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Biomedical Science BSc (Hons)

UCAS code: B910

Cut to the heart of health and disease. Learn to understand the biological and medical principles of life, how diseases develop and are diagnosed, as we ask: how can we create new therapies? All on our biomedical science degree.

Overview

Course length: 3 years full-time
6 years part-time
Start dates: September 2024
September 2025
Location: Edge Hill University
Example offers: BBC-BBB (A Level) or DMM (BTEC) View full entry criteria
Subject(s): Biology and Biosciences
Faculty: Arts and Sciences
Department: Biology

How do our cells and organs tell us when something’s wrong? And how can we understand and eliminate the illness at its source? Our biomedical science course covers a broad range of disciplines, including anatomy, biochemistry, pathology and immunology. With good molecular and macroscopic knowledge of the human body, you’ll be able to research new therapies or work in medical technology.

Theory and practice complement each other, and your time in the laboratory will help you develop an expansive range of professional skills. During labwork, you’ll learn key research techniques that will be essential to independent study in your final year.

Everything you learn on this course will help you take your first steps after graduation. Especially if you’re looking for work in a hospital laboratory, biotechnology, or the pharmaceutical industry.

Course features

  • International students can apply

  • Learn a language option available

  • Sandwich year option available

  • Studying abroad option available

What you'll study

Trace the evolution of life, examining the diversity of plants and animals, including humans. Take part in residential fieldwork, where we’ll show you how to complete biological research. And broaden your knowledge of the discipline through modules in cell biology and genetics.

Compulsory modules:

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Biology in Practice
Genetics and Evolution
Introduction to Cell Biology
Skills for Biomedical Scientists

Three of:

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Anatomy and Physiology
Biodiversity
Chemistry for Biologists
Ecology
Language 1
Organic Chemistry

During the second year of your biomedical science course, you’ll cover more specific topics, including biochemistry and metabolism. You’ll have opportunities to specialise in areas like human genetics and immunology. There’s an independent mini-project where you’ll gain advanced skills for working in labs. At the end of the year, you can take a 12-month work placement abroad or in industry.

Compulsory modules:

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Molecular Genetics
Research Methods in Biology

80 credits from:

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Biochemistry and Metabolism
Human Genetics
Immunology and Infectious Diseases
Introduction to Biotechnology
Nutrition
Language 2
Techniques in Biochemistry

There are even more opportunities for specialisation, in areas like pathology, epidemiology, and advanced tissue applications. Using our laboratories, you’ll complete a significant piece of independent research. You can choose to conduct your research with us at or at another organisation. You’ll have the support of our expert advisers for this.

Compulsory modules:

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Biomedical Science Research Project

Four of:

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Advanced Tissue Applications
Applications of Genetics
Clinical Biochemistry
Epidemiology
Genomics and Bioinformatics
Medical Microbiology
Pathology
Pharmacology
Language 3

Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course curriculum. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by timetabling requirements. Some restrictions on optional module choice or combinations of optional modules may apply.

How you'll study

You will study via a combination of lectures, practical work and tutorials. The programme has a strong practical base and, in addition to the taught sessions, you will be expected to hone your skills using the excellent departmental facilities in your own time. By the final year of the programme you will be working as an independent laboratory scientist.

Timetables for your first week are normally available at the end of August prior to enrolment in September. You can expect to receive your timetable for the rest of the academic year during your first week. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities.

How you'll be assessed

Modules are assessed by a mixture of coursework and examinations. A wide range of coursework is employed, from practical write-ups and essays to laboratory log books and even a biochemistry animation.

Who will be teaching you

Edge Hill University has over 30 years’ experience in delivering Biosciences degrees and has a wealth of experienced tutors, technical staff and field and laboratory equipment to support the study of biomedical science. The Biology department is friendly and approachable and of a size that enables us to know our students personally.

You will be taught by research-active experts in biomedical sciences who take pride in the quality of their teaching and academic studies. The programme team are up-to-date with current developments in their areas of interest, with expertise in areas such as cystic fibrosis, placental biology, disease vector biology and the genetic basis of skin conditions. Staff frequently share this knowledge by directly engaging students in their research.

An extensive network of relationships has been established with relevant biomedical organisations and other universities in the UK and overseas, ensuring a rich, diverse and rewarding student experience. Visiting speakers assist in the delivery of the programme, often presenting unique or novel aspects of subjects.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

Typical offer 112-120 UCAS tariff points, preferably to include Biology or a related subject, such as Chemistry, Geography or Psychology, plus GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent).

Other subjects will be considered if you have demonstrable interest or experience in biology.

Example offers

Qualification Requirement
A Level BBC-BBB.
BTEC Extended Diploma (or combination of BTEC QCF qualifications) Distinction, Merit, Merit (DMM).
T Level Overall grade of Merit.
International Baccalaureate (IB) We are happy to accept IB qualifications which achieve the required number of UCAS Tariff points. Subject-specific requirements at Higher Level (HL) Grade 5 may apply.
Access to Higher Education Diploma 45 credits at Level 3, for example 15 credits at Distinction and 30 credits at Merit or 24 credits at Distinction and 21 credits at Merit. The required total can be attained from various credit combinations.

Please note, the above examples may differ from actual offers made. A combination of A Level and BTEC awards may also be accepted.

If you have a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent), there is no maximum number of qualifications that we will accept UCAS points from. This includes additional qualifications such as Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), AS Levels that haven't been continued to A Level, and General Studies AS or A Level awards.

English language requirements

International students require IELTS 6.0, with a score no lower than 5.5 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.

If your current level of English is half a band, one band, or one-and-a-half bands lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.

How to apply

Apply full-time

Apply online through UCAS

Read our guide to applying through UCAS to find out more about the application process.

International

Apply as an international student

Please see our international student pages for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.

Part-time applications require a direct application to Edge Hill. Please select the year of entry that you wish to apply for.

Apply for September 2024 part-time.

Apply for September 2025 part-time.

Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.

Did you know?

If you join a full time undergraduate degree at Edge Hill University, we will guarantee you the offer of a room in our halls of residence for the first year of your course.

Discover our accommodation

Facilities

Students walk outside the BioSciences building.Our BioSciences building incorporates impressive, modern laboratories, offering exciting and highly relevant practical experience in some of the best equipped facilities in the country. Resources include fluorescence and scanning electron microscopes, DNA extraction and analysis equipment, and climate controlled insectaries.

Where you'll study

BioSciences

Finance

Tuition fees

UK Full-Time

£9,250

a year

UK Part-Time

£77 per credit

a year

International

£16,500

a year

The University may administer a small inflationary rise in tuition fees, in line with Government policy, in subsequent academic years as you progress through the course.

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.

Financial support

Subject to eligibility, UK students joining this course can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the Government to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students enrolling on the course may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs.

Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students.

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). If you are an EU student who does not have settled or pre-settled status, or are an international student from a non-EU country, please see our international student finance pages.

Your future career

Our graduates take on industry and academic roles such as, medical laboratory assistant, and clinical trials research practitioner. They also work for the likes of Perfectus Biomed and Eurofins Forensic Services, as well as with the NHS.

We have also seen our graduates working in industrial, educational and academic research. Some have taken on roles in diagnostics and entry level teaching. Others are now working in medical writing, support and advisory roles, or even scientific training programmes within the NHS.

This biomedical science course provides you with high-standard lab skills, including cell culture training. These skills will help strengthen your applications for roles in research, education, and diagnostics, in industrial and academic workplaces.

You might also consider pursuing postgraduate study after completing this course. This is something many of our graduates have done. You can find them on Masters of Research (MRes) and PhD courses in biomedical sciences and other similar subjects.

Course changes

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, however our courses are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.

Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of professional bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Track changes to this course

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Discover Uni: Part-Time Study

Download our course leaflet