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Biomedical scientist

Biomedical scientists test patient samples and help doctors and healthcare professionals diagnose, treat and prevent disease.

Potential salary
£30,000 starter to £53,000 experienced per year
Typical hours
38 to 40 a week. Working pattern: evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts.
Career area
Science and laboratory work
Where they might work
You could work in an NHS or private hospital, in a laboratory, at a research facility or at a university. You may need to wear protective clothing.
A typical task
test for infections and diseases, like hepatitis and diabetes
Subjects that may help
5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
Typical route
You can study for a biomedical science degree.
Interest area used here
Health and laboratory science

Please note, this degree is not accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science.

The University of Manchester: BSc Biomedical Sciences is not recorded as the route that registers you for this profession.

Career actions

What you might do

  • test for infections and diseases, like hepatitis and diabetes
  • analyse tissue samples for abnormalities, for example from cancer screening
  • investigate cells and genomes to uncover hereditary conditions
  • monitor patients' organ function before and after operations
  • carry out blood grouping and matching for transfusion and transplant services
  • process and analyse tissue samples from operations and autopsies
More tasks (2)
  • research ways to develop new tests and refine existing ones
  • update records with data and test results

Could this suit me?

Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.

  • knowledge of biology
  • analytical thinking skills
  • concentration skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • excellent verbal communication skills
More skills
  • maths knowledge
  • knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Routes into this career

University route

  • You can study for a biomedical science degree.
  • Your course should be accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
  • To work as a biomedical scientist, you must register with the HCPC. To register you'll need to have completed work experience in an accredited laboratory.
  • Some degree courses include work placements. If your chosen course does not include accredited work experience, you'll need to find a laboratory placement. You could do this during a sandwich year or after you have finished your degree.
  • If you're interested in becoming a biomedical scientist in the armed forces, you can find out about degree sponsorships from the: Royal Navy; Royal Air Force; Army.

University courses that could lead to this career

These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.

  • Biomedical Engineering

    Related, but not enough on its own. HCPC biomedical scientist registration normally follows an accredited biomedical science degree, not biomedical engineering.

  • Biomedical science

    Direct qualifying route. Only an accredited route plus the required laboratory training leads to registration. The Manchester 2027 course on file is not accredited.

Explore university routes

Example university course

The University of Manchester. BSc Biomedical Sciences. 2027 entry.

GCSE/IGCSE literacy and numeracy

At least Grade 4 or C in GCSE/IGCSE English Language. At least Grade 4 or C in GCSE/IGCSE Mathematics. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language.

Grade 4 or C

This course is not recorded as the route that registers you for this profession.

Other requirements checked for this course (7)

Contextual A level offer

The contextual section says 'including specific subjects' but does not restate the Core Sciences list. That list was not copied from the standard offer.

Typically AAB-ABC including specific subjects

Standard A level offer

Including two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics (the Core Sciences). Further Mathematics is not considered alongside Mathematics. Human Biology is not considered alongside Biology.

Published grades AAB.

UK refugee or care-experienced offer

The refugee/care-experienced lines state ABB-ABC and do not restate the Core Sciences list.

ABB-ABC

English language

No subject rule was stated.

IELTS Academic 6.5, with no component below 6.5.

International Baccalaureate

Including two science subjects, normally Biology and Chemistry.

IB Diploma: 35 points, with 6, 6, 5 at higher level.

INTO Manchester International Foundation Programme

Grades AA in two sciences, preferably Biology and Chemistry. The third subject excludes EAP.

Published grades AAB.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science

One science A level at grade A, taken with the Applied Science Extended Diploma at DDD.

BTEC grades DDD plus one science A level at grade A, as published. Not converted to a UCAS Tariff.

Official course page

Apprenticeship or vocational route

  • You could apply to do a Biomedical Scientist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, if you're working in the health service or in a research lab facility.
  • This apprenticeship takes around 3 years to complete.
  • You may be able to get into biomedical science as an NHS trainee.
  • You'll need at least 2 A levels in science subjects or an equivalent qualification, like a Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science.
  • Places are sponsored by NHS employers and you'll study for an accredited biomedical degree while you work.

Other routes

  • You could apply to join the NHS Practitioner Training Programme if you're working in the health service.
  • On this programme you'll complete an IBMS accredited degree in healthcare science, known as life science.
  • If you're working at the level of a biomedical scientist but not registered with the HCPC, you may be eligible to start the process of having your experience, competence and knowledge assessed by the IBMS. If the assessment is successful, you will be awarded a Certificate of Competence by Equivalence.
  • Once you have this, you can apply for registration as a biomedical scientist with the HCPC.

  • IBMS Certificate of Competence by Equivalence (Biomedical Scientist)

    Education Provider: Institute of Biomedical Science. Profession: Biomedical scientist. Study Level: Undergraduate. First intake date: September 2015.

  • Manchester biosciences foundation routes named on the 2027 page

    Foundation Year available. You can prepare for the full degree course if you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry by undertaking our foundation course first.

Career progression
  • With experience, you could move into areas like: specialist research; training and education; product development and sales; people or project management.
  • There are also opportunities to work as a biomedical scientist in the armed forces.
  • Find out more from the: Army; Royal Air Force; Royal Navy.

Registration and requirements

you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council

Subjects that may help

Required

The University of Manchester · BSc Biomedical Sciences · 2027 entry · GCSE/IGCSE literacy and numeracy

  • English Language

    Required on the published Manchester 2027 GCSE/IGCSE literacy line for BSc Biomedical Sciences. Not a rule for every biomedical degree, and not the HCPC registration rule.

  • Mathematics

    Required on that same Manchester literacy and numeracy line, at the published Grade 4 or C threshold.

The University of Manchester · BSc Biomedical Sciences · 2027 entry · Standard A level offer

  • Biology

    Named inside Manchester's 2027 A level Core Sciences. Two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics are required for the standard AAB pattern.

  • Chemistry

    Also one of those Core Sciences. One science on its own does not meet the published two-of rule.

  • Physics

    Also one of those Core Sciences.

Generally useful

  • Science

    KS3 science is on the programme of study for maintained schools in England. That is not an entry rule for this career or for the Manchester course.

Optional

The University of Manchester · BSc Biomedical Sciences · 2027 entry · GCSE/IGCSE literacy and numeracy

  • English Literature

    Not accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language on the published Manchester line.

Subject guidance

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology and chemistry
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
Try subjects against the course we checked
Subjects

  • Does not keep this subject rule open

    These subjects do not meet the published subject requirement. This is not a decision about a person, and it is not an offer.

  • Cannot say

    The contextual section says 'including specific subjects' but does not restate the Core Sciences list. That list was not copied from the standard offer.

  • Does not keep this subject rule open

    These subjects do not meet the published subject requirement. This is not a decision about a person, and it is not an offer.

Explore the science

Lessons

  • Background for this kind of work

    Enzymes

    Specification 2.7.

    Biomedical scientists test patient samples. Enzyme specificity is background for some of those reactions. The job profile does not say the work is this lesson's practical.

Practice

What you could do next