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Biomedical Science

Entry requirements


112 - 128 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 3 A Levels. Including Grade B in Biology/Human Biology and Grade B in second science which can be Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Applied Science or Environmental Science/Studies . General Studies is excluded.

Considered in combination.

Pass a named Access to HE Diploma (Science based) with 30 credits at Distinction, including 15 in Biology and 15 in Chemistry, Maths or Physics. The remaining 15 Level 3 credits must be at Merit or above.

Considered in combination.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

30

To include Grade 5 in Biology at Higher Level and Grade 5 in Chemistry, Maths, Applied Science or Environmental Science or Physics at Higher Level. English and Mathematics accepted within as GCSE equivalent.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H1,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3

To include H2 in Biology and H3 in Chemistry. Can consider Maths or Physics if not studying Chemistry - please refer to institution. English and Mathematics accepted within as GCSE equivalent.

Considered in combination

Considered in combination

Considered in combination

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDM

Dependant on Science units within.

Considered in combination

128 UCAS Tariff points including Advanced Highers Grade B in Biology and Grade B in in second science which can be Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Applied Science or Environmental Science/Studies . General Studies is excluded. English and Mathematics accepted within as GCSE equivalent.

Considered in combination with Advanced Highers.

Accepted – preference pathways would be Health or Science. Typical offer will be confirmed once an application is received

UCAS Tariff

112-128

Including a minimum of 3 A Levels, Including Grade B in Biology/Human Biology and Grade B in second science which can be Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Applied Science or Environmental Science/Studies . General Studies is excluded.

Considered in combination.

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Other options

4 years | Sandwich | 2024

Subject

Biomedical sciences

Experience research-informed education by exploring the scientific basis of human health, disease and therapeutics. You'll benefit from a rich and varied learning environment that highlights recent developments and examines how these inform clinical and diagnostic practice. Receive the input of internationally-recognised researchers and NHS staff and open up a range of employment opportunities in both industrial and public research laboratories.

You will stand out with a degree accredited by the Institute for Biomedical Science (IBMS) and benefit from an option to transfer to BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science at the end of your second year, complete a yearlong NHS placement and work as a professional NHS Biomedical Scientist. You will enjoy our unique open access laboratory and resource centre designed for students studying science and engineering courses and have the opportunity to experience more with an optional placement year.

- Stand out with a degree accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).

- Delivered by the Faculty of Health and enhanced by links with healthcare professionals.

- Develop practical skills, critical thinking and professional competence.

- Taught components of the course are enriched by the varied research activities of staff within the school.

- LABplus is a unique open access laboratory and resource centre designed for students studying science and engineering courses. The lab provides a flexible workspace, computing facilities, specialist software, access to microscopes, microscope cameras and bespoke resources.

- Experience more with an optional placement year.

- Gain a positive learning experience within a work setting that will support your studies and future employability – the school offers 12 work placements between Stage 2 and the final year of your programme.

- The school typically offers a limited number of research summer placements – these are available at the end of Stage 1 and at the end of Stage 2. These competitive placements are available for students who demonstrate excellent performance in their studies and allow students to gain valuable research experience within the Biomedical Research Group.

Progression options

This course has up to ten ring-fenced places available at the end of year 1 for progression onto medicine and dentistry. Applicants must meet the following requirements for consideration:

- Minimum of AAB at A level to include A grades in Biology and one other science from Chemistry, Maths, Physics, or Psychology. General Studies will not be accepted.

- Over 70% average across all Year 1 modules.

- Satisfactory DBS check and Occupational Health screening.

We also have an additional route for our Biomedical Science graduates. This involves an enhanced admissions process, as follows:

- On track to gain 1st Class (over 70%) OR already holds a 1st Class Biomedical Science degree with us achieved in the two years prior to applying.

- GAMSAT requirement waived.

- Satisfactory performance in Interview.

- Satisfactory DBS check and Occupational Health screening.

For further information regarding admissions and interviews please contact us at [email protected].

Modules

In your first year, you'll start building a foundation for future learning. You'll develop key skills in communication, data acquisition and analysis.

In your second year, you'll focus on developing a deeper understanding of core biomedical disciplines, with an emphasis on the scientific understanding of pathological processes and diagnostic practice. You'll examine key laboratory techniques and acquire research skills.

You have the option to take up a work placement as part of your degree course between the end of Year 2 and the final year of your degree. Students can choose to apply for an Industrial or NHS placement. Industrial placements are usually 6 month or 12 month duration and upon successful completion, students will gain the Certificate of Industrial Experience. NHS placements are minimally a 40 week duration full-time or the equivalent. Those successfully completing an NHS placement and the IBMS v4 portfolio, will gain the Certificate of Competence from the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). Students who have completed a full IBMS accredited degree (BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science; 360 credits) as well as the Certificate of Competence are eligible to apply to the HCPC to register as a Biomedical Scientist.

Your final year will support your critical thinking and enhance your practical competency. A personal research project allows you to study an area of biomedicine in detail. You will have a choice of research-led topics that discuss current developments and the implications for human health and clinical practice.

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry.

The Uni


Course location:

University of Plymouth

Department:

School of Biomedical Sciences

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What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

80%
Biomedical sciences

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Biomedical sciences (non-specific)

Teaching and learning

79%
Staff make the subject interesting
84%
Staff are good at explaining things
79%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
75%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

80%
Library resources
92%
IT resources
82%
Course specific equipment and facilities
74%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

90%
UK students
10%
International students
31%
Male students
69%
Female students
78%
2:1 or above
14%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
C
D

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Biomedical sciences (non-specific)

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£22,000
med
Average annual salary
98%
med
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

55%
Nursing and midwifery professionals
14%
Therapy professionals
13%
Health professionals

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Biomedical sciences (non-specific)

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£23k

£23k

£26k

£26k

£29k

£29k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Explore these similar courses...

Higher entry requirements
University of Westminster, London | City of Westminster
Medical Sciences
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 128-136
Lower entry requirements
University of Plymouth | Plymouth
Human Biosciences
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 104-120

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This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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