Biomedical Science
Factfile
| Typical Entry Requirements | A level grades ABB-BBB (320-300 points) |
|---|---|
| Required Subjects | Two science/maths A levels, preferably including Biology and Chemistry. |
| English Language Requirements | An IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent for non-native-English-speaking applicants. |
| Other Suitable Qualifications | BTEC National Diploma - DDD-DDM (in an appropriate science subject) International Baccalaureate - 34-32 points European Baccalaureate - 74-72% A wide range of other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis such as HND, Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish qualifications, Access Diplomas and Foundation courses. |
|---|---|
| Planned Intake | 60 |
| Selection Process | Offers are made in terms of grades. We do not include General Studies in our offers. We may invite candidates for interview. We invite suitable candidates to visit the University to find out more about the programme and meet staff and students. |
| Professional Recognition | The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) accredits this degree programme. |
|---|
In response to the changing face of medical and biomedical education, and the increasing need for professionally skilled graduates, we offer you an innovative programme in Biomedical Science.
We have a long-standing reputation for excellence in both teaching and research in the field of biological sciences, and this degree builds on the strengths of well-established programmes. We have adopted a forward-looking structure so that you can benefit from increased flexibility and the opportunity to delay your choice of specialisation. The programme is designed to allow you to progress onto many different career routes and qualifies you for a number of postgraduate paths.
Would you like to discover what our practical laboratory sessions are really like? Click here to preview a video of a first year Microbiology practical lesson which features interviews with students from Microbiology, Biotechnology and Veterinary Biosciences.
Further information
Degree Programme
BSc (Hons) Degrees
| Degree | UCAS code | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| * Programme includes a professional training year | ||
| BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science | B900 | 3/4* years |
Our Degree
Our Biomedical Science programme has been designed to satisfy the requirements of the Institute of Biomedical Science. We offer modules covering all the traditional medically related subjects such as biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology and microbiology. We will also provide you with practical training in clinically relevant techniques. This programme allows you to pursue the subjects essential to your particular degree but at the same time offers you the flexibility to study other subjects of interest.
Our modular programme structure provides a broad range of skills in your first year that ensures a solid foundation on which to build for your specialisation in the final year. The optional professional training year will complement your academic knowledge and enhance your employment prospects upon completion of your degree. We also offer an Applied Biomedical Science route, which includes paid summer placements that allow you to prepare a portfolio to apply for registration with the Health Professions Council in only three years. This option is only available to students from the UK and the EU, who can apply for this programme in their first month at Surrey. If successful, they will graduate with a BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science.
The strong practical emphasis of our Biomedical Science degree programme will add to your portfolio of transferable skills, increasing employability in the numerous career paths that will be available to you.
Applied Biomedical Science Route
We currently offer a degree option within the Biomedical Science programme which allows students to become eligible for Health Professions Council (HPC) registration in only three years, allowing a faster entry route to becoming an NHS biomedical scientist. The Applied Biomedical Science route incorporates paid summer placements in one of the Surrey and North Sussex Pathology Network laboratories, which have worked with us to develop this exciting new opportunity. By undertaking this placement and two dedicated modules at Levels 1 and 2, you will be able to prepare a portfolio for your application for HPC registration.
Students who have applied for our Biomedical Science programme can put themselves forward to be considered for this option and, if successful, will graduate with a BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science.
This major new development is designed to provide the local health sector with graduates in the field of biomedical science who will be competent to practise as registered biomedical scientists in the pathology laboratories of the Network. The Network is formed from a cooperation of Acute Trust Pathology Departments, including Ashford and St Peter’s, Frimley Park, Royal Surrey County Hospital and the hospitals comprising the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust (East Surrey and Crawley Hospitals).
Programme Overview
At Level 1 you will acquire a broad basic knowledge and practical skills. The programme has the flexibility to accommodate students with and without A level Chemistry, to bring every student’s knowledge to the standard necessary for Level 2. You will study modules in Bacteriology, Physiology, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, as well as a range of practice based modules that are included amongst the compulsory modules. There is an opportunity to study one of seven modern languages if you wish.
During Level 2 you will study core modules in subjects such as Physiology, Pharmacology, Immunology, and Pathology and Medicine. These are accompanied by a number of other practical and taught modules. At Level 2 your studies focus specifically on preparations for your professional training year. You will undertake a Key Skills module which will help you not just on placement, but in your future employment. This will cover a broad range including management and communication, scientific writing, ethics in industry, CV design and interview techniques.
At Level 3 you will study core modules including Biochemical Techniques, Clinical Immunology and Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases. The largest single component of the year is the research project (equivalent to three modules) carried out under the supervision of a member of academic staff. This will give you the opportunity to explore a research area you are especially interested in and develop specialised lab-based skills and experience. Subjects of recent projects include genetic disorders, cancer genetics, biochemistry of addiction, understanding meningitis, human virology, food poisoning and respiratory infection.
Programme Structure
Level 1
- Biochemistry: Metabolism
- Practical Biochemistry and Chemistry
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Cell Biology
- Practical Cell and Molecular Biology
- Physiology
- Practical Microbiology and Physiology
- Practical Bacteriology
- Microbiology: Microbes and Man
- Key Skills 1
Applied Biomedical Science route only:
- NHS Biomedical Science Practice 1
Level 2
- Practical Biochemistry and Immunology
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Introduction to Immunology
- Key Skills 2
- Biochemistry: Metabolism in Health and Disease
- Analytical Biochemistry
- Cellular Microbiology
- Pathology and Medicine
Applied Biomedical Science route only:
- NHS Biomedical Science Practice 2
Level P
- Optional professional training year. (Not applicable to the Applied Biomedical Science route. Professional experience is integrated into vacation periods.)
Level 3
- Biochemical Techniques
- Clinical Immunology
- Human Virology
- Bacterial and Protozoal Infections
- Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Diseases
- Regulation of Metabolism, Lipoproteins and Diabetes
- Immunohaematology and Transfusion Science
- Research Project
Professional Training
Our students are encouraged to take advantage of the excellent professional training provision we offer. Our experienced professional training tutors will help you to choose between, and apply to, a strictly vetted selection of excellent placements in industry, hospitals and academia. You have the opportunity to apply for placements both in the UK and in other countries such as Finland and the USA. Regular placements include Harvard University and Cornell University, New York.
All of our placements are paid, and to ensure that your professional training year is successful, you will get on average three tutor visits during the year. If you wish to prepare an HPC registration portfolio, there are a limited number of accredited placements available during the professional training year.
If you undertake the Applied Biomedical Science route, your professional training is integrated into your vacation periods during a three-year degree programme. The summer placements will comprise eight-week intensive multidisciplinary training. This will comprise practical on-the-bench training, along with educational exercises designed to provide evidence to contribute to your professional development portfolio for submission to the HPC for assessment.
Ten reasons to study Biomedical Science at Surrey
- A degree programme accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science
- An uncompromising commitment to teaching practical laboratory skills
- Taught by internationally recognised researchers
- Excellent graduate employment opportunities
- Study a broad range of subjects to suit a variety of medical settings
- Applied Biomedical Science route available
- Develop transferable skills
- Gain specialist understanding of health and disease
- The pioneering professional training year with many international opportunities
Top for Jobs
Graduates from the Department of Biomedical Science have typically gone on to become, for example, postgraduate researchers or biomedical scientists with the NHS. Many have entered a related industry, and some have managed to gain entry to a fast-track medical programme.
Career Opportunities
Biomedical Science graduates can follow a number of diverse career paths. The programme was developed to allow you to obtain a professional qualification to pursue a career as a biomedical scientist in the NHS, a path that now offers excellent career prospects. It also provides an in-depth science degree in its own right that can lead to further study and research for a higher degree. In addition, some of our graduates decide to pursue a medical career by applying for entrance onto one of the fast-track medical programmes run by a number of medical schools. Students graduating with a First or Upper Second honours degree may be considered for this option.
Teaching
We offer a modular degree based on a structured programme of advanced study which allows you to pursue the subjects essential to your particular degree, but at the same time offers you the flexibility to study other subjects of interest.
During your first year, almost half of your time is spent in laboratory practicals. In your second year, this decreases to around a quarter of your time. In your final year you will conduct your own scientific research project, usually in one of our state-of-the-art research laboratories.
Facilities
The laboratories in which you will undertake practical work have recently been refurbished and are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and audiovisual equipment. Our commitment to the development of your practical skills means that you will spend a great deal of time utilising these facilities. For your research project at Level 3, you will work within our research laboratories alongside active and internationally recognised researchers.
Assessment
Each module is assessed individually and credits are awarded for the successful completion of each one. Assessment is by a combination of examination and/or coursework. Credits are then accumulated towards the award of Bachelor of Science (BSc) with Honours.
Academic Support
You will be allocated a personal tutor to guide you through the programme and to advise on option and career choices, helping you get the most from your studies with us.
Contact Details
T: 0800 980 3200 or +44 (0)1483 681681
What our students say
Graduate Profile: Carl Frampton
BSc Biomedical Science
When choosing where to study biomedical science, for me Surrey was the obvious choice. With the wide range of quality modules on the course you can learn about all aspects of disease cause, treatment and prevention, including patient care.
The professional training year offers excellent employment prospects to students wanting to go into Biomedical Science or research, and the course can also provide a stepping-stone for students looking to undertake a career in medicine.
The incredible diversity of people on the biomedical science programme allowed me to learn about all sorts of cultures and meet a variety of new friends.
The location of the University is also very handy, being only 40 minutes from Waterloo on the train.
Overall I cannot emphasise enough what a good choice the University of Surrey is for its bioscience degrees – and particularly Biomedical Science.
Graduate Profile: Grace Couper
BSc Biomedical Science (Applied Biomedical Science route)
I immediately loved the friendly atmosphere at Surrey and I felt right at home with the whole layout of the campus – it is such a beautiful place to study all year round.
Research-wise, Surrey has done very well, which is a good sign that we were going to have experts teaching us and use really up-to-date methods. When looking in the labs I felt that they were going to be a fantastic area to work in. I felt that I could have the support of the lecturers at any point. I didn't think twice about asking them a question by email or going to see them because I knew that they will be more than happy to help me.
I took the co-terminous degree in Applied Biomedical Science, so that I would have a guaranteed job working for the NHS as a biomedical scientist. Having taken this course, I was able to take part in training and go on placements which I really enjoyed. I am really looking forward to being able to specialise in a discipline that I enjoy so much.
