Overview
Whether it's investigating a type of cancer or understanding the cause of food poisoning, biomedical scientists play a crucial role in diagnosing disease and evaluating effective treatment. Without biomedical scientists, hospitals couldn't treat patients effectively. This biomedical science course is ideal for those who would like to work as a biomedical scientist in the NHS or private laboratories.
On this course:
- gain an in-depth understanding of the causes of disease and the practical ways in which they can be investigated in the laboratory
- learn how to test clinical samples, analyse data, and discover new ways to diagnose, treat, or prevent a disease
- share a common first year with other bioscience degrees. This is perfect for those not yet decided on exactly what area to specialise in. You have the option to switch to a similar degree course at the end of your first year if you wish.
The course is accredited by IBMS, the professional body for biomedical scientists in the UK.
This course is in Clearing
Our LLM course is a top choice
UEL’s LLM programme has been recognised as a top choice in the latest PTES survey, achieving 1st place rankings for satisfaction, teaching and more.
What makes this course different
Top academic support
97% of students surveyed on this course responded positively to questions on “Academic Support” in the 2024 National Student Survey.
(National Student Survey 2024, Results published 10 July 2024)
Outstanding facilities
Develop your practical skills within our multi-million-pound bioscience laboratories. These state-of-the-art facilities are all based at our vibrant Stratford campus.
Gain experience on placement
We encourage you to undertake placements within the industry. From short micro-placements to a placement year, we will support by connecting you with one of our partners to find you the perfect fit.
Accreditation
IBMS Accredited
Our course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) - the professional body for biomedical scientists in the UK. This recognition is crucial for your future career opportunities in biomedical science.
Course modules
This biomedical science course is based on the study of the biology of disease. Your first year is common to all bioscience students at UEL and covers four areas: essential chemistry, cell biology, biochemistry and human anatomy and physiology.
In your second year, your five core subjects will be supplemented by optional work placements. You can choose a short placement or a full year away from the University. Taking a longer option will undoubtedly help your career prospects as a bioscientist once you graduate.
You can take the option of a full-year placement outside the University at the end of your second year. These placements represent great opportunities - working in a laboratory or other scientific setting. This will prepare you really well for your future biomedical science career.
In your final year, you'll gain an understanding of what causes disease as well as studying clinical infection and immunity. You'll do a core module in cellular pathology and blood science that will show you how to identify normal and pathological tissues using a microscope. You'll also undertake an original research project in your final year, for which you'll be generating and assessing data. You can do this through library work or in a laboratory. The choice is yours.
NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.
Download course specification
Your future career
Biomedical science offers an ever-evolving landscape ripe with career prospects for graduates. Studying and gaining hands-on experience in pathology labs paves an exciting career path.
After securing Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) registration, doors open in various sectors. You could go into NHS roles contributing to modern healthcare, positions in the Health Protection Agency, National Blood Authority, or private, university, and forensic laboratories.
Diverse career avenues include veterinary science, pharmaceuticals, the Health and Safety Executive, and government departments. Many bioscience graduates use this degree as a launchpad for further education.
The comprehensive curriculum at UEL spans various subjects, offering a solid foundation for potential teaching roles. Its breadth of topics equips you for several careers, making biomedical science at UEL a compelling choice.
Industry links
UEL is connected to different hospital laboratories whose membership includes biomedical scientists, clinical scientists, laboratory managers and researchers. These include Great Ormond Street Hospital Trust & Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust.
Graduate employers
Our biomedical science graduates have been employed by organisations such as the NHS in various hospitals such as Great Ormond Street, Barts, Lewisham, and the Royal London.
Job roles
Roles our bioscience graduates have gone into are biomedical scientist, associate practitioner in a pathology lab and ultrasound imaging assistant.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.
Further study
You might decide to study for a further degree in a related science subject, either an MSc or PhD in the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience.
One of the best transferable skills that I took away from my time at UEL was the ability to present to people with a variety of backgrounds and expertise. You will have opportunities to go on to do great things. I ended up working as the first neurosurgical physician associate at The Royal London Hospital - a major trauma centre in London, doing a job that I love!"Hira Hana
BSc Biomedical Science (with Foundation Year) graduate and Physician Associate, Royal London Hospital
How you'll learn
We like to keep the learning varied and interactive, so you'll be encouraged to participate in a wide range of subjects, including lectures, seminars, workshops, laboratory practicals and web learning.
We'll strongly encourage you to take the option of a full-year placement outside the University at the end of your second year. These placements represent great opportunities - jobs that can involve anything from sample collection in a laboratory to running supervised tests.
Recent history shows that many of these opportunities lead to full-time jobs. It's a competitive process to land such an opportunity, but well worth it.
As Course Leader Dr Claudio Scotti says: "People are desperate to find work experience because, without that, it's not easy to find a job. If you have a work placement with us, though, you'll have a head start."
There are also opportunities to help out on research projects being carried out by our academic team. For example, students of Dr Scotti have aided his research into the health claims made by manufacturers of probiotic foods.
Your own research project could turn you into a prize-winner like one of our students, Dee Davis, who's been recognised by the Society for General Microbiology for her microbiology and immunology research.
Guided independent study
When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve skills development through online study, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects and preparing coursework assignments and presentations.
Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, and specialist facilities, such as edit suites, the library, the full Microsoft Office software, including MS Teams, and Moodle: our Virtual Learning Environment.
Academic support
Our academic support team provides help in a range of areas - including learning and disability support.
Dedicated personal tutor
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of the academic course team who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.
Workload
The approximate percentages for this course are:
- Year 1: 180 Hours - Taught Sessions, 60 Hours - Practical/IT Workshops, 960 Hours - Independent Learning
- Year 2: 175 Hours - Taught Sessions, 65 Hours - Practical/IT Workshops, 960 Hours - Independent Learning
- Year 3: 184 Hours - Taught Sessions, 66 Hours - Practical/IT Workshops, 950 Hours - Independent Learning
Your timetable
Each year you will spend up to 240 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.
Class sizes
To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally attracts 60 - 90 students a year.
In the seminars, you will be taught in groups of 20 – 30 students. However, this can vary by academic year.
How you'll be assessed
We'll assess you with a mixture of coursework and exams. Coursework includes essays, research reports, group and seminar presentations and a final-year project. Most of the assessment in your first year is by coursework and we'll give you as much feedback as possible.
In your third year, you'll either take five core modules or undertake a work placement. We'll assess you accordingly.
- Year 1 - 58% Portfolio/Coursework, 42% Laboratory/Practical/ICT
- Year 2 - 42% Written Exam/Timed Assessment, 33% Portfolio/Coursework, 25% Laboratory/Practical/ICT
- Year 3 - 42% Written Exam/Timed Assessment, 33% Laboratory/Practical/ICT, 17% Portfolio/Coursework, 8% Case Study/PBL
You'll always receive detailed feedback outlining your strengths and how you can improve. We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 14 working days, although you will receive immediate feedback following many of our face-to-face assessments.
Campus and facilities
Our campus and the surrounding area
Our historic Stratford campus is located in one of the best-connected areas of London: close to Stratford's thriving town centre, the 2012 Olympic Park, and just 15 minutes from London's West End.
Stratford’s facilities include a state-of-the-art library and learning centre, the majestic great hall and specialist laboratories and computing services. The School of Childhood and Social Care, and Centre for Clinical Education in Podiatry, Physiotherapy and Sports Science are housed in new buildings. There is also a campus restaurant and bookshop, and a Students' Union café-bar.
Westfield Stratford City - Europe's largest indoor shopping mall - is just one of Stratford's attractions, alongside many other shops, cafés, bars and restaurants. There are two multiscreen cinemas, a theatre, an arts centre and much more.
Who teaches this course
This course is delivered by School of Health, Sport and Bioscience
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
- Course leader
Dr Claudio Scotti
Department of Bioscience, School Of Health, Sport And Bioscience - Course leader
Prabha Parthasarathy
Department of Bioscience, School Of Health, Sport And Bioscience - Course leader
Dr Eva Galante
Department of Bioscience, School Of Health, Sport And Bioscience - Course leader
Dr Prashant Ruchaya
Department of Bioscience, School Of Health, Sport And Bioscience - Course leader
Dr Roger Carpenter
Department of Bioscience, School Of Health, Sport And Bioscience - Course leader
Prof Sally Cutler
Department of Bioscience, School Of Health, Sport And Bioscience - Course leader
Dr Yasmeen Ghnewa
Department of Bioscience, School Of Health, Sport And Bioscience - Course leader
Anas Sattar
Department of Bioscience, School Of Health, Sport And Bioscience
What our students and staff say
As a mature student, the opportunity to be able to enrol on the foundation year and change my career path provided me with social mobility and propelled me into a career which is interesting, rewarding and that I love doing. I can't praise the teaching staff enough, without them it would not have been possible for me to achieve my full potential.”
Dee Davis
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science (with Foundation Year) graduate, Specialist biomedical scientist (virology), Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust
I got a lot of hands-on experience and put knowledge into practice, preparing me for the 'real world'. My journey has been experiential and rewarding. It has only been possible due to the wonderful teaching faculty and facilities. Learning from exceptional lecturers has been phenomenal."
Oneza Saleem
BSc Biomedical Science and MRes Bioscience Graduate