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Biomedical Science (Including Placement Year)

Study level:
Undergraduate

Course summary

The BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science is a three-year degree, extendable to four with an optional year in placement or abroad.

You’ll gain the practical skills and knowledge needed to work in labs and hospitals across the NHS and private sector.

WHY THIS COURSE

The BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science gives you key knowledge and modern strategies to diagnose and treat the human immune system, pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria, haematology and blood transfusion, cell pathology and mechanisms or neurological diseases.

Add a placement year or study abroad to put your learning into practice, expand your perspective and build confidence in professional or international settings. Previous students have placed with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Proctor & Gamble (P&G), AquaTerra, AstraZeneca, Genzyme, Reckitt Benckiser, Thermo Fisher and Isogenica – some of our 40 partner labs.

In Year One, you’ll participate in Science Week at Public Health England (PHE) in Colindale. In Year Two, you can visit hospitals in the Eastern Region and beyond. In your Final Year, you’ll attend our Biomedical Employability Day and have the chance to contribute to the IBMS Congress.

You’ll graduate on the path to a career as a biomedical scientist or medical researcher.

Modules

Many of our courses offer a choice of optional modules to tailor your learning experience. More information about these can be found on the University of Essex website.

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:
B999
Institution code:
E70
Campus name:
Colchester Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 112 - 120 points

Offers will be made from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels.

A level - BBB

Offers will be made in the range of BBB to BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels Including Chemistry or Biology plus a second science or Mathematics. Psychology, Statistics, Physics, Applied Science, Human Biology, Geography, PE and Sociology (on a case by case basis) are all acceptable as second science A-levels.

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

Offers will be made in the range of DDM to DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels Entry requirements for students studying BTEC qualifications are dependent on subjects studied. Advice can be provided on an individual basis.

Access to HE Diploma - D: 6 credits M: 39 credits

We will consider science based Access to Higher Education Diplomas. Advice can be provided on an individual basis. We can only accept QAA approved Access to HE Diplomas

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 29 - 30 points

or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554. Either must include Higher Level Chemistry or Biology and a second science or Mathematics grade 5, plus Standard level Mathematics grade 4 if not taken at Higher Level. Computer Science, Design Technology, Physics, Sport, exercise and Health Science at Higher Level are all acceptable as second science subjects. We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programmes at both Higher and Standard Level. Please note that Maths in the IB is not required if you have already achieved GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above.

T Level - D

For our Life Sciences courses we can consider T-levels taken in Science on a case-by-case basis. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core. We cannot accept the T-levels in Health or Healthcare Science.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

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 are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. We make Contextual Offers, of up to two A-level grades (or equivalent) below our standard conditional offer, to applicants from underrepresented groups residing in the UK.

Learn more on the University of Essex website

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 and 6 other health sciences courses
Date range:
2022-2024

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

84% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

This course has a required grade that may not be listed in the data. Check the entry requirements for the full qualification requirements.

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

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
Channel Islands£9535Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9535Year 1
EU£24360Year 1
International£24360Year 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

Fees displayed are for the 2026-27 academic year. Fees may increase for each academic intake and each academic year of study.

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