Healthcare Science (Medical Engineering) Part-time, BSc (Hons)

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Key Course Details

UCAS Code: B85P
Mode of Study: Blended Study
Typical Offer (view equivalents): HECert
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2026	NHS

Course Overview

Our part-time BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Medical Engineering) is designed for individuals employed within NHS health boards. The programme provides the specialist training needed to build a rewarding and highly skilled career as a medical engineer. As a practitioner, you will take on a hands-on role with medical devices, working with a wide range of equipment commonly used in hospital settings. You may also choose to specialise in particular areas, such as renal or radiotherapy equipment.

Throughout the programme, you will learn about the full medical equipment lifecycle, from acceptance testing and introducing new devices into service to advising clinicians on correct use, addressing patient safety issues and managing the safe disposal of older equipment. You will combine in-depth academic study with practical clinical and technological experience in specialist healthcare environments. You will study at levels FHEQ 5 and 6 over three years, combining academic learning with extensive practice‑based experience within your existing NHS role.

Medical engineering is diverse and continually developing field. You will apply knowledge from electronic and mechanical engineering to assess, maintain, modify and, in some cases, help design medical devices used in patient treatment and diagnosis.

As an employed learner, you will benefit from practice‑based learning within your own health board, supported by 1.5 days of study leave per week. One full day is allocated to university‑led teaching, with an additional half‑day for assignment work and portfolio development. Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) provide financial support to health boards through backfill payments at mid‑point band 4 to facilitate your participation in the programme.

Why Medical Engineering at Swansea?

Studying Healthcare (Medical Engineering) at Swansea means learning in an environment designed to support both your academic development and your professional preparation. Our strong partnerships with NHS health boards across Wales ensure a learning environment that reflects real clinical practice and fully supports career progression within the health service.

You will benefit from blended learning designed around your employment commitments, with a mix of remote delivery, online resources and scheduled on‑campus clinical skills weeks. Teaching takes place at our Singleton Park campus and is supported by access to excellent facilities, including the Swansea University Simulation and Immersive Learning Centre (SUSiM), specialist clinical labs, and digital tools such as VR systems.

You will be taught and supported by our experienced academic staff, many of whom are practising healthcare scientists. Their combination of scientific expertise and professional insight means you’ll learn from people who understand the realities of medical engineering and the evolving needs of patients and services.

Your Medical Engineering experience

During your part-time studies, you will experience a rich blend of academic, clinical, and hands‑on learning designed to develop your confidence and professional readiness as a medical engineer. The programme combines taught theory with extensive practice‑based learning, allowing you to apply engineering principles directly to real healthcare challenges.

You will attend university for one day per week, with an additional half‑day of protected study time supported by your employer. Approximately 75% of teaching is delivered remotely, complemented by on‑campus blocks per semester, where you will develop hands‑on clinical and technical skills, participate in simulation activities and engage with peers across the Healthcare Science suite of programmes.

Careers in Medical Engineering

Medical Engineering graduates are in high demand across Wales and the wider UK. The programme has been commissioned by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) in direct response to workforce planning, with NHS organisations identifying an urgent and growing need for trained medical engineers.

Most graduates progress into Band 5 Medical Engineering or Clinical Engineering roles within the NHS. As your career develops, you can move into specialist, senior or managerial roles, or work in research, education, or the medical devices industry.

Throughout your degree, you will receive employability support from the Healthcare Science employability lead, including CV writing, interview preparation, and networking with NHS mentors and prospective employers during placements. Your clinical portfolio and extensive practice experience also give you a strong competitive edge.

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Year 1 (Level 5)

FHEQ 5 Undergraduate / HEDip

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

None found.

Optional Modules

Choose Exactly 120 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students who started the programme in an even intake year (e.g. 24/25, 26/27, 28/29, etc) to select the modules on the A occurrence below.

Modules for students in even intake years
Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Professional and Evidence-Based Practice, and Clinical Equipment	Academic Year	40	HSC228
Clinical Engineering 1	Academic Year	40	HSC229
Innovation and Medical Devices	Academic Year	40	HSC230

Choose Exactly 120 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students who started the programme in an uneven intake year (e.g. 25/26, 27/28, 29/30, etc) to select the modules on the B occurrence below.

Modules for students in uneven intake years
Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Professional and Evidence-Based Practice, and Clinical Equipment	Academic Year	40	HSC228
Clinical Engineering 1	Academic Year	40	HSC229
Innovation and Medical Devices	Academic Year	40	HSC230

Year 2 (Level 6)

FHEQ 6 Undergraduate / Honours

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

None found.

Optional Modules

Choose Exactly 120 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students who started the programme in an even intake year (e.g. 24/25, 26/27, 28/29, etc) to select the modules on the A occurrence below.

Modules for students in even intake years
Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Managing and working with Medical Devices in the Clinical Environment	Academic Year	40	SHC355
Science and Principles supporting Medical Engineering in the Healthcare Environment	Academic Year	40	SHC356
Research and Quality Improvement project	Academic Year	40	SHC352

Choose Exactly 120 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students who started the programme in an uneven intake year (e.g. 25/26, 27/28, 29/30, etc) to select the modules on the B occurrence below.

Modules for students in uneven intake years
Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Managing and working with Medical Devices in the Clinical Environment	Academic Year	40	SHC355
Science and Principles supporting Medical Engineering in the Healthcare Environment	Academic Year	40	SHC356
Research and Quality Improvement project	Academic Year	40	SHC352

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.

How You're Taught

At Swansea, you will benefit from a high-quality, research-informed education that combines a range of effective and inclusive teaching methods, carefully tailored to suit the needs of your course. Most courses are taught in person, on campus, giving you the opportunity to actively engage with other students, academic staff, and the wider university community.

You can expect a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical sessions - including laboratory work, skills training, or studio-based teaching where relevant to your discipline. These sessions are designed to encourage active participation, collaboration, and the development of both subject-specific and transferable skills.

Digital learning tools are also used to enhance your learning experience. These may include:

Recorded lectures to support flexible study and revision.
Virtual labs or simulated environments, particularly in science, healthcare, and technical disciplines.
Online resources on the university’s virtual learning environment (Canvas), including videos, reading materials, quizzes, and discussion forums.

This approach enables you to engage with and review content at your own pace while benefiting from the structure and support of in-person teaching.

This course may offer some modules taught through the medium of Welsh or bilingually for students who consider themselves to be fluent Welsh speakers. For more details on the provision available see the Welsh Provision expander below.

N.B If you are an international student studying with a Student Route Visa, please note that your timetabled activity, along with any additional supervisory activity (with Swansea University staff present) will take place on campus. In line with UKVI protocol, these sessions will be monitored and data made available on request.

Welsh Provision

No Provision

Unfortunately, there is currently no formal Welsh-medium provision on this course. If you would like to let us know that you are interested in pursuing an element of your course through the medium of Welsh, please email astudio@abertawe.ac.uk to indicate your interest along with your year of entry and we will do our best to see what is possible.

Whilst this course does not offer academic content delivered in Welsh, the University can provide you with the following, and Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you:

An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be marked in Welsh.
A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
One-to-one support through the medium of Welsh to improve your academic skills.
An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers, namely the WJEC and Coleg Cymraeg's Welsh Language Certificate.
Opportunity to be a member of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

To learn more about the above and all the opportunities available to you through the medium of Welsh, visit Academi Hywel Teifi's undergraduate pages.

Professional Body Accreditation

National School of Health Care Science (pending)

Meet Your Lecturers

You will be taught by world-class lecturers and active researchers. Visit our School of Health and Social Care Staff to learn more about our academic team.

Tuition Fees

Start Date	UK	International
September 2025	NHS
September 2026	NHS

Fees for full time undergraduate UK students may increase in subsequent years of study in line with the maximum regulated fee level set by the Welsh Government

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

If you can commit to working in Wales for two years after graduating, you could get your tuition fees covered in full through the NHS Wales Bursary Scheme, as well as maintenance funding and a reduced rate loan from Student Finance.

Please see our NHS Funding webpage to check your eligibility for funding before applying.

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

Travel to and from campus
Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
Purchase of books or texts
Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Careers and Employability

The Careers and Employability Team will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
Advice and guidance on postgraduate study and funding
Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

As a Swansea University graduate, you can access lifelong careers and employability support.

Academic Support

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal tutor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

Academic writing
Maths and statistics
Critical thinking
Time management
Digital skills
Presentation skills
Note taking
Revision, memory and exam techniques
English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

Study Abroad and Global Opportunities

To learn more about study abroad, visit our Go Global webpages.

International summer programmes are open to students from all schools. Programmes typically range from 2 to 6 weeks, across destinations such as Sri Lanka, South Korea, Fiji, Bali, the USA and across Europe. For more information about programmes and eligibility visit our Summer Abroad webpages.

How to Apply

Applicants who meet the entry requirements and selection criteria will be invited to interview, which may take place in person or via telephone/video call. Our Interview Tips explain more about what to expect.

Application Deadlines

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.