3 UK universities nurturing tomorrow’s health science leaders

With global healthcare expenditures projected to reach a total of US$10 trillion by 2026, there’s never been a better time for aspiring changemakers to pursue a career in health science. Evidently, this path offers a unique blend of professional stability and the unique chance to stand at the forefront of scientific advancements. 

Amid challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and environmental crises such as melting glaciers, the demand for forward-thinking minds capable of effecting global change is more pressing than ever. 

Leading universities have recognised this need and are proactively nurturing the next generation of experts in the field. By equipping students with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills, these institutions in the UK are empowering them to become catalysts for positive transformation worldwide: 

Swansea University,  Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Sciences

Swansea University ranks amongst the world’s top 21% of universities, according to QS University World Rankings 2024, for several reasons. It tops the tables in the UK for teaching excellence and places 12th in the country for student satisfaction – perhaps why its growing student body already represents 130 different nationalities. Many can be found in the Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Life Science, a top UK provider of health professional and life sciences education working to improve the health, wealth and well-being of communities locally, nationally and internationally. 

 To ensure learners can contribute to the causes closest to their hearts, the faculty offers an array of academic options. Take, for instance, the Adult Nursing programme, which is also celebrated among the top 20 courses in the UK for its graduate prospects (Complete University Guide 2024)..
It provides a supportive training environment to students from across the globe and currently offers 30 fully-funded places for international students from a range of countries, who can commit to studying in Wales for two years following the completion of the course. Self-funded study options are also available for students who are unable to commit to staying in Wales to work post-study.

Swansea University Medical School is equally impressive, ranking among the UK’s top five (Times Good University Guide 2023). It offers a four-year postgraduate medical degree that emulates real-life patient care experiences to give learners a more hands-on learning experience.  And for eligible High School graduates, Swansea offers a dedicated Pathway to Medicine where students will undertake an undergraduate medical sciences degree followed by Graduate Entry Medicine. They will also have the opportunity of a guaranteed interview with lowered GAMSAT entry requirements and engagement with peers who have gone through the journey into Medicine.

The best part? All lessons are delivered from the vibrant coastal city of Swansea, which is known for its rich history, beautiful landscapes, and diverse cultural offerings. To unwind, students commonly flock to theatres, galleries, museums, and music venues that host a variety of performances, exhibitions, and events. The city offers a diverse range of culinary experiences, too, from traditional Welsh dishes to international cuisines. To learn more, click here.  

University of Manchester, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

The University of Manchester is the 23rd most international university in the world and was ranked 35th in 2021’s Academic Ranking of World Universities. It is also the world’s top institution for social and environmental impact.

Its Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health offers a top-ranked BNurs Mental Health Nursing where students can gain experience of different clinical areas through practice learning experiences with trusts that offer specialist services, as well as having the opportunity to have a practice learning experience in an alternative setting in the UK or abroad. 

Graduates will be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and have the option to add a year on to their course to complete an integrated master’s (MNurs). They are set to join the programme’s list of notable alumni, who are now the country’s leading nurse practitioners, researchers and policymakers.

Meanwhile, Manchester’s undergraduate public health programme will prepare students to solve issues at a local, national and international level. BSc students here learn a range of interventions which target individual or subsections of the population, such as different age ranges and ethnic groups. They will also be able to gain analytical skills to appraise research and explore methods to ensure health services are effective, efficient and accessible.

Queen’s University Belfast, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences

Queen’s University Belfast is a leader in research and innovation, renowned for producing highly skilled graduates. Those who choose to study at the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences — which houses the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences; School of Biological Sciences; School of Pharmacy; and School of Nursing and Midwifery — benefit from a perfect balance of world-class teaching resources and internationally-recognised research infrastructure.

The Clinical Education Centre, for example, is one of the most advanced clinical skills centres in Europe, where students learn and practice fundamental healthcare skills in a safe environment before undertaking clinical placements. It houses four custom-built rooms replicating hospital ward areas with fully functioning beds, medical air, suction, and many more. Each room is equipped with a crash trolley and defibrillator for advanced training. 

For aspiring doctors, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists and nurses, Queen’s University Belfast is the ideal base to launch their careers. Studying medicine here gives students a chance to experience early clinical contact with patients in the first year, choose selected components with a wide range of choices throughout the medical curriculum, and join an assistantship programme in the final year. 

What’s more, the faculty consists of esteemed professors and researchers who are at the forefront of their respective fields, providing students with a high-quality education. For instance, Queen’s University Belfast supports local, national, and international efforts to expand their knowledge on COVID-19 and deploy their enhanced intelligence to develop solutions that benefit the local community and beyond. 

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International