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Health sciences make up the very fabric of society. From paramedics and radiographers to pharmacists and social workers, there will always be a demand for skilled practitioners – and we can help start your exciting career in the field.
Our Taster Day is an excellent opportunity for you to explore various career paths in health sciences and learn about studying these subjects at university.
This year's event took place in April 2024. New dates and bookings will open soon.
See what happened at the taster
In the meantime, explore our island city at one of our Open Days, discover student life at Portsmouth, and take look at different Health Science courses.
Student life
Explore our island city and its many attractions, and find out what student life is really like at the University.
Undergraduate Open Days
Thinking about joining us as an undergrad? Book your spot at one of our upcoming Open Days.
Faculty of Science and Health
Explore the Faculty of Science and Health at the University of Portsmouth, and learn more about the teaching and research activities that take place within the Faculty's different departments and schools.
School of Health & Care Professions at University of Portsmouth
At our Health Sciences Taster Day
you'll:
- Choose to explore either Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences or Health and Social Care when you save your place
- Explore respiratory assessments and airway management techniques using patient manikins
- Use our Centre for Simulation in Health & Care to undertake day-to-day tasks of a social worker
- Get hands-on with inhalers, chemical properties and work on a patient case study to consider the investigations you'd undertake as a Pharmacy student
- Take a look at our Pharmaceutics laboratories and take part in interactive simulations
- Hear about your options with exciting career paths and links into this a field of work that can help secure rewarding jobs
- Chat with current students about the practical learning and placement options you'll have as part of in Portsmouth
Taster Day programme
Here's what happened at the Health Sciences Taster day in April 2024.
We're excited to meet you. Check in, make yourself comfortable and get ready to learn about studying a degree in Health Sciences at uni.
Here's our guide to subject taster days, should you want to learn a little more about our taster days before booking.
Check-in from 9.30am at St Michael's Building, Portsmouth PO1 2DT.
*When you save your place at the Health Sciences Taster Day, you'll choose from the following options of Health Science to get involved in:
Health & Social Care
Resuscitate. Make cardiac assessments. Save a life. Our Healthcare sessions focus on Paramedic Science, Operating Department Practice and Nursing, so you can learn the fundamentals of how to save someone's life.
Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
The human body is an exciting and complex thing. Ever considered how they work when we're feeling good? And what goes wrong when we're feeling poorly? See how Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Biomedical Science is helping to improve the lives' of patients.
Depending on the option you choose to explore, you'll get an introduction to studying courses and where you could go with a degree in Healthcare, Pharmacy, and Biomedical Sciences.
Social Work - Safeguarding and Child Protection (Health & Social Care)
Undertake one of the most important tasks of a social worker. Identify possible hazards in a simulated environment to see if can you recognise risks and implement preventative measures.
Pharmacology – Let's make it personal (Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences)
Understand how medicines work and how they affect the human body as you delve into the new and exciting area of personalised medicine. You'll explore medications, their sources, chemical properties, biological effects, and therapeutic uses.
*You'll attend one of these sessions based on the Health Science subject area you select when you book your place.
Quick breather. Take stock of the morning then get ready for the next session.
Operating Department Practice (ODP) – Introduction to airway management (Health & Social Care)
Discover how ODPs use specialist equipment to keep people breathing when they can’t do it for themselves.
Pharmacy – It ain't easy being wheezy (Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences)
Understand the treatments available for patients with asthma, learn about the different inhalers used by asthma patients, and explore the advice Pharmacists give about the appropriate use of medicines.
*You'll attend one of these sessions based on the Health Science subject area you select when you book your place.
Fuel-up. Feel free to bring your own lunch for the day or grab something from a university cafeteria or local outlet.
Nursing – Respiratory and circulatory assessment (Health & Social Care)
Pulse assessment is a key element of healthcare and is used to indicate a patient's health status. Learn how nurses keep track of how your heart is doing in this session.
Biomedical Science – Patient case study: Bashir (Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences)
Work with our Biomedical Scientists to diagnose a patient (Bashir) with a medical problem. You'll consider the samples (for example, blood) that will be collected from Bashir and the laboratory investigation that is performed.
*You'll attend one of these sessions based on the Health Science subject area you select when you book your place.
Choosing to go to uni and what course to study is a life-changing decision. So it can feel daunting. But we can help with that.
Get your hands on the latest advice to help you get started with university and learn how to research Healthcare courses, prepare for your UCAS personal statement and ace your interviews.
Chat to lecturers and students and ask your questions. This could be about different subjects, the transition from college to uni, any of the talks you've watched so far, the city of Portsmouth, moving away from home – and/or anything you want to know about university.