Biomedical Science/Applied Biomedical Science BSc (Hons)

Course overview

Key contributors to modern healthcare, biomedical scientists play a vital role in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease, monitoring treatments and developing advanced diagnostic tools or novel therapeutic strategies.

• Throughout the course, you will gain practical experience in the laboratories based in our Alison Gingell Building. Here you can expect to learn and further develop the key skills and techniques required for working in a laboratory.
• You will explore the human body in health and disease, from the functioning of whole body systems down to cell and molecular processes.
• Course content provides knowledge in the mechanisms, diagnosis and therapeutics of human disease with particular emphasis on the specialist areas of biomedical science, i.e. clinical biochemistry, medical microbiology, cellular pathology, haematology, immunology and genetics.

The January start for this course is condensed in Year 1. Please see the ‘How you’ll learn’ section below for more details.

Why you should study this course

• Well-equipped suite of analytical and biological laboratories where you can gain hands-on experience using industry-standard techniques⁴.
• Support applying for placements in laboratory and industrial settings to gain crucial real-world experience².
• We focus on student-centred teaching in which you devise and carry out your own laboratory experiments so that you can demonstrate your ability to work independently and solve problems to future employers.
• You’ll be taught by experienced academic staff who have a range of hospital and research laboratory experience, bringing their expertise into their teaching (staff subject to change).
• To practice as a biomedical scientist, you must hold an IBMS (Institute of Biomedical Science) accredited degree¹ and also be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You will be enrolled on our Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) course: if you undertake a 12-month placement between your second and third years, in an approved laboratory and complete a training portfolio, you will then be transferred on to the Applied Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) course for your final year of study. The academic content of both courses is the same, however, those on the Applied Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) course are eligible to apply for HCPC registration and biomedical scientist roles upon graduation (additional costs and eligibility criteria may apply)².

If you choose to start this course in January you will study exactly the same course but over a slightly shorter timescale in Year 1. This is ideal if you missed the September start, want to transfer from a different university or course or just need a bit more time to prepare for life at university.

Careers and opportunities

This course aims to enable you to develop knowledge, skills and competence to prepare you for a variety of careers in biomedical and biological science, or for other graduate level roles.

These courses aim to prepare you for professional practice within the NHS or private sector as biomedical scientists (subject to further training, application and registration which may incur additional costs and have eligibility criteria) and a range of other careers, including research.

You will be supported in your studies by a team of academically and professionally qualified staff, who also bring their research and commercial expertise to the classroom (staff are subject to change). If you undertake a placement, you will be supported by a visiting university tutor. Our dedicated and committed staff team are passionate in supporting you through your studies and empowering you to succeed within your chosen career routes.

Possible employment destinations include hospital, public health and other diagnostic providers, clinical sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, cancer research, microbiology, genetics and genomics laboratories. You may choose to continue your studies to MSc or PhD level to develop your specialist knowledge and research skills, or consider graduate entry to medicine or dentistry, Physicians Associate or teaching qualifications. Equally, the skills you will develop, such as problem-solving, analytical skills and written and oral communication, will enable you to access non-scientific careers such as graduate training schemes, civil service or managerial roles. Thus, the opportunities for graduates of biomedical sciences are diverse and exciting.m-solving, analytical skills and written and oral communication, will enable you to access non-scientific careers such as graduate training schemes, civil service or managerial roles. Thus, the opportunities for graduates of biomedical sciences are diverse and exciting.