Biomedical Science MSc

Program Overview

Biomedical Science MSc

Overview

Develop advanced knowledge in disease mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment, and recent biomedical research. Biomedical Scientists are essential members of the modern healthcare team and, in collaboration with doctors and other medical professions, aid in diagnosis of disease, evaluate effectiveness of treatment, and research into causes and cures of diseases.

Course Details

• Level: Postgraduate
• Start date: Sept 2025, Sept 2026
• Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
• Location: Exton Park, Chester
• UK fees: £8,775 for a full-time course (2025/26)
• International fees: £15,000 (2025/26)

Course Leader

• Dr Emma Wilson

Accreditations

• Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)

Course Summary

This Institute of Biomedical Science accredited course is ideal for those wanting to develop advanced knowledge and skills in Biomedical Science. Biomedical Scientists are in demand in the healthcare service (NHS pathology labs, National Blood and Transplant Service), medical research, pharmaceutical industry, and organisations such as the UK Health Security Agency and the Medical Research Council.

Course Structure

Year 1

• Modules:
  • Evidence Based Medicine
  • Analysis and Interpretation of Clinical Data
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Current Issues in Biomedical Sciences
  • Blood Sciences
  • Clinical Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis
  • Research Dissertation

Module Details

Evidence Based Medicine

• Module content: The nature of research; scientific methods of enquiry, versus ways of problem solving. The building blocks of scientific research: types of research (analytical, descriptive, experimental, and qualitative), scientific parlance (hypothesis, concepts, operational definitions, and dependent/independent variables), sampling procedures, and measurement issues (reliability and validity)
• Module aims: To equip students with the skills required to source and critically analyse relevant research and to apply the theories of evidence-based medicine to evaluate relevant concepts in medicine.

Analysis and Interpretation of Clinical Data

• Module content: Students will gain an appreciation of aspects of data collection and analysis through lectures, practicals, and computer-based sessions covering: The sample – collection, transport, storage; The assay – assay development, method validation, precision, accuracy, specificity, sensitivity; Regulatory issues - quality control, SOPs, COSHH, risk assessments; Analysis – recording, raw data presentation, statistical analysis using statistics software, summary data and statistical analysis presentation, reference values, interpretation.
• Module aims: To develop an understanding of the theories underpinning modern analytical and molecular techniques of relevance to the biomedical and molecular laboratory scientist. To develop a critical appreciation of the uses and limitations of a range of analytical and molecular techniques relevant to the biomedical and molecular sciences through practical experience. To develop skills in collection, analysis, presentation, and interpretation of data.

Clinical Medicine

• Module content: This module is focused on the precision medicine approach, looking systematically at a bigger picture of a patient journey from a presentation to NHS with first symptoms to the treatment protocol passing the diagnostic process.
• Module aims: To provide students with an in-depth knowledge of concepts important to our understanding of patient journey in NHS process. The module will focus on the impact of diagnostical procedures on treatment protocol in different pathologies.

Current Issues in Biomedical Sciences

• Module content: Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS); Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); IBMS Degree Accreditation; Biomedical Scientists and Clinical Scientists; Continuing Professional Development (CPD); Healthcare Scientists (NHS Scientist Training Programme, Higher Specialist Scientist Training); Careers in Biomedical Science; Medical Laboratory Accreditation/United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS); Human Tissue Authority (HTA); Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA); Clinical governance; Laboratory quality management systems; Laboratory information management systems; Laboratory automation; Digital pathology; Point-of-care testing; Pathology networks.
• Module aims: To provide students with an in-depth understanding of current issues and developments in Biomedical Science, and of the associated professional and regulatory bodies.

Blood Sciences

• Module content: This module will focus on laboratory tests performed in blood science laboratories for the diagnosis and management of patients with a variety of conditions.
• Module aims: To allow students to develop an understanding of various clinical haematological and biochemical (blood sciences) disorders, and to develop an in-depth knowledge of the laboratory tests performed in the diagnosis and management of such diseases.

Clinical Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis

• Module content: Discussion of clinical immunology, including: Immune-mediated disorders (e.g., mechanism of autoimmunity, hypersensitivity reactions, immunological markers of disease – flow cytometry & ELISA, cytokines); Transplantation immunology (HLA polymorphism, HLA function, anti-rejection therapy, graft versus host disease); Pathogenesis of infectious disease; Aspects of infection/host parasite interaction; Parasitology; Medical mycology; Chemotherapy and immunotherapy; Epidemiology of infectious disease; Diagnosis of infectious disease.
• Module aims: To allow students to develop an understanding of the immunological processes involved in various aspects of clinical immunology (e.g., autoimmune diseases, hypersensitivity, transplantation) and to develop an in-depth understanding of the interactions between pathogens and the human host.

Research Dissertation

• Module content: On completion of the taught modules, students will have developed their knowledge base and attained a high level of competence in the application, analysis, and evaluation of theory and practice. This knowledge and critical skills will have been assessed in all previous assignments, thereby providing students with the opportunity to undertake a research project relevant to their taught programme of study.
• Module aims: To provide the student with an opportunity to investigate a research project of direct relevance to the programme of study and his/her personal interests. To enable the student to draw on and contribute to the development of the growing body of knowledge in the broad biomedical, clinical, and medical science fields. To present the outcomes of the research performed in the form of a research article in a format ready for submission to a suitable journal and as an oral presentation.

Who You'll Learn From

• Dr Emma Wilson
• Dr Ioanna Myrtziou Kanaki
• Dr Svetlana Mysina
• Dr Michelle Cordingley
• Dr Claire Lucas

How You'll Learn

• Mainly in three-/four-day blocks to facilitate students in employment
• Coursework – e.g., literature reviews, case studies, laboratory reports, posters, presentations
• This course is designed around in-person study
• There may be some online learning activities

Entry Requirements

• Home Students: Honours degree (minimum 2:2) containing a significant content of biomedical science, or hold appropriate professional qualifications and be able to demonstrate suitable background knowledge and skills.
• International Students: Honours degree (minimum 2:2) containing a significant content of biomedical science, or hold appropriate professional qualifications and be able to demonstrate suitable background knowledge and skills.

Where You'll Study

• Exton Park, Chester
• Modern learning resources and library
• Fitness facilities
• Student Services
• Chapel, chaplaincy, and multi-faith spaces
• Accommodation
• Catering

Fees and Funding

• Home Students: £8,775 for a full-time course (2025/26)
• International Students: £15,000 for a full-time course (2025/26)
• Additional Costs: Books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery, and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips, and software.
• Bursaries: The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships.

Your Future Career

• Job Prospects: MSc Biomedical Science graduates have a wide range of prospects available to them. Many students use the degree to advance their career as HCPC registered practising Biomedical Scientists, working in the National Health Service. Graduates also move into pharmaceutical industries or continue their research interests and complete their PhD.
• Careers service: The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice, and guidance.