Biomedical Science with Foundation BSc Honours

Program Overview

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Biomedical Science with Foundation BSc Honours

Overview

Our degree courses with foundation year offer the opportunity to prepare you for advanced study before you progress onto a full honours degree at the University of Westminster. Whether you do not feel ready for degree-level study, don’t have the right qualifications, want to change your subject specialism or return to study after an absence from education, we aim to encourage a broad range of students to undertake our foundation year in order to progress onto their full honours degree with us.

The foundation year is designed to give you the opportunity to explore new ideas, opening up new perspectives on the key debates within your chosen field. During the foundation year, you'll explore a range of creative disciplines and get a chance to develop in your chosen field, benefiting from workshops in our high-end facilities and working with leading academics who will encourage you to become a confident and creative thinker. Core modules accelerate your academic and professional development and you will also take modules within your chosen field, giving you the chance to develop a cross-disciplinary perspective on your course.

On successful completion of the foundation year, you'll be able to move on to study for the Biomedical Science BSc Honours over a further three years study.

Biomedical science is concerned with the detailed study of the human body, both in health and disease, with emphasis on the diagnosis and understanding of disease states and the mechanisms involved.

Course Structure

Teaching includes tutorials, lectures and seminars, practical laboratory work and group activities, together with supervised use of facilities. Assessment is through a combination of exams and coursework (including essays, practical work, group work, presentations and reports).

You’ll receive continuous feedback through online activities, group and one-to-one tutorials and periodic reviews, designed to give you multiple points of guidance throughout your studies.

Foundation

• Biology
• Bioscience in Action
• Chemistry
• Critical Thinking for Academic and Professional Development
• Introduction to Academic Practice
• Introduction to Physiology

Year 1

• Applications of Biological Sciences
• Biochemistry
• Biological Chemistry
• Cell Biology
• Functional Anatomy
• Fundamentals of Pharmacology
• Human Physiology
• Principles of Human Nutrition
• Professional Development in Science (PRoDS)
• Science: History Practice and Philosophy

Year 2

• Applied Pathobiology
• Bioinformatics
• Diet in Health and Disease
• Genetics in Medicine
• Human Parasitology
• Infection and Immunity
• Medical Genetics and Genomics
• Medical Physiology
• Metabolic Biochemistry
• Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics
• Neuroscience
• Research Methods

Placement Year

Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement year in industry. Completing the placement year will lead to the final award Bachelor of Science with Honours – Biomedical Sciences with Professional Experience.

Alternatively, you can undertake a period of study abroad at one of Westminster’s partner institutions. Successful completion will lead to the final award Bachelor of Science with Honours – Biomedical Sciences with International Experience.

Year 3

• Cellular and Molecular Pathology
• Clinical Immunology and Immunohaematology
• Diagnostic Biochemistry and Haematology
• Final Year Project in Life Sciences
• Medical Microbiology in the Genomics Era

Professional Accreditation

The degree is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). Honours graduates can apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as Biomedical Scientists, provided they fulfil the additional HCPC requirements of competencies through suitable employment and completion of the IBMS certificate of competence.

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB). RSB accreditation recognises degree programmes that fully prepare bioscience graduates to address the needs of employers and is an indication that the programme delivers up-to-date knowledge in the right learning, support and teaching environments. At the time of publication, students on an RSB-accredited course are eligible for a free Student Affiliate membership for the duration of their studies. Once graduated from an accredited degree, they are entitled to a 50% discount on Associate membership of the RSB for two years.

Entry Requirements

UK

• A levels – DDE (64 UCAS Tariff points)
• T levels – 64 UCAS Tariff points
• International Baccalaureate – 64 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
• BTEC Extended Diploma – MPP
• BTEC Diploma – MM
• Access – 64 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course

In addition to one of the above, you should have:

• GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS score of 5.5 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

International

• International Baccalaureate – 64 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
• We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
• We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster.

English Language Requirements

• If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 5.5 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments.

Fees and Funding

UK

• UK tuition fee: £9,535 (Price per academic year)

International

• International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application.

Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:

• Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
• Written exams: end of semester exams
• Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation

Supporting You

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

• Study support – workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
• Personal tutors – support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
• Student advice team – provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
• Extra-curricular activities – volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Course Location

With state-of-the-art science and psychology labs and refurbished computer suites, our Cavendish Campus offers our science and technology students a range of learning spaces that are both dynamic and inspiring.

Located in central London, our Cavendish Campus is just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.