Biomedical Science
UCAS Code: C900
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
BBB in three A level subjects including Biology. Excluded Subjects: We welcome the following subjects as an additional A level, but not as one of the core three A levels - General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies. BBC in three A level subjects including Biology and B in either Core Maths or Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). BCC in three A level subjects including Biology for our contextual offer scheme (more details https: //www2aston.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/contextuaI¬offer). We welcome applications from students who have tried to improve their examination grades by taking resits and only your latest grades will be accepted. We treat these applications in exactly the same way as other applications.
Access to HE Diploma
Subjects Accepted: Applied Science, Biology combined with Chemistry, Biomedical Science, Biosciences, Combined Sciences, Health Sciences, Health Sciences Professions, Life Sciences and Sciences.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Five GCSEs which must include Mathematics and English all at grade C/4. Please note we do not accept Key skills or Functional skills in place of these.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
31 points overall and must include grades 5, 5, 5 in Higher Level subjects which must include Biology. You must also have Standard Level grade 5 in both Mathematics and English.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
With this BTEC you must also achieve grade B in A-Level Biology. Contextual offer students must also achieve grade C in A-Level Biology (more details https: //www2aston.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/contextuaIoffer).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
With this BTEC you must also achieve grades BB in two A levels of which one must be Biology. Contextual offer students must also achieve grade BC in two A levels of which one must be Biology (more details https: //www2aston.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/contextuaIoffer).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
With this BTEC you must also achieve grade B in A-Level Biology. Contextual offer students must also achieve grade C in A-Level Biology (more details https: //www2aston.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/contextuaIoffer).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
With this BTEC you must also achieve grades BB in two A levels of which one must be Biology. Contextual offer students must also achieve grade BC in two A levels of which one must be Biology (more details https: //www2aston.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/contextuaIoffer).
Scottish Higher
Biology at Higher Level required.
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
Our dual Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and Royal Society of Biology (RSB) accredited Biomedical Science degree focuses on current clinical practice. It has been designed to provide you with the necessary academic requirements to allow you apply to become a registered Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
It covers a range of disciplines including microbiology, physiology and immunology, as well as common aspects of medicine and care, such as blood transfusions; and explores the impact on the human body on things like exercise, temperature, and disease.
During your time on the course you could get to:
- Undertake liver function tests
- Learn how to set up and read an ECG
- Determine your own blood group
- Undertake research to explore new clinical treatments
- Practice key techniques used in pathology laboratories like preparing and staining tissue samples, and examining serum samples.
By studying at Aston, you’ll have the opportunity to gain invaluable real-world experience in the NHS or industry through an optional placement year: giving you the platform for a career that saves and transforms lives.
Designed to make you stand out in the graduate crowd, you could undertake a placement in a hospital, industrial or research laboratory, or in a non-laboratory setting. Our students have completed placements in clinical trial companies, research institutes, pharmaceutical companies, medical sales, biotechnology companies and NHS organisations.
Key course benefits:
- Dual accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and the Royal Society of Biology (RSB).
- Top 15 in the UK for graduate prospects (Biological Sciences, Sunday Times, 2021).
- Our optional placement year offers you the opportunity to gain valuable experience and set your studies in the context of a working environment, designed to boost your future employment prospects.
- Top 20 in the UK for satisfaction with teaching (Biosciences, Guardian University Guide, 2020).
- 92% of BSc Biomedical Science students were satisfied with their course (National Student Survey, 2020).
- Top 35 in the UK for Biosciences graduate salaries three years after graduation (Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data, 2020).
Modules
Year 1
Learn from a range of bioscience academics and complete a number of specialist sessions with practicing biomedical scientists. You’ll study the key biology topics that will form the basis of your biomedical science education, preparing you for specialist modules in later years. You will also develop the knowledge to undertake laboratory work safely. Core modules: Biomolecules, Cells to Systems, Microbiology and Genetics, and Metabolism and Physiology for Biomedical Science
Year 2
Study new specialist subject areas and revisit previously studied topics at a deeper level. You’ll learn how to select appropriate experimental approaches and test hypotheses, in addition to participating in Problem Based Learning (PBL), where you (as part of a group) will be set a problem and asked to provide a solution through independent research. Core modules: Clinical Sciences, Mechanisms of Pathology, Cell Signalling and Physiology, and Clinical Genetics and Human Disease.
Placement year (optional)
The optional placement year gives you the opportunity to gain valuable career boosting experience by setting your studies in a real world context of a working environment alongside professionals. You will get the chance to undertake your placement in a wide variety of settings such as hospitals, industrial or research laboratories or non-laboratory settings.
Final year
Acquire the skills required to undertake an individual original research project, study a small number of advanced topics, in addition to critically reflecting on the enhancement of patient care and the importance of codes and acts in biomedical science. Core modules: Immunology and Inflammation, Clinical and Food Microbiology, Research Project Preparation, Research Project, and Professional Skills for Biomedical Scientists.In addition you will complete one optional module.
For more information, please visit our website.
Assessment methods
As a biomedical science student, you will be taught by experts in their field of biosciences about topics they have a passion for. You’ll encounter a wide range of teaching approaches, from lectures and group work to practical sessions and interactive workshops and tutorials. We utilise a wide range of assessments linked to learning outcomes, such as: exams, essay writing, practical and laboratory reports, presentations, and peer assessment.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
Aston University, Birmingham
School of Biosciences
What students say
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How do students rate their degree experience?
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Biomedical sciences (non-specific)
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Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
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Subjects allied to medicine
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Top job areas of graduates
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Medical sciences
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£23k
£26k
£25k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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