Program Overview

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Applied Biomedical Science with DPP (Pathology) - BSc (Hons)

Overview

Biomedical Sciences education to equip students to work as a Biomedical Scientist in a health service laboratory, 4 years full time.

Summary

BSc Hons Applied Biomedical Science with Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP) (Pathology) 4 years full time. In order to attain their DPP (Pathology) and meet the needs for professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical Scientist, students undertake a clinical placement in a health service laboratory and complete the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio.

Award

Bachelor of Science with Honours

Faculty

Faculty of Life and Health Sciences

School

School of Biomedical Sciences

Campus

Coleraine campus

UCAS code

B990

Start date

September 2026

With this degree you could become

• Biomedical Scientist
• Clinical Research Scientist
• Forensic Scientist
• Laboratory Health Care Assistant
• Postgraduate Medicine
• Postgraduate Physician Associate
• Education

Graduates from this course are now working for

• BHSCT (Belfast City Hospital; Royal Victoria Hospital; North
• SEHSCT (Ulster Hospital)
• SHSCT (Craigavon Area Hospital)
• WHSCT (Altnagelvin Hospital; South West Acute Hospital)
• NHSCT (Antrim Area Hospital; Causeway Hospital)
• Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service
• Department of Justice NI

About this course

Biomedical science is concerned with understanding how diseases develop and how they may affect the normal functioning of the body. The aim of the discipline is the investigation of the disease process and, ultimately, the development of methods for monitoring, diagnosing, treating and preventing disease.

Competencies in both personal and interpersonal skills have been given priority in the design of the course content, together with a firm knowledge and understanding of science. The excellent reputation of the course has meant that graduates have been extremely successful in finding high-level career employment and are readily accepted for higher degree programmes at the world’s greatest universities.

To work for the NHS as a biomedical scientist you will need to become registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This course, unlike the other biomedical sciences courses at Ulster, is specifically designed to provide the educational and clinical experience for our graduates to work as a biomedical scientists in the hospital sector. Once graduated our graduates may apply to become registered with the HCPC.

Associate awards

Diploma in Professional Practice Pathology DPP

Attendance

Full-time, 4 years

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Learning and teaching in biomedical sciences is normally through a combination of face-to-face lectures, hands-on practical classes, tutorials, seminars, problem-based learning and computer–assisted learning.

Assessment in modules is through a combination of coursework completed during the semester and/or sessional written examinations.

Coursework can take the form of practical reports, written assignments, class tests, presentations, case studies and dissertations.

Modules

Year one

• Biochemistry
• Human Physiology & Anatomy
• Medical Cell Biology
• Chemistry and Pharmacology
• Practical and Laboratory Skills
• Scientific Communication and Data Health Science

Year two

• Cellular Pathology
• Haematology and transfusion science
• Clinical biochemistry
• Biomedical Professional Practice
• Applied Genetics
• Microbiology
• Pathophysiology
• Immunology

Year three

• Placement: Diploma in Professional Practice (Pathology)

Year four

• Investigative project
• Clinical & Molecular Genetics
• Clinical Immunology & Medical Microbiology
• Molecular pathology
• Pharmacology and Evidence-Based Practice

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

A level

Grades AAB

Essential Subjects:

Two subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Nutrition and Food Science, Physics.

Double Award Life and Health Sciences is acceptable as two subjects.

OR

One subject from Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Nutrition and Food Science, Physics, plus one subject from Environmental Technology, Geography, ICT, PE, Single Award Life and Health Sciences.

Applied General Qualifications

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science - Award profile of DDD

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Applied Science / RQF OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science - Award profile DD plus A Level grade B in any subject

RQF OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in Applied Science / RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Human Biology / RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science - Award profile of D plus A Level grades AA to include one subject from Biology, Chemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, Maths, Physics, Environmental Technology, Geography, ICT, PE, Single Award Life and Health Sciences.

Irish Leaving Certificate

Grades H2, H2, H2, H2, H2

Plus, a minimum of H6 in English if studied at Higher Level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level, and Maths at H6/O4 if not passed at H2.

Essential Subjects:

Two subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Agricultural Science.

Plus, a minimum of H6 in English if studied at Higher Level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level, and Maths at H6/O4 if not passed at H2.

Scottish Highers

Scottish Highers

Grades AAABB including BB in either:

Two subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics.

OR

One subject from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics plus Geography or Physical Education.

English & Mathematics is required at Standard Level 1, 2, or 3.

Scottish Advanced Highers

Grades BBB including either:

Two subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics.

OR

One subject from Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics plus Geography or Physical Education

English & Mathematics required at Standard Level 1, 2, or 3

International Baccalaureate

An overall profile of 30 points with at least 13 points at higher level. This must include two subjects from Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or Biology, with a minimum of 6 points achieved in each of the two specified subjects.

Access to Higher Education (HE)

Only science-based courses are acceptable, and modules will be specified.

An overall profile of 73% to include 73% in Level 3 modules. (120 credit Access Course) (NI Access Course).

An overall profile of 39 Distinctions and 6 Merits(60 Credit Access Course) (GB Access Course)

GCSE

For full-time study you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first-degree course and hold a GCSE pass at grade C/4 or above in English Language. You must also hold a GCSE pass in Mathematics and Chemistry or Double Award Science at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent).

Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills- Communication will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE English.

Level 2 Essential / Key Skills in Application of Number is NOT regarded as an acceptable alternative to GCSE Maths.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Careers & opportunities

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course are now working for:

• BHSCT (Belfast City Hospital; Royal Victoria Hospital; North
• SEHSCT (Ulster Hospital)
• SHSCT (Craigavon Area Hospital)
• WHSCT (Altnagelvin Hospital; South West Acute Hospital)
• NHSCT (Antrim Area Hospital; Causeway Hospital)
• Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service
• Department of Justice NI

Job roles

With this degree you could become:

• Biomedical Scientist
• Clinical Research Scientist
• Forensic Scientist
• Laboratory Health Care Assistant
• Postgraduate Medicine
• Postgraduate Physician Associate
• Education

Career options

A Biomedical Scientist can specialise in several areas; as a healthcare scientist, their role is the diagnosis of disease, an evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment and screening via the analysis of fluids and tissue samples from patients; as a research scientist, working at the cutting edge of research to develop new technologies, tests and treatments for the detection, monitoring or treatment of disease; as a teacher, in science at post primary or as a lecturer in third level education; as a scientific writer; numerous opportunities exist for the qualified Biomedical Scientist.

Successful completion of the DPP (Pathology) programme, together with completion of the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio, enables the student to apply for registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). It is then possible for graduates to work as a clinical biomedical/healthcare scientist in the hospital sector.

• Graduates are eligible to apply for Hospital Laboratory Diagnostics (HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist)
• Opportunity to complete an MBiomedSci which involves one additional year of study consisting of online modules and an internship in the USA.
• Medicine/Physician Associate entry requires post graduate application.
• Teaching in Education requires PGCE.

Work placement / study abroad

A 48 week placement is spent in an approved UK hospital or agency pathology laboratory. Students currently undertake training in core areas of Biomedical Science including Clinical Biochemistry, Cytology, Haematology, Histology, Medical Microbiology and Transfusion Science.

Professional Recognition

Accreditations reflect the excellence of our teaching, research, and knowledge exchange and ensure our programmes realise the highest expectations. By studying at Ulster University you’ll gain insight and be at the forefront of current industry practices, while our many accredited degree programmes open doors to the world’s top professional organisations, making you more attractive to future employers and giving you a competitive edge in the job market.

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as a biomedical scientist.

Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)

Accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).

Fees and funding

2026/27 Fees

Undergraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2026/27 fees will be announced in due course.

See our tuition fees page for the current fees for 2025/26 entry.

Scholarships, awards and prizes

The following prizes are awarded to high performing students on this specific degree course:

(Year 1) Gerry Magee Award

(Year 2) IBMS Award: Haematology and Blood Transfusion; Cellular Pathology; Microbiology; Clinical Biochemistry

(Final year) IBMS President's Award; Northern Ireland IBMS Placement Award; Ulster Immunology group prize; Physiological Society Prize in Physiology; Randox Rising Star Award; The O’Kane Women in STEM Prize.

The following awards are also presented as part of the Randox Training Academy: Randox Rising Star Award; Randox Student Stellar Award; Randox Excellence Award

Additional mandatory costs

The health screening and vaccination programme costs approximately £35 - 155 depending on the vaccinations required.

The criminal record check through AccessNI costs £33 currently.

You may need to purchase some text books.

Placement expenses, travel to and from placement site - additional accommodation may be required for year 3 placement year.

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.

There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.

See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.