EBME Forums Forums Management Training Foundation Degree in Medical Technologies

Rob,
Thank you for the information, it is most useful. Rgds Keith.

Foundation degree - not actually a full degree then.
For anyone who already has HNC/HND (level 5 on the NQF [National qualifications framework]) & the necessary 'lifework' experience you can apply for a Graduateship Award in Engineering from the City & Guilds.
This is recognised as Level 6 - UK Honours degree
check the link: http://www.cityandguilds.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/SID-0AC0478D-D98ED4D5/cgonline/hs.xsl/1205.html
National Qualifications framework info can be found here:
http://www.qca.org.uk/493_15774.html
(Scroll to the bottom of the page)

Might cost you a few bob, but a load less than a foundation degree with more expense to gain level 6.
Worth considering - especially with Agenda for Change.

Plymouth Uni is offering this -

http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/3080/BSc+(Hons)+Medical+Electronics

Cheers
Mark

My understanding of a foundation degree is an express route, from an OND/ONC, which allows you to jump straight into the second year of a degree. This is exactly the same as having a HND/HNC.
ie it only takes 1 year to complete the foundation degree, instead of taking 2 years to complete a HND (taking into account you are studying full time).

A foundation degree (FDs) should take 2 years after which it should be possible to use it to progress on to a third year to complete a proper degree, provided you can find one that is suitable and accepts the FDs.

Hi Gents,

HND is normally two years fulltime study, classroom based academic instruction in say subjects such as electronic engineering. Foundation degrees are WORKBASED, you cannot sign up for the course unless you are currently working within this particular field, the subject matter reflects the job you are doing, i.e. if you follow the medical equipment pathway of the FD you will cover subjects such as anatomy and physiology, physiological and monitoring equipment, diathermy, defibs, x-ray, dental, physio, neonatal, a/thetic, vents etc etc. So it is a degree specific to your job; you will be expected to write reflective accounts on servicing e.g. a particluar defib, discuss benefits of various waveform patterns, discuss the subject on line, use POD casts etc etc you will also be assessed practically e.g. servicing and testing a Defib...

This is as all FD's are, employer led degree courses called for by employers because of their frustration at employing graduates and subsequently having to retrain them all over again for their particular role within the company. Thats the theory.

Having FdSc after your name would then allow you to attend the final year of an Hons program (if you wished to do so).

There are a number of other medical equipment based Full Hons degree programs around the UK, but full time at the Uni, there's even an MSc at Cardiff, but they are not work or practical based courses. One other important factor for the FD course is that you will require a MENTOR at your place of work, possibly your head of section/department to oversee your progress etc.

So allthough at a similar level of study to HND's, FD's are a completely different method of learning, they are practical workbased degrees with a large element of practical assessment, as recognised by universities and employers.

Hope this makes sense.

I noticed that the Foundation degree in Medical Electronics can lead to a BSc qualification, what is the difference between a BSc and a BEng?

Techman,

That not correct, completion of the FD with Eastwood Park/Kingston Uni would allow you to complete one of their science based/maths/Management based programs if you so wished.

Kingston Uni will also have in place a distance learning program that is specific to medical equipment for students completing their FD with them, if you wish to continue with this line of study.

Lets not forget FD's are new and will take time to bed in properly, but they are here to stay. Check the out the foundation degree forward website: www.fdf.ac.uk for more info.

Historically, BEng is the title given to an undergraduate degree awarded for an engineering course, such as Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Electronic Engineering. BEng degrees typically accredited by professional engineering institutions, such as the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, or the Institution of Electrical Engineers. BSc is the title given to an undergraduate degree awarded for a scientific course, such as Mathematics, and Physics. BSc degrees are accredited by relevant professional bodies, such as the Institute of Physics or the British Computer Society. Both BEng and BSc are degrees that can be awarded at Honours level when 480 credits have been achieved in 3 or 4 years of study.

If foundation degrees are training courses which employers ask their staff to go on, then presumably any course fees will be paid by the employer.