Undergraduate course
BSc (Hons)
Critical Care (Intercalated)
Experience nine months working in critical care and gain a degree at the same time.Immersive learning
Gain extensive clinical experience when you undertake a substantial practice placement within a demanding critical care setting that mirrors the full spectrum of critical care services.
Practical experience
Enjoy working alongside experienced healthcare professionals and fellow medical students. A collaborative approach fosters interprofessional learning, enhances clinical decision-making, and prepares you for the complexities of critical care environments.
Shape future healthcare
Develop the skills to effectively lead teams through a dedicated module focused on management and leadership.
About
Develop your clinical skills and specialist competencies with placements in intensive and high dependency care and receive mentorship and support from experienced clinicians. Where possible, placement provision is negotiated to assist with additional living costs and support the development of relationships and networks that add value as you complete your medical degree and begin your early years as a doctor.
Mr Ruari Cassidy
Lecturer in Clinical Intercalation
This course is for you if...
you want to learn with and from others who represent the multi-professional team caring for the critically ill
you're keen to develop clinical and communication skills
you want to study with the only university to offer an intercalated degree in critical care in the UK
you're a team player, ready to shape your own future
Details
Your Intercalated Year
This programme has a modular design and a flexible ‘blended learning’ approach to delivery. Successful completion of the third or fourth year of your primary medical degree normally means you are eligible to accredit prior learning up to 60 credits via Recognition of Prior Learning – please see the
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
section of our website for further information on this process. The core modules (UEC607, UEC608 and UEC609) represent the 60 credits you are required to study to achieve the BSc (Hons) in Critical Care. RPL will be applied in recognition of experience and skills you have already gained as part of your medical degree for core module HEAD360P.
Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment. The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and the modules associated with this intercalated degree (may be subject to change):
Core modules
UEC608
Evidencing Professional Development in Urgent, Emergency and Critical Care via (e)-Portfolio
20 credits
This module will enable the student to develop their professional practice in the provision of urgent, emergency and critical care. Evidence supporting the students' development will be collated in an electronic portfolio (e-portfolio).
100% Coursework
UEC609
Developing Professional Practice in Critical Care
20 credits
This module will enable the student to develop their professional practice with regard to history taking, clinical examination, diagnostics, decision making and clinical management planning in critical care.
100% Coursework
HEAD360IC
Understanding Evidence to Inform Clinical Decision Making
20 credits
The module is designed to extend students' knowledge around evidence-informed decision making. This will be achieved through students identifying and evaluating a body of research-based evidence relevant to clinical practice.
HEAE306IC
The Fundamentals of Health Assessment and Common Illnesses
UEC607DL
Urgent, Emergency and Critical Care: Leadership and Innovation
This module will enhance the students' confidence and competence to lead and manage quality improvement and innovation in urgent, emergency and critical care.
The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.
Experience
Placement information
We offer a range of student placements across the UK, including some of the biggest and most dynamic NHS Trusts.
Explore opportunities to set up placements within your locality helping you with the cost of living and development of important relationships in settings where you may like to work in the future.
Experience working in genuinely challenging clinical environments. Real-life experiences mean meaningful education. Candidates are given the opportunity to select their placement preferences following interview.
Real-world experience
The Intensive Care Unit is the main pillar of the modern acute hospital services. By combining clinical treatments with invasive organ support, Intensive Care Medicine has one of the most rapidly developing research portfolios. The Critical Care intercalation programme provides an opportunity to undergraduate students to become members of a dynamic clinical and academic multidisciplinary team and experience the daily clinical practice of intensive care medicine.
Dr Nikitas Nikitas
Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine
The year was both challenging and rewarding - it pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to develop skills which cannot often be gained from the shorter medical school placements.
I chose to intercalate in Critical Care to gain more exposure to intensive care medicine and to experience working as part of a clinical team over an extended period. I completed my placement at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, which is the largest single-site ICU in Europe. This gave me the opportunity to see a huge range of critically ill patients from major traumas to severe burns and develop a further understanding of both neuro and cardiac critical care.
The course and the placement facilitate you to advance your clinical skills, gaining confidence to take through to the final years of medical school and into foundation training. It also provided opportunities to be highly involved in audit and quality improvement work, which can be difficult to gain experience in.
Ellie Clist
BSc (Hons) Critical Care Intercalated graduate
BSc (Hons) Critical Care Intercalated graduate
Online information session
Thursday 6 November
6pm -7.30pm
Hear from staff about the programmes, application process, placements and much more and get the chance to ask any questions.
REGISTER NOW
Meet your academic team
Mr Ruari Cassidy
Lecturer in Clinical Intercalation
Dr Blair Graham
Lecturer in Urgent & Emergency Care
Dr Rachel Pascoe
Lecturer in Acute/Critical Care Nursing (Education)
Life in Plymouth
Plymouth's maritime history and coastal location have an undeniable influence on life in the city. The walk from our main campus to the seafront is only about one mile, providing loads of opportunity to relax and unwind during your studies. You don’t need to leave the city to get to the coast!
The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.
Jenna
Current student
Current student
Life in the city
Discover what Plymouth and its unique geographical location have to offer
Explore your accommodation options
Discover our range of student accommodation options and find out how you can get a guaranteed place in halls
Get involved with one of our many student groups
Our large student population, active Students' Union, and abundance of student-led clubs and societies blend to create a busy and vibrant student scene
Careers
I chose to intercalate to develop specific skills in Emergency Medicine that I would not have the chance to learn as part of the typical medical curriculum.
I felt like part of the team within weeks of starting and also felt like I was contributing to the department. I would definitely advise anyone considering a career in the ACCS specialities to get in touch and apply.
Rosalind Rashid
BSc (Hons) Urgent and Emergency Care (Intercalated) graduate
BSc (Hons) Urgent and Emergency Care (Intercalated) graduate
Why choose emergency care?
Emergency medicine is a dynamic and rapidly evolving specialty. As the role of emergency departments expands, so too does their impact and influence within the healthcare system. For students, the rewards are both personal and professional.
The profile of emergency care has grown significantly in recent years. Its fast-paced, unpredictable nature attracts individuals who thrive under pressure—those who embrace the challenge of thinking on their feet, adapting quickly, and facing something new every day. If you're someone who seeks variety, intensity, and the chance to make a difference in critical moments, emergency medicine could be the perfect fit.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for full-time UK students starting in 2026-2027 academic year
Full-time study
£9,535 per year
£9,535 per year
Part-time study
N/A per credits
N/A per credits
Tuition fee price changes
On Monday 20 October 2025, the UK Government announced its intention to increase tuition fees for home undergraduate students in line with inflation from 2026 onwards.
Along with other universities in the UK, the University of Plymouth intends to apply this new fee. Whilst the exact details have not currently been announced, it is expected that the increase will be in the region of £400, increasing the annual tuition fee to £9,935 for 2026, which will then be subject to automatic inflationary increases thereafter. However, implementation of this increase will be subject to further Government guidance and legislation.
The University will give further details to both prospective and current students as soon as the Government has issued further information.. More information about
fees and costs of studying
.
Tuition fees for full-time international students starting in 2026-2027 academic year
Full-time study
£19,200 per year
£19,200 per year
Tuition fee price changes
Our fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about
fees and costs of studying
.
PLEASE NOTE:
The UK Government has announced that a levy on tuition fee income in the region of 6% of an international student’s tuition fees may be introduced. If implemented, the University reserves the right to increase your tuition fees accordingly. The Government has made it clear that it has not officially decided on its stance and it is possible that the eventual levy amount or arrangements may differ from the initial proposal. Therefore, the University reserves the right to adjust tuition fees in accordance with the Government’s final position on this levy.
We understand that clarity around tuition fees is important when planning your studies. Therefore, please note that the tuition fee shown on this page may change as a result of the introduction of a levy. We advise you to monitor this page regularly to stay informed of any updates to your tuition fees.
This course is delivered by the
Faculty of Health
and more details of any additional costs associated with the faculty's courses are listed on the following page:
Faculty of Health additional costs
.
Apply
Entry requirements
Given the nature of the placement element, the fact that you will be working in an emergency department environment, and the point of academic entry into the course we are only able to take medical students who have successfully completed their third or fourth year.
The opportunity to intercalate is open to any medical student supported by their medical school – you must have written permission to intercalate from your medical school and show evidence via transcript that you have completed clinical skills and research to the level normally expected of a fourth year undergraduate medical student. If you want to find out more about the opportunity to pursue a BSc (Hons) Critical Care Intercalated course at the University of Plymouth please email the Professional Development Unit at pduadmissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
Applications for September 2025 are now closed.
UCAS course code
5865
5865
Institution code
NA
NA
Duration
1 year
Course type
Full-time
Study location
Plymouth
Plymouth
Visit us at an undergraduate on-campus open day
Open days are the best way to get a feel for studying an undergraduate degree at the University of Plymouth.
.jpg)