Study Biomedical Sciences, why & how to study

CONTENTS

1. What’s Biomedical Sciences?

2. What Biomedical Sciences degrees can you study?

3. What do you need to get onto a Biomedical Sciences degree?

4. What topics does a Biomedical Sciences degree cover?

5. How will you be assessed?

6. Why study Biomedical Sciences?

7. What do Biomedical Sciences graduates earn?

8. What jobs can you get as a Biomedical Sciences graduate?

9. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

10. Similar subjects to Biomedical Sciences

11. Have any questions?

What’s Biomedical Sciences?

Biomedical Sciences is a line of science concerned with the bodily structure of living things. It looks at the cells, organs and structures of the internal body and how these systems work.

Without a deep understanding of what goes on inside the human body, health professionals cannot truly evaluate, diagnose and treat illnesses. Biomedical Sciences is the fundamental building blocks of medical practice.

What Biomedical Sciences degrees can you study?

Undergraduate degrees in Biomedical Sciences include:

• Anatomy and Development BSc
• Biomedical Science BSc
• Medical Biosciences BSc
• Neuroscience BSc
• Pathology BSc
• Physiology BSc

Options may include an integrated foundation year or master’s, and courses with a placement year or study abroad.

What do you need to get onto a Biomedical Sciences degree?

Most undergraduate Biomedical Sciences courses ask for 96–136 UCAS points. Not every university will base their offer on UCAS points and some courses may have lower or higher requirements. Qualifications may include:

• A Levels: A*AA–CCC
• BTECs: D*DD–MMM
• Scottish Highers: AAAAA–CCCCD (Advanced Highers: AAA–AAB)
• International Baccalaureate: 39–32
• Universities will usually ask that you have studied: A Level (or equivalent) in biology and another science, usually chemistry, physics, maths or further maths

Other good subjects to have studied include:

• Computer science, environmental science or technology, geography, geology, ICT, nutrition and food science, PE, psychology
• General subjects at A Level may be excluded from offers

Experience that would look good on your application:

• Work experience or shadowing in a related area such as a hospital or university lab
• Taking online courses such as MOOCs
• Volunteering to develop and evidence interpersonal skills such as team working
• Independent reading into the subject – you could start by looking at the website of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)
• STEM summer schools, if available

Other requirements for this subject include:

• Pass in the practical element of science taken at A Level
• Interview and entry assessments may be required by some universities

What topics does a Biomedical Sciences degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

• Biology of human infection
• Cell biology and disease
• Genetics
• Microbiology and immunology
• Molecular markers of disease
• Pharmacology
• Practical skills in biomedical and biomolecular sciences
• The world of microorganisms

How will you be assessed?

Assessments are usually carried out by a mixture of the following, and will vary from module to module:

• Coursework
• Dissections
• Exams (written and spot-test)
• Oral presentations
• Poster presentations
• A research project may be a final year option

Why study Biomedical Sciences?

Biomedical Sciences will give you an insight into the complex nature of the human body and the countless different systems that make it up. It's crucial for medicine, and through studying and working in the field, you'll be helping to improve other people's health and wellbeing.

Career-specific skills:

• Scientific processes such as research, reasoning, biomedical lab techniques and experiment design
• Digital skills and data handling

Transferable skills:

• Analytical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Communication
• Organisation
• Numeracy and IT skills
• Problem solving
• Research skills
• Team working

Professional accreditation:

• ‘Biomedical scientist’ is a protected title, requiring registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Degrees may be approved by the HCPC or accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)
• Some degrees may be accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB)

What do Biomedical Sciences graduates earn?

Biomedical Sciences graduates who register with the HCPC to work in the NHS start on a trainee salary of £25,500 (NHS Band 5). A consultant biomedical scientist could earn up to £63,800 (NHS Band 8b).

Graduates whose degree didn’t meet the requirements for HCPC registration could apply to join the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) to become a clinical scientist. This highly competitive programme will pay you a salary of around £31,000 as you train (NHS Band 6).

Clinical scientists specialise into different roles, such as clinical microbiology or cancer genomics. Progress to become the head of a genomics lab and you could earn £78,000–£108,000 (NHS Band 8d to Band 9).

What jobs can you get as a Biomedical Sciences graduate?

Biomedical Sciences graduates typically work in the medical or research sector. Roles could include:

• Army biomedical scientist
• Clinical data associate
• Forensic scientist
• Laboratory analyst
• Patent lawyer
• Public health policy adviser
• Research scientist
• Science editor
• Trainee clinical scientist
• Veterinary microbiologist

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

As a Biomedical Sciences graduate with a good degree, you could pursue a graduate-entry course to become a doctor or dentist. Many graduates of Biomedical Sciences continue their studies and become specialists in certain areas. Examples of postgraduate degrees include:

• Anatomical Sciences MSc/PhD
• Physiology PGCert
• Biomedical Research MRes
• Biomedicine MSc

Similar subjects to Biomedical Sciences

If you’re interested in the investigative application of science, you could also consider:

• Biological Sciences
• Forensic Science
• Medical Technology & Bioengineering
• Neuroscience

Have any questions?

If you have questions about studying Biomedical Sciences, you can email our experts at ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk. We’ll be happy to hear from you!