Biomedical Science
BSc (Hons)
- Typical offer for 2025
- Duration
- UCAS code
Suitable for applications.
Overview
The Biomedical Science (Honours) degree requires an interest in science and technology. You will undertake in-depth study into human health and explore the causes of disease that have a major global impact at a systems, cellular and molecular level. You will learn how biomedical research is helping researchers and clinicians develop novel therapeutic strategies and inform government health policy. As part of our frontline medical team, biomedical scientists in healthcare laboratories are involved in over 70% of UK diagnoses and play vital roles in monitoring chronic diseases.
Studying biomedical science will also prepare you for a broad range of scientific careers beyond NHS and public laboratories, including research and development, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, the food and water industry, clinical trials, medical sales and teaching.
Working in our state-of-the-art and specialist laboratories, you will be taught by research experts in human disease, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and cancer. You will also get to grips with innovative technologies such as gene therapy and novel immunotherapies used in experimental treatments driving more effective approaches to medicine in the future.
Recent investment in the Digital Health Enterprize Zone (DHEZ) allows students to access the latest techniques in digital anatomy and pathology, including carrying out digital dissection. You will receive wide-ranging training across a variety of medically related disciplines and are able to choose a specialist pathway in your final year.
Why study Biomedical Science at Bradford?
- Take advantage of our industry-standard teaching and research laboratories: discover how research translates into advances in clinical practice through the dedicated use of our specialist facilities and laboratories.
- Explore the cutting edge: our programmes are constantly updated to reflect the latest research-driven developments in the field, providing you with a broad foundation of knowledge to pursue a career within the biomedical sciences.
- Learn from research-driven experts: you will develop research skills from our leading experts who carry out fundamental scientific and medical research covering all major biomedical disciplines. Examples include how the skin microbiome contributes to healthy ageing in our Centre for Skin Science and how our world-leading Institute of Cancer Therapeutics has developed new cancer treatments now in clinical trials.
- Personalise your degree: specialising in the scientific area that best aligns with your scientific interest in the final year provides the best opportunity to obtain good Honours. Our major themes include haematology, cancer biology, medical cell biology, medical biochemistry and medical microbiology.
- Develop core research skills: throughout the course there is a strong focus on developing your practical skills, leading to a full-time final year research project to enable you to experience data collection and analysis as you would in employment. You will develop skills and gain experience using modern molecular techniques to understand the causes and nature of disease.
Professional accreditation
Biomedical Science at Bradford is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).
IBMS degree accreditation ensures that a degree course covers the academic components of the standards of proficiency at the required level so we meet the Health and Care Profession Council (HCPC) standards of proficiency for biomedical scientists and that students receive a wide-ranging, research-informed scientific education and develop practical skills and experience that employers value.
You get so much support from academics, from pastoral care and that sort of thing which is absolutely brilliant – it makes you feel like you're a part of your course. You're not just learning here, they make you feel like you're a colleague.
Placement Year
Some students choose to use the experience gained in the first and second years of the course to work in an industrial or research laboratory, although this is not a requirement of the course (for compulsory placement see Healthcare Science).
This optional year outside the University gives you the opportunity to explore potential careers in research and diagnostics, and gain valuable experience useful in the laboratory-based final year project.
Students who wish to complete a year-long placement module will transfer to a 4-year version of the degree.
In the past, students have found a wide range of placements in hospitals (Yorkshire and Humber or local to their home), universities and companies including Astra Zeneca, Covance, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Mast Laboratories, Nestlé and the Sanger Centre in Cambridge.
We strongly recommend you take advantage of this opportunity. Your placement module leader will advise and help you organise your placement. We fully expect you will find the whole experience of great benefit to you, increasing your subject-specific skills and confidence - both as an individual and in your career.
Learning and assessment
Formal lectures will facilitate your acquisition of knowledge and understanding and discipline specific skills. Laboratory sessions run in conjunction with the theoretical components will give you the opportunity to enhance your understanding of particular topics.
You will be examined, primarily, on the breadth of knowledge via MCQ and short answer examinations. Coursework assignments will give you the opportunity to gain experience in report writing and data handling and interpretation. As you progress through the programme you will have the opportunity to demonstrate increasing skills of analysis, synthesis and criticism through a wide variety of assessment strategies, including written and oral examinations, report writing, case studies, group work, essays, including a dissertation, oral presentations and the project report. The project report provides a major opportunity to demonstrate autonomy in data handling and critical interpretation in a research context.
Course assessment
The majority of modules contain exam and coursework assessment, particularly important for a laboratory based science course. Overall 48% of the course is assessed by coursework. The percentage assessment by coursework increases on progression through the course to reflect development of independent laboratory and study skills.
Study support
Our comprehensive support services will help you to achieve your full potential – both academically and personally.
We provide all you need to make the very best of your time with us, and successfully progress through your studies and on into the world of graduate employment.
Our support services include:
- Personal tutors
- Disability services
- Counselling services
- MyBradford student support centres
- The Students’ Union
- Chaplaincy and faith advisers
- An on-campus nursery
- Halls wardens
We have well-stocked libraries and excellent IT facilities across campus. These facilities are open 24 hours a day during term time, meaning you’ll always find a place to get things done on campus.
Our Academic Skills Advice Service will work with you to develop your academic, interpersonal and transferable skills.
Research
Our research expertise covers a range of areas including microbiology, cancer research, skin sciences and cardiovascular disease research. You can find out more about two of our research areas below:
Celebrating 50 Years: 50 Stories
Professor Laurence Patterson talks about Bradford’s longstanding expertise in cancer medicines discovery and development, and explains how researchers are working hard to find novel cancer treatments: