Biomedical Science

UCAS code: B940

Here's what De Montfort University says about its Biomedical Science course.

Biomedical scientists are essential to healthcare—70% of NHS diagnoses rely on lab results they provide. At DMU, you’ll explore how advanced scientific methods improve human health, tackling key topics like infectious diseases, cancer, and heart disease.

This rapidly evolving field covers everything from organ systems to molecular biology. You’ll develop analytical skills for research and diagnosis, learning how biomedical science drives the treatment of disease. In your final year, focus on clinical lab specialisms and conduct independent research on topics like Alzheimer’s or Zika virus, supported by expert academics.

Boost your career with an optional placement year in clinical or industry labs, gaining hands-on experience and working towards HCPC registration as an NHS Biomedical Scientist. Previous opportunities have included placements with prestigious organisations such as the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Public Health England, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Glenfield Hospital, and St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in London.

• Ranked #1: Our Anatomy and Physiology courses are ranked 1st in the East Midlands and 11th in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2026.

• Professionally accredited: This IBMS-accredited course meets the standards set by the Institute of Biomedical Science, which means it prepares you for a career as a biomedical scientist. It also helps you progress towards professional registration with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council).

• Cutting-edge topics: Study biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology, and modern lab techniques.

• Industry experience: Take advantage of a year-long placement opportunity to develop your skills in real-world settings. Past students have worked in NHS and international laboratories, including placements at the UK Health Security Agency, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, and Peterborough City Hospital.

• Build key skills: Enhance the skills employers value, ranging from management and communication to diagnostic and treatment expertise.

• State-of-the-art facilities: Learn in modern laboratories, including refurbished spaces and advanced cell culture facilities.

• Global experience: Gain global experience through DMU Global, with opportunities to run workshops on diseases like malaria and diabetes. Students have previously travelled to places like Kentucky to raise awareness of type 2 diabetes and to Bermuda to teach science in schools.

• Become career ready: Our graduates thrive in roles such as biomedical scientist, laboratory assistant, associate practitioner, and pharmacology technician—making an impact at organisations like NHS Blood and Transplant, PepsiCo, Nationwide Pathology, BioInsights, Lloyds Banking Group, and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You’ll benefit from regular assessments - rather than lots of exams at the end of the year - and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging.

FIRST YEAR: Block 1: Professional & Practical Skills Block 2: Chemistry & Biochemistry Block 3: Anatomy & Physiology Block 4: Microbiology

SECOND YEAR: Block 1: Genetics & Molecular Pathology Block 2: Emerging Techniques Block 3: Organ Systems Physiology Block 4: Human Health & Immunity Optional Sandwich Placement Year: Students may apply for a supervised placement in a clinical, industry, or research laboratory, to gain valuable work experience, or (clinical labs only) to complete their IBMS training portfolio to become eligible for later HCPC registration.

THIRD YEAR: Block 1: Research Projects Block 2: Blood Science Block 3: Infection & Immunity Sciences Block 4: Cell Sciences

Each module will be taught over a 7-week period, allowing you to focus on one topic at a time, before building on the next topic sequentially.

Each module will include its own schedule of taught sessions including lectures, tutorials, and workshops, practical sessions in the lab, and time for your own independent study.

Each topic or module will have a main assessment at the end of the module block. Assessments are based on real-world application of your skills, to try and best prepare you for the world of work, and include portfolios, presentations, case studies, lab reports, research papers, as well as quizzes and exams.

Contact hours in a typical week will depend to some extent on the optional modules you choose to study. However, typically you will have up to 20 contact hours of teaching.