Health-related courses offered at Cardiff University

1. Health-related courses offered at Cardiff University Dental Hygiene and Dental TherapyDentistryMedicineMidwiferyNursingOccupational TherapyOperating Department PracticeOptometryPharmacyPhysiotherapy Diagnostic Radiography & ImagingRadiotherapy & Oncology

2. 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

3. Choosing a health course / career In general: • 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!!

4. 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 Nursing • 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

5. Occupational Therapy • 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. Operating Department Practice • To provide clinical care as part of the anaesthetic, surgical and post-anaesthesia care teams.

6. 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!)

7. Physiotherapy • 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

8. 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!

9. Midwifery BMid – Bachelor of Midwifery DM – 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)

10. Nursing BN – Bachelor of Nursing BSc – Bachelor of Science in Nursing DN – 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

11. Occupational Therapy B.Sc. – Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy 21 universities offering 3-year courses 4 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

12. Optometry BSc – 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 procedures 2nd year – preparation for patient clinics and ‘front- line’ projects 3rd year - direct clinical contact and hospital visits

13. Physiotherapy BSc –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-students Patient contact from year 2

14. Diagnostic Radiography & Radiotherapy BSc – 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

15. 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)

16. Non-academic criteria • Understanding of career/motivation • Caring attitude/Social Awareness • Communication skills • Sense of responsibility and reliability • Study Skills • Outside Interestsplus • Empathy • Honesty and trustworthiness • Friendliness • Teamwork skills • Sensitivity • Sympathy and understanding • Ability to meet the academic, physical and emotional demands of healthcare training

17. Additional non-academic criteria Dental Hygiene/Therapy and Dentistry Manual Dexterity Nursing: Caring skills Management skills Clear understanding of Branch programme chosen Occupational Therapy Outgoing personality Problem-solving skills Patience and tact Inventive and adaptable Real interest in people and helping them solve their own problems Operating Department Practice Enjoy the challenges offered by pressurised situations Physiotherapy Fitness/good health Radiography High level of competence and confidence in handling sophisticated technology Physically able to work safely, quickly and accurately Good health and reasonably strong – lifting people/moving heavy equipment Patient and calm

18. 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

19. Satisfying non-academic criteria / continued • Childcare centres • Centres for people with special needs • Health-related conferencesNote: • 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)

20. 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

21. Social Awareness: • Supermarkets • Other retail outlets • Waiter/waitress/hotel work • Contact with people from other communities/cultures

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. Research: Websites • Careers: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk • New Generations (Allied Health Professions)www.newgenerations.org.uk • Medical 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.org • Medicine: www.bma.org.uk/www.gmc-uk.org • Midwifery: www.rcm.org.uk • Nursing: www.nmc-uk.org • Occupational Therapy: www.cot.org.uk • Op.Dept.Pract: www.aodp.org.uk/www.proprius.org.uk • Optometry: www.college-optometrists.org • Pharmacy: www.rpsgb.org.uk • Physiotherapy: www.csp.org.uk • Radiography: www.sor.org/