MSci Biomedical Science with Professional Experience

University of Reading

United Kingdom, Reading

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Home/United Kingdom/Reading /University of Reading/MSci Biomedical Science with Professional Experience

University of Reading

United Kingdom , Reading

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

C744

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 5 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 30,650 / year

Next Intake September-2026

MSci Biomedical Science with Professional Experience

About

Learn about the inner workings of the human body and take part in world-class research on this multidisciplinary, research-led MSci Biomedical Science with Professional Experience course.

Biomedical science is one of the fastest-growing fields of study and is at the forefront of modern science. Learn about the systems that underpin all living organisms from a cellular, tissue, organ and whole-body perspective. From this basis, you will study the diseases that affect each area and the mechanisms that the body uses to combat them.

This highly practical MSci is specifically geared towards becoming a biomedical scientist, working in hospital and private clinical labs to help doctors diagnose and treat diseases.

To work as a biomedical scientist in the UK, you must register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Why study Biomedical Science at the University of Reading?

You can apply for Chartered Biologist status upon graduation, which is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.
The course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and developed in partnership with practising NHS laboratory scientists.
Benefit from our long-standing links with the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
You have access to state-of-the-art facilities for your practical sessions and research projects.
We are in the UK's top 10 universities for biosciences (ranked 9th in the Daily Mail University Guide, 2024).

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), which means that upon successfully completing your studies, you’ll have the academic requirements needed to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and establish a profile of key skills, including technical and transferable skills, that bioscience employers can recognise in accredited graduates.

What you'll study

The MSci follows the standard undergraduate curriculum but with an additional year of study and a master's level qualification.

The course has a strong practical basis. You will learn key cellular, molecular and biochemical techniques, including live cell microscopy, and DNA and protein technology. We work closely with the Royal Berkshire Hospital and will benefit from teaching delivered by practising NHS laboratory scientists.

In your first year, you will learn about the biochemical, molecular and cell biology basis of life, and study the fundamentals of microbiology. Your practical lessons start here and you'll learn the basic laboratory techniques. Your teaching in the second year, will focus on core biomedical subjects, including medical genetics, haematology, immunology, clinical biochemistry and infectious diseases.

The third year of the programme places a strong emphasis on the application of knowledge and skills, preparing you for your final year of study. You will undertake an Advanced Research Project during your fourth year, working in biomedical research laboratories alongside academics on cutting-edge research.

Placements and studentships

Enhance your employability and put your practical skills to the test with an integrated year-long industrial placement between your second and third years.

You could work towards the IBMS Certificate of Competence and the Registration Training Portfolio and undertake a placement in an accredited NHS training lab during your degree. Once you have achieved the IBMS Certificate of Competence and graduated, you can register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Alternatively, you could prepare for a wider range of careers by undertaking a broader placement. In previous years, students have worked at NHS training labs, Public Health England, GSK, and Covance. You can also choose to spend a year abroad, typically conducting research in an academic laboratory.

You will also be able to undertake paid vacation studentships funded by organisations such as the Wellcome Trust. These can take place over six weeks during the summer break or be carried out part-time over a longer period. During studentships, you will typically work on a set project and benefit from valuable training in techniques, experimental design, and data interpretation.

Our department has a dedicated academic in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support.

We also offer a four-year version of this degree, MSci Biomedical Science, that does not include an integrated placement year.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer

ABB with B in Biology, or BBB with B in Biology and B in a second science subject.

Acceptable second science subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Computer Science.

International Baccalaureate

32 points including 5 in Biology at higher lever.

30 points including 5 in Biology a second science subject, both at higher level.

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD (modules taken must be comparable to subject specific requirement)

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0, with no component below 6.0

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

English Program Requirements

IELTS 7.0, with no component below 6.0

Career

This degree equips you with the skills to become a biomedical scientist, working in hospital and private clinical labs to help doctors diagnose and treat diseases.

In addition to working as a biomedical scientist, you will have the skills to work in biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, and forensic science. You may also decide to study for higher research degrees or commence a medical, dentistry or veterinary degree course.

Past graduates of our BSc Biomedical Science have gone on to work for employers such as Abbot Laboratories, GSK, NHS, Thames Water and Civil Service (based on HESA data © HESA 2020 - 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18 - 2021/22; includes BSc Biomedical Sciences responders).

Overall, 91% of graduates from the School of Biological Sciences are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (based on our analysis of HESA data (c) HESA 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22, includes all School of Biological Sciences responders).

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 30,650

Application Fee

GBP

How to Apply

1. Check our entry requirements

Please see our postgraduate subject finder for minimum entry requirements for the programme you are interested in; entry requirements can vary from one programme to another. International students can consult our country-specific pages for information and guidance on alternative qualification equivalencies for master’s study.

If English is not your first language, you will also need to meet our English language requirements. You can find the IELTS requirements on each course page. We also accept a range of alternative English language qualifications.

If your English ability is not at the required standard, you can choose to apply for one of our Pre-sessional English programmes. The programmes will equip you with the study skills and preparation needed for academic study in English. The length of your Pre-sessional English programme is determined by your current level of English against the English language requirements of your chosen master’s programme.

2. Application and funding deadlines

Although most master’s programmes do not formally close for applications, some programmes do have application deadlines; if your programme has a deadline it will be specified on the course page under the ‘Entry requirements’ section. For programmes that do not have a specific application deadline, places may be limited and programmes may become full. We recommend that you apply as early as possible (particularly if you are an international student) to allow time not only for us to process your application, but for you to ensure that you can meet any offer conditions, arrange your accommodation and, importantly, funding for your studies. For admission in September, we do recommend that you apply by 1 August (if you are a UK applicant) and 1 July (if you are an international applicant requiring a visa to come to the UK) however, we are happy to still consider applications after these dates.

International applicants should also see our advice and guidance on visas and immigration.

Funding deadlines

We require an offer of study for many of our master’s scholarships and bursaries. You should check deadlines for applications carefully, and each scholarship or bursary will have specific application instructions. We may add scholarships throughout the year, so it is a good idea to re-visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

3. Submit your application

You can apply for master’s programmes directly through our online application system, RISIS. For our PGCE/Teacher Training programmes, applications must be made via the Department of Education's Find Postgraduate Teacher Training portal. Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automatic confirmation.

Various documents are needed to make your application. You should electronically upload:

full transcripts of all degree programmes taken. If these are not in English, a certified translation into English is required. Please do not mail original copies; we only require PDF copies via electronic upload,
an English language certificate (for example IELTS or TOEFL), if English is not your first language (this can also be provided after you submit your application),
contact details for two academic/professional references. Your references will automatically be invited via email to upload their reference directly once you have submitted your application. Please remind your references to check their junk/spam filters for the email and let them know that the link to the form is only valid for 20 days,
statement of purpose. Your personal statement should outline your academic performance, interest in applying to master’s study, any relevant work experience and skills gained,
a copy of your passport (for international students).

Application fee

We do not charge an application fee to apply for our master’s programmes.

4. Track your application

You can track the progress of your application using our applicant portal, Me@Reading, a personalised resource including information about your programme of study, student stories and what's happening here at Reading. It has everything you need to know, all in one place. When we have made a decision on your application, we will contact you via email. If we are able to make you an offer for a place to study, your offer will contain information about what to do next, including how to accept your offer, pay a deposit (if applicable), and any conditions you must meet to study with us.