Biomedical Science Degree 2013
In response to the changing face of medical and biomedical education, and the increasing need for professionally skilled graduates, we offer you an innovative Biomedical Science degree.
Degree programme
Entry requirements
Minimum entry requirements
- A-level grades ABB
We do not include General Studies or Critical Thinking in our offers.
Conditional offers from Surrey will be made in grades or marks, and not listed in points from the UCAS tariff.
Required subjects
GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above (or equivalent).
Two science/mathematics A-levels, preferably including Biology and Chemistry.
English language requirements
Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).
Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.
Other suitable qualifications
Cambridge Pre-U
M1, M1, M2
European Baccalaureate
74%
International Baccalaureate
34 points
BTEC (QCF Level 3) Extended Diploma
DDM (in an appropriate science subject)
In addition, we accept a wide range of qualifications, including other Level 3 QCF Level 3 qualifications, Scottish qualifications, the Irish Leaving Certificate, Access Diplomas and foundation courses. Other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.
It is important to check whether the qualifications you are taking are suitable for your chosen degree. If you are uncertain whether your qualification meets our entry requirements, please contact us.
If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements to this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year.
Selection process
Offers are made in terms of grades. We may invite candidates for interview. We invite suitable candidates to visit the University to find out more about the programme and meet staff and students.
Tuition fees
UK/EU students
Tuition fees are currently set at £9,000 per year for UK/EU undergraduates starting in 2012.
The tuition charge will be accompanied by a generous financial support package, underlining our continued commitment to widening access for those students who come from low income households.
Overseas students
The fee for students classed as overseas for fees purposes is £15,160.
The University will assess your fee status. If you are unsure whether you are likely to be considered a home, EU or overseas student for fees purposes, the UKCISA website offers more information.
Professional Training Year Fees
Programmes marked with an asterisk (*) in the table above include a professional training year.
Currently fees of £1,050 (based on an inflation assumption of 2.5%) are charged for the Professional Training Year. Fees will not have to be paid up front for those students who decide to take up the Government’s loan for higher education fees. The Professional Training year is a key factor in the high employability rates achieved by students with Surrey degrees.
Our Degree
We have a long-standing reputation for excellence in both teaching and research in the field of biological sciences, and this degree builds on the strengths of well-established programmes. We have adopted a forward-looking structure so that you can benefit from increased flexibility and the opportunity to delay your choice of specialisation. The programme is designed to allow you to progress onto many different career routes and qualifies you for a number of postgraduate paths.
Our Biomedical Science programme has been designed to satisfy the requirements of the Institute of Biomedical Science. We offer modules covering all the traditional medically related subjects such as biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology and microbiology. We will also provide you with practical training in clinically relevant techniques.
This programme allows you to pursue the subjects essential to your particular degree but at the same time offers you the flexibility to study other subjects of interest.
Our modular programme structure provides a broad range of skills in your first year that ensures a solid foundation on which to build for your specialisation in the final year. The optional Professional Training year will complement your academic knowledge and enhance your employment prospects upon completion of your degree. A large number of placements overseas are usually available.
The strong practical emphasis of our Biomedical Science degree programme will add to your portfolio of transferable skills, increasing employability in the numerous career paths that will be available to you.
Programme content
Programme overview
In year 1 you will acquire a broad basic knowledge and practical skills. The programme has the flexibility to accommodate students with and without A-level Chemistry, to bring every student’s knowledge to the standard necessary for year 2. You will study modules in Microbiology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Genetics, and Cell Biology, each of which will include a range of practicals. There is an opportunity to study one of seven modern languages if you wish.
During year 2 you will study compulsory modules in subjects such as Physiology, Immunology, and Pathology and Medicine. These are accompanied by a number of other practical and taught modules.
In year 3 you will study compulsory modules including Clinical Immunology and Immunohaematology, Cancer Pathogenesis and Therapeutics, and Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases. The largest single component of the year is the research project, carried out under the supervision of a member of academic staff. This will give you the opportunity to explore a research area that you are especially interested in and develop specialised lab-based skills and experience.
Subjects of recent projects include genetic disorders, cancer genetics, the biochemistry of addiction, understanding meningitis, human virology, food poisoning and respiratory infection.
Programme structure
Year 1 (FHEQ Level 4)
Modules include:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Cell Biology
- Physiology
- Microbiology
- Chemistry and Maths for Biosciences
- Current Topics in Biosciences
- Food Science and Nutrition
Year 2 (FHEQ Level 5)
Modules include:
- Biochemistry
- Analytical Biochemistry and Chemistry
- Physiology
- Introduction to Immunology
- Cellular Microbiology and Virology
- Pathology and Medicine
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
Professional Training year
- Optional Professional Training placement year
Year 3 (FHEQ Level 6)
Modules include:
- Research Project
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Immunology and Immunohaematology
- Cancer Pathogenesis and Therapeutics
- Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Diseases
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Biological Rhythms
- Systems Biology
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
Professional training
Our students are encouraged to take advantage of the excellent Professional Training provision that we offer. Our experienced Professional Training tutors will help you to choose between, and apply to, a strictly vetted selection of excellent placements in industry, hospitals and academia. You have the opportunity to apply for placements both in the UK and in other countries such as Finland and the USA. Regular placements include Harvard University and Cornell University.
Most of our placements are paid, and to ensure that your Professional Training year is successful, you will get on average three tutor visits during the year. If you wish to prepare an HPC registration portfolio, there are a limited number of accredited placements available during the Professional Training year.
Career opportunities
Graduate prospects
Biomedical Science graduates have typically gone on to become, for example, postgraduate researchers or biomedical scientists with the NHS. Many have entered a related industry, and some have managed to gain entry to a fast-track medical programme.
Career opportunities
Biomedical Science graduates can follow a number of diverse career paths. The programme was developed to allow you to obtain a professional qualification to pursue a career as a biomedical scientist in the NHS, a path that now offers excellent career prospects. It also provides an in-depth science degree in its own right that can lead to further study and research for a higher degree.
In addition, some of our graduates decide to pursue a medical career by applying for entrance onto one of the fast-track medical programmes run by a number of medical schools. Students graduating with a first or upper second honours degree may be considered for this option.
Additional information
Teaching
We offer a modular degree based on a structured programme of advanced study which allows you to pursue the subjects essential to your particular degree, but at the same time offers you the flexibility to study other subjects of interest.
During your first year, about a third of your time is spent in laboratory practicals. In your second year, this decreases to around a quarter of your time. In your final year you will conduct your own scientific research project, usually in one of our state-of-the-art research laboratories.
Facilities
The laboratories in which you will undertake practical work have been recently refurbished and are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and audiovisual equipment. Our commitment to the development of your practical skills means that you will spend a great deal of time utilising these facilities. For your research project in year 3, you will work within our research laboratories alongside active and internationally recognised researchers.
Assessment
Each module is assessed individually and credits are awarded for the successful completion of each one. Assessment is by a combination of examination and/or coursework. Credits are then accumulated towards the award of Bachelor of Science (BSc) with Honours.
Academic Support
You will be allocated a personal tutor to guide you through the programme and to advise on option and career choices, helping you get the most from your studies with us.
Why Surrey?
Biomedical Science degree 2013 at Surrey
- The Guardian University Guide 2013 ranks Surrey twelfth out of 97 in the UK for its biological sciences programmes. The Times Good University Guide 2013 and The Complete University Guide 2013 both rank us in the top twenty
- A degree programme accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science
- A pioneering Professional Training year with many international opportunities including the USA and Finland
- Dedicated approach to teaching and developing practical laboratory skills
- State-of-the-art teaching laboratories
- Taught by internationally recognised researchers
- Excellent graduate employment opportunities
- Gain specialist understanding of health and disease
I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to do my placement in a biochemistry lab at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.
David Carter
BSc Biomedical Science
The structure of the Biomedical Science programme really suits me as it offers a wide variety of modules. The subject I enjoyed the most throughout my time here was immunology as it’s really diverse and interesting, and is continually evolving.
The standard of teaching at Surrey is very good and the lectures are always interesting. Plus, the labs are really modern and are a good place to work.
There is a lot of emphasis on the Professional Training placement year at Surrey. I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to do my placement in a biochemistry lab at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. This was an amazing experience where I met some great people and improved both my scientific knowledge and practical skills.
Apart from the degree itself, I have gained many transferrable skills, such as presentation, essay writing and critical thinking, which I feel will greatly benefit me in any career that I pursue. I also believe that my Professional Training year is a really good addition to my CV which should help me to stand out from the crowd.
In my first year I lived in University Court, which I would thoroughly recommend to all first-year students as there is a really sociable atmosphere and it’s so easy to make new friends.
The Surrey Sports Park is excellent and I thoroughly enjoy using the swimming pool and gym as often as I can to relax outside of studying.
Throughout my time at Surrey I have gained a wide range of scientific knowledge and improved my scientific communication through numerous essays, laboratory reports, critical reviews and my dissertation.
Zoie Milligan
BSc Biomedical Science
When I came to visit the University I fell in love with the beautiful scenery, inspiring people and high-quality facilities; all this confirmed the University of Surrey as my top choice.
The modules throughout my programme are varied, allowing me to gain a wide range of knowledge in different areas of biological science. The modules are well structured and the staff are very helpful.
For my placement I went to Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City and worked in a laboratory in the division of immunology. The placement allowed me to apply the knowledge gained in the first two years of university to purposeful practical research. It enhanced my practical and communication skills and overall confidence. The location made the whole experience exceptional.
I feel that my placement has helped me massively for my final year and for my overall appreciation of the application of science.
Throughout my time at Surrey I have gained a wide range of scientific knowledge and improved my scientific communication through numerous essays, laboratory reports, critical reviews and my dissertation. I have acquired many different practical skills via the practical modules during the first two years, my placement year and my dissertation project.
Outside of my studies I have joined the advanced ballet class. I have also done a few ballroom and Latin classes. This year I have been attending St John Ambulance training sessions held by Surrey LINKS at the University.
