Biomedical Science with Integrated Foundation Year BSc (Hons)

This is a four-year version of BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with an integrated foundation year. Build on your A Level knowledge of biology or chemistry. Gain expertise in fields such as medical microbiology, immunology, haematology, pathophysiology and clinical biochemistry. Work towards one of four possible degree titles.

Register your interest

Overview

This unique course allows you to work towards one of four possible degree titles: Biomedical Science, Applied Biomedical Science, Biomedical Science (sandwich) and Healthcare Science (Life Sciences).

IBMSLOGO

Why us?

The University has over 100 years of expertise in teaching science
Our Biosciences courses are ranked 12th in the UK (The Guardian University league tables, 2021)
'Hands on' approach to learning in our new state-of-the-art interactive learning facility 'The Living Lab' and modern bioscience laboratories
Accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), the professional body for those who work within the field of biomedical science
Opportunity to move onto the Applied Biomedical Science programme and undertake a 40 week clinical placement in an IBMS approved training laboratory within the NHS
We are a University that is nationally recognised for supporting learners particularly from non-traditional backgrounds and many students come to us with no formal qualifications but with valuable work experience

Opportunity to move onto a Healthcare Science programme within the Life Sciences which incorporates 50 weeks of clinical placement over three years. Our Healthcare Science courses are accredited by the National School of Healthcare Sciences
BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science and BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Life Sciences) courses are both approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and lead to eligibility to join the HCPC register as a Biomedical Scientist
Opportunity to undertake a work placement year in industry, developing practical and real-world skills of value to employers

Course structure

This course has been designed to develop Biomedical Scientists who will play a vital role in modern healthcare, but the course also follows a research-active curriculum, promoting development of a wide range of subject-specific and transferrable skills valuable to employers. The course integrates traditional lectures and laboratory-based learning with a range of approaches to reflect different ways of learning, such as workshops, seminars, case-based learning, group work, one to one tutorials. In addition there is directed and independent study and use of the virtual learning environment.

Foundation Year

The Integrated Foundation Year for Biosciences includes five modules:

Essential Study Skills (20 credits)
Practical Numeracy Skills (20 credits)
Foundations of Science (40 credits)
Foundation Project (20 credits)
Physiology for Biosciences (20 credits)

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

Year 1 (national level 4):

Fundamental Principles in Biomedicine (20 credits)
Human Physiology (20 credits)
Chemistry for the Biosciences (20 credits)
Molecular and Cellular Biology (20 credits)
Microbes and Host Defences (20 credits)
Clinical and Professional Practice (20 credits)

Year 2 (national level 5):

Pathophysiology and Therapeutics (20 credits)
Molecular and Cellular Analysis (20 credits)
Infection and Immunity (20 credits)
Blood Science (20 credits)
Biosciences Literature Review (20 credits)
Research and Analytical Skills for Biosciences (20 credits)

Placement year (optional):

48-week industrial placement

Final year (national level 6):

Core modules

Bioscience Research Investigation (40 credits)

Optional modules - select four

Cellular Pathology (20 credits)
Clinical Biochemistry (20 credits)
Haematology and Transfusion Science (20 credits)
Human Genetics and Genomics (20 credits)
Clinical Immunology (20 credits)
Medical Microbiology (20 credits)

BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science

Year 1 (national level 4):

Fundamental Principles in Biomedicine (20 credits)
Human Physiology (20 credits)
Chemistry for the Biosciences (20 credits)
Molecular and Cellular Biology (20 credits)
Microbes and Host Defences (20 credits)
Clinical and Professional Practice (20 credits)

Year 2 (national level 5):

Pathophysiology and Therapeutics (20 credits)
Molecular and Cellular Analysis (20 credits)
Infection and Immunity (20 credits)
Blood Science (20 credits)
Biosciences Literature Review (20 credits)
Research and Analytical Skills for Biosciences (20 credits)

Placement year:

40-week clinical placement in NHS pathology department

Final year (national level 6):

Core modules

Bioscience Research Investigation (40 credits)

Optional modules - select four

Cellular Pathology (20 credits)
Clinical Biochemistry (20 credits)
Haematology and Transfusion Science (20 credits)
Human Genetics and Genomics (20 credits)
Clinical Immunology (20 credits)
Medical Microbiology (20 credits)

BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science

Year 1 (national level 4):

Fundamental Principles in Biomedicine (20 credits)
Human Physiology (20 credits)
Chemistry for the Biosciences (20 credits)
Molecular and Cellular Biology (20 credits)
Microbes and Host Defences (20 credits)
Clinical and Professional Practice for Healthcare Science* (20 credits)
*Here you will be required to undertake a suitable 10-week work placement in your first year

Year 2 (national level 5):

Pathophysiology and Therapeutics (20 credits)
Molecular and Cellular Analysis (20 credits)
Infection and Immunity (20 credits)
Blood Science (20 credits)
Research and Analytical Skills for Biosciences (20 credits)
Professional Practice and Work-Based Training in Life Sciences* (20 credits)
*Here you will be required to undertake a suitable 15-week work placement during your second year

Final year (national level 6):

Core modules

Healthcare Science Research Investigation (30 credits)
Advanced Professional Practice and Work-Based Training in Life Sciences - 25 weeks placement (30 credits)

You will also undertake specific modules and placements that will determine the exact title of your degree

BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Blood Science)
BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Cellular Science)
BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Infection Science)
BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Genetic Science)

Your degree title will depend on which of the following four options you choose:

Blood Science route

Core modules

Clinical Biochemistry (20 credits)
Clinical Immunology (20 credits)
Haematology and Transfusion Science (20 credits)

Cellular Science route

Core modules

Cellular Pathology (20 credits)

Optional modules (choose two)

Clinical Biochemistry (20 credits)
Clinical Immunology (20 credits)
Haematology and Transfusion Science (20 credits)
Human Genetics and Genomics (20 credits)
Medical Microbiology (20 credits)

Genetic Science route

Core modules

Haematology and Transfusion Science (20 credits)
Human Genetics and Genomics (20 credits)

Optional modules (choose one)

Cellular Pathology (20 credits)
Clinical Biochemistry (20 credits)
Clinical Immunology (20 credits)
Medical Microbiology (20 credits)

Infection Science route

Core modules

Clinical Immunology (20 credits)
Medical Microbiology (20 credits)

Optional modules - choose one

Cellular Pathology (20 credits)
Clinical Biochemistry (20 credits)
Human Genetics and Genomics (20 credits)
Haematology and Transfusion Science (20 credits)

Based in the Sciences Complex, the Analytical Lab has high-end analytical equipment, including UV, Fluorescence, Infrared and Atomic Absorption Spectrometers, as well as specialist equipment such as Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometers and Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer, which enable analysis of complex mixtures.
Analytical Lab
We’ve got thousands of books and e-books on pharmaceutical and biomedical science, with many more titles available through the inter-library loan service. We also subscribe to a comprehensive range of print and electronic journals so you can access the most reliable and up-to-date academic and industry articles.
Some of the most important sources for your studies include:
- Embase: A complex database covering drug research, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, toxicology, clinical and experimental human medicine, health policy and management, public health, occupational health, environmental health, drug dependence and abuse, psychiatry, forensic medicine and biomedical engineering/instrumentation
- PsycARTICLES: Includes information about the psychological aspects of medicine, psychiatry, nursing, sociology, pharmacology and physiology
- PubMed: Contains life science journals, online books and abstracts that cover fields such as medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine and health care
- Science Direct: Offers more than 2,000 full-text journals published by Elsevier
- Web of Science: Covers a broad range of science areas
Library Services - sciences
Multi-Functional Lab 360
Our Patient Diagnostic Suite is a multi-professional facility featuring a range of near patient testing/point of care resources for audiology, cardiology and laboratory medicine assessment and diagnostics including consultation areas for simulated patient assessment and feedback.
Patient Diagnostic Suite
The Sciences Complex is based on our City Campus. It has benefited from multi-million pound investment in modern facilities in recent years and continues to develop as our health sciences offer grows.

It is the central hub for many of our health and sciences courses and is made up of a variety of teaching and learning spaces, including labs, problem-based learning classrooms and facilities that encourage interprofessional learning. A lot of academic staff offices are based here, with an open-door policy in place.
The Sciences Complex
Map and directions

Facilities

This course is based in the Sciences Complex at our City Campus, which boasts excellent laboratories and cutting-edge equipment thanks to multi-million pound investments.

Entry requirements

We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.

Entry requirements are provided for guidance only and we may offer you an entrance interview which will help us determine your eligibility for your chosen degree. This enables us to consider making you an offer if you are perhaps a mature student who has been out of education for a period of time, or you have gained significant knowledge and skills through employment rather than traditional education.

Eligible entry qualifications:

1. Normally a minimum of three Level 2 qualifications (NVQ, GCSE or equivalent), including Maths and English at grade C or above** and a minimum of 40 UCAS tariff points from Level 3 qualifications (e.g. A or AS Levels, T Levels, BTEC certificates/diplomas, access courses or equivalent)
OR
2. Demonstrable evidence of appropriate knowledge and skills acquired from at least three years of post-school work experience.

If you are unsure of whether you think you might be suitable for the course, please contact us!

** If you have studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above. Equivalent alternative qualifications are also accepted, such as Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you have not achieved a grade C in Maths and English we may be able to work with you to ensure that you are able to gain these in the first year of the course, depending on your experience.

If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

The annual fee for this course is £9,250 if you are from the UK/Ireland/EU settled/pre-settled.

If you are a full-time UK/Irish/EU settled/EU pre-settled student you may be eligible to receive financial support to cover your fees for the full four years. UK and EU settled students may also be eligible to receive a maintenance loan.

Please note, this course is not available to international students.

Learn more about settled status, pre-settled status, special discounts, visa requirements and Common Travel Area (CTA) agreements for the Republic of Ireland applicants in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

Your career options will vary according to the path you choose and the title of your final degree.

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences

Potential employers include the NHS, medical research institutions, clinical laboratories, drug companies and molecular biology companies.

The optional 48-week placement after your second year is a great way to make contacts that can be valuable for future job offers.

BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science

You will have completed a compulsory 40-week placement in NHS pathology departments, which are obvious sources of potential employment.

Your experience and skills will also give you an edge in applying for any jobs where a strong science background is an advantage.

BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science

Blood Science / Cellular Science / Infection Science / Genetic Science

If you switch to this degree you will be well-prepared to apply for roles as a healthcare scientist within the NHS. Our course provides significant amounts of work-based learning, with compulsory unpaid placements amounting to 10 weeks in Year 1, 15 weeks in Year 2 and 25 weeks in Year 3.

NHS salaries for staff working in healthcare science range from around £21,000 to around £80,000 per year. At an entry level, the work involves obtaining diagnostic data from patients and working as part of a multidisciplinary team that also includes doctors, nurses and radiographers.

Meet the students

My placement year gave me an edge when I was applying for jobs.

Kate Mulholland
Studying here has allowed me to follow two career paths that I am extremely passionate about.

Nadia Ammor
It's an excellent University that really listens to the student voice

Shelley James
I was so impressed with the facilities, the friendly atmosphere and the opportunities on offer.

Tolu Oyebanji

Related courses

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing.

Page last updated: 07 February 2023

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.

Sign up to receive emails about your subject area.

I am currently serving or have previously served in the armed forces, including reserves.

Keep me up to date relating to my interest in the University of Sunderland via:

Email

You may unsubscribe at any time.

Using Your Personal Information
The University of Sunderland is collecting this data in order for you to receive information on your chosen subject(s). Your information will be stored securely in our Customer Relationship Management system which is provided by a 3rd party and used only for the administration and provision of this information. Should you choose to opt in to further communications we will also use your information to facilitate other useful marketing information based on your preferences. Further information on how your data is stored and used can be found in our Privacy notice - marketing.

Biomedical Science with Integrated Foundation Year BSc (Hons)

Overview

Why us?

Course structure

Foundation Year

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

Year 1 (national level 4):

Year 2 (national level 5):

Placement year (optional):

Final year (national level 6):

BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science

Year 1 (national level 4):

Year 2 (national level 5):

Placement year:

Final year (national level 6):

BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science

Year 1 (national level 4):

Year 2 (national level 5):

Final year (national level 6):

Blood Science route

Cellular Science route

Genetic Science route

Infection Science route

Facilities

Entry requirements

Fees and finance

Career ready

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences

BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science

BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science

Meet the students

Kate Mulholland

Nadia Ammor

Shelley James

Tolu Oyebanji

Meet the team — BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with Integrated Foundation Year

Related courses

Contact

Sign up to receive more information