Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) or MSci (Hons) – 2023 entry
Key information
Start date: September 2023
| Award | UCAS code | Course duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) | UCAS: B900 | 3 years View KIS data set |
| BSc (Hons) | UCAS: B903 | 4 years with foundation year View KIS data set |
| MSci (Hons) | UCAS: B905 | 4 years View KIS data set |
| BSc (Hons) | UCAS: B902 | 4 years with professional training View KIS data set |
| MSci (Hons) | UCAS: B906 | 5 years with professional training View KIS data set |
| BSc (Hons) | UCAS: B904 | 5 years with foundation year and professional training View KIS data set |
Apply for your chosen course online through UCAS, with the following course and institution codes.
| Course | UCAS code | Institution code |
|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) | B900 | S85 |
| BSc (Hons) with professional training | B902 | S85 |
| MSci (Hons) with professional training | B906 | S85 |
| MSci (Hons) | B905 | S85 |
| BSc (Hons) with foundation year and professional training | B904 | S85 |
| BSc (Hons) with foundation year | B903 | S85 |
Why choose this course
- Alongside building your understanding of key aspects of Biomedical Science and disease pathology, you can select modules tailored to your interests, including advanced technologies in gene expression, neuroscience, pharmacology and toxicology.
- Access our £12.5 million Innovation for Health Learning Laboratory to use equipment used by the NHS and research labs across the world.
- Gain industry experience through our Professional Training placements and work with one of our partners who offer roles exclusively to students aspiring to become biomedical scientists.
- Complete an integrated masters, which incorporates an additional research-focused year of study, to prepare you for a technical research career in industry or academia.
- We are ranked top 10 in the UK for medical technology and bioengineering by the Complete University Guide 2023.
- Accreditation of your degree by the Institute of Biomedical Science allows you to apply for graduate roles where you can complete the Certificate of Competence for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
What you will study
In your first year, you’ll study topics that are fundamental to biomedical science, including bacteriology, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, human physiology, microbiology and physiology, ensuring you have a solid foundation upon which to build the rest of your degree.
During your second year, you’ll explore analytical biochemistry, pathology and virology. You’ll also have the option to study pharmacology, to gain an understanding of the effect drugs have on the various systems in our bodies, or microbial communities, learning about antimicrobial resistance and biofilms.
In your third year, you’ll select two modules, exploring topics such as advanced pharmacology, circadian rhythms, immunology, microbial sciences and toxicology. You’ll study these alongside compulsory modules investigating cancer pathogenesis and treatment, the epidemiology of infectious diseases, our immune system and immunohaematological diseases, and pathogen interactions. You’ll also get the opportunity to work alongside a supervisor to conduct your own scientific research project, performing experiments, and critically evaluating data and literature.
Facilities
You’ll benefit from hands-on learning in our £12.5 million Innovation for Health Learning Laboratory, where TV screens are used to show you how to conduct experiments and follow scientific protocols.
The Laboratory is fitted with the latest industry equipment, that you’ll use to conduct a full range of experiments with. You’ll complete your first practical within your first two weeks.
The time you spend in our facilities will give you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with biomedical science methodology and develop the practical laboratory experience that’s essential in a research career and valued by a wide range of employers.
In your final year, depending on your research project, you may also get to our dissertation laboratory.
Watch our School of Biosciences tour to look around our state-of-the-art facilities.
Teaching staff
We have a research-led focus to our teaching, ensuring everything you learn is up-to-date and relevant to employers. You’ll be taught by lecturers who are active researchers. These may include:
- Dr Kikki Bodman-Smith, an immunologist with expertise in inflammatory diseases
- Dr Alison Cottell, an expert in epidemiology and antibiotic resistance, who’s previously worked as a biomedical scientist.
Integrated masters
With this course, you have the option to complete an integrated masters, which incorporates an additional research-focused year of study. This will prepare you for a technical research career in industry or academia, with many using this as a gateway to postgraduate research.
During the year, you’ll cover advanced techniques in biomedical science, learn how to effectively communicate scientific findings, and complete a laboratory-based dissertation, which will account for 50% of your studies.
Foundation year
On this course, you can choose to study a foundation year, designed to develop your skills and make it easier for you to get started at university. As a foundation student, you’ll study full-time for one year at foundation level. After successful completion of this year, you’ll move onto your chosen version of this course.
Find out more about our entry requirements, fees and how to apply.
Professional recognition
BSc (Hons) - Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)
Accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).
Careers and graduate prospects
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
This course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), which means that on successful completion of your studies, you’ll have the academic requirements needed to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), to work as a biomedical scientist in the NHS.
97% of our biosciences and medicine students go on to employment or further study 15 months after graduating, with an average salary of £25,440.* Typical roles include:
- Biomedical scientists
- Data scientists
- Drug safety specialists
- Laboratory analysts.
Our alumni can be found in hospital, academic and industrial research laboratories around the world, with recent graduates working for:
- Cancer Research UK
- Eli Lilly
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
- Syngenta
- Thermo Fisher Scientific.
With the critical thinking, analysis, problem solving, decision-making, and communication skills learnt throughout the course, several graduates have sought alternative careers in management, publishing and teaching. Many students also use this course to apply for further study including postgraduate research, and graduate dentistry and medicine programmes.
*Graduate Outcomes survey 2022, HESA.
Staff
This course is taught by academic staff from the School of Biosciences.
Accreditations
Accreditation
Academic year structure
The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Each semester consists of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning and assessment.
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules usually can be either 15, 30, 45 or 60, 75 and 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.
The structure of our programmes follow clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
Please note: The full module listing for the optional Professional Training placement part of your course can be viewed on the relevant programme specification.
| Module title | Status | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| FOUNDATION YEAR FOR BIOSCIENCES | Compulsory | Year-long |
Optional modules for Foundation - FHEQ Level 3
For further information relating to FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6, including learning outcomes, aims and module information please view the BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science.
Optional modules for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
Choose 1 from 2 listed optional modules.
Optional modules for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Choose 2 from 10 listed optional modules.
Optional modules for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
Students must choose one optional module in semester two.
Optional modules for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Students must choose two optional modules in semester one and two optional modules in semester two.
Optional modules for Year 4 - FHEQ Level 7
Students must choose one optional module in each semester.
Optional modules for Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Choose 1 from 2 listed optional modules.
| Module title | Status | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (FULL-YEAR WORK) | Core | Year-long |
Optional modules for Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Choose 2 from 10 listed optional modules.
Optional modules for Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Students must choose one optional module in semester two.
Optional modules for Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Students must choose two optional modules in semester one and two optional modules in semester two.
Optional modules for Year 4 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 7
Students must choose one optional module in each semester.
Timetables
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. 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 (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. View our Code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
Teaching
Your teaching will be delivered through a combination of:
- Group work (e.g. discussion groups)
- Lectures
- Online learning
- Seminars
- Tutorials.
Outside of these, you’ll be expected to carry out independent study, including coursework, essays, laboratory write-ups and reading.
There may be occasions when the delivery of your teaching is supported by graduate teaching assistants. The University has a set of procedures that govern the use of postgraduate research students in this way.
Assessment
We use a variety of methods to assess you, including:
- Coursework
- Essays
- Examinations
- Practical write-ups
- Presentations.
For a full breakdown of modular assessments, please see the module table (above).
Contact hours
You’ll spend almost half of your first-year teaching in laboratory-based practicals and around a quarter throughout your second year.
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Entry requirements
Do I meet the requirements for this course?
We require you to submit a full application so that we can formally assess whether you meet the criteria published. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an outcome based on an enquiry (via email, webform enquiry, phone or live chat).
International entry requirements by country
Other international qualifications
If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements to this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year at the Surrey International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to this degree course.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in each other element.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection process
We normally make offers in terms of grades.
If you are a suitable candidate you may be invited to an offer holder event. During your visit to the University you can find out more about the course and meet staff and students.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process may allow you to join a course without the formal entry requirements or enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions on RPL a for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please see the code of practice for recognition of prior learning and prior credit: taught programmes (PDF) for further information.
Please contact Admissions on +44 (0)1483 682222 with any queries.
Fees
The annual tuition fees for courses starting in September 2023
BSc (Hons)
- UK
- £9,250
- Overseas
- £23,800
BSc (Hons) (with foundation year)
- UK
- £9,250
MSci (Hons)
- UK
- £9,250
- Overseas
- £23,800
BSc (Hons) (with professional training year)
- UK
- £9,250
- Overseas
- £23,800
- Professional training
- £1,850
MSci (Hons) (with professional training year)
- UK
- £9,250
- Overseas
- £23,800
- Professional training
- £1,850
BSc (Hons) (with foundation and professional training year)
- UK
- £9,250
- Professional training
- £1,850
View a complete listing of all ongoing fees for our undergraduate courses.
- Fees for UK students: The University will apply annual regulated increases in the fee rates as set by Government each year, in order to maintain the same value in real terms.
- Fees for EU students: The UK is now no longer part of the EU, we are awaiting further instruction from the UK government and we will publish this as soon as it is provided. Find out more information about Studying in the UK and the Scholarships for EU students.
- Fees for international students: Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
- Fees for international students with an integrated foundation year: The programme fee for Year 0 will match the lowest Year 1 overseas fee rate from across the substantive programmes for that year of entry. Students subsequently progressing into Year 1 will be liable for the same fee as overseas students joining at Year 1 for the same programme in that year. Annual fees after Year 1 will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
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.
Payment schedule
- Students in receipt of a Tuition Fee Loan: will have their fees paid by the Student Loans Company in line with their schedule.
- International students, or UK/EU students who have not taken out a Tuition Fee Loan: are required to pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
The exact date(s) will be detailed on invoices. Students on certain part-time programmes, where fees are paid on a modular or stage basis, are not eligible to pay their fees by instalment.
If you are sponsored: you will provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of your study.
Professional Training placement fees
If you are studying on a programme which contains a Professional Training placement year there will be a reduced fee for the academic year in which you undertake your placement. This is normally confirmed 12 to 18 months in advance, or once Government policy is determined.
See the information about 2023/24 academic year Professional Training placement fees.
Additional costs
There are associated costs with this course:
Safety equipment and/or uniform: £23 – equipment pack (includes laboratory coat, laboratory glasses, laboratory books, pen and bag). You are responsible for the costs associated with maintaining/washing/replacing any equipment.
Grand total: £23.
Scholarships and bursaries
We're committed to making sure that we offer support for students who might need it.
Placements
Our award-winning Professional Training programme offers you the option to spend a career-enhancing year in industry, either in the UK or abroad. We have thousands of placement providers to choose from or you can source your own placement.
Most placements are paid, and we will support you every step of the way.
Find out more about Professional Training placements and discover how these have transformed our students’ lives and career choices.
You can choose to work for a range of employers, including pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and academic institutions, to practise and enhance your skills.
We work with industry leaders to offer accredited placements exclusively to Surrey students looking to become biomedical scientists after graduating. These can be used as evidence in your portfolio when registering with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Previous students have gained placements with:
- AstraZeneca UK
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Public Health England
- Sanofi.
We also have an extensive number of partner institutions that offer placements exclusively to Surrey students, giving you access to research laboratories across the world. Our partner institutions include:
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
- Alliance for Research and Conservation in the Amazon (ARCAmazon), Puerto Maldonado, Peru
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, USA
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Okayama University, Japan
- University of Sydney, Australia.
You can also explore your transferrable skills by working in other fields, including scientific communications, marketing and data analysis.
Applying for placements
Students are generally not placed by the University, however we offer support and guidance throughout the process alongside access to a vacancy portal representing thousands of placement opportunities each year. We also provide support if you wish to source your own placement.
Find out more about the application process.
Please be aware there may be travel costs incurred when attending interviews and assessment centres at the placement provider’s premises.
Biomedical science student, Kathryn Moll, talks about her placement at ID Business Solutions (IDBS).
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and procedures, the student regulations , and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions for the 2023/24 academic year and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/23 academic year as a guide as to what to expect.
Please note: our offer terms and conditions will generally be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course and changes for the specific academic year.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us and before you accept an offer. Read our full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
Placement location
As part of this course you have the option to complete a Professional Training placement which would require attendance off campus, depending on where you secure your placement.
University of Surrey Admissions
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222
Address
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH