MSc in Biomedical Science
Manchester Metropolitan University
Key Information
Campus location
Manchester, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 19,000 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Aug 2024
* UK and Channel Island students: £10,000 per year | EU and non-EU International students: £19,000 per year
Introduction
The best defence against disease isn’t a new therapy, wonder drug or technological miracle. It’s knowledge. With our MSc Biomedical Science course, you will gain the technical skills and in-depth understanding to explore, harness and add to that knowledge.
It’s a master's course that offers a broad base of understanding and the opportunity to investigate specialist areas of biomedical science. As well as units offering advanced analytical techniques and an in-depth understanding of different aspects of the disease, you will explore areas that match your personal interests and career ambitions.
You’ll complete an independent research project, building professional-level research skills. This is your opportunity to explore the issues that fascinate you – making the most of our extensive links with hospitals across Greater Manchester to conduct research in clinically relevant areas in a real-world context.
Our course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) which means our teaching is of a high standard and provides wide-ranging, research-informed education to ensure you develop the practical skills and experience that employers value. Please note, that although this MSc is accredited by the IBMS it does not fulfil the requirements for gaining registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and does not provide the opportunity to complete the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio.
Features and benefits
- Excellent standards – Recognised for our expertise, the course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science.
- Recognised expertise – Our Centre for Bioscience represents one of the highest concentrations of health research excellence in the UK, with pioneering research in lifelong health and ageing, microbiology, vascular biology and musculoskeletal science and sports medicine which has led to important advances in diagnosis and care.
- Professional links – We have strong links with the Institute of Biomedical Science, the Health and Care Professions Council, the NHS trusts and hospitals in Manchester and the North West, ensuring our biomedical science curriculum is up-to-date.
- Online learning – Our virtual learning environment ‘Moodle’ provides access to your personalised timetable, course and assessment information, and library resources, ensuring essential materials are at your fingertips when you need them.
- Practical connections – We work in partnership with hospitals across the region, offering the chance to organise research projects in clinically relevant areas.
- Athena SWAN award – Manchester Metropolitan University’s commitment to promoting and advancing gender equality in STEM subjects has been recognised with a Bronze Athena SWAN award.
- Cutting-edge facilities – Our modern laboratories for blood biochemistry, microbiology, cell and molecular biology, tissue culture and histology have state-of-the-art specialist equipment so you can gain current laboratory skills in your chosen project area.
Admissions
Curriculum
Course Information
Over this one-year course, you’ll study a range of core units that cover various areas of biomedical science. From taking a systematic approach to disorders to the principles and applications of essential analytical techniques in modern biomedical science, such as electrophoresis, mass spectrometry and recombinant DNA technology.
You’ll focus on topics at the leading edge of biomedical research, looking at elements of immunology, cancer biology, infectious diseases, medical genetics and more – not just working to understand these diseases alone, but also the way these pathological sciences interact.
Our Recent Advances in Biomedical Research core unit offers you the opportunity for independent study of a topic at the forefront of biomedical research. You will also choose from a range of option units, helping you to set the direction for your studies. This may include topics such as infectious disease, aspects of transfusion medicine and histopathology.
We have designed our Research Methods and Ethics in Biomedical Science unit to help you develop advanced skills in research methods. You’ll explore the evidenced-based and ethical frameworks you’ll need to complete your own in-depth, independent research project.
Above all, your research project is your chance to tackle the issues that fascinate you most. With a deep dive into a topic of your choice, your project will help you understand both the process and the communication of scientific enquiry. You’ll be guided through your proposal and review process to equip you with the skills you need to complete an independent piece of research.
As part of our Department of Life Sciences, you’ll have the support of an expert team and access to excellent laboratory facilities spanning microbiology, exercise performance and human physiology, cell and molecular biology, genomics, blood biochemistry, cell culture and biomechanics.
Our research
We represent one of the highest concentrations of health research excellence in the UK.
Our research is targeted at alleviating the threats of infectious disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke and age-related decline to human health and wellbeing. We recognise that a fundamental understanding of how biology and biological interactions contribute to these disease conditions will inform clinical application and policy change to benefit human health and well-being. Our research stretches through prokaryote microbiology, through eukaryote cell, tissue and organ biology to clinical science and human population studies.
We conduct basic and translational research to understand biological systems in disease, sensing and detecting by-products of disease and contemporary challenges, including ageing and the development of new technologies for personalised medicine.
Scientists in our Centre for Bioscience are pioneering new ideas with real-world application and global potential to improve health and wellbeing and make a positive difference in people's lives.
Year 1
You'll study six core units, including an in-depth, independent research project. Plus you'll choose from a range of optional units to tailor your learning.
Please note: Option units are subject to availability.
Core units
- Disorder Case Study
- Advanced Biological Aspects Of Disease
- Research Project
- Research Methods And Ethics In Biomedical Science
- Recent Advances In Biomedical Research
- Analytical Techniques In Biomedical Science
Optional Units
- General Clinical Biochemistry
- Human Infectious Disease
- Transfusion 1 (Clinical Aspects Of Transfusion Medicine)
- Clinical Haematology
- Pathological Basis Of Disease And Non-Malignant Dissection
Additional information about this course
The course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science as a master's level study. Please note that this qualification cannot be used as leading to eligibility for HCPC registration you should refer to the guidance on the IBMS website if this is your aim.
Placement options
While this course doesn’t include a placement, we encourage all our students to gain work experience during their studies. Whether it’s a biomedical-related role to help you develop your technical skills in the lab environment or the kind of job that will help you develop useful employability skills like teamwork or leadership, we can help. Between the Careers and Employability service and the staff in the Department of Life Sciences, we offer careers-focused events and support for arranging work experience, searching for opportunities and getting through applications and interviews.
Career Opportunities
This master's offers an avenue into a range of specialist fields, such as the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries. The subjects you’ll cover can also lay the groundwork for careers in research or teaching or to pursue studies towards a PhD.
Our work with the NHS and clinicians helps shape our curriculum, transfers our expertise and ensures our graduates are ready for the workplace - and sought after by employers.
Some of our MSc Biomedical Science graduates have gone into roles such as Lead Specialist for Technical and Scientific Development, Head of Centre for Manchester Blood Centre, NHS Blood and Transplant, Field Application Specialist Manager and Molecular Business Line Manager.
Careers support is available from the moment you join us, throughout your time here, and for up to three years after the completion of your course. We have a range of services available through the Department of Life Sciences and the University Careers Service including dedicated careers and employability advisors you can turn to for guidance and support.
Clinical links
We’ve built strong links across the NHS in the region, working with clinicians to keep our courses relevant and ensure that our graduates are ready for the workplace. So, when you leave us, you should have the skills and understanding that employers want – whether you’re looking to join the NHS or work in the local bioscience industry, or you want to pursue a future in research, education or management.
Modernising scientific careers
The Department of Life Sciences was the first in the UK to design and receive accreditation for the new Practitioner Training Programme Healthcare Science degrees commissioned by Higher Education England's Modernising Scientific Careers. The course combines academic study and work-based training and is a professional qualification required to practice as a healthcare science practitioner in a number of areas.