Program Overview

BSc (Hons) Biomedicine

The BSc (Hons) Biomedicine degree programme provides an overview of all areas related to life sciences, before allowing students to take control of their own educational journey by choosing optional modules alongside exciting current areas, such as neuroscience and cellular science.

Course Overview

Our biomedicine degree will help students build on their knowledge of biology to make a positive impact on health and wellbeing. With us, students will explore the biological basis of human diseases, understand the anatomy and physiology of nervous systems, and develop their laboratory skills. Students will also gain insights into real-world problems and plan and undertake their own research project.

Features and Benefits

• This degree offers a flexible curriculum, providing up-to-date knowledge and skills in biomedicine, allowing students to choose modules at Levels 5 and 6 that align to their career aspirations.
• Benefit from hands-on practical experience and real-world applications through the final-year research project.
• The full-time, four-year placement route provides the opportunity to go on a placement, where students can get a taste of professional life in a clinical or industrial setting.
• We’ve invested over £115 million to transform the way we teach and the way our students learn. The new Dalton building is equipped with dynamic learning spaces, world-class teaching and research facilities, and collaborative study zones.
• Access regular online support, which provides additional explanations and guidance on a range of topics, including lab demonstrations and assessment guidance.
• Our technical skills unit allows students to track their growing laboratory skills year by year, enabling them to demonstrate to employers that they have the skills needed for their graduate career.
• Get involved in the pioneering research led by our experts, including lifelong health and ageing, and microbiology and vascular biology.

Year 1

In Year 1, students will explore the biological basis of human disease and the analytical techniques used to investigate them, develop understanding of biochemistry including basic organic chemistry, as well as build core professional and research skills required of a scientist.

Core Modules

• Physiological Systems: This module introduces students to principles of human physiology at the organ system level with appropriate links to anatomy, cell biology, biochemistry, and metabolism, disease pathology, pharmacology, and therapeutics.
• Professional and Research Skills: The module helps students develop the core professional and research skills required of a scientist, with a focus on the capture, analysis, interpretation, and effective dissemination of biological data.
• Technical Skills Assessment Level 4: The aim of this module is to record and develop students’ technical skills gained throughout each level of study in each module and to enable students to apply and contextualise the knowledge and skills they have gained.
• Life Sciences in Practice: This module explores the biological basis of human disease and the analytical techniques used to investigate them, with an emphasis on exploring the overall physiological impact of biological changes.
• Cell and Molecular Biology: This module introduces students to the core principles required to develop a knowledge and understanding of cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and microbiology.

Year 2

In Year 2, students will build on skills developed in Year 1, typically covering topics including major methods of diagnosis and treatment of a range of common diseases of the human body, the physiology of nervous systems, and the development and function of cells, tissues, and organ systems.

Core Modules

• Systems Neuroscience: Systems Neuroscience discusses anatomy and physiology of nervous systems; neurotransmitters and their receptors; neuropharmacology; psychoactive drugs; sensory systems; motor systems, and neurological disorders.
• Diagnosis to Therapy: Building on from year 1 studies of physiological systems, this unit teaches the major methods of diagnosis and treatment of a range of common diseases of the human body.
• Technical Skills Assessment Level 5: The aim of this module is to record and develop students’ technical skills gained throughout each level of study in each module and to enable students to apply and contextualise the knowledge and skills they have gained.
• Cellular Science: This module focuses on the roles of cytology and histopathology in the diagnosis of disease.

Option Modules

• Blood Science: This module looks at the roles of haematology and clinical biochemistry laboratory tests in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of disease processes.
• Clinical Genetics and Molecular Techniques: This module focuses on understanding the role of clinical genetics in healthcare, including diagnosis, prognoses, clinical management, and treatment development.

Year 3

In the final year, students will typically study integrated pathophysiology, including key public health topics such as health ageing, cardiovascular disease, and asthma. Students will also undertake an independent research project, in addition to optional modules allowing them to specialise in areas of interest.

Core Modules

• Technical Skills Assessment Level 6: The aim of this module is to record and develop students’ technical skills gained throughout each level of study in each module and to enable students to apply and contextualise the knowledge and skills they have gained.
• Biomedicine Research Project: This module allows final-year students to plan and undertake a substantial research-based or capstone project.
• Integrated Pathophysiology: This module draws together the knowledge gained by students during their previous modules to take an integrated holistic approach to important public health topics.

Option Modules

• Microbiology and Health: This module explores the commensal and pathogenic interactions occurring between man and microorganisms in the body, environment, and at population level.
• Cardiovascular Science: This module explores current issues related to the area of cardiovascular science, in terms of the physiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of a range of cardiovascular diseases.
• Immunology And Transfusion: This module focuses on the pathogenesis of immunological diseases and understanding the immunological considerations for transplantation and transfusion.
• Medical Physiology: This module builds on previously examined physiological function in health and disease to introduce aspects of clinical diagnosis and issues in clinical practice.

Study and Assessment

• Year 1: 25% lectures, seminars, or similar; 75% independent study
• Year 2: 25% lectures, seminars, or similar; 75% independent study
• Year 3: 20% lectures, seminars, or similar; 80% independent study
• Year 1: 62.5% coursework; 37.5% examination
• Year 2: 55% coursework; 45% examination
• Year 3: 100% coursework

Placements

The course offers real flexibility, as students will enrol on the three-year course and then decide if a placement is right for them once they have started their studies. If students opt to undertake a placement, their course will normally be four years full-time.

Entry Requirements

These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2026/27 academic year.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are still being finalised for all courses.

Careers Support and Prospects

• Employed or in further study: 88.7% of our UK-domiciled, full-time, first-degree graduates are employed or in further study 15 months after graduation.
• Biomedicine graduates may go on to a range of subject-specific careers in the healthcare, biological, pharmaceutical, and other associated industries.
• Recent life science graduates have gone on to secure employment in the NHS, laboratory and research work, the pharmaceutical industry, and medical and educational communications.
• The degree will give students a wide variety of transferable skills that can be applied to non-subject specific career pathways such as local government, environment agencies, teaching, management, and the civil service.
• For those who wish to continue their studies, we offer a range of postgraduate programmes across the breadth of healthcare sciences, medicine, and allied health professions.