22 March 2005

Health-related courses offered at Cardiff University

Dental Hygiene and Dental TherapyDentistryMedicineMidwiferyNursing

Occupational TherapyOperating Department Practice

OptometryPharmacy

PhysiotherapyDiagnostic Radiography & Imaging

Radiotherapy & Oncology

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What and where to study

• What – Choosing a health course / career

• Where – Choosing a University / Where to study

• Course Variations / Useful features• Getting into University:

• Academic/Non-academic criteria• Personal Statements/References• Interviews/Additional Tests

• Research

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Choosing a health course / career

• Interest in people• Interest in the science of the human body (physical and psychological• Interest in health problems• Wanting to work as a member of a team• Guaranteed employment!!

In general:

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Midwifery

• Being interested in the care of the mother and the unborn child• Being involved in the delivery of babies, together with

providing antenatal and postnatal care• Being able to provide support and education for mothers and

their partners – preparing for parenthood

• Having the knowledge and skills to be able to provide effective care for people with health needs, either in an institutional setting or in their own homes

• Providing health care for people with a variety of minor, acute or long-term illnesses, including mental health and learning disabilities

• Being interested in the holistic care of patients

Nursing

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To help those who are temporarily or permanently disabled to be as independent as possible in their everyday lives, whilst recovering from illness (physical or mental) or adapting to disability.

• Helping people to solve their own problems / helping people to cope.

Occupational Therapy

Operating Department Practice

To provide clinical care as part of the anaesthetic, surgical and post-anaesthesia care teams.

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Optometry

• To be able to test sight and prescribe for patients an accurate correction for their vision

• To be able to detect diseases that affect the eye and the visual system

• To dispense spectacle frames and lenses and contact lenses – often running a business

Pharmacy• To be interested in drugs and medicines – scientific, social and

professional aspects• To understand the clinical uses of medicines• To be able to dispense medicines and to advise the public on the

proper administration of their medicines – often involves running a business

• With additional training, to be able to prescribe some drugs (the nearest profession to medicine!)

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• Having the knowledge and skills to be able to treat injury and disease by enhancing the body’s own natural healing mechanisms

• To be able to relieve pain, aid recovery, restore good health and help patients prevent the same thing happening again

• A ‘hands-on’, physical career

Diagnostic Radiography and Radiotherapy

• Radiography – to be able to produce high quality images on film and other recording materials, helping doctors to diagnose disease and extent of injuries

• Radiotherapy – to help to treat patients, many of whom have cancer, using x-rays, ionising radiation and chemotherapy

• Wanting to combine an interest in science and technicalwork with caring for people

Physiotherapy

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Choosing a University – where to study

In general:

• City location and environment• University buildings / proximity to clinical facilities• Research and teaching assessments/university ratings• Type, location and costs of residential accommodation• Students’ Union facilities/activities• Friendliness of people• Recommendations of others• ‘Gut’ feeling!

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MidwiferyBMid – Bachelor of MidwiferyDM – Diploma in Midwifery (NMAS) – not in Wales

32 universities offering 3-year courses 1 university offering a 4-year course (Central Lancashire)7 universities offering 1-year/2-year post-registration courses (through UCAS) (other universities offering this course direct-entry)

22 March 2005

NursingBN – Bachelor of NursingBSc – Bachelor of Science in NursingDN – Diploma in Nursing (NMAS) – not in Wales

51 universities offering 3-year courses 7 universities offering 4-year courses (5 - Scottish)(20 universities offering the Learning Disabilities branch programme)(3-year courses – only 10 weeks holiday per year)

Courses comprise 50% theory and 50% clinical practice

Common Foundation programme (1-year) followed by chosen Branch programme (2-years):

Adult / Child / Mental Health / Mental Handicap

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Occupational TherapyB.Sc. – Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy

21 universities offering 3-year courses4 universities offering 4-year courses (3 Scottish, 1 Ulster)1 university offering 2-year graduate entry (York St. John)

Cardiff also offering 4-year part-time degree course and 2-year Postgraduate Diploma course – direct entry

All include 1,000 hours of practice placements (fieldwork)

3 universities (approx) offer problem-based learning – including Cardiff and Brunel

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OptometryBSc – Bachelor of Science in Optometry

5 universities offering 3-year courses (including 1 also offering a 4-year Foundation year entry course) 2 universities offering 4-year courses (Scottish)1 university offering 4-year Masters course

1st year – basic science teaching & intro to clinical procedures2nd year – preparation for patient clinics and ‘front- line’ projects3rd year - direct clinical contact and hospital visits

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PhysiotherapyBSc –Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy

29 universities offering 3-year courses 3 universities offering 4-year courses (2 Scottish, 1 Ulster) 1 university offering 4-year sandwich course 1 university offering 2-year graduate entry course (Cardiff)

All courses include 1,000 hours of clinical work placements.

Basic skills learned in the university, practising on fellow-studentsPatient contact from year 2

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Diagnostic Radiography & RadiotherapyBSc – Bachelor of Science in Radiography/Radiotherapy

Radiography:21 universities offering 3-year courses 2 universities offering 4-year courses (1 Scotland, 1 Ulster)

Radiotherapy:10 universities offering 3-year courses

1,000 hours of clinical work placements.Integration of academic and clinical education.Clinical placements build on academic blocks of teaching

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Getting into UniversityAcademic Requirements (Cardiff University):

Diploma Courses: 5 GCSE passes plus equiv. of 2 A levels grade C

Degree Courses: GCSE Maths plus English/Welsh Language grade C (Bs for Medicine), AA Double Award or AAB separate

sciences for Medicine or Dentistry

Dental Hyg/Ther : Dental Nurse qual.or CC A levels Dentistry & AAB at A level (2 sciences incl. Chem or

Medicine: AABc Biol, both required at AS) Midwifery: CCC at A level Nursing: CCC at A level Occ.Therapy: CCC at A level Op.Dpt.Practice: CC at A level (incl. 1 science) Optometry: AAB at A level (2 sciences) Pharmacy: ABB-BBB at A level (2 sciences) Physiotherapy: ABB at A level (1 biological subject) Radiography: CCD at A level (incl. 1 science)

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Non-academic criteria

• Understanding of career/motivation• Caring attitude/Social Awareness• Communication skills• Sense of responsibility and reliability• Study Skills • Outside Interests

plus• Empathy• Honesty and trustworthiness• Friendliness• Teamwork skills• Sensitivity• Sympathy and understanding

Ability to meet the academic, physical and emotional demands of healthcare training

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Additional non-academic criteriaDental Hygiene/Therapy and DentistryManual Dexterity

Nursing:Caring skillsManagement skillsClear understanding of Branch programme chosen

Occupational TherapyOutgoing personalityProblem-solving skillsPatience and tactInventive and adaptableReal interest in people and helping them solve their own problems

Operating Department PracticeEnjoy the challenges offered by pressurised situations

PhysiotherapyFitness/good health

RadiographyHigh level of competence and confidence in handling sophisticated technologyPhysically able to work safely, quickly and accuratelyGood health and reasonably strong – lifting people/moving heavy equipmentPatient and calm

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Personal statements – satisfying non-academic criteria- Work Experience, etc.

Motivation for Career:

Nursing Homes/Old People’s Homes General Practice/Health Centres Hospital wards/portering, etc Psychiatric day centres/Rehabilitation centres Hospices Pharmacies (hospital or retail) Hospital Laboratories Optometrists Dental Practice, Dental Hospital/Community Clinics or

Laboratories

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Satisfying non-academic criteria / continued

Childcare centres Centres for people with special needs Health-related conferences

Note: Nursing (Child Branch) – Children’s hospital ward

experience not required (any child contact valued) Occupational Therapy - Experience with an OT not

required (view website to be able to clearly define OT)

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Caring Attitude

Family responsibilities Community Service (CSV) Nursing Homes/Old People’s Homes Adults or Children with Special Needs Baby-sitting Elderly neighbours Holiday centres for people with disabilities Church or Social Services provision

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Social Awareness:

Supermarkets Other retail outlets Waiter/waitress/hotel work Contact with people from other communities/cultures

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Responsibility:

Family responsibilities School/College roles: prefect, member of

school/college Council, Young Enterprise Scheme, team leaders of clubs and societies

Youth Award Scheme/Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

Part-time work or Community Service responsibilities Leadership/role within outside clubs/societies

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Study Skills:

Music examinations Attending seminars, conferences, public lectures Learning (outside school/college) Organisation skills/Time management – balancing

studies and social activities

Outside Interests:

Music / Sport / Cultural Activities Participation in clubs and societies Team activities

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UCAS Reference

School/college background – context Applicant’s study skills (e.g. self-directed

learning/directed learning) Contribution to class Contribution to school/college Interpersonal skills relevant to career

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Interviews

• Smart personal presentation• Familiarization with own UCAS application• Knowledge of university and course applied for• Good communication and inter-personal skills – speak clearly and relate to interviewers• Realistic knowledge of career – positive and negative: (work experience, reading articles, viewing websites)• Understanding of ethical and clinical dilemmas (medicine)• Knowledge of topical (related) issues• Demonstrate caring nature and interest in people• Show enthusiasm, sense of humour

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Additional Tests Dentistry: manual dexterity (some dental schools) Medicine:

- BMAT – Cambridge, Oxford, Royal Free & University College - GAMSAT/MSAT (Graduate entry) – St. George’s Hospital M.S., Swansea/Cardiff, Nottingham/Derby, Barts & The London, King’s, - On-line questionnaire – Nottingham - Other tests under consideration by some medical schools

Occupational Therapy: Bring essay to interview, Group Discussions

Operating Department Practice: Psychometric tests

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Research: Websites

Careers: www.nhscareers.nhs.ukNew Generations (Allied Health Professions)

www.newgenerations.org.ukMedical Schools Survey of Academic Requirements:

www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine/admissions_info OR www.ucas.com/candq/curr2000/index.html

Dentistry: www.bda-dentistry.org.uk/ www.gdc-uk.orgMedicine: www.bma.org.uk/www.gmc-uk.orgMidwifery: www.rcm.org.ukNursing: www.nmc-uk.orgOccupational Therapy: www.cot.org.ukOp.Dept.Pract: www.aodp.org.uk/ www.proprius.org.ukOptometry: www.college-optometrists.orgPharmacy: www.rpsgb.org.ukPhysiotherapy: www.csp.org.ukRadiography: www.sor.org/