Helston Community College

Medical Science

NATIONAL DIPLOMA

Is this course for me?
The Level 3 Diploma in Medical Science is ideal for post-16 students who are interested in careers related to healthcare and medical research. It is an Applied General qualification and is a 2 year course that carries the equivalent UCAS points of one A level. Medical scientists are at the forefront of healthcare services, they are vital in the diagnosis of disease, determining the effectiveness of treatments and searching for new cures.

What qualifications do I need?
You will need the general college requirements of 4 grade 4s or equivalent including science, maths and English.

What does the course involve?
The qualification covers the key topic areas of health, physiology and disease, as well as providing the opportunity to study the areas of pharmacology, physiological measurement, clinical testing and medical research.

In order to achieve the Level 3 Diploma in Medical Science learners are required to complete 6 units:
1. Human health and disease
2. Physiological measurement techniques
3. Medical Science research methods
4. Medicines and treatment of disease
5. Clinical laboratory techniques
6. Medical case study

Each unit has a clear medical science purpose which focuses the learning of scientific knowledge, understanding and skills into a meaningful context.

How will my work be assessed?
WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Medical Science is assessed using a combination of internal and external assessment. There are a range of assessment activities involving traditional examinations, task based activities and controlled assignment based assessments.

Unit: Human health and disease. Detail: 2 hour synoptic written examination on Units 1- 3.
Unit: Physiological measurement techniques. Detail: assignment based.
Unit: Medical Science research methods. Detail: assignment based.
Unit: Medicines and treatment of disease. Detail: assignment based.
Unit: Clinical laboratory techniques. Detail: task based assignment.
Unit: Medical case study. Detail: 2 hour synoptic written examination on Units 1- 6.

What other subjects could I study alongside this one?
Studying the level 3 Diploma in Medical Science allows time in the curriculum for other qualifications to be studied alongside it, as the course only fills one option block. These would typically be A levels such as psychology or chemistry or another applied general qualification in an area such as health and social care.

What can I do afterwards?
A significant proportion of career opportunities in this sector are at degree level. When supported by other appropriate qualifications, the Level 3 Diploma in Medical Science will enable progression to higher education to a range of Applied Science programmes, such as biomedical science, life sciences, and physiology.

The level 3 Diploma in Medical Science is supported by a number of Higher Education Institutions including: Bangor University, Bristol University of the West of England, Cardiff Metropolitan University. Swansea University, University of Chester.

This qualification also equips learners with scientific knowledge and understanding, as well as practical skills that would support progression to a range of job roles within health care. Job roles such as those within the areas of life sciences, i.e. carrying out a range of laboratory and scientific tests to support the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Alternatively, there would also be opportunities to progress to job roles within the physiological sciences, working directly with patients, measuring and evaluating particular organ and systems.