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Biomedical Science

BSc (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · 09/2026 · UndergraduateCity South Campus, Edgbaston

Course summary

Gain a fascinating insight into human life processes and the health of the human population with our practice-based IBMS-accredited degree in Biomedical Science, designed to provide you with the knowledge, and practical and analytical skills needed to pursue a variety of Biomedical Science careers.

Overview

Accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), our practice-led degree offers a fascinating insight into human life processes, as well as disease and health within the human population. You will develop a range of practical and analytical skills using our state-of-the-art life sciences labs. Our aim is to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to progress into a variety of Biomedical Science careers.

If your goal is to work within the NHS as a Biomedical Scientist, completion of an IBMS-accredited degree will mean you can apply for trainee Biomedical Scientist roles. You could then go on to complete the IBMS registration training portfolio, which is a pre-requisite for full qualification in this role and potential registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.

What is covered in this course?

Biomedical Science embraces a range of disciplines, including clinical biochemistry, human molecular genetics, cell biology, infection and immunity, and blood science. These subjects are of immense importance in healthcare provision and medical research, as well as underpinning the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

On this course you will learn how the human body functions during health and disease, and develop an understanding of the diagnosis, management, and treatment of a range of diseases. Throughout the programme you will gain important practical and scientific skills, developed by learning in our state-of-the-art life sciences laboratories where you will use industry standard equipment.

In the final year you will complete an independent research project under the guidance of one of our academic staff, providing you with the opportunity to consolidate your learning on the course.

When you graduate, a range of careers are open to you as well as the option for further postgraduate training and study. These careers include medical laboratory assistant, trainee biomedical scientist, conducting clinical trials for drug companies, research assistant and research technician, marketing assistant and medical and scientific sales representative. You could also use your qualification to progress into teaching, or undertake postgraduate study to obtain Master’s, Physician Associate/Assistant or PhD qualifications. Exceptional graduates may be able to progress into postgraduate entry Medicine or Dentistry courses.

You will be taught by our team of specialist academic staff who have a wealth of industry, clinical and research experience and will provide the expertise to support your learning throughout the course. We encourage a collaborative culture, so students feel able to seek support and guidance from academic and support staff and you will have the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing development of the course as part of the biomedical science community at the University.

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

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

Course code:
C900
Institution code:
B25
Campus name:
City South Campus, Edgbaston
Campus Code:
E

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 112 points

A level - BBC

112 UCAS tariff points from three A Levels. Grades BBC (or equivalent). Required subjects: Biology or Chemistry at grade C or above. Excluded subjects: General Studies; Critical Thinking; Extended Project.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

112 UCAS tariff points. Extended Diploma - accepted subjects: Applied Science or Biomedical Science. National Diploma - accepted subjects: Applied Science or Biomedical Science at grade DM or above, in combination with one other A Level/Level 3 equivalent. A diploma in any other subject will only be considered in combination with an A Level in Biology or Chemistry at grade C or above. Extended Certificate – not accepted unless accompanied by either two A Levels (one of these must be in Biology or Chemistry at grade C or above) or a Diploma in Applied Science or Biomedical Science at Grade DM or above. Excluded subjects: Psychology and Health and Social Care are not accepted as a Science qualification for the purpose of meeting our entry requirements.

Access to HE Diploma

Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3. Accepted subjects: Bioscience-related pathway

Scottish Higher

112 UCAS tariff points from three Advanced Highers (CCD) or two Advanced Highers (CD) plus two Highers (CC). Required subjects: Biology or Chemistry at Higher level or above.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

112 UCAS tariff points. Extended Diploma - accepted subjects: Applied Science or Biomedical Science. National Diploma - accepted subjects: Applied Science or Biomedical Science at grade DM or above, in combination with one other A Level/Level 3 equivalent. A diploma in any other subject will only be considered in combination with an A Level in Biology or Chemistry at grade C or above. Extended Certificate – not accepted unless accompanied by either two A Levels (one of these must be in Biology or Chemistry at grade C or above) or a Diploma in Applied Science or Biomedical Science at Grade DM or above. Excluded subjects: Psychology and Health and Social Care are not accepted as a Science qualification for the purpose of meeting our entry requirements.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

112 UCAS tariff points. Extended Diploma - accepted subjects: Applied Science or Biomedical Science. National Diploma - accepted subjects: Applied Science or Biomedical Science at grade DM or above, in combination with one other A Level/Level 3 equivalent. A diploma in any other subject will only be considered in combination with an A Level in Biology or Chemistry at grade C or above. Extended Certificate – not accepted unless accompanied by either two A Levels (one of these must be in Biology or Chemistry at grade C or above) or a Diploma in Applied Science or Biomedical Science at Grade DM or above. Excluded subjects: Psychology and Health and Social Care are not accepted as a Science qualification for the purpose of meeting our entry requirements.

Scottish Advanced Higher

112 UCAS tariff points from three Advanced Highers (CCD) or two Advanced Highers (CD) plus two Highers (CC). Required subjects: Biology or Chemistry at Higher level or above.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 points

Obtain a minimum of 28 points overall. Required subjects: Either Biology, or Chemistry at Higher level. For students who do not already hold a GCSE in Mathematics at grade C/4 or above, grade 5 in Maths (Standard level) from the IB Diploma will be accepted. For students who do not already hold a GCSE in English Language at grade C/4 or above, English Language (Standard level) from the IB Diploma will be accepted. For English A, this must be grade 4 or above; for English B, this must be grade 5

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

Minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects. Required subjects: Biology or Chemistry at Higher level.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants for this course need GCSE English Language or English Literature and GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests.

T Level - M

Merit overall. Accepted subjects: Science.

Welsh Baccalaureate: 112 UCAS tariff points. Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Required subjects: Either this qualification or an accompanying A Level / level 3 equivalent must be Biology or Chemistry.

OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 112 UCAS tariff points
Extended Diploma - accepted subjects: Applied Science or Applied Human Biology
Diploma - accepted subjects: Applied Science or Applied Human Biology in combination with one other A Level/Level 3 equivalent. A diploma in any other subject will only be accepted in combination with an A Level in Biology or Chemistry at grade C or above.
Extended Certificate – not accepted unless accompanied by either two A-Levels (one of these must be in Biology or Chemistry at grade C or above) or a Diploma in Applied Science, Applied Human Biology, or Biomedical Science.
Excluded subjects: Psychology and Health and Social Care are not accepted as a science qualification for the purpose of meeting our entry requirements.

Applicants must normally have evidence of formal study within the last five years. However, we are sometimes able to waive this requirement if a candidate has a significant amount of professional experience in a relevant field, for example Biosciences.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5overall with no less than 6.0 in each band.
If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course.

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Data from:
This course
Date range:
2022-2024

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

92% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

46 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

77 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

LocationFeeYear
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
EU£18570Year 1
International£18570Year 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

*The Government is proposing to apply an inflationary increase to regulated tuition fees for 2026/27 and the University is planning on increasing fees to that maximum level once confirmed.

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