Course summary

This Certificate of Higher Education in Life Sciences for Subjects Allied to Medicine equips you with a strong foundation in biology and chemistry, preparing you for further study and a career in healthcare and biomedical fields. Why choose this course?

• You will learn from experienced lecturers with expertise across healthcare and biomedical research, who bring real-world insights into the classroom.

• You will join a vibrant community of students from diverse backgrounds and also benefit from flexible daytime or evening teaching that fits around your work or personal commitments.

• Successful completion of this course provides a direct route to our BSc Biomedicine, alongside access to networking events, employer talks, and partnerships with healthcare and research organisations.

• On passing this certificate you are guaranteed a place on our BSc Biomedicine.

• On successful completion, you may also progress to the first year of a variety of degrees, including biology, chemistry, environmental science, geology as well as all health-related areas, such as radiography, pharmacy, osteopathic medicine, nutrition and dietetics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, veterinary science, herbal medicine, clinical sciences, biomedicine and biomedical sciences.

• If you have a good first degree in another area and achieve high marks in your studies on this certificate, you may also be accepted for graduate entry by some medical schools.

• Birkbeck provides state-of-the-art, specialist laboratories and facilities for studying biological sciences in the heart of academic London.

• In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), in a joint submission with UCL, Biological Sciences at Birkbeck were ranked 11th in the UK, with a research environment supporting world-leading and internationally excellent research.

• strong scientific literacy and the ability to critically analyse data

• practical laboratory skills

• effective written and verbal communication

• time management, organisation and the ability to meet deadlines under pressure.

• nursing and midwifery

• biomedical science and laboratory research

• physiotherapy, radiography and other allied health professions

• public health, health promotion and community healthcare roles.

• NHS trusts and hospitals

• private healthcare providers and clinics

• biomedical research labs and pharmaceutical companies

• public health organisations and charities

• universities and academic research institutions.