BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences

Course details

Learn about how the human body functions in both health and disease, and discover how advances in biomedical sciences have helped in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of illness. You will have the opportunity to carry out many of these techniques for yourself in our purpose-built modern laboratories.

At the end of your first year of study, you can choose to continue your multidisciplinary studies in biomedical sciences and gain a BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences award, or you can choose to study for a combined degree award by specialising in one of our four specific pathways:

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Medical Biochemistry Pathway)
Study the biochemical interactions within the body, and the diagnosis of biochemically related diseases.

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Molecular Biotechnology Pathway)
By looking at the biological process involving genetics and gene technology you will learn about the molecular advances in the treatment of disease and the processes used to make treatments.

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Pharmacological Sciences Pathway)
Discover how different drugs are used for the treatment of diseases and what effect they have on the body. You will also develop your understanding of pharmacological principles and how they inform the development of drugs.

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Medical Microbiology Pathway)
You will study the various types of pathogen that cause infectious disease, and the strategies they use to attack the body. You will learn how to how to diagnose them and also the treatments available. You will also look at the global burden of infectious disease and the various worldwide initiatives underway to try and control this challenging threat.

Royal Society of Biology accreditation
Our range of BSc Biomedical Science courses are accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB), so you can be sure you'll graduate with the expert capabilities demanded by employers in biological sciences. When you graduate you'll also receive one year's free RSB membership, offering valuable networking opportunities as you enter the world of work.

Institute of Biomedical Science accreditation
To work as a biomedical scientist in the UK, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Our IBMS degree accreditation ensures our degree courses have a curriculum that meets the HCPC standards of proficiency for biomedical scientists. This accreditation also ensures you will receive a wide-ranging, research-informed scientific education and you will develop practical skills and experience that employers value. This programme will enable you to apply to register as a biomedical scientist after completing the IBMS certificate of competence portfolio in a suitable IBMS approved lab.

Research Excellence Framework 2014
Research Excellence Framework 2014: twice as many of our staff - 220 - were entered into the research assessment for 2014 compared to the number entered in 2008.

Course Benefits

This course is aligned to the criteria required to join the NHS Scientist Training Programme, a common route for graduates wishing to become a clinical or healthcare scientist, so you will be prepared to pursue this option when you graduate.

Employability is built into every module of the course, so by the end of your course you will be confident in group-work, managing your own time, working in a laboratory, writing papers, performing risk assessments and becoming a biomedical science practitioner, all valuable traits sought after by employers.

Some of our students have been successful in obtaining work experience or placements between the second and third year, working in industry, or with biotech companies. This will significantly enhance your practical skills and offers an opportunity to develop career contacts. Some of our graduates have managed to secure immediate employment with their placement provider upon graduation.

You will also be able to take part in our study abroad programme for either part or all of your second year - previous students have studied in Japan, America and Australia.

You can also choose to apply for our in-house undergraduate researcher scheme. Lasting eight weeks across the summer, you will work closely with one of our academic team and enhance your practical and research expertise.

Visiting lecturers and PhD students will offer their unique insights through guest lectures, and you could develop your academic skills by presenting your final year project as a poster at research conferences.

Entry requirements

Mature Applicants

Our University welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. All students will be considered through the contextual admissions policy described above. If you do not meet the requirements through the contextual admissions policy, we may still be able to make you an offer if you have recent relevant work experience through our ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’ policy. Please ensure that you list both your qualifications and any relevant work experience in your application so that we can consider you under both schemes where applicable.

All applicants to our University are required to meet our standard English language requirement of GCSE grade C or equivalent, for example we accept some Functional Skills Tests.

Job Prospects

Our course prepares you for employment in a wide range of scientific areas, including the pharmaceutical industry, scientific research, clinical trials, scientific writing, diagnostic laboratories, the food industry and teaching. In your final year you will study an integrative studies module with input from our Business Start-Up unit here at our university, providing you with valuable enterprise skills and knowledge. If you are interested in a career as a biomedical/healthcare scientist in the NHS you can undertake the NHS Scientist Training Programme after you have completed our Biomedical Sciences degree. Many of our graduates also go on to further study, including MSc, PhD, teacher training and physicians associates courses.

Careers Advice

Our dedicated Jobs and Careers team offers expert advice and a host of resources to help you choose and gain employment. Whether you're in your first or final year, you can speak to members of staff from our Careers Office who can offer you advice from writing a CV to searching for jobs.

Fees & funding

UK & EU

The tuition fee for the year for students is £9250. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.

International

The tuition fee for the year for students is £12000. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.

Facilities

Biomedical Sciences Laboratories

Housing modern IT and AV facilities, our new Biomedical Sciences laboratory provides important, contemporary facilities for our students, including a range of biochemical, microbiological, molecular and physiological analysis equipment.

Library

Our Library is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year, providing you with access to specialist books and journals, learning spaces, computers, multimedia facilities and media equipment hire. Tens of thousands of our Library's digital resources, including ebooks, ejournals and databases, can be accessed online at a time and place to suit you.

Clinical Skills Suite

The £1 million suite has been designed to meet the learning needs of a range of health professionals, with specialist equipment in purpose-built rooms enabling a variety of sessions to be carried out in a suitable and safe environment.