Biomedical Science with Foundation Year

Why choose this course

• Study on a well-established course, accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) for over 20 years.

• Take the opportunity to get industry-ready with our award-winning Professional Training placements.

• Gain critical thinking, analysis, problem-solving, decision-making and communication skills which will prepare you for a diverse range of career paths, from data science and drug safety to teaching and publishing.

• Complete an integrated masters, which incorporates an additional clinical and research-focused year of study and is a great opportunity to accelerate your pathway to a research career in industry or academia.

• If you’re thinking of studying medicine, our ⁠School of Medicine offers a four-year graduate-entry BMBS course, which will give you the academic requirements to begin working as a foundation doctor.

We’re preparing you for the future by integrating AI into every course, building digital skills, confidence and creativity that employers value in tomorrow’s workplace.

What you will study
In your first year, you’ll study topics that are fundamental to biomedical science, including bacteriology, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, human physiology, microbiology and physiology, ensuring you have a solid foundation upon which to build the rest of your degree.

During your second year, you will build on what you have learnt in your first year, and explore topics with a greater clinical focus, such as pathology, molecular biology, clinical biochemistry, and pharmacology.

In your third year, you’ll select modules that explore topics such as advanced pharmacology, circadian rhythms, immunology, systems biology and toxicology. You’ll study these alongside compulsory modules investigating cancer pathogenesis and treatment, the epidemiology of infectious diseases, our immune system and immunohaematological diseases. You’ll also get the opportunity to work alongside a supervisor to conduct your own scientific research project, performing experiments and critically evaluating data and literature.

If you have chosen to do an integrated masters, you will complete an additional clinical and research-focused year of study that includes an advanced research project and training in scientific management and analytical skills. This will provide additional preparation for a research career in industry or academia.

Foundation courses
A foundation year can develop your skills and make it easier to get started at university. It is an extra year of study at the start of your course that leads in to a full degree programme. Foundation courses are a great option if:

• You don’t have the grades for a full degree course.

• You have non-traditional qualifications or experience.

• You’re starting university after some time away from education.

• You’re looking for more support during the transition into university study.

Life as a foundation year student
During a foundation year, you’ll learn about your chosen subject, develop your study skills and get used to university life. On successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll be ready to progress to the first year of your degree course.

As a foundation year student, you’ll be a full student of the University and part of our community. You’ll have access to all our campus facilities and support.

Course Modules

To see the full range of modules for this course please visit our website. The link is under course ‘contact details’. You will also find full details of the programme, including assessment methods, programme structure, contact hours and Graduate prospects.