Biological and life sciences · Medicine and healthcare
Biomedical science
BSc
Overview
Biomedical science studies the biology of human disease and the laboratory methods used to investigate it. You learn cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology and how results are interpreted. Some degrees are accredited for a career as a biomedical scientist and include the right laboratory training. Others are excellent science degrees but do not by themselves lead to HCPC registration. The difference is the accreditation and the placement, not the attractiveness of the title. Students who enjoy it like precise lab work and explaining what a result means, more than they want to work as a doctor.
You want degree-level study of human disease, possibly towards a registered biomedical scientist role.
Medicine qualifies you as a doctor. A non-accredited biomedical degree does not register you as a biomedical scientist.
People who like laboratory investigation and human biology.
What you will study
Universities do not teach the same modules. The lists below are a general shape, not a syllabus.
Year 1
- Cell biology
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Laboratory skills
Year 2
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Research methods
Year 3
- Disease mechanisms
- Diagnostic methods
- Research project
Skills
Useful before you start
- Chemistry and biology
- Careful practical work
- Writing up evidence
Developed during the degree
- Data interpretation
- Laboratory technique
- Understanding disease mechanisms
Teaching and assessment
Teaching often includes Lectures, Laboratory practicals, Tutorials.
Assessment often includes Exams, Lab reports, Project.
Typical weekly commitment
Estimate for a laboratory bioscience degree. Practical classes make contact hours higher than in many humanities courses.
Entry requirements
Indicative patterns from published UK admissions information. Not an offer. Actual requirements vary by course, university and year. Pearson Edexcel International A Level and Cambridge International A Level are not treated as the same qualification as GCE A level.
Indicative requirements by qualification
The A-level band is the catalogue reference. IB and American lines come from the named university guides under the table. They are not a conversion every university uses, and they are not an offer.
| Qualification | Indicative requirements |
|---|---|
| A Levels | BBB–AAB. Two from Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics is a common pattern. Some courses require both biology and chemistry. |
| IB Diploma | UCL publishes 36 points for AAB. The other end of this band is not in that table. A required A-level subject must be Higher Level in UCL's rule. Each Higher Level subject in that table is at least 5. UCL equates A* to 7, A to 6 and B to 5. This is one university's table. |
| American curriculum | That Manchester guide gives AP 5, 5, 4 for AAB. The other end of this band is not in the guide. Bristol publishes a GPA of 3.2, or 3.4 for competitive courses, and does not use one AP pattern for every degree. |
- University College London: Undergraduate entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, School of Social Sciences: Americas country guide. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, Civil Engineering: USA country entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Bristol: USA international qualifications. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
A-level subjects
Two from Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics is a common pattern. Some courses require both biology and chemistry.
Often recommended: Biology, Chemistry.
Useful preparation: Mathematics.
GCSE and IGCSE
English and mathematics at GCSE or IGCSE are commonly requested. Science grades matter more for science degrees. No single national grade is stored. International GCSEs are not automatically accepted as GCSEs.
Indicative UK pattern only. Highly selective universities can ask for higher grades in the sciences than the typical band. Not an offer. Manchester's published 2027 biomedical sciences offer is stored separately in the course checker and is not restated here as a general rule.
Other ways in
- IBMS accreditation and an approved laboratory placement matter for HCPC registration.
- A foundation year is not automatic progression.
Admissions tests and extra requirements
No admissions test is stored as usual for this course. A university can still set one for a particular year.
Course costs
For many standard full-time courses in England, the home-fee maximum in 2026 to 2027 is Up to £9,790. This is the maximum standard full-time fee published for approved English providers with a TEF award and an access and participation plan. It is not the fee a named university charges, and it does not decide whether you pay home or international fees.
Clinical, laboratory and studio courses are not given a different home-fee figure here, because the regulated maximum is not the same thing as an international or clinical fee.
International tuition is set by each university and is not stored here. Clinical courses are often much higher than classroom-based courses. A school in Qatar does not decide home-fee status.
Source: Changes to tuition fees: 2026 to 2027 academic year. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Living costs, field trips and professional fees are not included.
Where you could study
UK degrees in this subject are numerous. This page does not list every university, because a list without a checked entry requirement would look more certain than it is.
Published courses already checked
The University of Manchester
BSc Biomedical Sciences. 2027 entry. 3 years.
This is one published course, not the general pattern above.
Official course pageKing's College London
Biomedical Science BSc. 2027 entry. Three years, or four years if includes either a year abroad or extra-mural year.
This is one published course, not the general pattern above.
Official course page
No overseas course has been checked for this subject yet.
Where could this degree take you?
Biomedical scientist
Direct qualifying route
Only an accredited route plus the required laboratory training leads to registration. The Manchester 2027 course on file is not accredited.
Clinical scientist
Common route
A bioscience degree can be the start. NHS scientist training is a later, competitive postgraduate route.
Research scientist
Common route
Research posts often expect a strong degree and sometimes a postgraduate qualification.
Critical care technologist
Alternative route
Healthcare science and clinical technology routes vary. This degree is one possible science background, not a dedicated technologist qualification.
Explore your pathway
A course sits between school subjects and a career. It does not guarantee either admission or a job.