solid foundation on which to build the knowledge and skills required to work as a Healthcare Science Practitioner.
This module will provide you with a firm grounding in interpretation of the abnormal ECG and its causative pathologies. Recording of the blood pressure through non-invasive measurement at rest and on the ambulant patient is discussed. The module also provides a detailed background for ambulatory monitoring of the ECG.
The module aims to provide you with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of disease processes and common diseases associated with the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It will explore the epidemiology, public health and psychosocial aspects of each disease.
The module aims to provide you with knowledge and understanding of a pacing and cardiac catheterisation in adults. In addition, you will gain a deep appreciation of physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology related to each investigative procedure or therapeutic intervention.
The module aims to provide you with a knowledge and understanding of provocative electrocardiography. In addition, you will gain a deep appreciation physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology related to this investigative procedure. This module will also build on earlier work to develop the themes of public health and epidemiology of cardiovascular disease, risk factors, risk assessment and primary prevention including behavioural change management. It will also explore the importance of patient-centred care and the clinical audit.
This module will build on the skills you have acquired when undertaking previous research modules and from the knowledge gained throughout the programme. Further development of analysis, critical thinking and scientific literary style will be promoted. You will be enabled to pursue areas of individual interest in the subject area appropriate to their target award and will have the opportunity of gaining increased theoretical and practical knowledge in a chosen specialist field. Individual research experience will be gained in an area that may provide future employment opportunities. Personal responsibility for own learning through self-directed study and supervised preparation will be fostered. It is an integral part of the degree programme, furthering the development of skills in critical analysis and reflection.
To find out more about this respected course, please download the BSc Healthcare Science Cardiac Physiology (PDF).
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Teaching
You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.
You'll take part in problem-solving discussions and exercises, practical workshops and in-class activities. You'll supplement all this with your own guided and independent reading. The mix of delivery modes will be varied and suitable to the content being delivered.
The course has a strong practical element, with an emphasis on developing the skills needed in a clinical setting and gaining hands-on experience in diagnostic techniques.
You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team who have a wide range of expertise and professional experience.
The team includes academics, professional practitioners, and technical staff. Graduate teaching assistants or trained postgraduate research students may also have input into your teaching under the supervision of the module leader.
This programme will be delivered in a blended learning format using mostly face-to-face teaching (at least 75% of teaching), with maybe some online where appropriate. This may be supplemented by activities such as pre-reading, pre-recorded lectures, or data analysis where students can access the information at any point. Practical workshops will be on campus at StoneX and will be combinations of live interactions plus simulations. This wide range of teaching and learning approaches is used to build up your skills and knowledge.
You will learn your subject by attending lectures, seminars and practical workshops.
Seminars and workshops are a great opportunity to discuss what you have learnt with your peers and tutors. Most seminar groups have about 25-30 students.
For one-to-one support, you will meet with either your academic advisor or module leader. We also will share our library of online resources.
Your work will be divided into credits. Each credit is equal to 10 hours of study time. You will complete 120 credits per year of study, which are broken down into modules of typically 30 credits.
You will be studying at our north London campus in Hendon and at our West Stand state-of-the-art facility at StoneX stadium, Barnet. There is a free shuttle bus that operates on weekdays between the two locations.
Our north London location makes it easy to visit the life-science, technology and creative businesses in the Knowledge Quarter at King’s Cross (23 minutes away by underground train)
Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.
We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.
Typical weekly breakdown
During your first year, your weekly timetable will typically consist of:
- 9.5 hours of lectures
- 4 hours of seminars
- 2 hours of practical sessions.
Teaching vs independent learning
Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and exams.
Here is an indication of how you will split your time:
Year 1
| Percentage | Hours | Typical activity |
|---|---|---|
| 24% | 306 | Teaching, learning and assessment |
| 76% | 894 | Independent learning |
Year 2
| Percentage | Hours | Typical activity |
|---|---|---|
| 15% | 182 | Teaching, learning and assessment |
| 58% | 1018 | Independent learning |
| 32% | 563 | Placement/Practice-based learning |
Year 3
| Percentage | Hours | Typical activity |
|---|---|---|
| 8% | 167 | Teaching, learning and assessment |
| 48% | 1033 | Independent learning |
| 44% | 938 | Placement/Practice-based learning |
Our excellent teaching and support teams will help you develop the skills relevant to your degree from research and practical skills to critical thinking. And we offer free 24-hour laptop loans with full desktop software, free printing and Wi-Fi to use on or off campus, even over the weekend.
Your learning will be assessed regularly. The exact balance will depend on the modules you are taking. The table below is a good guide.
| Year | Coursework % | Exams % |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Year 2 | 73% | 27% |
| Year 3 | 70% | 30% |
You'll be assessed on your research project and a clinical portfolio, as well as through theoretical exams. Clinical practice assessments, laboratory reports and other written work, case study analyses and presentations will also form part of your assessment.
Both the practical skills you develop during your placement and the written assignments you produce as part of it will be assessed.
Assessments
We'll test your understanding and progress with informal and formal assessments.
The informal assessments usually take place at least once per module, from which you’ll receive feedback from your tutor. The grades from these tests don’t count towards your final marks.
There are formal assessments for each module, usually at the end, which will count towards your module and your final marks.
Assessments are reviewed annually and may be updated based on student feedback or feedback from an external examiner.
To help you achieve the best results, we will provide regular feedback.
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North London campus
Our north London campus is 23 minutes away by underground train, travelling from London Kings Cross.
Learn moreFacilities and support
Our Sheppard Library provides a wide range of resources and support to help you to succeed in your studies.
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Over 1,000 study spaces including rooms for group study and over 500 computers available.
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We have one of London's biggest and best university campuses with everything you need in one place.
Our facilitiesStudent support
We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.
Additional needs
We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.
Wellness
Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.
Work while you study
Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.
Financial support
You can apply for scholarships and bursaries and our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.
We have also reduced the costs of studying with free laptop loans, free learning resources and discounts to save money on everyday things. Check out our guide to student life on a budget.
Careers
How can the BSc Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) support your career?
The NHS is one of the largest employers in the world and this degree provides you with the skills, knowledge and experience to work at the heart of the NHS as a healthcare scientist in cardiac physiology. The NHS has recognised a skills shortage in this area and our course is designed to meet the requirements of the sector.
You can find more useful information about cardiac physiology careers when you visit the NHS careers website.
Graduate job roles
On completion of the programme, you would be eligible to apply for Band 5 physiological science posts in the NHS, although many employers will retain an apprentice graduate in a Band 5 position or higher.
You could also further your studies on an NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) to become a physiological scientist, working in the NHS at Band 7 or higher.
You can find more useful information about Healthcare Science careers on the NHS careers website.
Graduate employers
Our graduates have gone on to become cardiac physiologists employed by the NHS and in private organisations, including the Harley Street Clinic, Huddersfield NHS, Kingston Hospital and Royal Brompton among many others.
Transferable skills
You will develop skills such as teamwork, communication, task management, problem-solving, and decision-making
MDXworks
Our employability service, MDXworks will launch you into the world of work from the beginning of your course, with placements, projects and networking opportunities through our 1000+ links with industry and big-name employers in London and globally.
Our dedicated lifetime career support, like our business start-up support programme and funding for entrepreneurs, has made us:
- The top 20 UK universities for business leaders and entrepreneurs – Business Money, 2023
- A top 10 university for producing CEOs – Novuana, 2023.
MDXcelerator student start-up support
Want to be your own boss? You'll have the chance to pitch your business to gain mentoring and grants of up to £15,000.
Global network
You’ll study with students from 122 countries who’ll hopefully become part of your global network. And after you graduate, we'll still support you through our alumni network to help you progress in your chosen career.
Work placements
Placements are a key element of the course. Over the three years, you may spend up to a total of 50 weeks in NHS clinical physiology departments at hospitals in London or the South East. The availability and operation of these placements is subject to the control of the placement organisation.
Your time on placements is usually Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and is divided as follows:
- Year 1 – up to 10 weeks
- Year 2 – up to 15 weeks
- Year 3 – up to 25 weeks
All placement providers are officially approved by the University and learning opportunities and support will be available to help you complete your Practitioner Training Programme (PTP) training manual.
In the final year, you also have an opportunity to undertake a research project, which could include a clinical audit - research projects carried out on placement will normally require local ethical approval.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
- UCAS points
- 120 UCAS points with 32 in Science
- A Levels
- ABC-BBB including a C or above from a science subject
- BTEC
- DMM-DDM in a science subject
- Access requirements
- Overall pass in a science subject: must include 45 credits at level 3, of which all 45 must be at Merit or higher
- Combinations
- A combination of A Level, BTEC and other accepted qualifications that total 120 UCAS points with including 32 in Science
At Middlesex, we're proud of how we recognise the potential of future students like you. And how we can support you to succeed in your future career.
We make fair and aspirational offers because we want you to aim high, and we’ll support you all the way. Together we can achieve great results.
We’ll always be as flexible as possible and take into consideration any barriers you may have faced in your learning. And, if you don’t quite get the grades you hoped for, we’ll also look at more than your qualifications. Things like your work experience, other achievements and your personal statement.
Our entry requirements page outlines how we make offers.
We'll accept T Levels for entry onto our undergraduate degree courses (including our extended courses with a foundation year) with standard application of science requirements and GCSEs in line with UCAS tariff calculation.
Please note: Entry must be at Year 1 level for all applicants. There can be no direct entry into either Year 2 or Year 3. This is due to the placement element of this course.
Mature students (over 21)
We welcome applications from mature candidates, including those without formal qualifications, provided you can demonstrate relevant experience and ability.
Eligibility
Only UK students are eligible to apply for this course.
Academic credit
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, we may be able to count this towards your entry requirements.
We welcome students from the UK and all over the world. Join students from over 122 countries and discover why so many international students call our campus home:
- Quality teaching with top facilities plus flexible online learning
- Welcoming north London campus that's only 30 minutes from central London
- Work placements and networking with top London employers
- Career support to get you where you want to go after university
- Global alumni network and connections.
Qualifications
112 UCAS points
We accept a wide range of international qualifications such as A level and International Baccalaureate. You can find out more on your country's support page. If you need help with your application, please contact your nearest regional office.
English language
You'll need good English language skills to study with us. That's usually an IELTS 6.0 qualification (with a minimum of 5.5 in all sections). And, if you need help, we offer an intensive pre-sessional English course.
Visas
To study with us in the UK, you will need a student route visa.
Please apply via UCAS using the UCAS code B702.
Need help with your application? Check out our undergraduate application page.
Fees and funding
The fees below are for the 2025/26 academic year:
UK students1
Full-time: £9,250
Additional costs
The following study tools are included in your fees:
- Free access to resources, learning materials and software you need to succeed on your course
- Free laptop loans for up to 24 hours
- Free specialist software for your course
- Free printing for academic paperwork
- Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.
Scholarships and bursaries
To help make uni affordable, we do everything we can to support you including our:
- MDX Excellence Scholarship offers grants of up to £2,000 per year for UK students
- Regional or International Merit Awards which reward International students with up to £2,000 towards course fees
- Our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.
Find out more about undergraduate funding and all of our scholarships and bursaries.
Fees disclaimers
1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase undergraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.
Student Testimonials
"When my dad had a heart problem, I saw how the doctors helped him. I became intrigued as to how the main organ of the body can be fixed. I wanted to know more about this, and also I wanted to feel that I could give back.
The first time I came to Middlesex University for an open day it just immediately felt like home. The staff were so friendly and just made me feel comfortable. The university is really accommodating to students. I love that there are two different libraries. The campus has lots of halal food options on offer, which is great for me. I think that this reflects the fact that MDX really respects diversity.
The lecturers are always happy to offer 1:1 help. They focus on you as individuals and they want you to become the best health practitioner possible. I feel that I can ask any questions in class, which is a big deal for me as I’m usually quite shy. Hands on learning is a huge aspect of the course and we have access to some amazing facilities, from EEG machines to exercise testing machines. Before going on placement, we could practice and get a feel of how everything works. They don’t send us off on our placements without feeling like we understand it all properly.
I am currently on my placement, five days a week at North Middlesex Hospital. I get to be involved in and experience many different things and the experience helps to open doors when you’re looking for jobs. There is a lot of patient contact and we are given mentors who support us throughout.
After I have finished this course, I would like to pursue a master’s in paediatric cardiac physiology. This is my way of giving back but also simultaneously doing something I enjoy."
Iqra Sheikh
Second year student, BSc Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology)
Speak directly with one of our Unibuddy student ambassadors
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Unistats information
Please select 'see course data' on the following course option to view the full Unistats data for BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology)
We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.