Course summary

Experts trained in biomedical science have recently discovered, designed and developed novel lateral flow tests and vaccines to support the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Our Biomedical Science degree will enable you to develop the knowledge and skills needed to join these experts and contribute to the future of scientific testing and study of disease. On this course, you’ll gain a solid understanding of how the human body works, studying the molecular, cellular and organ-level processes that take place. You’ll also learn about the pathological changes that occur in disease and compounds that can be measured to aid diagnosis, as well as some of the latest technologies being applied by biomedical scientists to improve diagnoses and treatments. During your course, you’ll have the opportunity to spend five weeks taking part in a Biomedical Employer-Led Challenge, a real-life scenario provided by local employers in the Biomedical sector, or on an external work placement. Whichever you choose, you'll be able to improve your employability and evaluate the skills that employers require. In your final year you’ll carry out your own research project and look at how research can be applied to commercial settings. Practical aspects of laboratory diagnosis and treatment are fundamental to the course. You’ll study the mechanisms underlying disease and how to apply this understanding to diagnosis and treatment while developing the practical laboratory skills needed to pursue a biomedical science career in a range of disciplines. You’ll learn and practise these essential practical skills through teaching sessions in our new purpose-built laboratory facilities using specialist scientific equipment. Alongside laboratory training, you’ll also consider the variety of computer techniques involved in bioinformatics and how they are applied across the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. You’ll be taught by research-active academics and be able to conduct research alongside these biomedical science experts as part of your degree. Professional work placements In your second year you'll spend five weeks taking part in a Biomedical Science Employer-Led Challenge or on an external work placement, designed with support from our academic team, so you'll gain degree-relevant experience, sector knowledge, and valuable references and contacts to help guide your career decisions. Our unique, on-campus Biomedical Science Employer-Led Challenge aims to enhance your employability skills by taking part in a real-life challenge provided by  local employers from the Biomedical Science sector. As well as developing your problem-solving skills, the challenge will see you experience full-time working conditions, so you'll also develop professional skills in areas such as time management, working to achieve aims and objectives and professional ethics. Please note that our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science degree does not include a work placement year, and any professional work placement experience accumulated during your studies will not count towards completion of the IBMS portfolio. Graduate opportunities Our Biomedical Science degree aims to prepare you for work as a laboratory or non-laboratory-based scientist across the public, private and voluntary sectors. You could pursue a biomedical science role in the NHS, in hospital laboratories or research positions, but opportunities also exist in the veterinary, industrial and food industries, the pharmaceutical or biotechnology sector or in public health. Other career routes may include scientific writing, scientific intellectual property, science-specific sales and marketing, education or teaching. You could also consider postgraduate academic research or further study in an area that you find of interest.