Biomedical Science

Choosing a degree in biomedical science opens the door to a fascinating world of medical advancements, research, and innovation.

With diverse career opportunities in labs, hospitals, and biotech companies, this IBMS-accredited degree offers you a chance to make a real impact on human health and scientific discovery.

The science of saving lives

Biomedical science is the laboratory science that underpins disease diagnosis and management, focussing on how cells, organs and systems function in the body.

Our Biomedical Science BSc provides rigorous research-led teaching in the theory and practical techniques associated with biomedical science. It is ideal for students with a broad interest in human life processes and disease, as the course places an emphasis on developing a detailed understanding of the molecules and mechanisms fundamental to life processes, and how they are disrupted by disease.

This course is highly specialised and focusses on the key aspects of modern-day biomedicine as well as embedding the clinical specialisms of medical microbiology, clinical biochemistry, cellular pathology, haematology and transfusion science, clinical immunology and clinical genetics that are core to the work of pathology laboratories.

It is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). Students who graduate from this IBMS-accredited degree programme, train in an NHS lab and complete an IBMS registration training portfolio can register as a Biomedical Scientist and work in NHS pathology labs.

Biomedical Scientists play an essential role in disease diagnosis and monitoring the effectiveness of medical interventions and healthcare treatments.

You will be taught by our research-active academics and practising Biomedical Scientists from local hospitals, meaning you will graduate with an excellent understanding of the subject and a strong insight into life as a Biomedical Scientist.

By undertaking this research-led degree you will gain practical skills and competence in experimental design; numerical skills such as statistical analysis, data recording and presentation; and interpersonal skills such as teamworking, communication and negotiation. These skills are highly valued by employers and are transferable to other careers both within the sciences, and in broader fields such as marketing, finance and management.

IBMS Accreditation and your placement

Our IBMS-accredited Biomedical Science BSc is a great choice if you are considering a career as a Biomedical Scientist in the NHS as the course meets the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) educational standards required to register as a Biomedical Scientist in a UK healthcare laboratory.

To gain registration with the HCPC you will need to complete a training portfolio. You have two choices as to how you do this as explained below.

Both approaches will support you to register with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical Scientist and work within the NHS as a Biomedical Scientist.

Complete a training placement during the third year of your BSc

As a student on our IBMS-accredited Biomedical Science (BSc), you will be eligible to apply for a prestigious placement with an NHS pathology lab. These are awarded on a competitive basis. If you are successful, you will be transferred on to our BSc Biomedical Science (Placement Year) degree and will complete your placement during the third year of your degree. After completing your placement you will return to university for your final year of study.

Students who successfully complete a training portfolio during the placement year, and graduate with an accredited Biomedical Science degree, are awarded an IBMS Certificate of Competence.

Complete your training portfolio after graduation

Your IBMS-accredited degree will provide you with the necessary qualification to apply for a trainee post as a trainee Biomedical Scientist in an NHS pathology lab and complete an IBMS training portfolio while in employment.

Your journey through biomedical science

The curriculum of our Biomedical Science BSc is highly structured in order to meet the requirements for IBMS accreditation.

• You will begin, in Year 1, by studying fundamental themes that will provide you with a firm foundation for the rest of your course; topics covered include biomedical science practice, molecules of life, infection, immunity, anatomy and physiology.
• In Year 2, you will progress on to studying the topics that are core to the discipline of biomedical science, including blood sciences, clinical biochemistry, medical microbiology and cellular pathology, as well as genetics, immunology and cell biology.
• Year 3 will see you focus in greater depth on specific aspects of human disease through themes spanning clinical immunology, cancer, medical genetics, pathobiology and global health challenges. In Year 3, you will also carry out your own independent research project. This is your opportunity to make a unique contribution to increasing scientific knowledge in an area of biomedical science that fascinates you.

You will be supported throughout by our academics, whose vast biomedical research experience includes skin, colorectal, breast and prostate cancers; Alzheimer's disease; schizophrenia; chronic human conditions such as respiratory disorders; and infectious human diseases caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites.

Students interested in a more in-depth, research-oriented degree in this area should consider our IBMS-accredited MSci Biomedical Science degree, which involves a significant independent research project in your fourth year. We also offer a BSc in Biomedical Science (Study Abroad) which will give you an opportunity to explore new and different perspectives on your course, while gaining experience of what it is like to live and study in a different country.

A hands-on degree

Our state-of-the-art life science teaching laboratories will be at the heart of your degree. They are where you will put the knowledge you have acquired from lectures and workshops into practice and get to know your course-mates and academics.

You will gain hands-on experience (depending upon your specialisation) of using equipment and facilities such as:

• our bioimaging facility
• histology suite
• cell sorters
• confocal microscopes
• flow cytometers
• PCR thermocyclers
• cell culture facilities

In addition to laboratory practical classes and workshops, you will learn through lectures, workshops, laboratory reports, essays and case studies, presentations, tests and exams. You will also benefit from digital resources through our online learning environment which will support your independent learning.

Altogether your classroom learning and practical experience means you will graduate well-prepared for a successful career as a Biomedical Scientist or in other scientific and non-scientific fields.

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Careers

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