Understand human disease at the molecular, cell and whole-body level – learning how diseases are diagnosed and treated, completing your own research, and graduating as a biomedical scientist.
Develop the skills and knowledge you need to become a biomedical scientist
Train in state-of-the-art labs and cell culture suites with industry-standard equipment
Apply the latest research and technology to disease diagnosis and treatment
Work with experts in our research centre to complete your own cutting-edge research
Complete an optional year-long placement with health or research organisations

This BSc Biomedical Science course, accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science, will build your practical and digital skills to prepare you for a career as a graduate scientist. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of biomedical science and how to apply your knowledge to medicine, research and the wider scientific industry.

You can also transfer to the MSci route for a specialist year of research-intensive study.

If you don't meet the entry requirements for this course, or you’d like extra preparation before starting degree-level study, we recommend you join the foundation year.

Work placements

You will have the opportunity to apply for a year-long placement between your second and third year. This gives you a real-world experience to prepare you for your future career. We have excellent links with a range of NHS hospitals such as Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Rotherham General Hospital, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and organisations such as Hammersmith Medical.

There are also placement opportunities with our industrial partners such as Abbot Diagnostics, Covance or Quotient Bioresearch. You may also be able to work or study abroad with the possibility of funding through the Erasmus+ programme (until 2023) or the Turing Scheme.

Completion of a year-long work placement will allow you to achieve an Advanced Professional Diploma alongside your degree.

Research projects

During your final year you will combine the skills and knowledge you have gained to undertake a specialist research project working alongside an expert in your chosen subject area. Opportunities are available for both lab and non lab-based science projects allowing you the flexibility to focus on a specific area of interest.

Networking opportunities

We have extra-curricular career-focused activities such as careers and job fairs, employer events, mentoring schemes, internship opportunities, volunteering and leadership awards – helping you to accelerate your progression towards your chosen career.

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

Through the study of modules such as human physiology and anatomy and cell biology and biochemistry you will gain an in-depth understanding of the human body. Modules including pathological science and biomedical investigations will then teach you about diseases and the latest techniques that are used in their diagnosis.

The foundation course content is delivered and assessed in a variety of innovative and exciting ways, helping you to gain skills required for success on your chosen degree route. You will study 6 modules designed to prepare you for future success while studying one of our bioscience or chemistry degrees. Attending and participating in the laboratory activities is central to your course, as it is where you develop not only practical skills, but also learn to keep effective records and analyse data, as well as working both independently and with others.

With a strong focus on employability throughout you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills desired by graduate science-sector employers or postgraduate education providers.

You learn through

• lectures and seminars (including specialist lectures from industry professionals) 
• interactive workshops
• practical laboratory work
• project work
• supported work placements (optional)
• small group academic tutorials 

This course prepares you for a wide range of careers including:

• hospital pathology laboratories
• academic research
• the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry 
• medical-related disciplines
• clinical trials research
• scientific sales and marketing
• postgraduate study options

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for world-leading companies such as:

• the NHS
• pharmaceutical companies
• scientific law firms
• research institutes

Graduates have also progressed to further study of masters courses and PhDs or have gone into teaching.

 

UCAS points

• 64

From A levels to include at least 24 points in any one A level or BTEC National qualification. Also need to have at least 16 points from a science subject (biology/chemistry/physics or maths). We do not accept general studies.For example:

• CC at A Level
• MPP in BTEC Extended Diploma.
• A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels and EPQ.

You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

• Access - an Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course in a science based subject. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3

GCSE

• English Language at grade C or 4 or equivalent
• Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalent
• Science at grade C or 4

 

If you do not have any of the qualifications above but have relevant experience you are welcome to discuss potential opportunities with the admissions tutor.

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in all skills or equivalent.If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.5 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.

Important notice:

The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.

Year 1 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Concepts In Biology And Chemistry	40	Practical
Developing Skills For Science	20	Coursework
Foundation Skills For Science	20	Coursework
Foundations Of Biology And Chemistry	40	Practical

 

Year 2 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Demonstrating Professional Skills For Scientists	20	Practical
Biomedical Science In Practice	40	Coursework Practial
Fundamentals Of Biomedical Science	40	Coursework Practical
Introducing Professional Skills For Scientists	20	Coursework

 

 

Year 3 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Genes To Proteins, Biochemistry In Action	20	Exam
Applying Professional Skills For Scientists	20	Coursework
Developing Professional Skills For Scientists	20	Coursework
Disease, Diagnostics, And Therapeutics	40	Coursework Practical
Immunology and Microbiolog	20	Practical

 

Year 4 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Placement Year For Biosciences And Chemistry		Coursework

 

Final Year Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Blood Sciences	20	Exam
Advanced Professional Skills For Scientists	20	Coursework
Cellular Pathology And Infection	20	Exam
Research Project	40	Coursework Practical

 

Elective modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Advanced Genetics	20	Practical
Advanced Therapeutics And Personalised Medicine	20	Coursework
Applications Of Data Science	20	Coursework
Applied Biochemistry	20	Coursework
Human Nutrition And Health	20	Coursework
Neurobiology And Neurophysiology	20	Practical
Pharmacology	20	Exam