Biomedical Science

BSc (Honours)/MSci

UndergraduateBiosciences and chemistry

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.

Everything you need to know…
  • What is the fee?

    International/EU: £16,655 per year (£1,200 for placement year)

  • How long will I study?

    3 / 4 Years

  • What are the admission requirements?

    120-128 UCAS Points

  • When do I start?

    2024.September

  • Placement year available?

    Placement Available

Course summary
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.
How you learn

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 have the opportunity to study in Europe 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.

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
Future career

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.

Equipment and facilities

You’ll have access to various collaborative and independent learning spaces, and a large suite of high-quality laboratories. You’ll use the same industry-standard equipment and software that you’ll be using in your career.

On this course you work with:

  • Analytical tools such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography equipment.
  • Our award-winning cell culture suites with laminar flow hoods and incubators.
  • High-powered fluorescent and confocal microscopes for cell and tissue analysis.
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction equipment.
  • If you transfer to the MSci route, you’ll work alongside PhD students and scientists in our Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, with access to a range of cutting-edge facilities.

We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.

 

Entry requirements

UCAS points

  • 120-128

From A levels including 40 points in Biology or equivalent BTEC national qualifications in Applied Science to include suitable biology modules. The study of Chemistry is useful, but not essential. We do not accept General Studies. We will consider a combination of qualification types.

  • ABB at A Level including A level Biology.
  • BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science DDM (please list units on your application).
    BTEC Diploma in Applied Science D*D with relevant biology modules (please list units on your application) alongside other level 3 study.
  • A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels and EPQ.

GCSE

  • English Language or English Literature at grade C
  • Maths at grade C

• Access - an Access to HE Diploma from a relevant QAA-recognised Access to HE course which has mainly biology and chemistry related modules, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 15 level 3 credits should be graded at distinction level.

* GCSE English and mathematics equivalent

• equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk

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.

We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions or disabilities you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the course requirements and take part without disadvantage. You can contact our University student support staff on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom) and explore any issues you may have.

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

Modules

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

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 2
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 Microbiology

20

Practical

 

Year 3
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