BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science
University of Portsmouth
Key Information
Campus location
Southsea, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 - 4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 9,250 / per year
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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Scholarships
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Introduction
Biomedical scientists help identify rare diseases, diagnose diseases, research disease processes and monitor patients’ treatment. With this accredited BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science degree, you’ll develop the expertise you need to start making your own contribution to the medical advances of the future.
This course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) – a mandatory requirement if you want to work in the NHS after graduation. It's also accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.
Course highlights
- Put your knowledge to the test in our labs and simulation facilities, which are kitted out with industry-leading microscopes, spectroscopy and chromatography equipment
- Get involved with internationally recognised biomedical research into fields like neuro-oncology (the study of brain and spinal cord cancers) at our Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences
- Take an optional work placement year at an Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) approved clinical training laboratory, and you'll be eligible to apply for registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) when you graduate
- Have the chance to take a summer research placement in Europe with an internationally-recognised biomedical research organisation
Accreditation
This programme has been accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and the Royal Society of Biology, following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Modules
Year 1
Core modules
- Case Discussions in Biomedical Science – 20 credits
- Cells to Systems – 20 credits
- Introduction to Neuroscience and Pharmacology – 20 credits
- Key Skills for Biomedical Scientists – 40 credits
- Pathological Sciences 1 – 40 credits
Year 2
Core modules
- Applied Human Physiology – 20 credits
- Pathological Sciences 2 – 20 credits
- Research Methods – 20 credits
- Barriers to Disease, Immunity and Immune Dysfunction – 20 credits
- Biomedical Toolbox – 20 credits
Optional modules
- Business for Biosciences – 20 credits
- Development: How Form and Function Changes – 20 credits
- Nutrition and Exercise for Health – 20 credits
Year 3
Core modules
- Genetic Basis of Disease – 20 credits
- Integrated Pathology – 20 credits
- Pathological Sciences 3 – 20 credits
Optional modules
- Biomedical Research – 20 credits
- Clinical Case Studies – 20 credits
- Project – 40 credits
- Research-Based Work Experience – 40 credits
- Work Based Learning – 20 credits
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry, and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Placement year
After your second year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry. Placements give you the opportunity to apply what you've learnt so far in a real workplace, boosting your employability and making you attractive to employers after graduation.
If you do your placement in an IBMS-approved NHS pathology laboratory, you can complete the IBMS registration portfolio. This means you'll be eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC as a Biomedical Scientist when you graduate.
Our students have completed clinical placements at the following hospitals:
- University Hospital Southampton
- Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth
- Royal Bournemouth Hospital
- Poole Hospital
- Salisbury District Hospital
Whichever route you choose, you'll receive support and guidance. Our specialist team of Science and Health Careers advisors can help you with finding a work placement and improving your employability skills. They'll provide you with a database of placement vacancies, support with your job search – including help with applications and interviews – and support throughout your placement year.
Summer research placement
You'll also have the opportunity to apply to a study exchange scheme, which involves a summer research placement at a European university.
Career Opportunities
Whether it's processing tests for diseases such as coronavirus or providing diagnosis services to GPs, accident and emergency departments and other health services, registered Biomedical Scientists play a key role in public health.
They analyse fluid and tissue samples from patients in order to identify diseases or evaluate the effectiveness of different treatments. In fact, more than 70% of NHS diagnoses are based on lab findings by biomedical scientists, so it's a profession that's always in high demand.
With this BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science degree, you’ll learn to diagnose, monitor and manage health conditions. You’ll learn from our outstanding team of biomedical scientists and researchers whose work is shaping the understanding of conditions such as brain tumours.
HCPC registration
After you've graduated and completed 12 months of work-based learning within an Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) approved clinical training laboratory, you'll be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and work as a Biomedical Scientist in the NHS and private settings.
Royal Society of Biology membership
You can also apply for Associate Membership of the Royal Society of Biology, which gives you access to professional networks and exclusive grants and awards.
What areas can you work in with a biomedical science degree?
You can use your biomedical science knowledge in related fields such as:
- scientific research
- teaching (with further training)
- scientific writing
- medical sales
- medicine and dentistry (with further training at medical or dental school)
- becoming a Physician Associate (with further training)
- postgraduate study or research
Graduate roles and destinations
Roles recent graduates have gone on to do include:
- biomedical scientist
- clinical trial coordinator
- medical lab assistant
- science teacher
- dental nurse
- medical affairs executive
They've gone on to work for companies such as:
- Pall Europe
- Pfizer
- Roche
- Viapath
- Imperial College London
- Bristol Royal Infirmary
Potential salary
As a biomedical scientist in the NHS in 2021, you could expect a starting salary of £25,655, moving up to £31,534 (Band 5).
With more experience, you could earn from £32,306 to £39,027 (Band 6) and with a role as a senior biomedical scientist, you could make between £40,057 (Band 7) and £53,219 (Band 8a), or more as a consultant biomedical scientist.
Ongoing careers support
After you graduate, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability Service as you advance in your career.
Facilities
English Language Requirements
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