Program Overview

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Biomedical Science MSc

Overview

The Biomedical Science MSc lets you tailor your course to your interests and experience with a wide range of optional modules in addition to our core delivery. You can mix modules in microbiology, molecular biology, haematology, clinical chemistry, or blend basic science with studies in science communication or commercialization. This flexibility allows you to deepen your understanding of human diseases, their investigation, and therapy, while also enhancing your skills in designing and executing project work.

Top reasons to study with us

• You'll develop the ability to use and critically evaluate a wide range of literature in the field, to research practically an area of interest in biomedical sciences
• You’ll gain a range of transferable skills that will enhance your employability and open up research opportunities both in the UK and internationally
• The course has been designed to provide you with the broad range of skills and knowledge needed for diagnostic, academic and industrial laboratory practice

Course structure

To be awarded the MSc in Biomedical Science, you'll need to study modules for 180 credits. You'll study three core modules and five option modules. The following modules are indicative of what you'll study on this course.

Core modules

Postgraduate Project OR Extended Postgraduate Project

Postgraduate Project

This module aims to enhance your skills of self-management, experimental design, critical analysis and interpretation of data, enabling you to present and justify your research.

Postgraduate Research Methods

You will be able to develop your skills in information retrieval, critical analysis and presentation relevant to your research topic, and form a clear plan for your project.

Professionalism and Skills in Biomedical Science

This module will enhance your professionalism, employability and laboratory skills applicable to the Bioscience/Life Science industry. Emphasis will be placed on professional responsibility, acquisition and implementation of advanced laboratory techniques and soft/transferable skills.

Option modules

Advanced Cancer Biology

This module will explore the role of common signalling pathways and other molecular mechanisms implicated in carcinogenesis, including the role of cancer stem cells in disease progression and metastasis. Recent advances in diagnostic methods and therapeutic strategies will be discussed as well as ways in which public health initiatives can lower the risk of cancer development, and how issues related to cancer are reported in the media.

Advances in Cellular Pathology

This module will engage with modern pathology practice in the cellular pathology specialty. You will evaluate advances in diagnostic, prognostic and predictive testing in the laboratory, discussed in the light of developments in our underpinning understanding of pathology and of evolving technologies.

Cell Signalling in Health and Disease

This module provides up to date information on cell signalling processes coupling surface receptor engagement to changes in gene expression. A gene-editing workshop is also included in the module. Transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms are discussed in relation to selected cell signalling pathways responsible for controlling cell functions such as cell cycle, cell differentiation and cell death. In addition, examples of defective cell signalling through inherited and somatically acquired mutations in signalling components will be highlighted in relation to human disease.

Cellular Haematology

This module will enable you to understand how blood cells are produced and how they function in normal and pathological situations. You will consider the causes, consequences and laboratory features of a range of red cell disorders and haematological malignancies, and be able to evaluate and interpret the relevant diagnostic testing procedures.

Clinical Medical Microbiology

The module aims to enable you to analyse critically aspects of microbial physiology, metabolism and chemotherapy and relate these to appropriate areas of medical microbiology, such as pathogenicity, disease diagnosis, treatment and control.

Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

This module aims to emphasise the intellectual skills and knowledge you require to understand endocrine function, assays of hormone concentration, pathologies and their laboratory investigation. Emphasis is placed on developing a deep understanding of the cellular and biochemical processes which underlie pathology.

Communicating Science

Introducing you to key concepts in science communication, its challenges, rewards and applications, this module is designed to incorporate scenarios related to your interests, such as health, drug discovery and water science. The roles of science and scientists in society and how the public perceives, interacts with and responds to the information produced by scientists are explored, with the history of communicating science used to contextualise current issues in disseminating information.

Diagnostic Clinical Biochemistry

An in depth study of the aetiology, pathogenesis and laboratory investigation of selected pathologies and their laboratory investigation. Principles of key and current analytical methods in the field are also included as well as the latest developments in diagnostic clinical biochemistry.

Immunohaematology and Haemostasis

This module will cover clinically important blood group systems and laboratory techniques used to identify blood group antigens and antibodies, and to ensure safety of blood components for transfusion and transplantation. In addition you will examine the various components of the haemostasis system together with clinical disorders leading to increased risk of bleeding or thrombosis. Anticoagulant therapy and relevant laboratory techniques for investigation of haemostasis will also be covered.

Immunopathology

This module comprises lectures and case studies to give an understanding of modern advances in immunology and immunopathology, strategies for the diagnosis of inherited and acquired immunological disorders based on diversity and inclusion. The module aims to analyse modern concepts on the interface between innate and adaptive immune responses to intracellular and extracellular pathogens; to discuss and to illustrate cellular and molecular mechanisms of hypersensitivity and autoimmunity, primary and secondary immunodeficiency, vaccination, anti-tumour immunity. Applications of modern methods of diagnosis of immunopathological disorders are presented in relation to current advances in fundamental and clinical immunology and immunopathology creating a robust basis for the enhancement of employability.

Infectious Diseases and Public Health

The module explores the factors determining the importance of infectious diseases and the role of surveillance in their control. You will develop a critical approach to contemporary literature on selected diseases, evaluating the relative importance of epidemiology, routine laboratory investigations, laboratory-based research, clinical diagnosis and control of infectious diseases.

Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics

This module is designed to make you aware of the impact of molecular biology on the diagnosis of human diseases. You will critically review the technologies and determine the advantages and disadvantages associated with each diagnostic strategy. Issues of accuracy, implementation, ethics and safety will be addressed.

Precision Medicine

The module provides you with a critical appreciation of the human genome, its regulation, functional significance of gene mutations and current approaches of identification of human genetic disorders. Topics covered include: molecular basis of host-pathogen interaction; molecular pathology of disease with simple genetics; molecular genetics of disease; complex systems, immunogenetics and disease; and molecular genetics of cancer.

Science, Technology and Commercialisation

You will gain an insight into the scope of commercial biotechnology, starting and financing a company, the role of intellectual property protection, writing a business plan, assessing projects, managing a company, managing company finances, and coping with industrial safety legislation.

Systems Biology

This module will introduce the theoretical and practical underpinnings of systems biology. The emphasis is on studies of entire systems, assisted by the use of bioinformatics and how the knowledge from these may be applied to medicine. The module will examine databases and other resources as well as discuss issues key to the studies of entire systems.

Professional accreditation

This course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).

Programme specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment, download the programme specification (PDF).

Entry Requirements

• A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in biomedical sciences or a closely related discipline.
• Professional qualification of equivalent status and associated work experience or an equivalent qualification deemed suitable by the course team.
• If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.
• Applicants are required to submit one academic reference. If part-time and intending to do your project in the workplace, an additional letter of support from your employer is required.

Recognition of prior learning and experience

If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster.

Application process

Visit our How to apply page for more information on the application process, what you need to apply, and deadlines for application.

Fees and Funding

UK tuition fee

£1,070 (Price per 20-credit module)

International tuition fee

£1,750 (Price per 20-credit module)

Teaching and Assessment

How you’ll be taught

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

How you’ll be assessed

Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into three broad categories: written exams, practical, and coursework.

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.

Course Location

Our Cavendish Campus offers our science and technology students a range of learning spaces that are both dynamic and inspiring.

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