Overview
Our dual Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and Royal Society of Biology (RSB) accredited Biomedical Science degree focuses on current clinical practice. It has been designed to provide you with the necessary academic requirements to allow you apply to become a registered Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
It covers a range of disciplines including microbiology, physiology and immunology, as well as common aspects of medicine and care, such as blood transfusions; and explores the impact on the human body on things like exercise, temperature, and disease.
During your time on the course you could get to:
- Undertake liver function tests
- Learn how to set up and read an ECG
- Determine your own blood group
- Undertake research to explore new clinical treatments
- Practice key techniques used in pathology laboratories like preparing and staining tissue samples, and examining serum samples.
Placement year
By studying at Aston, you’ll have the opportunity to gain invaluable real-world experience in the NHS or industry through an optional placement year: giving you the platform for a career that saves and transforms lives.
Designed to make you stand out in the graduate crowd, you could undertake a placement in a hospital, industrial or research laboratory, or in a non-laboratory setting.
Our students have completed placements in:
- Clinical trial companies
- Research institutes
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Medical sales
- Biotechnology companies
- NHS organisations
International students and post-study work visa
Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students. Students from over 120 different countries choose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham it’s also a great place to live.
The new post-study work visa enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after they have completed their studies to find work. For more information visit the government website.
For International Students intending to do a foundation year, visit ONCAMPUS.
Course outline
Studying Biomedical Science at Aston University gives you the abilities needed to provide healthcare, undertake medical research and understand the pharmaceutical industry. You’ll develop thorough knowledge of the core principles of how the human body works, and a deep understanding of the vital role biomedical scientists play in the healthcare sector.
Our teaching is research-led; meaning you learn about the research our world-leading academics are doing, particularly in your final year. We also make sure you gain exposure to practicing biomedical scientists via guest lectures, so you can hear first-hand what this rewarding role is really like.
From your first year at Aston you’ll learn more about the careers available to graduates with biomedical science degrees, as well as spending time reflecting on skills acquired and needed for your future career.
Modules
Year 1
Learn from a range of bioscience academics and complete a number of specialist sessions with practicing biomedical scientists. You’ll study the key biology topics that will form the basis of your biomedical science education, preparing you for specialist modules in later years. You will also develop the knowledge to undertake laboratory work safely.
Core modules:
- Biomolecules
- Cells to Systems
- Microbiology and Genetics
- Metabolism and Physiology for Biomedical Science
Learning, teaching and assessment
As a biomedical science student, you will be taught by experts in biosciences about topics they have a passion for.
There is huge breadth of academic research undertaken across Aston which is integrated into our courses. It’s this integration that gives you a distinct advantage in your studies by ensuring you have access to the latest trends, thinking, issues and research.
You’ll encounter a wide range of teaching approaches, from lectures and group work to practical sessions and interactive workshops and tutorials.
Each year of study is worth 120 credits, with each credit equivalent to 10 learning hours. The learning hours may include but are not limited to lectures, seminars, tutorials, lab sessions, practicals, online activity, reading, other independent study, reflecting on assignment feedback, field trips and work placements.
Assessments
We utilise a wide range of assessments linked to learning outcomes, such as:
- exams
- essay writing
- practical and laboratory reports
- presentations
- peer assessment.
Career prospects
Our biomedical science graduates often work in health, pharmaceuticals, or as HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists* within the NHS. Others choose careers in scientific writing, research or undertake further study including teaching qualifications, MSc, PhD or graduate entry medicine.
Recent gradate employers include:
- GlaxoSmithKline
- National University Health Systems
- NHS trusts such as: Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire
- Public Health England
- Raffles Diagnostica
- Randox Testing Service
- Secondary schools
- The Binding Site.
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