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Biomedical Science BSc

Start date
September
Duration
3 years
UCAS code
B900
Course Type
Undergraduate, Single Honours
Fees

Annual tuition fees for 2025/26 are:
£9,535 (UK)
£31,050 (International) 
More details on fees and funding

Study Biomedical Science with access to our state-of-the art laboratories with teaching delivered by world-leading experts. Follow your interests by specialising in a scientific area of your choice as you become part of our global community.

Explore Biomedical Science at the University of Birmingham

BSc Biomedical Science explores the science of the human body and the causes of diseases that affect mankind. Based in the Birmingham Medical School, this broad course explores the major body systems right down to the cellular and molecular level. Working in our state-of-the-art laboratories, you will find out how research translates into advances in clinical practice. You’ll explore emerging fields such as stem cell therapies and also learn more about major disorders like cancer and arthritis. You can find more information about the course in our FAQ document.

Personalise your Biomedical Science degree in an area of interest to you as you study. Select from optional graduation routes with minor designations of Biomedical Science with Biomedical Entrepreneurship or Biomaterials or even to include a Year in Computer Science or Civic Leadership. Study as part of the global science community with opportunities to undertake an optional placement year working in industry and access financial support to take on summer projects in the College’s own active research laboratories or be involved in an international exchange with other universities in France and China.

Hear from our students about their placement experiences 

 Why study this course?

  • Benefit from our state-of-the-art laboratories: Discover how research translates into advances in clinical practice through the dedicated use of our specialist facilities and laboratories.  
  • Exclusive placements opportunities: You will have the opportunity to take an optional placement year in industry or within a clinical setting through our exclusive industry partnerships. Our optional industrial placement year will develop your industry knowledge and transferable skills to ensure you stand out in future applications.
  • Opportunity to personalise your degree: Our programmes are constantly updated to reflect the latest developments in the field providing you with a broad foundation of knowledge to pursue a career in Biomedical Science. Throughout your degree, you can choose from a variety of optional modules to specialise in an area of interest to you. This now includes routes to graduate with Biomedical Science with Biomedical Entrepreneurship or with Biomedical Science with Biomaterials. 
  • Learn from subject experts: You will learn from leading experts who carry out fundamental scientific and medical research covering all major biomedical disciplines, thereby receiving a rich diversity of academic knowledge and experience.
  • Develop core research skills: This programme develops your transferable and key research skills such as data analysis and interpretation. This will help you to build a strong understanding of the key ethical and social issues surrounding medical science.

A transformative Biomedical Education founded on research excellence and innovative teaching practice, creating graduates with the attributes to make them highly successful leaders of the future.

Professor Chris Tselepis, Director of Education - College of Medicine and Health

Interested in this course?

We also offer the 4-year MSci Biomedical Science course. Students studying on the 3-year BSc Biomedical Science course will have the opportunity to move across to the 4-year MSci course after successfully completing their second year, subject to fulfilment and attainment of the required academic performance.

View our MSci Biomedical Science course 

Modules

Modules in the first year

The first two years of your Biomedical Science course aims to provide you with a detailed understanding of how the human body functions and what can go wrong in disease. The content extends from the single cell to the whole body. You’ll begin to learn about major pathologies such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, arthritis and diabetes, and the genetic basis of inherited disorders. You will take a common set of key subjects which will provide you with the core knowledge to understand the importance of each of the major disciplines of medical science. This forms a strong foundation for your final year. 

  • Cellular Biochemistry and Biology - 20 credits
  • Digestion and Renal Sciences - 20 credits
  • Fundamentals of life science - 20 credits
  • Fundamentals of Neuroscience and Pharmacology - 20 credits
  • Professional and Academic Development - 20 credits
  • Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences: Fundamental Principles - 20 credits

Modules in the second year

In your second year there will be an opportunity to specialise in a scientific area of your choice, linked to our College's major research themes. This student selected component will allow an in-depth exploration into your chosen area, under the guidance of one of our subject experts. The themes will include cancer, neuroscience, infection and immunity, pharmacology and cardiovascular science. This allows you to begin specialising and deepening your knowledge in a specific area, providing a platform for further specialisation in your third year. 

At the end of your second year there is the possibility of taking a year out to gain work experience, by securing a placement. If you opted to undertake a summer research project, you will present your findings at a student symposium through conference-style posters. This event is a great way for students to showcase their hard work and findings, gaining valuable research experience along the way.

  • Cancer and Stratified Medicine - 20 credits
  • Immunity and Infection - 20 credits
  • Year 2 Personal and Academic Development - Non credit-bearing
  • Cardiorespiratory Physiology and Pharmacology - 20 credits
  • Developmental Biology - 20 credits
  • Neuroscience and Endocrinology - 20 credits
  • Student Selected Science Project - 20 credits

Modules in the third year

During the first term of your final year you will have the opportunity to select modules from a variety of options to specialise in a particular area of interest to you. These taught modules are highly specialised and cover a wide range of subject areas, including different aspects of neuroscience, cancer, virology, cardiovascular science, pharmacology, endocrinology, stem cell biology, ageing and immunology. You’ll learn about the latest findings within the field and be exposed to advanced research techniques, guided by internationally recognised experts in these fields.

In the Spring term, you will focus on a substantial research project, which in the majority of cases is laboratory based specifically within one of our leading research active laboratories. You’ll work independently, under supervision, for ten weeks full-time on an original piece of research. Acquiring and analysing your own data will be your responsibility, allowing you to enhance not just your practical and analytical abilities, but also a range of other skills. The skills learned within this project will be highly transferable to future roles within and outside of the industry and could ultimately be the key to success in whatever career path you choose.

Compulsory modules

  • Research Project - 50 credits
  • Experimental Data Interpretation - 10 credits
  • Global Challenge - 20 credits
  • Year 3 Personal and Academic Development - Non credit-bearing

Optional modules

Students should choose one optional module from the following list (examples):

  • Cancer Pathogenesis and Treatment - 40 credits
  • Cardiovascular Sciences (Integrated Regulation in Health and Disease) - 40 credits
  • Cell Communication in Health and Disease - 40 credits
  • DNA Damage Pathways in Human Disease - 40 credits
  • Experimental Immunology - 40 credits
  • From Genes to Therapy - 40 credits
  • Hypoxia in Health and Disease - 40 credits
  • Immunity and Inflammatory Disease - 40 credits
  • Infection: Bacterial Threats and Defence - 40 credits
  • Liver Function in Health and Disease - 40 credits
  • Metabolic Aspects of Immune-inflammation - 40 credits
  • Molecular Medicine (Endocrinology of Metabolic Disorders) - 40 credits
  • Neuropharmacology - 40 credits
  • Neurotrauma and Disease: Degeneration and Regeneration - 40 credits
  • New Targets and Drugs in Cancer Therapy - 40 credits
  • Reproductive Medicine - 40 credits
  • Stem cells, Differentiation and Disease - 40 credits
  • The Biology of Ageing - 40 credits
  • Vascular Biology and Pathology - 40 credits
  • Biomedical Entrepreneurship - 40 credits
  • Biomaterials - 40 credits

Please visit our Programmes and Modules Handbook for further details. 

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Unless indicated otherwise, the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2025. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Fees

Tuition fees

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025/26 are as follows:

  • UK: £9,535
  • International: £31,050

The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535.  If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay.  If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.

Visit our tuition fees page for more information 

Funding

Scholarships, bursaries or grants may be available to support you throughout your course. Funding opportunities available are linked to your subject area and/or your country of origin. These can be from the University or other sources.

View our undergraduate funding database 

How To Apply

  • The University of Birmingham's UCAS code number is B32. You must enter this clearly on your application to ensure that it reaches us for consideration.
  • Applications will close on Wednesday 29th January 2025. Further key dates regarding applying to undergraduate courses can be found on the UCAS website.
  • If you need any further help with your Birmingham application or personal statement please visit our applying to Birmingham webpage. 

Apply now via UCAS 

Standard offer

International Requirements



Number of A levels required:
3
Typical offer:
AAB

Required subjects and grades:
Two science A levels from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Physics; GCSE grade B/6 in Mathematics, and B/6 in Biology and Chemistry (or double award science) if not offered at a higher level. For information about alternative offers, please visit our 'How we make offers' web page.

General Studies:
not accepted as part of the minimum 3 A Level subjects.

Offers are not made on the basis of tariff points. General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted as part of the minimum of three A level subjects. 

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate can be considered in conjunction with the 2 science A levels.

Scottish Certificate of Education and Irish Leaving Certificate: Please contact Admissions Tutors for further information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma: Overall score of 32 points, with minimum grades of 6, 6, 5 in higher level subjects, to include at least two sciences (from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics (either Analysis & Approaches or Applications & Interpretation) and Physics).

Minimum Age Requirement: Admissions for September 2024 will follow the current university requirements. Applicants must be 18 years old by 1 October of the year in which their programme starts.

Alternative offers through our Pathways to Birmingham programmes and our Contextual Offer scheme

Students who are eligible and successfully complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive special consideration from admissions tutors and an alternative offer (typically two grades below the standard offer). In addition, our Contextual Offer Scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the contextual offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer.

International Students

We welcome applications from students from the EU and overseas. Standard English language requirements apply.

Please contact the Admissions Tutor for further information.

Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in one of our foundation pathways, which offer specially structured programmes for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on Birmingham International Academy web pages.

At Birmingham, we continue to deliver face-to-face teaching allowing you to benefit from many innovative approaches to teaching aimed at enhancing your learning. You'll learn from subject experts covering all major biomedical disciplines in world-class settings, thereby receiving a rich diversity of academic knowledge and experience. 

Your learning will take place in a range of different forms, dependent on the subject matter; from scheduled teaching in lectures, laboratory and computer based practicals to interactive e-learning. You will engage in small groups and reinforce your learning with tutorials, problem-based and feedback sessions. 

Supported by your personal tutor you will improve your biomedical science knowledge through different forms of assessment and feedback.

Learning settings

Laboratory-based practical work is an integral part of our Biomedical Science undergraduate course, delivering important transferable skills and giving you the experience of practical work that is essential for your future career in biomedical science. 

Lectures take place in our state-of-the-art lecture theatres which, as well as the traditional whiteboard and pen, are equipped with the latest technology, including facilities to show movies, animations and graphics, to record lectures and deliver interactive sessions with ‘ask the audience’ style electronic voting systems. 

Seminars and small-group tutorials run alongside the lecture course, addressing any individual problems you may have and allowing you to consolidate scientific and professional lecture material. 

Computer-based learning sessions which take place in the computer cluster.

Self study is an essential part of the course, helping you to further your understanding of biomedical science and demonstrate your commitment to the course. Your enthusiasm for both the subject and learning in general will continue to aid you throughout your professional career, helping you to keep up to date with the latest innovations and best practices within the industry. 

E-learning mechanisms include Canvas, our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and Wiki podcasts; excellent tools for supporting our academic courses, allowing you to share thoughts on assignments with other students via the discussion group facilities, giving access to learning materials 24 hours a day and allowing you to submit your work electronically. 

Enquiry Based Learning (EBL) is a group activity which requires you to work in a team, with a variety of assessment methods; in either a group or individually, by written reports and sometimes as a presentation. Based on techniques used in research-led organisations like the University of Birmingham, EBL offers you the opportunity to take a research-orientated approach to a problem and helps you to gain essential skills that are highly valued by employers. 

Facilities

Based in the Medical School, you will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories, lecture theatres, recently refurbished small group teaching spaces, anatomy resource rooms and computer clusters. 

The Barnes Library and Learning Hub provide students with four floors of individual, group and silent study areas alongside all of the learning resources of a modern library. Laptops are available in the Hub for students to borrow and wireless internet is available throughout the building.

Our Academic Skills Centre also offers you support with your learning. The centre is a place where you can develop your mathematical, academic writing and general academic skills. It is the centre’s aim to help you to become a more effective and independent learner through the use of a range of high-quality and appropriate learning support services. These range from drop-in sessions with support with mathematics and statistics based problems provided by experienced mathematicians, to workshops on a range of topics including note taking, reading, writing and presentation skills.

Teaching Staff

Students at the University of Birmingham are taught by a mixture of professors, doctors and postgraduates, thereby receiving a rich diversity of academic knowledge and experience. Many of our teaching staff on the Biomedical Science course have published important works about their areas of expertise, whilst others have taught at international institutions and can offer unique perspectives on their particular subject area.

For more information about staff in the school, their qualifications, publication history and specific areas of interest, visit the School of Biomedical Science staff profile page.

Student Support

Most students will need support at some point during their course. Whether you require support with a disability, illness or personal or family problems, our outstanding student support system means there is always someone there for you. Through our strong university community you will feel a strong sense of belonging, allowing you to form personal and professional relationships that can last a lifetime.

We work hard to support you through good times and bad through our Student Service Centre. You’ll have access to a comprehensive support system throughout the duration of your course, that will assist and encourage you, including personal tutors, mentoring programmes, welfare tutors and wellbeing officers who are able to help with both academic and welfare issues. If there are particular areas where you need support, rest assured that we will be here for you.

Contact Hours

Year 1: On average you can expect approximately 25-30% of your time to be spent in scheduled teaching (lectures, small group tutorials and lab practice) and 70-75% on independent study.

Year 2: On average you can expect approximately 25-30% of your time to be spent in scheduled teaching (lectures, small group tutorials and lab practice) and 70-75% on independent study.

Year 3: On average you can expect approximately 15-20% of your time to be spent in scheduled teaching (lectures, small group tutorials and lab practice) and 80-85% on independent study.

*Percentages based on an average as optional modules differ in each year. 

Assessment Methods

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, which may change depending on the module. You'll be assessed through coursework which may take the form of essays, group and individual presentations, laboratory-based work (depending on your chosen degree) and formal exams. 

At the beginning of each module, you’ll be given information on how and when you’ll be assessed for that particular area of study. You’ll receive feedback on each assessment within four weeks, so that you can learn from and build on what you have done. You’ll be given feedback on any exams that you take; if you should fail an exam we will ensure that particularly detailed feedback is made available to enable you to learn for the future.

Throughout the course there will be opportunities to meet with your personal tutor to see how you are getting on and if there are particular areas where you need support. Your personal tutor who is based in the Medical School and can help with any academic issues that you may encounter. 

As a Birmingham graduate, you will thrive in the workplace as you to apply your knowledge and skills to your chosen career.

Our Biomedical Science graduates have an excellent record of employment in a wide variety of careers. Many embark on laboratory work in universities, often in PhD positions and in hospitals. Many also go on to become clinical scientists and working for biotechnology companies. Other degree-related careers also include work in clinical trials, and in marketing and management roles at biotechnology companies. 

Many of the skills that you will acquire throughout the course are highly transferable, making it the ideal preparation for many other high-profile careers, such as teaching, accountancy, law and banking, as well as management positions in a variety of companies.

University Careers Network 

Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our outstanding Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.

Our unique careers guidance service will help you to develop your career from the moment you arrive. Working closely with academics, alumni and employment providers, Careers Network provide you with advice and guidance on the recruitment process, including support with applications and interview preparation. 

We also offer voluntary work which complements your studies by helping you gain practical experiences in occupational settings while contributing back to society. This can bring new skills that will be useful throughout your future and can make a positive impact on your learning whilst at university. Volunteering enables you to develop skills such as communication, interpersonal skills, teamwork, self-confidence and self-discipline all of which can be transferred into your studies.

In addition to this, our employer-endorsed award-winning Personal Skills Award (PSA) recognises your extra-curricular activities, and provides an accredited employability programme designed to improve your career prospects.

Find out more about our Careers Network