Why you should study this course

• Well-equipped suite of analytical and biological laboratories where you can gain hands-on experience using industry-standard techniques4.
• Support applying for placements in laboratory and industrial settings to gain crucial real-world experience2.
• We focus on student-centred teaching in which you devise and carry out your own laboratory experiments so that you can demonstrate your ability to work independently and solve problems to future employers.
• You’ll be taught by experienced academic staff who have a range of hospital and research laboratory experience, bringing their expertise into their teaching (staff subject to change).
• To practice as a biomedical scientist, you must hold an IBMS (Institute of Biomedical Science) accredited degree1 and also be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Students are enrolled on Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) - those who undertake a 12-month placement between years two and three in an approved laboratory, and complete a training portfolio, are then transferred on to Applied Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) for the final year of study. The academic content of both courses is the same, however those on Applied Biomedical Science are eligible to apply for HCPC registration and biomedical scientist roles upon graduation (additional costs may apply).
• Choose a January start - If you choose to start this course in January you will study exactly the same course but over a slightly shorter timescale in Year 1. This is ideal if you missed the September start, want to transfer from a different university or course or just need a bit more time to prepare for life at university.

Accreditation and professional recognition

The degree is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

Careers and opportunities

Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) enables you to develop knowledge, skills and competence to prepare you for a variety of careers in biomedical and biological science or for other graduate level roles.

These courses aim to prepare you for professional practice within the NHS or private sector as biomedical scientists (subject to further training, application and registration which may incur additional costs) and a range of other careers including research.

You will be supported in your studies by a team of academically and professionally qualified staff, who also bring their research and commercial expertise to the classroom. Students on placement are supported by a visiting university tutor. Our dedicated and committed staff team are passionate in supporting students through their studies and empowering them to succeed within their chosen career routes.

Possible destinations include hospital, public health and other diagnostic providers, clinical sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, cancer research, microbiology, genetics and genomics laboratories. You may choose to continue your studies to MSc or PhD level to develop your specialist knowledge and research skills, or consider graduate entry to medicine or dentistry, Physicians Associate or teaching qualifications. Equally, the skills you will develop, such as problem-solving, analytical skills and written and oral communication, will enable you to access non-scientific careers such as graduate training schemes, civil service or managerial roles. Thus, the opportunities for graduates of biomedical sciences are diverse and exciting.  

Where our graduates work

You will have the opportunity to receive guidance during your studies on the professional routes available to you and the expectations of health professionals. We have excellent links with local employers and are actively in liaison with laboratory managers, training officers and other universities via the West Midlands Biomedical Science Training and Workforce Planning Group and the West Midlands Regional Training Committee (South).

On successful completion of the Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) degree, without a training placement, you can apply for Trainee Biomedical Science posts to enter NHS Health Care Scientist registration training programmes, for which you will typically undergo one to two years of further training to obtain an IBMS certificate of competence so that you can apply for HCPC registration, a legal requirement for anyone who wishes to practice using a title protected by the HCPC.

The scientific knowledge and skills you acquire during the course can be a useful basis for a career in teaching; technical and scientific writing; clinical trials; drug registration, patenting or monitoring; medical publishing or other information services; regulatory affairs or sales and marketing.  

Further study

The course is an excellent foundation for further postgraduate studies leading to a MSc or PhD. We run a range or related taught MSc courses that allow our graduates to specialise in the area that they have a passion for and would like to pursue a career in. These courses also have a ‘with professional experience’ option, allowing students to apply for and complete an extended period of experience in a professional environment.