KS5 (Year 12-13)

“I have learnt a great deal from studying the course, the work is varied and the teacher covers the content in detail. It is a very good option for pupils who found GCSEs more challenging as there is a greater emphasis on coursework and less on examinations.”

Entry Requirements:

Science - C

Welsh – C

English - C

Mathematics – C

What is Medical Science?

Medical Science is the science of dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention and treatment of diseases. The Level 3 Diploma in Medical Science is for learners who are interested in careers related to healthcare and medical research. Medical scientists are at the forefront of healthcare services, as they are vital in the diagnosis of disease, determining the effectiveness of treatments and searching for new cures.

What will I learn whilst studying Medical Science?

The qualification covers the key topic areas of health, physiology and disease, as well as providing the opportunity to study the areas of pharmacology, physiological measurement, clinical testing and medical research. Each unit has a clear medical science purpose which focuses the learning of scientific knowledge, understanding and skills into a meaningful context. Pupils will study the units required to complete the Level 3 Certificate in Medical Science in Year 12. Pupils whom continue their studies into Year 13 will complete three further units to achieve the level 3 Diploma in Medical Science which is equivalent in size to one A level.

Course Content:

Year 12- Level 3 Certificate in Medical Science which is equivalent to half an A level

• Human health and disease (Examination- external assessment)

• Physiological measurement techniques (Courseworkinternal assessment)

• Medical Science research methods (Coursework- internal assessment)

Year 13- Level 3 Diploma in Medical Science is equivalent in size to one A level

• Medicines and treatment of disease (Coursework- internal assessment)

• Clinical laboratory techniques (Coursework- external assessment)

• Medical case study (Examination - external assessment)

Possible Careers:

The main purpose of the qualification is to provide learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills in key scientific principles to support progress to higher education or employment in areas of Medical science, such as job roles in physiological sciences or clinical laboratory services. This qualification equips learners with scientific knowledge and understanding, as well as practical skills that would support progression to a range of job roles within health care. Job roles such as those within the areas of life sciences, i.e. carrying out a range of laboratory and scientific tests to support the diagnosis and treatment of disease, this could include microscopic examination of tissue samples, analysis of blood cells to investigate anaemia or analysis of samples to identify the cause of an infection. Alternatively, there would also be opportunities to progress to job roles within the physiological sciences, working directly with patients, measuring and evaluating particular organ and systems, such as scientists working in neurophysiology recording the electrical activity in the brain. A significant proportion of career opportunities in this sector are at degree level. When supported by other appropriate qualifications, the Level 3 Diploma in Medical Science will enable progression to higher education to a range of Applied Science programmes, such as Biomedical science, Life sciences, and Physiology.

Link to the website of the course:

 https://www.wjec.co.uk/qualifications/science/vocational/medical-science-level-3/?language_id=2