Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Optometry

at University of the West of England - Bristol - Glenside Campus United Kingdom

This innovative, intensive course will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to become a highly competent physician associate.

Why study this course?

• The role of Physician Associate is  flexible and dynamic, allowing you to work in a variety of healthcare settings.
• Physician Associates are an invaluable part of the medical and wider multi-professional healthcare team, and practice under the supervision of a doctor to provide care for patients.  
• This MSc Physician Associate Studies course has been developed in line with professional standards underwritten by the Faculty of Physician Associates at the Royal College of Physicians. It will equip you with the broad range of clinical skills, knowledge and professional attitudes required to practice in the medical field.
• You will develop critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills and learn how to take medical histories, perform physical examinations, request and analyse test results, diagnose illnesses and develop treatment and management plans.
• Integral to the course are extensive clinical placement opportunities, giving you the chance to gain experience across a range of settings.

Why UWE Bristol?

• Train at a specialist healthcare campus which will provide you with the unique opportunity to train alongside other healthcare professionals, with access to state-of-the-art simulation suites, replica wards and consultation rooms, where skills can be practiced in a realistic yet controlled clinical environment.
• Be taught by a dedicated teaching team, made up of professional experts from a range of disciplines, and led by a UK trained and registered Physician Associate.

Where can it take me?

• Physician Associates are versatile medically aligned healthcare professionals, and there is a growing demand for Physician Associates across the UK. Your skills as a generalist will be sought-after across a variety of settings and specialties.
• After qualifying as a Physician Associate, you will practice as a Band 7 (or equivalent) in your chosen area of employment.
• With further training and experience, you may choose to specialise or continue to work in a generalist field, or undertake roles in management, research or teaching.

Our employer links, practical focus and the clinical experience offered means that you'll develop the confidence and critical skills you need to propel your children's and young people nursing career.

Why study children and young people's nursing?

• Nursing is a challenging but rewarding career that'll change lives, including your own. As a children and young people's nurse, you'll play your part in improving access to healthcare, wellbeing, social inclusion and quality of life.
• Working as part of an inter-professional team in hospitals, schools, and family homes and across the community, children's nurses provide specialist healthcare and support for children, young people and their families.
• A £5,000 per year training grant is available for students. Further information is available on the NHS Business Services website.

Why UWE Bristol?

• You'll learn from a passionate, enthusiastic, skilled and supportive team with a range of experience across all the many different aspects of Children's nursing, and other fields of nursing. Many are active researchers; your learning will be enriched by the very latest in best practice and clinical understanding.
• This course has a strong practical focus, allowing you to gain competence carrying out the hands-on tasks you'll perform in your career. About half your time will be spent on placements with our established partners. You'll also have regular access to outstanding facilities including our Skills Simulation Suite: an imitation ward where you'll be able to develop your clinical expertise in a safe, instructive environment.
• Based at Glenside Campus, you'll interact with and learn from other students from a range of health and social care courses. You'll develop essential people skills as you work with patients and their families, as well as our partners on placements, in class and online. There's also the opportunity to develop and apply your skills working abroad.

Where can it take me?

• Children's nurses are in demand across the UK in a wide range of specialties, so many exciting career paths will be open to you.
• You could work in a hospital or in areas such as school nursing, health visiting and children's community nursing for the NHS, or for private or voluntary sector employers.

This course was jointly developed with the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust (SWAST). It's also approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), so you will be eligible to apply for registration to work as a paramedic once you graduate

Why study paramedic science?

• Paramedics are multi-skilled professionals who work as part of frontline NHS ambulance teams, responding to acute medical or traumatic emergencies.
• It's a physically and mentally demanding role, where you'll work under pressure and administer emergency treatment and life-saving procedures in challenging conditions.
• Talented paramedics with the skills to provide a wider range of treatments, in emergency and unplanned care settings, are in high demand across the health service.
• A £5,000 per year training grant is available for students. Further information is available on the NHS Business Services website.

Why UWE Bristol?

• Developed with the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust, BSc(Hons) Paramedic Science is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), so you will be eligible to apply for registration to work as a paramedic once you've graduated.
• Work-based training in the emergency ambulance service and acute hospital trusts is built-in, and simulation and role-play in specialist onsite facilities help to build your skills and prepare you for working in the field.
• Develop the interpersonal skills, problem-solving and decision-making skills you'll need to deliver safe and effective patient care.
• Spend half your time on placements in the NHS ambulance service, acute hospitals and with the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART). Learn from paramedics and other healthcare professionals as well as training with student nurses and trainee fire-fighters to build your interpersonal skills.
• Explore the theory of paramedic practice and the subjects that underpin it, working with highly supportive academics who are all registered paramedics. Half the team have worked as specialist paramedics in urgent and critical care and you'll have a named mentor to guide you through your three years as a student.

Where can it take me?

• Paramedics are in demand across the UK and there are exciting career options in both emergency and urgent care teams.
• After gaining experience, you could specialise further, and become a paramedic practitioner or critical care paramedic.

Our employer links, practical focus and the clinical experience offered means that 95% of our graduates are in work or further study six months after graduation.

Why study midwifery?

• Midwives are autonomous practitioners providing care and support to women and their families during pregnancy, birth and the early postnatal period.
• Working as part of a multidisciplinary professional team, midwives practise in birth units, communities and hospitals, supporting women to have a positive experience of childbirth.
• This dynamic, demanding and privileged role carries great responsibility but is incredibly rewarding.
• A £5,000 per year training grant is available for students. Further information is available on the NHS Business Services website.

Why UWE Bristol?

• BSc(Hons) Midwifery is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), which means you can register as a midwife with them when you graduate.  
• With close input from practice partners and maternity service users, the course offers an authentic, woman-centred learning experience and gives you the grounding you need to practise midwifery confidently, compassionately and to the highest standard.
• Cement your understanding of the midwife's role and learn about good midwifery practice. Develop the critical thinking and leadership skills to evaluate evidence, and help move midwifery forward.
• Based at our Glenside campus UWE Bristol's home of health and social care you'll develop strong interpersonal and inter-professional skills to work in a team with women, their families and healthcare professionals from other disciplines.
• Work with enthusiastic academics who've all practised as midwives themselves.
• The course has a strong practical focus and you'll spend around half of your time learning on clinical placements, supported by midwifery mentors.
• Engage with service users, practising midwives, researchers and other healthcare professionals in placements, class and online.
• Practise and hone your skills with medical students in hospital settings, and in our purpose-built Simulation Suite and Birth Room.

Where can it take me?

• Midwives are in demand across the UK. Your skills will be sought after in both hospital and community-based roles.
• You could progress to become a specialist or consultant midwifery practitioner, clinical midwifery manager, lecturer or researcher in midwifery.

Benefit from highly specialist onsite optometry facilities and extensive placement opportunities, to get you ready and confident for your pre-registration year.

Why study optometry?

• An optometrist is a highly skilled health professional trained to provide specialist eye care services, including sight tests. They work in hospitals, the community and other related settings.
• There is a growing need for people who can provide these services, particularly as the NHS evolves and other providers move into this area.
• Studying this subject will set you on the path for a rewarding career as a health professional, with good employment and salary prospects open to well-trained graduates

Why UWE Bristol?

• BSc(Hons) Optometry is a specialist bachelor's degree that will give you the in-depth academic and practical grounding you need to go into your pre-registration year as a trainee optometrist.
• With a balanced mix of theory and placement experience in Year one and Year two, and a clinic placement at a hospital eye service in Final year, you'll be set up with the skills, knowledge and hands-on experience you need to move forward confidently into this thriving profession.
• Benefit from maximum contact time with patients from year one onwards, with extensive clinical experience at our onsite clinic at the University, and external placements each year with a wide range of employers.
• Gain real-world experience with varied placement opportunities, such as involvement in hospitals, high street practices, lens manufacturers or optical laboratories.
• Hone your clinical skills in our brand new £3.3 million optometry training suite, and treat real patients in our specialist onsite clinic.
• Study all the key areas you need to work in this field, including anatomy, physiology, optics, lenses, dispensing, clinical practice, regulation, ocular pathology and patient contact.
• In Final year you'll also study more advanced areas such as medical retina and glaucoma. We've made sure you'll cover content from The College of Optometrists higher qualifications, to give you a valuable head start in your career.
• Graduate in a strong and confident position to move into your pre-registration year.

Where can it take me?

• Optometry is a solid and growing profession and a UK optometry qualification is highly regarded around the world.
• After completing your pre-registration year, you can take your skills into lots of different areas, including a hospital environment or private optometry practice, or a related area of work such as optics research or eye care services for charities working in developing countries.
• You could progress onto a master's in optometry, or enhance your clinical skills further by undertaking higher qualifications with The College of Optometrists.

Get the grounding needed to become a skilled social worker - with the professional skills, knowledge base and placement experience that will help you stand out.

Why study social work?|

• Studying social work helps you understand the support society's most vulnerable individuals and groups need to ensure their welfare.
• Learning how to practise as a qualified social worker, you'll explore the critical issues that affect people's wellbeing, learn how to safeguard their interests, and promote greater independence.
• It's challenging but rewarding work, and you'll be taking an active role in addressing pressing social problems

Why UWE Bristol?

• BSc(Hons) Social Work at UWE Bristol offers the grounding you need to become a skilled social worker with the professional skills, knowledge base and placement experience that will help you stand out.
• Learn to work with service users, carers and other professionals to enhance wellbeing. Gain the critical understanding, experience and skills to make informed judgements in complex situations. Explore contemporary issues in social work.
• You'll be taught by experienced and enthusiastic staff, most of whom are registered social workers.
• Get a direct route into practice with 170 days on placement through our links with a variety of partner agencies. Gain exposure to a variety of social work roles in statutory, voluntary, private and independent organizations.
• The relationships you build with your placement providers, along with your professional qualification, will greatly improve your employability.

Where can it take me?

• After completing the degree, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council, so you can practise social work in England.
• You'll be qualified to work with adults or children in numerous roles and sectors.
• Our students often find work with the organizations they've trained with on placement.

Our employer links, practical focus and the clinical experience offered means that you'll develop the confidence and critical skills you need to propel your children's and young people nursing career.

Why study mental health nursing?

• Nursing is a challenging but rewarding career that'll change lives, including your own. As a mental health nurse you'll play your part in improving access to healthcare, wellbeing, social inclusion and quality of life.
• Working in a variety of settings, including specialist and community services, and people's homes, mental health nurses provide focused health support to people of all ages.
• A £5,000 per year training grant is available for students along with an additional £1,000 per year grant because mental health nurses are in demand in the UK and worldwide. Further information is available on the NHS Business Services website.

Why UWE Bristol?

• You'll learn from a passionate, enthusiastic, skilled and supportive team with a range of experience across all the many different aspects of Mental Health nursing, and other fields of nursing. As many of our staff are active researchers, your learning will be enriched by the very latest in best practice and clinical understanding.
• This course has a strong practical focus, allowing you to gain competence carrying out the hands-on tasks you'll perform in your career. About half your time will be spent on placements with our established partners. You'll also have regular access to outstanding facilities including our Skills Simulation Suite: an imitation ward where you'll be able to develop your clinical expertise in a safe, instructive environment.
• Based at Glenside Campus, you'll interact with and learn from other students from a range of health and social care courses. You'll develop essential people skills as you work with patients and their families, as well as our partners on placements, in class and online. There's also the opportunity to develop and apply your skills working abroad.

Where can it take me?

• You'll have exciting career opportunities open to you in several different areas. Mental health nurses are in demand across the UK, and you could go on to work in a broad variety of specialist areas and interesting roles.
• You could work for the NHS, in hospitals and community settings. You could also take your skills into the armed forces, prison service, the private sector or voluntary organisations.

The strong practical focus, our close links with employers, and the experience of our academic team, mean that a high percentage of graduates are in work or further study after six months.

Why study occupational therapy?

• Occupational therapists recognise that being able to perform meaningful, everyday activities is crucial to people's health and wellbeing.
• Physical and mental illness, impairment and ageing can turn these occupations into challenges that reduce independence and undermine people's identity.
• Working in different roles and settings, occupational therapists use activity therapeutically, supporting clients to recover valued occupations and, in turn, regain their independence and health.

• A £5,000 per year training grant is available for students. Further information is available on the NHS Business Services website.

Why UWE Bristol?

• BSc(Hons) Occupational Therapy is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) so you'll be eligible to apply for registration with them when you graduate, something you must do to practise in this field.
• Focus on the relationship between occupation and health and wellbeing and gain the contemporary, evidence-based knowledge and skills you need to establish yourself as an occupational therapist.
• Learn to work with clients, carers and other professionals to deliver safe, effective and ethical interventions supporting people to be independent in their occupations, and enjoy better health and wellbeing.
• With a strong focus on employability, you'll become confident in applying your skills and knowledge to different settings and working with service users.
• Get ready for practice in our specialist simulation facilities, dedicated skills suite and occupational therapy resource centre. Spend at least 1,000 hours on practice placements with regional health and social care providers.
• As well as volunteering locally as part of Widening Occupation Weeks (WOW), you may have the opportunity to volunteer abroad or take part in an Erasmus international placement in your final year.
• Work with a supportive and accessible academic team who are research active and have a wealth of clinical experience to share.

Where can it take me?

• Occupational therapists are in demand across the UK.
• Graduates usually work in primary and secondary healthcare, in the NHS, local authority social services and housing departments, independent and third sector organisations, education or research.
• BSc(Hons) Occupational Therapy is also recognised as an entry qualification in many other countries (although some may have extra professional registration criteria).

Hit the ground running as a sport rehabilitator, on this British Association of Sport Rehabilitators and Trainers-accredited course.

Why study sport rehabilitation?

• Sport rehabilitation focuses on understanding, preventing and treating sports and exercise-related injuries and musculoskeletal conditions.
• As a sport rehabilitator, you'll play a vital role in supporting athletes, players and sports participants of all abilities.
• Having up-to-date skills and knowledge will put you in a strong position for securing work in this varied and dynamic field.

Why UWE Bristol?

• BSc(Hons) Sport Rehabilitation is accredited by the British Association of Sport Rehabilitators and Trainers (BASRaT) so you can register with them once you graduate.
• Combining university-based experience with extensive placement experience, you'll learn how to provide safe and effective care to people suffering injury, illness or disease related to sports and musculoskeletal conditions.
• Explore good professional practice and study the academic subjects that underpin it.
• Gain first-hand experience of providing injury assessment and management services to patients in both clinical and sports-based environments.
• Provide services to local sports teams and clubs, and UWE's elite athletes in our Glenside injury clinic.
• Learn to use the latest resistance equipment for rehabilitation and performance enhancement.
• Engage with practising graduate sport rehabilitators, sport dietitians, strength and conditioning coaches, physiotherapists and academic tutors working at the forefront of sport rehabilitation and physiotherapy.
• Complete a pitch-side first-aid qualification, as a valuable extra certification for working with sports teams.
• Register with BASRaT after passing your first year, so you can start practising as a sports massage therapist.
• Spend at least 400 hours on placements, working with elite sports medical teams, sports injury clinics, sports clubs, fitness centres and rehabilitation units, putting you in a strong position for future employment.
• We are committed to providing our students with a diverse range of learning opportunities, including this intensive rehabilitation day we spent at St George's Park. Please note that external learning experiences may vary.

Where can it take me?

• Graduate sport rehabilitators are in demand across the UK.
• You could work in sports injury clinics, health clubs, professional sports clubs and fitness centres, with the military or as part of a GP referral scheme.
• Some graduates set up in private practice, or go on to postgraduate study.

This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) so you will be eligible to apply for registration with them when you graduate.

Why study radiotherapy and oncology?

• Radiotherapy provides the skills to safely use ionising radiation to cure cancer or give relief from symptoms.
• Therapeutic radiographers provide vital services and support to millions of people, using x-rays and other types of radiation.
• The ability to make a positive difference to people's lives is hugely rewarding and your ability to provide safe, effective and compassionate care will put you in a strong position for building a successful career.
• A £5,000 per year training grant is available for students along with an additional £1,000 per year grant because therapeutic radiographers are in demand in the UK and worldwide. Further information is available on the NHS Business Services website.

Why UWE Bristol?

• BSc(Hons) Radiotherapy and Oncology is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which means you can register with them when you graduate.
• The course has a strong practical focus. We use evidence-based learning, simulations and highly specialised equipment, such as the Virtual Linear Accelerator (VERT) and Eclipse radiotherapy planning system to deepen your understanding and skills.
• Learn the theory of good professional practice. Study the science that underpins it. Develop strong inter-professional and interpersonal skills.
• Spend about half the course on placements in NHS radiotherapy departments, in a variety of environments.
• Engage with patients, practising radiographers and other healthcare professionals on placements, in class and online.
• With work-based training built-in, specialist facilities and the support of inspirational staff with a depth of experience in radiotherapy, our students are high achievers.
• A high proportion of UWE Bristol students graduate with first-class honours and several have been awarded Student Radiographer of the Year by the Society and College of Radiographers.  

Where can it take me?

• Therapeutic radiographers are in demand across the UK, so there are lots of interesting career options.
• You could work in NHS or private radiotherapy departments, as well as specialist oncology centres.
• Past students have received funding through the Society of Radiographers' Work the World programme, working and travelling in countries including Ghana, Tanzania, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Argentina.
• Some students choose to continue their studies by doing a postgraduate course.

Listen to Will's story about why he is studying Radiotherapy and Oncology and his hopes for the future.