Certificate of Higher Education in Health Sciences
Online, United Kingdom
Certificate
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 7,272 *
STUDY FORMAT
* total cost; part-time at a rate of 60 credits is £3,636 per year
Key Summary
About: The Certificate of Higher Education in Health Sciences covers human biology and science of health, and builds reasoning and data analysis skills. You’ll use printed and online materials, interactive activities, practical lab work and tutorials. Assessments include continuous feedback, essays, short answers and sometimes exams. Study modes: full‑time 1 year; part‑time 2 years; maximum 7 years. It supports progression to an honors degree.
Career Outcomes: This course supports entry to biomedical research, diagnostics and health services administration, and other roles needing critical thinking, data analysis and communication. Graduates can enter lab or public‑health roles, or continue to higher study.
This certificate offers an accessible and engaging introduction to the science behind human health and disease. If you’re interested in health science and developing essential skills for study, this course is for you. By the end of your study, you’ll have a valuable qualification under your belt and be on your way to an honours degree.
Key features
- Provides a broad introduction to science, focusing on human biology and health
- Develops skills of reasoning and logic that are highly prized in the workplace
- Builds a solid foundation for further study
Accessibility
We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The Certificate of Higher Education in Health Sciences uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:
- Studying a mixture of printed and online material online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes
- Online tutorials
- Undertaking practical work or using an online laboratory
- Using mathematical and scientific expressions, notations and associated techniques
- Using and producing diagrams and screenshots
- Working with specialist reading material such as scientific journals.
- Continuous and end-of-module assessments in the form of essays, short answer questions, and in some cases an examination
- Using feedback: continuous assessment involves receiving detailed feedback on your work from your tutor and using this feedback to improve your performance
How long it takes
- Part-time study - 2 years
- Full-time study - 1 year
- Time limit - 7 years
This certificate of higher education has one stage, comprising 120 credits.
- In Stage 1, you’ll study two 60-credit modules.
Stage 1 (120 credits)
You'll study both of the following:
- Science and health: an evidence-based approach (SDK100)
- Human biology: a body in balance (SK190)
Assessment
Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.
Computer-Marked Assignments
- Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.
Tutor-Marked Assignments
- You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
- They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
- Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.
End-of-Module Assessments
- The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
- Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.
Exams
- Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
- You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
- Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.
- If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.
Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this certificate, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The essential concepts, principles, theories and current issues in the health sciences
- The structure and function of systems, organs, cells and processes in the human body and their interaction with external factors
- The scientific basis of human physical and mental health, disease and disability and the use of diagnosis, screening and interventions in defined health conditions.
Cognitive skills
On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:
- Use your knowledge and understanding of essential health sciences facts, concepts and principles outside the context in which they were first studied
- Analyse and interpret information and data from a range of different sources, including texts, tables, graphs, diagrams, numerical data and visual and interactive media.
Practical and professional skills
On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:
- Conduct and report on health science investigations or practical tasks and demonstrate an awareness of relevant ethical issues
- Review and manage your own personal and professional development and/or career plans
- Use skills that support life-long learning, including reflecting on your progress and using feedback from others to identify your strengths and weaknesses and improve your performance.
Key skills
On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:
- Collect, process, analyse and present data using appropriate quantitative methods
- Communicate health sciences information accurately and effectively in written, visual, and spoken forms in a style and language appropriate to your purpose and audience
- Use skills that support life-long learning, including reflecting on your progress and using feedback from others to identify your strengths and weaknesses and improve your performance.
Skills for career development
This certificate is for people working in, or wishing to enter, the health-related sector, and who wish to pick up a broad base of subject knowledge and skills. Many of the skills you acquire by studying health sciences modules will be highly valued in the modern workplace, which is increasingly concerned with effective knowledge management, critical thinking and the effective communication and presentation of ideas and arguments. The ability to select and analyse relevant data and to present conclusions concisely and logically is essential in most lines of work, as is the ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.
Career relevance
While this course is not attached to a specific professional endorsement, it provides a broad base of subject knowledge and skills appropriate to occupations such as biomedical research, diagnostic services, health promotion, health and safety, health therapy, and health services administration and management.
Other careers
People with science qualifications are well placed to enter both scientific and non-scientific jobs. The logical, reasoned approach needed for science study is relevant to a wide range of financial, business and public sector employment.
In addition to improving your career prospects, studying with the OU is an enriching experience that broadens your horizons, develops your knowledge, builds your confidence and enhances your life skills.
With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.
You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.
For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.
Each module you study will have a module website with
- A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
- Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
- Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
- Details of each assignment and their due dates
- A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
- Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.