OVERVIEW

Ever wondered how diseases occur? How genetic disorders lead to abnormalities? Or how microbes evade our immune system? As a biomedical science undergraduate, you will study the causes, diagnoses, and treatments of diseases like cancer, blood disorders, and infectious disease.

Be inspired to become a biomedical scientist contributing to patient diagnosis. In the UK, the term 'biomedical scientist' is a protected title used by professionals working within the pathology department of a hospital. Our course is accredited by the professional body; the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). Studying our degree is the first step to becoming a registered biomedical scientist. There is always something new to discover in this innovative field of science.

Get hands on experience in our modern science building with great teaching and research laboratories. You’ll be able to use well equipped laboratories spread over five storeys of innovative facilities. You will work alongside researchers, academics, industry specialists and other students.

Our flexible programme introduces you to a range of bioscience topics in your first year before you begin to specialise for your remaining biomedical science studies. If your interests change in the first year, then it’s easy to swap to another bioscience pathway, although you will need to be good at chemistry to switch to our biochemistry degree. This is why we give you the chance to experience a range of modules before committing to the biomedical pathway. We believe in flexibility. We will guide you to find your passion to study what you really love.

While you explore various new and exciting areas in this degree, we will be with you all the way. You’ll get a personal tutor, who’ll support you in gaining subject-specific skills in scientific writing, data interpretation, and communication. Take advantage of peer support too in group workshops.

You’ll be at the forefront of exploring exciting new areas in the biomedical field. Our course is designed to provide you with a solid-stepping stone for your scientific career. You may choose to help save lives as a registered Biomedical Scientist. Research in pharmaceutical companies or academic environments offer exciting opportunities for our graduates. You may decide to take a new direction such as business or teaching for example. You’ll have a wide range of options with your biomedical science degree. The transferrable skills that you gain during your degree can lead to exciting careers and are highly valued by employers.

What's the course about?

A big focus is how scientists use laboratory tests to support patient diagnosis. You will learn about the structure and function of tissues and organs in normal and disease states. You’ll link your expert knowledge of biology and chemistry to understand biochemical pathways and their influence in disease development. You’ll explore haematology, microbiology and blood transfusion techniques that form the basis of modern medical diagnostics. In other words, you will literally learn how to save lives.  

You have 20 hours of contact time, with lectures and workshops taking up about 6-10 hours per week.? 

In your first year you’ll gain a solid foundation in topics such as genetics, how drugs work inside our bodies and how viruses and fungi are formed. Your first year is shared with other degrees in biosciences. You may find you enjoy subjects explored further on the Molecular Biology pathway for example. Our shared first year gives you the opportunity to consider your bioscience pathway before committing. We believe in flexibility.

In your second year, you’ll specialise even more. You will study areas of pathology; biochemistry, blood transfusion, cytology, genetics, haematology, histopathology, immunology, and microbiology. Patient case studies allow you to apply theory from each area. You'll analyse the different methods of research on diseases and treatment options. Building your skills as a researcher is developed through our Bioscience Research Methods module.

Work placement/study abroad option:?Between your second and final year, you’ll have the possibility to study abroad or do a work placement for?up to?a year. Not only will this give you an amazing experience to talk about but will also give your?CV?a boost. If you’d rather go straight to your final year, that’s?absolutely fine?too.?? 

In your final year, you’ll?find that you have grown to love certain topics and now you have the chance to delve further. The final year is the chance to bring knowledge of subjects studied together. The final year project shows how you can answer a research question independently working with a member of our subject specialist staff.