Faculty of Health outreach

Helping students explore the options available to pursue a career in health

Nursing students working with qualified nurses and patients

We are here to help students explore the options available to pursue a career in one of the allied health professions, nursing, midwifery, psychology or social work.

Please feel free to contact us to request a talk or visit, copies of printed materials or to arrange a visit from Outreach to come and discuss your needs.

Contact healthoutreach@plymouth.ac.uk for more information.

Watch now: recorded webinars

What do registered dietitians do?

What do registered dietitians do? Sustainable diets

What do registered dietitians do? Research and the future dietitian

What do registered dietitians do? Self-care, prevention and management of long term conditions

Coming soon – What do registered dietitians do? Primary care

The role of a midwife

Midwifery is about more than delivering babies

The many outfits of the paramedic

Physiotherapy getting people moving

Watch now: recorded webinars

Why things hurt and the role of the physiotherapist

The role of the physiotherapist – the tools of our trade

Advanced Professional Practice in Occupational Therapy - careers

Coming soon – Occupational therapy

Careers within healthcare

The future of healthcare is now. The healthcare sector in the UK is one of the largest sources of employment, and there is an ever-increasing demand for healthcare professionals.

If you are passionate about making a real difference and changing lives, then this is the perfect option for you. You will be able to shape your own career, specialise in areas you want, be part of a wider multi-disciplinary team, and embark on a rewarding and successful career.

For many healthcare careers you must be a registered healthcare professional to practise. You’ll need to undertake an approved degree, graduate, and register with a professional body to work in these roles.

Choosing a course and profession that’s right for you

It’s never too early to start thinking about what you would like to do after school or college, or if you are thinking of a career move.

While you may have an idea of a career that you’re aspiring towards, you can still explore a wide variety of roles. There are important things to think about when considering an area of study.

What a role involves
Who you’ll work with
What you’ll earn
What you need to do become a specific health professional

Study nursing, midwifery or allied health professions

NHS: learn more about health professions

Medicine and dentistry

Doctor
Doctors work in all areas of health, offering you a variety of career options.

Diagnostic radiographer
Use advanced technology to see inside patients bodies to find the causes of their illness.

Dentist
Dentists work with patients to champion good oral health. Working with the community to prevent/treat oral disease, irregularities and injuries.

Dental therapist
Dental therapists assist dentists with routine dental work.

Dental hygienist
Dental hygienists work with both adults and children look after their teeth.

Nursing and midwifery

Adult nurse
Working with adults of all ages who may suffer from long or short-term physical health conditions.

Child nurse
Child nursing involves everything from nursing a sick newborn to an adolescent road accident victim considering the care and support needed by the wider family,

Mental health nurse
Promoting and supporting a persons mental health recovery.

Midwife
Midwives prepare women for the delivery of their baby and are a vital presence throughout all stages of pregnancy, labour and the early postnatal period.

Allied health professions

Dietitian
Dietitians provide patients everyday information and advice about their food choices.

Nutritionist
Nutritionists use their knowledge of food science to help people make the right food choices.

Occupational therapist
Occupational therapists help patients who have difficulties carrying out day-to-day activities because of a disability, illness, trauma, ageing, and a range of long-term conditions.

Optometrist
Optometrists help people improve their eye health, performing detailed examinations.

Paramedic
Paramedics are the first to arrive on the scene when a patient needs help and requires quick action to save lives.

Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists help patients improve their mobility and regain independence as a result of injury, operation, disability or ageing.

Podiatrist
Podiatrists help people treat and care for their feet and legs.

Social worker
Social workers make a difference to individuals and families by helping them live their lives more successfully.

Psychology

Clinical psychologist
Clinical psychologists work with people of all ages on a wide range of psychological difficulties in mental and physical health.

Neuroscientist
Neuroscientists diagnose, treat and manage disorders that affect the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.

Psychologist
Psychologists help people a variety of mental health problems.

Biomedical sciences

Biomedical scientist
Biomedical scientists carry out a range of laboratory and scientific tests to support the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Preparing for health professions at university

Interprofessional modules

Research modules

Placement modules

International students

Study writing

Learn more about pursuing a career in health

Health and nursing students to receive £5,000 payment a year

The Government is issuing health and nursing students on courses from 2020 a payment of at least £5,000 a year, which they will not have to pay back. A further £3,000 of funding a year is available for eligible students.

Find out more about the bursary

Find out about the national recruitment campaign for paramedics, radiographers, nurses and allied health professionals

Access and Participation

Supporting your journey into healthcare professions

We have a regional and national reputation for our commitment to widening participation to medicine, dentistry and health courses. We undertake a series of initiatives in order to raise aspirations and healthcare. Our main aim is to help target and support the least likely but most able students, regardless of their background. The student cycle now commences much earlier and our programme starts at primary school age to help children to think about a career in healthcare and what that means. We also offer support to secondary school students from years 7 – 13.

Find out more about Access and Participation

Medicine and dentistry school school pupil with microscope

Conversion programmes

Thinking of heading in a different direction, pursuing a new career or returning to study a different subject than your undergraduate degree? Postgraduate conversion courses can help you make this transition.

Find out more about what conversion programmes are available

Matt Chan - MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) student

Early interest in university study

Virtual resources