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Biomedical Science

Course details
  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

Place yourself at the forefront of medical research advances. Your knowledge of human disease, diagnosis and treatment will equip you for roles in the NHS, health charities and the biomedical sector.

KEY FEATURES OF THE COURSE:

  • ACCREDITATION: The course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science. This degree will fast-track your journey towards registration as a biomedical scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council.

  • IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE: This course focuses on the latest advances in medical research aimed at preventing ill-health and prolonging life. We will provide you with a firm grounding in biomedical science, human anatomy and physiology, the chemistry of life, microbiology, and diagnostic molecular biology, helping you to understand the basis of human disease, diagnosis and treatment.

  • BROAD UNDERSTANDING: As well as exploring human health and the diseases that affect the normal processes in the human body, including their diagnosis. You'll gain the skills and knowledge to understand the operation of human organisms through subjects like clinical biochemistry, clinical immunology, microbiology, clinical genetics, and cell signalling in health and disease.

  • RESEARCH EXPERIENCE: There's a strong focus on laboratory research and you will gain first-hand experience of this from year one. You will have access to a student research laboratory and regularly get the chance to conduct scientific investigations. In your final year, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate the research skills you have amassed, with an independent study into an area of your choice.

  • FACILITIES: Develop vital scientific skills in our newly-upgraded learning facilities. They include high-specification laboratories with modern instrumentation and specialist containment facilities for the growth and manipulation of bacteria and viruses, as well as the sequencing and characterisation of DNA. You'll use a range of analytical and biomedical equipment such as Scanning Electron Microscope, Gas Chromatography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). A Bioscience Superlab is opening in 2025, which will give students the chance to study in an innovative, inspiring and interdisciplinary facility. The Superlab will focus on core elements of Biomedical Science including haematology, immunology and histopathology.

  • EXPERT TEACHING: All of our Biomedical Science teaching team are active human health researchers as well as experienced teachers, so your studies will be informed by the latest developments and innovative thinking.

WHAT YOU'LL COVER:

  • As the course progresses, we place greater emphasis on relating the knowledge you have gained to scientific research. You will gain first-hand experience of laboratory research on the course, conducting and reporting on substantial scientific investigations. You'll be taught through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and laboratory practical experience.

HOW YOU'RE ASSESSED:

  • You’re assessed using a range of written assignments, including laboratory reports on experiments, essays, case studies, independent research, as well as computer-based assessments, presentations and practical assessments and seminar presentations.

YOUR CAREER:

  • As one of our graduates, you’ll be equipped with skills which put you at the forefront of advances in medical science. You’ll be well prepared for careers in medical research, health charities, medical and biotechnology industries and the government health sector. Your knowledge will also be invaluable in areas such as analytical consultancy, biological sales and scientific writing. This course is an excellent foundation if you want to progress to postgraduate degrees in subjects such as medicine and dentistry.

STUDY OPTIONS:

  • This course is also available with a Foundation Year option.

  • This course is available with an Industrial Placement Year.

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:
C113
Institution code:
D39
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

If English is not your first language, you will need to hold IELTS 6.0 or above.

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 120 points

We encourage you to outline all your qualifications and achievements in your application to provide us a full picture. Your offer will typically be based on your predicted and/or achieved grades from full level 3 qualifications or above e.g. A levels, BTEC Ext Diploma, Access to HE, etc. Any subject specifics are outlined below in the A-levels section, and these specifics are applicable across all equivalent qualifications. A strong application/performance and appropriate experience will be taken into account where typical criteria is not met.

A level - BBB

At least a Grade C or above in a Science-based subject including Biology, Human Biology or Applied Science.

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

Access to HE Diploma - D: 15 credits M: 24 credits P: 6 credits

Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits with 45 at Level 3. Must include passes in compulsory L3 subjects

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification

T Level - M

T-Level in Science

English language requirements

IELTS overall score at a minimum of 6.0; with at least IELTS 5.5 in each band (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) or another Secure English Language Test(SELT)at CEFR level B2 or above

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We have excluded the Grades on Entry data for this course. We may operate some flexibility with entry grades to support widening participation, though most of the students that enrol on this course achieve the published entry tariff or above. Applicants who achieve grades below the published tariff may be offered an alternative course or a 4-year route if there is one available. For further information please contact askadmissions@derby.ac.uk.

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

99% 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

65 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

LocationFeeYear
EU£16900*Year 1
International£16900*Year 1
England£9535*Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535*Year 1
Scotland£9535*Year 1
Wales£9535*Year 1
Channel Islands£9535*Year 1

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

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 quoted fee is an indicative fee based on last year’s fees, as the fees for the 2026 term not yet been confirmed.

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