how to apply
UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS POLICY
BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Cardiology)
2012-2013
We are currently updating the BSc (Hons) Cardiology degree as part of the Modernising Scientific Careers agenda.
The degree is moving from a four to a three year degree for 2012 start and will be known as BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Cardiology).
This document outlines the School of Healthcare's Undergraduate Admissions Policy for the BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Cardiology) programme for 2012 entry. It supports the admissions principles and policies of the University of Leeds, as outlined in the 2012 University of Leeds Undergraduate Admissions Policy and should be considered alongside this document. This policy will be reviewed on an annual basis.
NOTE: Please read carefully through each section of this policy before applying.
1. Application process
2. Admissions intake
3. Selection process and entry requirements
4. Unsuccessful applicants
5. Opportunities to visit
6. Contact Details
Application process
1. UCAS process
All full time undergraduate applications must be made through the online Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (www.ucas.com) by 15th January . The School of Healthcare does not normally participate in the UCAS Extra scheme for entry onto the Cardiology degree course. Direct applications are not accepted and students applying directly to the University will not normally be considered. As required by UCAS, applicants must complete the UCAS form, providing a personal statement, a list of all qualifications undertaken and those pending, and an appropriate referee's statement. In addition they must declare if they wish to defer entry and they must declare any prior criminal conviction.
2. Access to Leeds scheme
The School of Healthcare is committed to identifying all applicants who have the potential to succeed at the University of Leeds. Applicants who have experienced educational or social disadvantage will be flagged to admissions tutors using a combination of school performance, geographic factors and personal circumstances. Admissions tutors can then assess the applicant's potential in light of this contextual evidence and consider making an Access to Leeds offer alongside the standard offer. Access to Leeds students will be eligible for an offer if they meet the University's GCSE matriculation stand. They do not normally have to meet programme specific GCSE entry requirements, however for programmes such as BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Cardiology) that require numeracy, all applicants must have gained a minimum grade C in GCSE Mathematics (or equivalent). For more information on Access to Leeds please refer to www.leeds.ac.uk/ace/access/access.htm
3. Deferred applications/ Gap-Year
The School of Healthcare will accept applications for deferred entry. We welcome applications from applicants who are intending to undertake a Gap Year. Please note that your application will not be adversely affected if you wish to take a gap year.
4. Re-sits/ Re-applications
The School of Healthcare will accept applications from applicants who have re-applied and/or re-sat examinations. Applications will not normally be considered from students who have failed the practice element on a clinical physiology programme at a different university. Students who have failed an academic element at a different university may be considered if they can show evidence of addressing the failed element following leaving their previous programme.
5. Internal transfers
The School of Healthcare will consider applications from applicants who wish to transfer internally from other programmes at the University of Leeds, providing places are available. Applicants need to contact the Academic Lead for Admissions, Michelle Ellwood, m.l.ellwood@leeds.ac.uk. They will be asked to submit a new personal statement saying why they wish to change and detailing any relevant experience. They will also have to undergo an interview. Students commence placement soon after starting the course so transfers will not normally be accepted after week 3 of the new academic year.
6. Joint Honours applications
The School of Healthcare does not currently offer Joint Honours programmes
7. Applications from minors and vulnerable persons
The University of Leeds Undergraduate Admissions Policy details our policy on dealing with applications from minors and vulnerable persons. Age and "vulnerability" itself is not generally a bar to admission. However it is recognised that careful consideration may need to be given to someone's age and vulnerability when applying for certain programmes. Professional Body recommendations will be followed.
8. International/ Overseas students
Due to the nature of the funding for the above course applicants need to satisfy the residency requirements for a bursary and feeds from the NHS student grants unit.
Further information regarding residency can be found on the NHS student grants website at http://nhsstudentgrants.co.uk.
GCSE English Language grade C or above
IELTS: 7.0 overall with not less than 6.5 in every skill
TOEFL: 600 (paper based) with not less than 5.0 in “test of written English”
TOEFL iBT: 100 with minimum scores of 22 in listening, 24 in reading, 24 in speaking and 25 in writing
Additionally all students will require a full 5 year enhanced CRB, Occupational Health clearance and two satisfactory references, one of which must be an academic reference.
Further information for prospective international applicants can be found on our website at http://www.leeds.ac.uk/students/index.htm
9. Mature students
The School of Healthcare welcomes applications from mature applicants and support is available through the Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC). This support includes pre-entry advice and guidance for adults, matriculation tests, alternative entry schemes, preparatory programmes for adults, developing academic skills before entry, and information on a range of issues relevant to such applicants. For further details, contact: part-time@leeds.ac.uk, phone 0113 343 3212 or see www.leeds.ac.uk/lifelonglearningcentre.
10. Part time applicants
At the present time the School of Healthcare does not have part time pathways for the above undergraduate programme.
11. Disabled applicants
The School of Healthcare welcomes applications from disabled people. In line with the University's obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act, disabled applicants will not be treated less favourably than other applicants are, or would be, treated. The School of Healthcare will strive to make reasonable adjustments, to help ensure that disabled applicants have full and equal access to our admissions procedures and courses. The judgment about an individual candidate's academic suitability should be kept separate from any consideration of the applicant's disability-related support requirements. As well as responding to individual requests for such adjustments from applicants or students, the School will also strive to be proactive in ensuring that our admissions process and any related events (for example, School open days) are as accessible as possible.
In line with the Disability Discrimination Act, the School adopts a broad definition of disability, which would, for example, cover many people with dyslexia, long-term mental health conditions, partially sighted, hearing impaired. Applicants are asked to indicate their disability status on their application form and we encourage applicants to disclose any disability. Where candidates choose not to disclose their disability this may make it more difficult, or in some cases impossible, for the School or University to make adjustments. Applicants need to be aware of the professional nature of the programme and are asked to contact the School prior to application to discuss whether their disability will affect their ability to practice.
Disabled candidates are also advised to contact the University's Disability Team, which is part of the University's Equality Service (visit the Equality Service's website at www.equality.leeds.ac.uk) once an application has been submitted through UCAS, to discuss any support requirements they may have in relation to the programme for which they have applied. Applicants are also welcome to contact the School directly to discuss any support or adjustments they may require and contact details can be found at the end of this document. The disability co-ordinator for the School of Healthcare is Ms Jo Lay. 0113 3437187, j.lay@leeds.ac.uk.
This policy should also be read in conjunction with the University of Leeds Undergraduate Admissions Policy, which states the University's broader commitments to delivering a fair and equal admissions process for disabled applicants.
12. Applicants with a health-related issue or other mitigating circumstance
The University of Leeds Undergraduate Admissions Policy details our policy concerning applicants with a health related issue. The School sees health-related issues as being distinct from disability-related issues, although, of course, in some cases, a disabled applicant may also have a health-related issue.
Applicants with a health-related issue should contact the School as soon as possible if their health is likely to impact on their ability to engage with the admissions process.
If a candidate feels that their prior ill-health -or personal circumstances other than ill-health (for example, bereavement or other difficult home or family circumstances) -may have affective their pre -medical studies or may have affected the grades they received in past examinations, we normally advise that they bring this to the attention of their school or college who should inform the appropriate examinations board (s) to highlight these circumstances for consideration when awarding the final grade in a qualification.
On this basis, we expect that the examinations board(s) would already have taken mitigating circumstances into account when awarding grades and hence any grades in a qualification would have already been moderated appropriately. We are therefore unlikely to significantly lower our entry requirements if an applicant does not achieve the grades specified in an offer, after consideration by the awarding body.
However, any formal request for mitigating circumstances to be taken into account in the admissions process should be supported by a full declaration about the nature of the circumstances and whether or not these were declared to the exam board of the qualifications concerned. This declaration should be made either by a verified statement in the initial UCAS application or by sending directly to the relevant Admissions Tutor verified documentation from the referee.
Admissions intake
13. Admissions intake
The intake for the BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Cardiology) programme through UCAS is typically 20 home students, including mature students and those from the European Union. International fee-paying students are not considered in addition to this figure. The number of students on each programme may change annually as directed by the Strategic Health Authority.
14. Competition for places
Programmes within the School of Healthcare are generally very popular and for the above programme we receive in excess of five applications for each available place. Most of our applicants have an excellent academic record.
Selection process
15. Selection process
All applications must be made online through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (www.ucas.com). Academic grades normally form only one part of the final decision and the following sections give examples of how applicants may demonstrate that they have the skills, knowledge and attributes that we believe will enable them to become a successful student in the School of Healthcare.
The selection criteria treats all students fairly and not discriminate unlawfully on grounds of marital status, gender, gender re-assignment or transsexual status, race (including colour, nationality, national origin or ethnic origin) disability, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief, political or other opinion, social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status.
16. Academic entrance requirements
5 GCSE's grade C or above to include Maths English and Science
PLUS EITHER 3 A levels at grade ABB one of which must include a science subject (Biology, Human Biology, Physics, Chemistry)
OR QCF BTEC Extended Diploma at Distinction/Distinction/Distinction which must include at least one-third Science content
OR an Access to Higher Education 45 level 3 credits passed at Distinction and must include at least one-third Science content. 5 GCSE's grade C or above to include Maths English and Science
For details on other qualification requirements please read the University Admissions policy :
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/downloads/file/316/undergraduate_admissions_policy_2011
17. Personal statement advice
The personal statement of the UCAS form helps us to assess the nature of the applicant's interest in the academic subject and is an important part of the selection process. Accurate spelling and grammar are of paramount importance. It is essential that applicants take this opportunity to demonstrate their enthusiasm and aptitude for Clinical Physiology and academic subjects studied on this programme. We wish to hear about the reason for the choice of Clinical Physiology as a career details of any work experience or clinical visits, and examples of any transferable skills an applicant feels that they possess. It is preferable if applicants can have some caring experience prior to application
18. Short listing stage
Applicants are short listed against agreed criteria and must meet the academic entry requirement for the programme at application or within the academic cycle. The academic background of the applicant plus the personal statement on the UCAS form helps us to assess the nature of the applicant's interest in the academic subject and is an important part of the selection process. Additionally the reference on the UCAS application form must be supportive.
19. Interviews
Due to the unique funding arrangements for this programme all students wishing to study on this programme need to be employed by one of the Cardiology departments in the region. Information and job vacancies for Trainee Cardiac Physiologists are advertised on the NHS jobs website (www.jobsnhs.uk). Details of the exact date of publication will be sent to all shortlisted applicants. Applicants will then be interviewed jointly for the programme and the Trainee post.
There are usually two or three members on the interview panel, including two members of staff from the University and practice. The panel interview will last approximately twenty minutes. You will receive a written invitation from the School to attend an interview on a specific time or date. Please let us know as soon as possible if you require an alternative date using the contact details in your invitation letter. We will do our best to accommodate such requests but this cannot be guaranteed. Applicants who do not attend without contacting the School will be rejected.
20. FITNESS TO PRACTISE - other requirements for entry
Health Requirements
Any offer of a place to study BSc (Hons) Clinical Physiology (Cardiology)
is conditional upon a satisfactory medical screening, to be undertaken under arrangements made by the School of Healthcare by all students before the commencement of their studies. Separate arrangements are made for applicants with disabilities - see section 11.
Successful applicants will be required to provide documentary proof of immunisation status. Students unable to provide this documentation will be required to undertake appropriate screening and immunisation following commencement of the programme. The School reserves the right to refuse admission to the Clinical Physiology course to a student who is not cleared through the occupational Health Screening process. Applicants should note that the health requirements may be subject to change.
Criminal Record Checks
On the UCAS application form candidates are expected to indicate in the relevant box if they have a relevant criminal conviction. All convictions must be disclosed and this includes spent convictions, cautions and fixed penalty notices.
For 2012 entry, students entering programmes and courses which involve regular access to children and/or vulnerable adults will be legally required to register with the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) which is administered by the Independent Safeguarding Authority. The Independent Safeguarding Authority has recently been established as a single agency to monitor all individuals who want to work or volunteer with vulnerable people.
Registration with the scheme will cost £64.00 as a one off payment which will cover both the cost of registration and a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. Following successful registration you will be issued with an ISA Registration Number which will stay with you for the rest of your career. The University will send further instructions on registering with the VBS as part of the admissions process.
As part of any offer, the School will need to verify whether you have a criminal record and, if you do, are you in the view of the School still suitable to carry on with the course. For the vast majority of students who are resident in the UK, the record will be checked via the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Enhanced disclosure will be sought at the point of offer confirmation (i.e. when you have met all conditions as stated in your offer). Further information on the CRB is available on their website at: www.crb.gov.uk
Due to the nature of the course the University requires that applicants disclose all information relating to your conviction(s). The University is entitled to this information in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
If anything revealed by the search is regarded as a potential problem, the School will review the matter in accordance with its policy. A copy of the School's policy on Criminal Record Checks can be obtained from the Admissions Office, or is available on the Admissions website at www.leeds.ac.uk/medicine/How to Apply.
Any concealment of a criminal record including cautions and fixed penalty notices may result in withdrawal of an offer or expulsion from the course.
21. Offers
Those applicants with the highest overall performance in the interviews will be made an offer of a place. Offers are made the basis of merit and the ability of each applicant to meet the academic and non-academic criteria for admission to the relevant programme of study. Offers are made based on the information supplied on the UCAS form and performance at interview. The University of Leeds Undergraduate Admissions Policy gives further detail on the type of offers that are made. Due to the professional nature of the programme, offers will not normally be made until a second reference has been received. All offers will be subject to satisfactory health screen and criminal records check .
Unsuccessful applicants
22. Reasons for unsuccessful applications
Due to the volume of applications received we may have to reject students who already hold or are predicted lower than the minimum academic entry requirement, and also many students who meet the non-academic requirements. The UCAS forms of applicants who are unsuccessful in gaining a place on their chosen programme may be passed to the admissions tutors for other courses which the applicant may be interested in. Applicants will be informed of any decision via UCAS.
23. Feedback
Unsuccessful applicants may wish to request feedback on the reason for the outcome of their application, however they are encouraged to read this policy in full in the first instance as this may reveal the reasons that the School was unable to offer them a place. All requests for feedback must be made in writing to the Admissions Office and signed by the applicant. The University's policy on providing feedback to applicants can be found in the University of Leeds Undergraduate Admissions Policy.
24. Complaints
The School of Healthcare will consider all applications fairly and effectively in line with the procedures outlined in this document and the University of Leeds Undergraduate Admissions Policy.
Applicants who wish to challenge a decision to reject their application should write to Academic Lead for Admissions; Michelle Ellwood, University of Leeds, School of Healthcare, Baines Wing, Leeds LS2 9JT, detailing the nature of their complaint. Full details of the complaints procedure can be found in the University of Leeds Undergraduate Admissions Policy.
Opportunities to visit
25. University open days
The University of Leeds Undergraduate Open Days are usually held in June and October and are designed for prospective applicants rather than those who have already been made an offer.
Scholarships & funding
26. Applicants for the BSc(Hons) Healthcare Science (Cardiology) are eligible to apply for the University Of Leeds Scholarship or bursary, see here for details. Contact details
27. Pre- and post-application enquiries
For general enquiries and information relating to courses and admission to the School of Healthcare, applicants should contact Learnining and Teaching Support:
Telephone - +44 (0) 113 343 1349,
email: admissions@healthcare.leeds.ac.uk.
