Why Choose a Healthcare Degree to Study in Britain?
Healthcare is a universally in-demand field of study. The global demand for healthcare professionals is consistently high. Meanwhile, there is no denying the invaluable contributions that healthcare workers make to their communities. Choosing to study in Britain for a healthcare degree can set you up for a long and successful career path as a healthcare professional.
The UK is home to 60 of the top 100 healthcare universities in the world. UK university programs for healthcare show high graduate employability rates, and the country consistently sees very high demand for healthcare professionals. Employment opportunities in the UK health sector span across several roles from nursing to informatics specialists. So, what do you need to know about pursuing your healthcare degree in the UK?
What is a Healthcare Degree?
Healthcare degrees can cover several kinds of qualifications from universities, preparing you for a career in the medical field. From working in a hospital to policy making, choosing to study in Britain in this field opens up a variety of professional pathways. There are over 60 specialist areas in the field of medicine and healthcare to choose from. Broadly, you can choose from the following specializations:
• General practice
• Anesthetics
• Medicine
• Pathology
• Psychiatry
• Radiology
• Surgery
Here’s a closer look at some of the popular fields in healthcare to study in Britain:
Nursing
Nursing involves the provision of healthcare to individuals, families, and communities. It focuses on promoting health and caring for the sick. Nurses work in hospitals, clinics, community health centers etc.
Employment roles in/as:
● Nursing (in hospitals, long-term care facilities, home healthcare etc.)
● Nurse practitioner
● Nursing education
Degrees:
● Diploma programs
● Associate Degrees in Nursing (ADN)
● Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
● Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Physiology
Physiology is all about learning the working principles of organisms at cellular levels. It explores the mechanisms underlying bodily processes such as respiration, circulation, and metabolism.
Employment roles in:
● Academia
● Pharmaceutical company
● Government agency
● Healthcare
Degrees: Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in Physiology
Coursework in:
● Biology
● Chemistry
● Anatomy
● Research methods
Community Health and Preventative Medicine
Community health and preventive medicine focuses on improving the health of populations. Careers in this sector of healthcare can branch into education, policy development, and disease prevention! Professionals in this field work to address public health challenges and promote wellness.
Employment roles in:
● Public health agencies
● Healthcare consulting firms
● Government agencies
Degrees: Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in community healthcare and/or preventative medicine
Coursework in:
● Epidemiology
● Biostatistics
● Health behavior
● Environmental health
Medical Informatics
Medical informatics involves the use of technology and data analysis, primarily in improving healthcare delivery. Professionals in this field develop and implement digitized systems. These systems take the roles of storing, retrieving, and analyzing healthcare information.
Employment roles as:
● Health informaticians
● Clinical informatics specialists
● Data analysts
● Healthcare IT consultants
Degrees: Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels in medical informatics
Coursework in
● Computer science
● Healthcare management
● Data analytics
Physical Therapy
If you study in Britain for a physical therapy degree, you will learn about the assessment and treatment of individuals with musculoskeletal health conditions. The roles of physical therapists involve restoring function, reducing pain, and improving mobility in musculoskeletal health. Physical therapists work closely with patients to develop plans and routines on a personal level.
Employment roles in:
● Hospitals
● Outpatient clinics
● Rehabilitation centers
● Schools
● Nursing homes
Degrees: Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in Physical Therapy
Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management
Pharmaceutical marketing and management involve the promotion, distribution, and management of pharmaceutical products. Professionals in this field develop marketing strategies and manage sales teams among other responsibilities.
Employment roles in:
● Pharmaceutical companies
● Healthcare consulting firms
● Marketing agencies
● Regulatory agencies
Degrees: Bachelor's, master's, and MBA degrees
Coursework in:
● Marketing
● Business administration
● Pharmacology
● Healthcare management
Dentistry
Dentistry involves the treatment of conditions affecting the teeth, gums, and mouth. Dentists focus on maintaining oral health. Other roles include restoring dental function and improving aesthetics. Dentists perform procedures such as cleanings, fillings, and oral surgeries.
Employment roles in:
● Private practices
● Hospitals and community health centers
● Teaching at academic institutions
Degrees: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree
Why Choose the UK to Study Healthcare?
1. Global Leaders in Healthcare Degrees
By choosing to study in Britain, you allow yourself to study at some of the best universities in the world. It is no surprise that the best healthcare courses are also found in Britain. Four of the world’s top ten best universities for medicine are in the UK. The country itself has a centuries-long history of medical advancement. The first vaccine in the world (in 1798), for example, is a discovery born in the UK. At present, more than 22,000 international students travel to the UK to study in the healthcare field.
| University Name | QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 – For Life Sciences & Medicine |
| Imperial College London | #7 |
| UCL | #9 |
| King's College London | #12 |
| The University of Edinburgh | #21 |
| The University of Manchester | #30 |
| London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine | =40 |
| University of Glasgow | #50 |
| University of Bristol | =62 |
| University of Nottingham | #67 |
| University of Birmingham | #68 |
2. Hands-On Learning Opportunities
Students in healthcare and medicine in the UK don’t only benefit from excellent tutorship from leading medical minds. You also have the chance to develop your skills in practical, real-world work environments. UK universities have close relationships in the country’s medical fields and sectors. Your programs can include hands-on learning in medical and healthcare settings where you develop the skills you need to succeed professionally in this field.
3. Work Prospects in Healthcare in the UK
There is a universal demand for healthcare professionals, and of course, this is also true for the UK. In fact, because of skill shortages in this sector, the UK has been inviting medical and healthcare professionals from overseas. Unsurprisingly, between September 2013 and 2023, there has been a 34.5% growth in the size of the full-time employment workforce under NHS England alone. This numbers to over 1.3 million full-time healthcare professionals.
With this high demand in the medical and healthcare job sectors, here are some roles you can consider exploring if you choose to study in Britain:
Nurse Assessor
The national average salary for nurse assessors, according to Indeed.com, is almost £36,000. The role involves working cross-functionally with various teams to personalize healthcare plans catering to patients’ individual needs. Nurse assessors carry out the first round of a patient’s health and recommend whether a registered nurse needs to provide care. Under the NHS, nurse assessors examine patients’ eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare.
Doctor
With a national average salary of over £60,000, doctors are an indispensable part of a healthy modern society. The role of a doctor can encompass a broad variety of disciplines – the type of specialist role you pursue will depend on which field you focus on while you study in Britain. Some of the ranges of specializations you can consider include:
• Anesthesia
• Clinical Oncology
• Clinical Radiology
• Community Sexual and Reproductive Health
• Emergency Medicine
• General Practice
• Intensive Care Medicine
• Medicine
• Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Occupational Medicine
• Ophthalmology
• Pediatrics
• Pathology
• Psychiatry
• Public Health Doctor
• Surgery
Clinical Pharmacist
In the UK, clinical pharmacists can earn a national average salary of almost £45,000. These professionals work together with healthcare providers and physicians to manage the proper administration of medications. Clinical pharmacists have a deep understanding and expertise in drug administration, including the appropriate medical requirements and recommendations for different diseases and age groups. They are able to advise patients about risk factors and support doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to promote wellness and safe treatment and practices in clinical settings.
Rounding Up
Healthcare degrees are a great choice to pursue to study in Britain. British universities rank among the top universities in the world. You can pursue a degree in a variety of healthcare subjects in the UK from the academic leaders in the field. These programs prepare you for career prospects not just in the British healthcare industry, but in the global healthcare sector. Many roles, ranging from nursing to health informatics are available for you in the UK to consider as future career paths.
