Integrative Healthcare BSc (Hons)

What is special about this course?

The BSc (Hons) Integrative Healthcare is the only course of its kind in Scotland and has been developed in consultation with industry to closely reflect the changing requirements of the healthcare sector in the UK and abroad.

Healthcare practitioners face ever more challenges that require new and innovative approaches to addressing the healthcare needs of 21st century clients; increasingly, additional or alternative methods of care, such as complementary therapies, are being considered.

In this course, you will develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of complementary therapies, research and healthcare, while enhancing your analytical, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. A critical awareness of current issues and developments in complementary therapies will also form part of the programme. Throughout the degree, there is an emphasis on the wide range of diverse and complex perspectives of health, particularly social policy, ethics, the law, politics, physiology and sociology.

As you progress through the programme, your learning will become more self-directed: years three and four will be fully-online, with attendance only required for a two-day induction in each of the years. Two virtual residentials will also take place in years three and four, one per semester each year. An online induction programme will be available prior to the start of each of the four years to help you get the most from your studies. This will allow you the flexibility to study from your own location.

Special features

• The only integrative healthcare degree offered in Scotland
• A range of options allow you to specialise in areas of particular interest to you
• You will learn clinical skills and undertake treatments in evidence-based therapy clinics
• The fully online flexible study methods in years three and four will allow you to work around personal and work commitments
• You can study individual modules for professional development (CPD)

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

• 3 Scottish Highers at Grade C or above, OR
• 2 A levels at Grade C or above
• For both of the above, Biology, Chemistry or English is preferred but not essential
• Alternatively, Access to Integrative Healthcare and Therapies SCQF level 5/6, OR
• NC Wellness Therapies SCQF level 6, OR
• SVQ 3 Beauty Therapy SCQF level 6, OR
• Beauty and Aesthetic Therapies SCQF level 6, OR
• City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma Complementary Therapies SCQF level 6, OR
• Essential Massage Skills: Integrative Healthcare, Soft Tissue and Sports Therapy SCQF Level 5/6, OR
• Other appropriate SCQF level 5/6 qualifications will be considered
• You may be required to attend an interview
• Mature applicants without the formal qualifications listed above will also be considered on an individual basis

Advanced entry to year two may be possible with:

• HNC Complementary Therapies (120 credits/15 HN credits), OR
• HNC Soft Tissue Therapy (120 credits/15 HN credits), OR
• HNC Beauty Therapy (120 credits/15 HN credits), OR
• Other appropriate SCQF level 7 qualifications (120 credits) will be considered

Advanced entry to year three may be possible with:

• HND Complementary Therapies, OR
• HND Beauty Therapy, OR
• HND Sports Therapy, OR
• Other appropriate SCQF level 8 qualifications will be considered

Access routes

SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.

• An appropriate NQ level award at SCQF 5 or 6
• An SVQ/NVQ level 3
• NC Wellness Therapies, SVQ Beauty Therapy Level 3, and City and Guilds Complementary Therapies Level 3 are preferred
•  Essential massage skills (Integrative Healthcare, Soft Tissue, and Sports Therapy)

Year 1 - CertHE

Core modules are:
Semester 1

• Nature of health

Semester 2

• Foundational research skills and clinical practice

Both semesters

• Anatomy and physiology of the human body
• Contemporary aromatherapy 1
• Foot reflexology
• Massage therapy

Year 2 - DipHE

Core modules are:
Semester 1

• Pathological processes of the human body  

Semesters 1 and 2

• Developing research skills and clinical practice

You will also choose optional modules totalling 80 credits from the following:
Semester 1

• Clinical reflexology   
• Seated acupressure massage   
• Extending practice 1   
• Hand reflexology and self-management

Semester 2

• Indian head massage  
• Craniosacral therapy
• Extending practice 2  
• Principles and foundations of health promotion
• Nutrition for performance and health

Semesters 1 and 2

• Contemporary aromatherapy 2   
• Remedial massage and injury management
• Clinical reflexology

Year 3 - BSc

Core modules are:
Semester 1

• Comparative therapeutic practice
• The role of integrative healthcare in the management of injury and disease

Semester 2

• Concepts of nutrition within therapeutic interventions
• Research skills for integrative healthcare

You will also choose two option modules from the following:
Semester 1

• Ethical issues
• Critical thinking in management

Semester 2

• Healthy people, healthy places: challenges for public health
• Therapeutic practices in a supportive setting

Year 4 - BSc (Hons)

Core modules are:
Semester 1

• Integrative health and science in society

Semester 2

• Evidence-based clinical practice

Semesters 1 and 2

• Dissertation (double credit)

You will also choose two option modules from the following:
Semester 1

• Advancing manual therapeutic modalities
• Integrative healthcare: remote and rural care

Semester 2

• Integrative healthcare: supporting palliative care
• Intensive use of aromatics in healthcare

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term-time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

International students

This course is not currently available for international students (including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled status in the UK) requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study here. For students living in the UK and assessed as international for fee status, the following fees will apply:

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

Additional costs

Additional costs will be applicable for some elements of this course. This will include therapy uniform, appropriate complementary therapy equipment, and consumables, relevant to the therapies you will study for practice at home.