Biomedical Science
University of the West of Scotland
UCAS Code: B940 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
Including Biology or Human Biology. Year 2 entry with A Levels in BBC including Biology.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
including 3 subjects at H4 (one of which should be Biology or Human Biology) For year 2 entry, 30 points including Biology/Human Biology and Chemistry at Higher Level
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
Including Biology or Human Biology
Scottish Advanced Higher
Year 2 entry: Advanced Highers in Biology plus Chemistry at least at National 5 Grade C
Scottish HNC
Year 2: Applied Science; Biomedical Science/Applied Biomedical Science; Industrial Biotechnology.
Scottish HND
Year 3: Biomedical Science; Biological Science; Applied Biological Science.
Scottish Higher
Including Biology or Human Biology
T Level
UCAS Tariff
Including Biology or Human Biology
About this course
**OVERVIEW**
The BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science are designed to equip you with the skills and experience needed to play a vital role in modern healthcare provision. These two degrees have been developed to provide a pathway to help you become a professional biomedical scientist. Both degrees have been developed in partnership with the National Health Service; both are accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), and the BSc Applied Biomedical Science degree is also approved by the HCPC. Entry to the BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science programme is through a competitive selection process after Year 2 of study on the Biomedical Science programme.
Biomedical Sciences is a key subject area encompassing all areas of biology related to human health and disease. This highly topical, dynamic area is continually advancing, contributing important benefits to the health of individuals, and the nation.
This degree will provide you with a broad understanding of the scientific basis of human health and disease. In addition to your developed knowledge in biomedical science, you will be prepared for roles which require you exercise professionalism, independent thought, personal responsibility and decision-making in complex and unpredictable circumstances
The degree is underpinned by a number of related sciences, including: biology, chemistry, mathematics, statistics and information technology. You will then progress to study more advanced biomedical science subjects including: biochemistry, human anatomy, physiology, genetics, immunology, microbiology etc.
Biomedical scientists play an essential role in the identification of diseases and improving the provision of healthcare; this degree prepares you for a rewarding and exciting career in this field.
**PRACTICAL FOCUS**
You may have the opportunity to undertake a period of placement in employment after the third year of your programme.
Through a competitive process students can undertake a clinical placement in an NHS laboratory in Term 3 of Third Year. This is compulsory for award of BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science.
As part of the BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science programme, we also have opportunities to work in the West of Scotland with commercial research organisations. These components would be completed as part of optional work-related modules in third year (20, 40 or 60 credit modules).
It is also possible for you to undertake a year out in an approved laboratory to graduate with a BSc Honours Biomedical Science 'with sandwich'. These placements are subject to availability.
**PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION**
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and the BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science are accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science. The BSc Hons Applied Biomedical Science is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) – conditions apply, see our website.
**CAREER PROSPECTS**
**Jobs**
UWS Biomedical Science graduates are well qualified to enter a range of related clinical professions, providing you meet the requirements of the employer and employment opportunities, including NHS Hospital laboratories, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Services laboratories, Health Protection Agency laboratories as well as research and development laboratories for the medical, pharmaceutical, veterinary and food sectors. Some of our graduates also pursue careers in primary and secondary teaching.
**Further Study**
UWS Biomedical Science graduates can continue their studies to MSc and PhD level. Some graduates undertake further study in related disciplines including pharmacy, medicine and dentistry.
Modules
In Year 1, you will complete modules in biology and chemistry, which will underpin your knowledge and understanding throughout your degree. You will also learn how to critically evaluate scientific data and information and conduct statistical analysis using computer technology.
In Year 2, you will be introduced to the themes that make up biomedical science including clinical biochemistry, haematology and transfusion science, microbiology and cellular pathology.
In Year 3, you will complete modules in clinical chemistry, cellular and molecular pathology, haematology, immunology and medical microbiology. Teaching includes expert tuition from NHS biomedical scientists.
In Year 4, you will study specialist aspects of biomedical science at an advanced level. You will also complete an in-depth research dissertation in a biomedical topic of your choice.
Assessment methods
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and workshops.
You will also have the opportunity to take part in group work and independent learning to develop your transferable skills such as research, presentation, communication and working as part of a team.
This degree is assessed using a variety of assessment methods including:
// Written examinations // Coursework // Practical assessment
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
Extra funding
Visit www.uws.ac.uk/scholarships
The Uni
Lanarkshire Campus
Health and Life Sciences
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Chemistry
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Chemistry
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
Chemistry graduates are in demand from a wide range of industries, from the food, oil, chemicals and pharmaceuticals to consultancy, technical analysis and teaching. They're also prized by business and finance employers for their research and data handling skills — anywhere there is research and data to be explained, you can find chemistry grads. If you want a career in research, you need a doctorate, so start planning now if you fancy one of these exciting and challenging jobs - but good students can usually get grants to take a doctorate, so don't worry about the financing if you think you have what it takes. The recession wasn’t too kind to chemists, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry (one of the key employers for chemists), but things are getting back to normal for this flexible group and it's one of the few degrees that is bucking the current trend and increasing graduate numbers.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Chemistry
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
£29k
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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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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