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Biomedical Science at University of Portsmouth - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

University of Portsmouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

7Dec
University of Portsmouth Open Day
Undergraduate

Course summary

This is a Connected Degree Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course. Overview Biomedical scientists help identify rare diseases, diagnose disease, research disease processes and monitor patients’ treatment. 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.

  • 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, which allows you to register 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
Accredited by: This course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and the Royal Society of Biology. Careers and 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. 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. On 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 can register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and work as a Biomedical Scientist in the NHS and private settings. 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
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 allows you to register 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.

Modules

Year 1 Core modules in this year include:

  • Case Discussions in Biomedical Science (20 credits)
  • Cells to Systems (20 credits)
  • Key Skills for Biomedical Scientists (40 credits)
  • Pathological Sciences 1 (20 credits)
  • Principles of Neuroscience and Pharmacology (20 credits)
There are no optional modules in this year. Year 2 Core modules in this year include:
  • Applied Human Physiology (20 credits)
  • Barriers to Disease, Immunity and Immune Dysfunction (20 credits)
  • Biomedical Toolbox (20 credits)
  • Pathological Sciences 2 (20 credits)
  • Research Methods (20 credits)
Optional modules in this year include:
  • Business for Biosciences (20 credits)
  • Development, Stem Cells and Differentiation (20 credits)
  • Preparation for a Hospital-Based Sandwich Placement (20 credits)
Year 3 Core modules in this year include:
  • Genetic Basis of Disease (20 credits)
  • Integrated Pathology (20 credits)
  • Pathological Sciences 3 (20 credits)
Optional modules in this year include:
  • Biomedical Research (20 credits)
  • Clinical Case Studies (20 credits)
  • Mechanisms of Development (20 credits)
  • Preparation for a Final Year Hospital-Based Placement (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.

Assessment method

You’ll be assessed through essays, laboratory reports, workshops, presentations, group work and practical assessment classes. You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Biomedical Science, Institute of
  • Royal Society of Biology

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

We welcome applications for advanced entry. If you’d like to apply for advanced entry, you need to select the required year when you complete your UCAS application.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
Cambridge English AdvancedCambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
PTE Academic62An overall score of 62 with a minimum of 59 in each skill.
TOEFL (iBT)7979 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing.
Trinity ISEPassTrinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
60%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
80%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

EU £9535 Year 1
England £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1
Channel Islands £9535 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535 Year 1
International £19200 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students who are resident in EU countries: please note that the net fee is inclusive of the Transition Scholarship Placement Year and Year abroad (at the time of publishing for 2024/25): UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,385 EU – £1,385 (including Transition Scholarship) International (Non-EU) – £2,875. Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice. All fees are subject to annual increase. For more information about fees, go to port.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-fees-and-student-finance/tuition-fees-living-costs-and-other-study-costs
Biomedical Science at University of Portsmouth - UCAS