10 Best Healthcare Courses in the UK: Your Path to a Rewarding Career!

The United Kingdom is a dream destination to pursue higher education for many. Along with several tourist attractions, it offers excellent universities with great job market opportunities. The country offers some of the best healthcare courses in UK. Let's dive into the courses, admission process, and job opportunities in this field!

Why Study Healthcare Courses in the UK?

Do you know that healthcare is free for a lot of people in the UK? Citizens who are from the UK or visitors who don't belong to the UK or European countries are allowed to get treatment without any cost. Does this motivate you enough to pursue healthcare courses in UK for international students? If not, then here are a few more reasons for you:

1. There are more than 60 healthcare universities in UK that are ranked under 100 consistently.
2. All these UK universities offer outstanding graduate employment rates. Students who enrol in these universities get into the world's top healthcare chains.
3. The most important thing is personal satisfaction. You won't ever feel demotivated, as you will witness your patients getting better and being treated well. 

Top 10 Best Healthcare Courses in UK

The United Kingdom comprises some excellent medical schools and universities that offer exquisite healthcare courses. The programs offered cover a wide range of options. They generally cover the theoretical aspect as well as the practical assignments and implementations, along with several job opportunities students can benefit from. Here are some of the best healthcare courses in UK for international students! 

1. Nursing

Average Tuition Fees: £12,000 - £35,000
Eligibility: Minimum 5 GCSEs at Grade 4/C + 2/3 equivalent A-level qualifications in an undergraduate degree
English Language Requirement: IELTS (6.5 or higher)
Job Opportunities: Nursing Associate & Assistant Practitioner
Subjects Offered: Clinical Care, Epidemiology, & Paediatrics
Universities: University of Edinburgh & Kingston University

Nurses are one of the most integral parts of the healthcare system. You can pursue excellent nursing courses in the UK from amazing universities like Cardiff University, Bournemouth University, and the University of Dundee. The highly skilled faculty covers all aspects of nursing, and students are exposed to some golden opportunities in the job market. 

2. Physiotherapy

Average Tuition Fees: £13,000 - £35,000
Eligibility: IELTS (minimum score - 7.0) and a Bachelor's degree in a science project with a minimum GPA of 3.6 out of 4 with prior research experience in Physiotherapy
English Language Requirement: IELTS (7.0)
Job Opportunities: Assistant Physiotherapist & Physiotherapist
Subjects Offered: Contemporary Physiotherapy Practice, Injury and Rehabilitation, & Musculoskeletal Practice
Universities: University of Brighton & Coventry University

Physiotherapy is basically the treatment of an injury or deformity by physical methods. Patients are treated by physical methods such as massages, heat treatments, and exercises rather than medicines or surgeries. Students can pursue courses like a Bachelor of Physical or Physiotherapy, a B.Sc in Physiotherapy, or a Diploma in Physiotherapy. Institutions such as the University of Nottingham and the University of Plymouth offer the best healthcare courses in UK.

3. Medicine 

Average Tuition Fees: £20,000 - £36,000
Eligibility: The student must be above 18 years of age while applying + a minimum 80% score achieved in 10+2 mandatory in chemistry and biology
English Language Requirement: IELTS (6.5) or TOEFL (iBT 22)
Job Opportunities: anaesthetist, general practitioner doctor, hospital doctor
Subjects Offered: Anatomy, Pathology, Pharmacology and many more
Universities: University of Birmingham & Cardiff University

Medicine is one of the best medical courses in UK, and this country is home to some excellent medical schools. The healthcare courses in UK for international students offer a range of topics that cover several domains. Students can opt for specialisations in this medical degree UK if they wish to pursue higher education. If you want to study in UK, there are several UK universities that offer a preclinical and clinical section where the student gains knowledge and strengthens the foundation of their medical knowledge.

4. Mental Health

Average Tuition Fees: £12,000 - £35,000
Eligibility: A 2:1 or above at the undergraduate level in any relevant subject like medicine, nursing and health or social sciences
English Language Requirement: IELTS (6.5)
Job opportunities: Psychologist, Counsellor, & Mental Healthcare Assistant
Subjects Offered: Psychology & Neuroscience
Universities: Middlesex University London & University of Hull

Mental health issues have become very common now. The mental health courses in UK offer a detailed analysis and theoretical knowledge about mental health. Students usually have to choose a specialisation to master a particular kind of therapy. You can enrol for courses like MSc in Mental Health, MSc in Adult Mental Health and PGDip in Advanced Practice of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy from universities like the University of London, the University of Cumbria, and the University of Birmingham. 

5. Pharmacy

Average Tuition Fees: £13,000 - £35,000
Eligibility Criteria: The International Baccalaureate requirement is 34 points, and the A-level requirement is AAB. However, the criteria may vary depending on the university you can enrol in
English Language Requirement: IELTS (7.0)
Job Opportunities: Pharmacist Officer & Pharmacologist
Subjects Offered: Pharmacology, Biology and Physiology, & Pharmaceutics
Universities: Ulster University & University of Bradford

Pharmacy is the science of the preparation and usage of medical drugs. The study usually involves chemistry and pharmaceutics with other specialist topics. One of the best medicine degree UK, Pharmacy lays stress on hands-on experiences as compared to theoretical examinations. You will learn about several medicines and methods of treatment for injuries and diseases. Students can enrol for courses like MSc Clinical Pharmacy and PhD in Pharmacy with separate specialisations like health services research, biochemistry, and cell biology.

6. Anatomy

Average Tuition Fees: £11,000 - £20,000
Eligibility: ABB includes two science subjects, out of which at least one should be a core science subject
English Language Requirement: IELTS (6.5)
Job Opportunities: Medical Lab Assistant & Physical Therapist Assistant
Subjects Offered: Neuroanatomy, Embryology, & Physiology 
Universities: University of Dundee & Keele University

Anatomy is all about the construction of the human body. It emphasises the human organs, human skeleton, cells and tissues and might also include human dissection. Anatomy is considered one of the toughest pre-requisite courses for pre-health students. UK universities offer a high quality of education, exposing students to some excellent job opportunities. Anatomy courses are usually 4 years and cater to various branches like Gross Anatomy, Developmental Anatomy, and Cytology. 

7. Social work

Average Tuition Fees: £12,000 - £30,000
Eligibility: Minimum 2:2 undergraduate degree or equivalent + Grade C or above in GCSE Maths and English Language 
English Language Requirement: IELTS (7 or above)
Job Opportunities: Social Worker & Welfare Officer.
Subjects Offered: Mental Health, Disabilities, & Risk Protection
Universities: London Metropolitan University & University of Plymouth

Social work is one of the main sectors of healthcare in the UK. UK universities provide specialisations that focus on improving the lives of vulnerable groups like children, adults, and even families. The degree offers a strong understanding of legislation, theory, and ethics, which is important while working in different environments. Universities such as the University of Birmingham and the University of Plymouth offer many social work degrees.

8. Clinical Research

Average Tuition Fees: £19,000 - £35,000
Eligibility: Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree or equivalent 
English Language Requirement: IELTS (6.5 or above)

Job Opportunities: Clinical Research Associate, Senior Clinical Research Associate, & Research Clinical Nurse Specialist
Subjects Offered: Anaesthesia and Peri-Operative Sciences, Clinical Psychology, & Medical Ethics and Law
Universities: University of Manchester & Newcastle University

Clinical Research is a branch of healthcare science that studies health and illness in patients. Here, researchers also study improving the healthcare sector. Students will gain a strong understanding of how the healthcare industry works and will also have a strong insight into making the healthcare industry better and understanding the functioning of the healthcare industry. 

9. Leadership and Management in Healthcare

Average Tuition Fees: £10,000 - £40,000
Eligibility: Have at least 55–75% in a 2:1 undergraduate degree and three years of work experience
English Language Requirement: IELTS (6.5)
Job Opportunities: Assistant Director of Integrated Health and Social Care, Clinical Educator, & Associate Director of Operations
Subjects Offered: Operational Health Management, Public Health, & Global Health Services
Universities: University of Surrey & Kingston University

One of the best health courses in UK, Leadership and Management in Healthcare, helps you understand the principles and practices of the healthcare industry. One can get management-level roles and also undertake a job in the public or private healthcare sector. Here, students will also understand the importance of health awareness and better technologies in the field of healthcare and medicine, which they can use to bring changes in healthcare.

10. Occupational Therapy

Average Tuition Fees: £12,000 - £18,000
Eligibility: A minimum second-class honours degree in therapy or upper second-class honours degree in bachelor of psychology
English Language Requirement: IELTS (7.0)
Job Opportunities: Occupational Therapist
Subjects Offered: Anatomy, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Pathology, & Biostatistics 
Universities: University of Derby & University of Essex

Students will learn the relationship between occupation, health and well-being of a person and try to help them with their psychological, physical, and social disabilities. They will also investigate trends in occupational therapy practices. With occupational therapy, one of the best health courses in UK, students can use clinical reasoning and do a thorough study of a person's lifespan and occupational health. 

Top Universities Offering the Best Healthcare Courses in UK

Now, coming to the most important aspect! Where to study all of these best healthcare courses in UK? Here is a list of all the famous universities in the UK for healthcare where you can pursue a course of your choice: 

1. Coventry University
2. Brunel University
3. University of East Anglia
4. University of Essex
5. Queen Mary University of London
6. University of Kent
7. University of Reading
8. University of Plymouth

Short Healthcare Courses in UK for International Students

If you want to complete a course in a short period, we have the solution for it. We agree that healthcare courses are usually time-consuming, but here are the short healthcare courses in UK for international students:

1. PG diploma in International Healthcare Management
2. PG diploma in Health Care Management and Leadership
3. BTEC extended diploma in Health and Social Care
4. Health and Social Care Diploma (Level 2)
5. Health and Social Care Diploma (Level 3)

Admission Requirements for Health Courses in UK

The admission requirements are different for bachelor healthcare courses and master healthcare courses in the UK. Let us break out for you:

1. Admission requirements for bachelors courses

Students are required to have an honours degree in subjects like Clinical Care or Health & Social Care. A 2.2 degree is compulsory, or an equivalent qualification is needed.
2. Admission requirements for masters courses

Students must have an upper second-class degree (honours) in subjects like Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Biological Sciences, or something equivalent to this. Students who have work experience in public health will be prioritised. 

Documents Required for Health Courses in UK

As much as knowing the admission requirements beforehand is important, knowing the documentation requirements is also necessary. Below is the list of documents needed to pursue the best healthcare courses in UK:

1. Statement of purpose
2. English language proficiency certificate
3. Letter of recommendation
4. Passport
5. Valid application form
6. Transcripts
7. Work experience/ internship letters

Application Process for Health Courses in UK

Now that you have a brief overview of the courses and the eligibility criteria, along with several job opportunities for specific courses, let's take a look at how you can apply. The application process is very simple; just make sure you are fulfilling the eligibility criteria of the university you are looking forward to enrolling in! 

Step 1: Select the course specialisation and respective university.
Step 2: Make sure you collect all your academic as well as language requirements.
Step 3: Fill out and submit the application form, which you can easily find on the respective college website.
Step 4: Wait until you receive your offer letter or conditional letter.

Jobs and Salary Trends in Healthcare in UK

As we all know, money is the secondary aspect of this ever-growing industry; the primary aspect will always be serving your patients with the utmost care. But still being curious about it is normal. So, here are the jobs and salary trends:

1. Dentist: £48780 - £95640
2. Dietician: £22950 - £45000
3. Healthcare Scientist: £58345 - £78980
4. Toxicologist: £28694 - £73649
5. Research Scientist: £23950 - £41000
6. Doctor: £41000 - £74606
7. Pharmacologist: £25825 - £39216
8. Pathologist: £47824 - £73649

The national health service in the UK is the country's healthcare system. The country is extremely careful and considerate about the public's health. The healthcare courses in UK for international students are known for their high quality of education and also the job opportunities offered to students. Every year, international students from across the world migrate here to pursue the best healthcare courses in UK. We hope you find your favourite healthcare course in the UK. Happy Learning!