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BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with Integrated Foundation Year

Build on your knowledge of biology or chemistry. Gain expertise in fields such as medical microbiology, immunology, haematology, cellular pathology and clinical biochemistry. Work towards one of four possible degree titles.

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A student in a Biomedical Science laboratory holding up a Petri dish
UCAS codeB941
Duration4 years
Fee (UK)£9,790
LocationOn campus

Course summary

This flexible course allows you to work towards one of four distinct degree titles. We design each route to help you explore your interests and prepare for your ideal career in healthcare or biomedical research. Please note that some routes are dependent on placement availability. They may also require a successful interview with a placement provider.

Biomedical Science

Explore the science behind human health and disease. You’ll gain in-depth knowledge of how the body functions and what happens when things go wrong. Build a strong foundation in biomedicine by studying key areas such as:

  • Medical microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Cellular pathology
  • Haematology
  • Clinical biochemistry. to build a strong foundation in biomedicine.

Applied Biomedical Science

This route follows the same curriculum as Biomedical Science. However, it includes a 40-week NHS laboratory placement between your second and final year. During the placement, you’ll complete your Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) registration portfolio. This will put you on track to register as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) after graduation.

Biomedical Science (sandwich)

You'll study the same curriculum as the core Biomedical Science course. However, this route includes the opportunity to spend a year gaining valuable experience in an industry setting.

Healthcare Science (Life Sciences)

You may be able to transfer onto this specialised route after starting the Biomedical Science course. This is dependent on placement availability. You’ll focus on one of four areas:

  1. Blood Sciences
  2. Cellular Sciences
  3. Genetic Sciences
  4. Infection Sciences

You'll complete a series of integrated clinical placements in an approved training laboratory. This route includes completion of your IBMS registration portfolio and leads to eligibility for HCPC registration.

Applied Biomedical Science and Healthcare Science (Life Sciences) are approved by the HCPC.

Why Sunderland for Biological Sciences

Integrated Foundation Year

This course is available with an Integrated Foundation Year, an extra year of your degree. This route offers a supportive way of transitioning into university study. It may be suitable for you if you:

  • Have valuable work or life experience but no formal qualifications
  • Are returning to education after a break
  • Want to change direction or explore a new career path
  • Have just missed the entry requirements for the three-year course.

We’re enhancing our Integrated Foundation Year to give you an even stronger start to your degree. The updated modules will align more with your chosen subject area. This will help you build the knowledge, confidence, and skills you need for your studies. We'll share full details soon and can't wait to tell you more.

Please note, this route isn’t available to international students.

Accreditations and approvals

  • Accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), the professional body for those who work within the field of biomedical science
  • Our Healthcare Science courses are accredited by the National School of Healthcare Science.
Institute of Biomedical Science logo. It reads: IBMS Institute of Biomedical Science Accredited Programme

What you'll study

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific modules. If you’re not sure what you need before picking a module, your course leader can help.

Undergraduate module credits should total 120 credits per academic year. If optional modules are available, choose an amount that totals 120 credits.

How you'll learn

We design the course content to develop biomedical scientists who'll play a vital role in modern healthcare. The course also follows a research-active curriculum, so you'll develop a wide range transferable skills that are valuable to employers.

Teaching methods include:

  • Traditional lectures
  • Lab-based learning
  • Workshops
  • Seminars
  • Case-based learning
  • Group work
  • One-to-one tutorials.

There's also directed and independent study and use of the virtual learning environment.

Healthcare Sciences

If you choose to apply for Healthcare Sciences (Life Sciences) and are successful at interview, you'll study the same course content as Biomedical Science. You'll increase focus on your specialist area in Year 3, but will follow a series of integrated clinical placements each year in an approved clinical training laboratory.

For queries about part-time entry, please email the course leader, Dr Noel Carter, at noel.carter@sunderland.ac.uk.

Entry requirements

Fees and finance support

UK£9,790

Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. If you're a Home fee-paying student, the fee for your first year of study for 2026/27 will be £9,790. You'll pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

Check your fee status(opens in new tab).

If you currently serve (or have recently served) within the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence's ELCAS scheme may be able to help cover your funding for this course. Read more about funding for Armed Forces personnel.

See all course tuition fees.

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

Apply now

UK students

Disclaimer

We want to make sure you have clear and accurate information about our courses. Our website always shows the latest updates. If you’ve applied and you're offered a place, we’ll contact you in writing if anything important changes.

For more information, view our programme specifications. These include course content, learning outcomes, and the skills you'll gain.