BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science Practice (Apprenticeship)

How do you develop the skills needed for a career in healthcare? In this module, you’ll gain clinical experience by working with patients and understanding their care journeys. You’ll also explore professional skills, such as following legal and health and safety rules in the workplace. Academic skills like scientific and reflective writing will also be developed. This module prepares you for the NHS and equips you with transferable skills for success in both academic and professional settings.

In this module, you’ll explore the chemistry behind biological processes, like chemical reactions, energy changes, and how enzymes speed up reactions. You’ll learn about acids, bases, and pH in living systems, as well as the structure and function of molecules like DNA, proteins, fats, and sugars. You’ll also study how mitochondria produce energy, and how proteins are made, cells communicate, and genes are transcribed. Practical work will include lab skills like titration, spectrophotometry, flow cytometry, and chromatography to help reinforce what you’ve learned.

How do cells form the human body’s organs and systems? In this module, you’ll learn how cells are specialised to create the organs and systems in the human body. You’ll study how cell structures (organelles) work and key processes like cell division and cell death. You’ll also explore the major organ systems and gain practical experience with techniques like lung function tests.

How do microbes impact human health and disease? In this module, you’ll explore how viruses, bacteria, and fungi affect human health. You’ll study how microorganisms grow, adapt, and cause disease, and how the body fights back with immune responses. You’ll also learn about antibiotics, how they’re developed, and how the body’s natural defences protect against infections. Practical lab skills will be taught, including aseptic techniques, to ensure safe handling of microorganisms.

How do microbes cause infections and how can we treat them? In this module, you’ll explore how microbes play a role in infections and learn the strategies used to treat them. You’ll study how biomedical and bioinformatic techniques support these treatments. You’ll also learn about the structure of organ systems and how examining tissue samples under a microscope helps us diagnose and treat diseases.

How do blood and immune system studies help diagnose and treat diseases? In this module, you’ll explore different scientific areas within an NHS blood sciences department. In clinical biochemistry, you’ll learn how blood and other fluids are analysed to diagnose diseases. You’ll study blood production, transfusion, and the use of blood components in treatment. You’ll also deepen your understanding of immunology, focusing on how the immune system defends against infections and how this knowledge can help improve treatments like vaccines and immunotherapy.

In this module, you’ll learn about the molecular techniques used in modern diagnostics and research. You’ll study clinical genetics and explore how bioinformatics helps apply genetic data to patient care. You’ll also learn how to design and analyse both qualitative and quantitative research using statistics. Finally, you’ll explore how drug metabolism, monitoring, and toxicology affect patient outcomes and guide treatment decisions.

How do you explore and evaluate current research in biomedical science? In this module, you’ll take a deep dive into a current topic in biomedical or clinical research. You’ll build academic skills by writing a detailed literature review and learn how to critically assess published research and research methods. You’ll also explore how scientific papers are reviewed and gain a strong understanding of the techniques and approaches used in your chosen research area.

In this module, you’ll build on the professional skills and lab experience you’ve gained in the workplace. You’ll develop the technical knowledge and values needed for good scientific practice as a biomedical scientist. You’ll also learn about the importance of quality assurance, teamwork, communication, and working with other professionals to provide patient-centred care. This module is aligned with the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) requirements for becoming a registered biomedical scientist.

How can you turn your knowledge into real research? In this module, you’ll design and carry out your own research project, using the skills and knowledge you’ve developed throughout your degree. This is your chance to work independently, explore your own ideas, and grow as a scientist. Your project could focus on scientific or clinical research, healthcare policy, education, innovation, or service development within the biosciences.

In this module, you’ll build on your experience working in an NHS laboratory, strengthening the knowledge, technical skills, and professional behaviours needed for good scientific practice. You’ll develop a deeper understanding of quality assurance, teamwork, communication, and working across disciplines to support safe, patient-centred care. This module is aligned with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) requirements for registration as a biomedical scientist.

How does studying tissue help us diagnose disease? In this module, you’ll examine real tissue samples and learn how changes at the cellular level relate to disease. Through case studies and interactive learning, you’ll explore different conditions from both patient and clinical perspectives. You’ll also gain an understanding of how diseases appear at both the clinical and cellular level, helping connect lab findings to real-life diagnosis.

How do we diagnose and understand disorders in body chemistry? In this module, you’ll explore disorders linked to acid-base balance, electrolytes, hormones, and metabolism. You’ll learn how lab tests are used in areas like paediatric biochemistry, neonatal screening, and cancer detection. Through case studies and hands-on practice, you’ll examine how biochemical tests are carried out in the lab and learn to interpret clinical and laboratory data to help diagnose biochemical diseases.

In this module, you’ll explore the human genome and how gene activity is controlled. You’ll learn about genetic causes of disease and how this knowledge is leading to new treatments like gene therapy and genome editing. You’ll also study key advances in clinical genetics, such as whole-genome sequencing, and how they support personalised medicine. The module also looks at how genetic testing can predict drug responses, helping to create more accurate and effective treatments.

How do microbes cause disease? How do we detect and control them? In this module, you’ll study how bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa cause infection at the molecular level. You’ll explore how antibiotics work and why some bacteria become resistant. You’ll investigate infections using both traditional and advanced diagnostic tools, including bioinformatics. You’ll also learn how public health teams track and manage outbreaks within the NHS. Practical sessions will teach you how to safely handle harmful microorganisms in the lab.

How does the immune system know when to fight and when not to? In this module, you’ll explore how the immune system decides between attacking threats and staying tolerant to avoid harming the body. You’ll examine how the immune system interacts with cancer and how infections can trigger allergies or autoimmune diseases. You’ll assess ways to control immune responses to improve health, and you'll carry out lab tests and data analysis to help diagnose immune system disorders.

How do blood disorders develop and how are they diagnosed and treated? In this module, you’ll study diseases linked to problems in the bone marrow or blood cells, such as anaemia, cancers, and bleeding disorders. You’ll learn how blood products are safely prepared and used in treatment. Through practical sessions and case-based learning, you’ll explore the lab techniques used in haematology and transfusion science. You’ll also interpret clinical and lab data to help diagnose blood-related diseases using both routine and specialist methods.