New degree for Health Sciences aims to plug industry skills gap
An innovative new Health Sciences undergraduate healthcare degree, believed to be the first of its kind in the country, has been developed by academics from the University of Southampton in response to industry’s need for more highly skilled leaders, policy analysts and researchers.
In line with government policies, the BSc degree in Healthcare: Management, Policy and Research aims to equip graduates with a deep understanding of the healthcare policy and research landscape and the ability to apply this to solve problems and make decisions around healthcare delivery and design.
Health Sciences' academics have collaborated closely with employers to address these specific needs and the degree has been commended as being genuinely externally facing and addressing employability by the External Advisor.
The programme lasts four years and includes a one year paid work placement. Links have been established to public and private sector placement providers including organisations such as the NHS Leadership Academy, The Health Foundation, GE Healthcare, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and The Academic Health Science Network.
The programme is also recommended by the NHS Management Graduate Scheme as excellent preparation for its award winning scheme.
Programme Lead Dr Jane Prichard says: "It has been striking how enthusiastic employers have been to offer placements to the students on the new programme. Like us, they recognise the skill shortages within the health sector that this degree will address and they can see benefits to their organisations, both in terms of the contributions student will make during their placement year and in the longer term by recruiting graduates into their organisations and graduate training schemes."
Students are prepared for employment by emphasising quantitative skills, independent critical thinking and decision making - skills which are all in high demand in the workplace.
Alongside this students will be engaged in research from the very beginning of the degree and supported by a Senior Researcher or Professor in the Faculty who will guide them in each year of study and support the development of their research skills.
In addition, the student showing the highest research potential following successful completion of the degree will receive a fully funded three year PhD studentship in the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Further information and entry requirements can be found on the course page.