Biomedical Science with Foundation Year
Entry requirements
A level
Overall: CCC We do not include General Studies or Critical Thinking in our offers. Required subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics
Access to HE Diploma
Overall: QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall including 21 at Distinction, 3 at Merit and and 21 at Pass Required subjects: Access content will be assessed by Faculty Must include 15 level 3 credits in Science. GCSE or Equivalent: Inclusion of GCSE English and Mathematics equivalent within Access programme
Extended Project
Applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) will receive our standard A level offer, plus an alternate offer of one A level grade lower, subject to achieving an A grade in the EPQ. The one grade reduction will not apply to any required subjects.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
English and Mathematics grade C (4) (or equivalents may be considered).
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Overall: 29 Required subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics GCSE or Equivalent: English, HL4/SL4 (including MYP). Maths, HL4/SL4 (including MYP). Maths Studies, SL4.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Overall: MMM Required subjects: Please contact us to discuss suitability.
Scottish Advanced Higher
Overall: CCC Required subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics GCSE or Equivalent: Scottish National 5: English Language and Mathematics grade C
Scottish Higher
Overall: BBBCC Required subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics GCSE or Equivalent: Scottish National 5: English Language and Mathematics grade C
Overall: Pass overall with CCC from a combination of the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and two A levels. Applicants taking an A level science subject with the Science Practical Endorsement are required to pass the practical element. Required subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics GCSE or Equivalent: Inclusion of GCSE English and Mathematics equivalent within the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
**Foundation courses**
A foundation year can develop your skills and make it easier to get started at university. It is an extra year of study at the start of your course that leads in to a full degree programme. It’s a great option if:
You don’t have the grades for a full degree course
You have non-traditional qualifications or experience
You’re starting university after some time away from education
You’re looking for more support during the transition into university study.
**Life as a foundation year student**
During a foundation year you’ll learn about your chosen subject, develop your study skills and get used to university life. On successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll be ready to progress to the first year of your degree course.
As a foundation year student, you’ll be a full student of the University and part of our community. You’ll have access to all our campus facilities and support.
**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
-Join the 97% of our biosciences and medicine graduates who go on to employment or further study*
-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).
*Graduate Outcomes survey 2022, HESA
**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.
Modules
To see the full range of modules for this course please visit our website. The link is under course ‘contact details’. You will also find full details of the programme, including assessment methods, programme structure, contact hours and Graduate prospects.
Extra funding
The University of Surrey offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to support our students, please visit https://www.surrey.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/scholarships-and-bursaries for more details.
The Uni
Stag Hill
FHMS - School of Biosciences and Medicine
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.
How do students rate their degree experience?
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Biomedical sciences (non-specific)
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
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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.
Top job areas of graduates
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Post-six month graduation stats:
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Graduate field commentary:
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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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