BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with foundation and Placement year
Course Overview
Improving human health is one of the most significant challenges of the 21st century, and the University of Bolton's career-oriented BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science with foundation and placement year, which is accredited by the IBMS, is an ideal preparation for laboratory-focused work in healthcare, research, and industrial settings.On successfully completing our BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science with foundation and placement year, a range of options will be open to you. If you secured an NHS laboratory placement in an IBMS-approved training laboratory, you may be ready to apply for professional registration as a biomedical scientist*. If your placement was in a different setting, you'll be ready to gain professional experience in a hospital pathology laboratory and take the next steps towards registration as a professional biomedical scientist*. Alternatively, you could seek work in commercial and industrial laboratories or use your knowledge of human biology and disease as the basis for postgraduate and doctoral-level studies for a career in biomedical research.
The foundation year centres on preparing you for degree-level study. It offers an excellent grounding in the fundamentals of biology, chemistry, and mathematics alongside the development of study skills.
When you progress to degree-level, our expert team will support you in developing the firm understanding and practical know-how vital to your future career in biomedical science. We'll focus on equipping you with hands-on laboratory and practical experience teamed with an invaluable grounding in scientific theory. Our academics will lead you in an exploration of human biology from a medical perspective, investigating the causes of illness and the established and cutting-edge methods and technologies used to treat disease. We'll cover anatomy, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, haematology, transfusion science and physiology, supporting you in building an integrated understanding of human biology and the life sciences more generally.
Our dedicated and supportive team will introduce you to the principles of scientific investigation and a range of experimental techniques and equipment. We offer in-depth practical sessions in our high-spec teaching laboratories where you can gain experience using a wide variety of relevant biomedical instrumentation. In your final year, you'll have the opportunity to carry out a 10-week laboratory project under the guidance of our qualified academic staff. We'll also support you in gaining vital lifelong learning skills to prepare you to research new techniques and developments and apply your knowledge in new ways. As a graduate of this course, you'll be well prepared to keep abreast of innovations and enhancements in the biomedical sciences throughout your career.
As well as offering an in-depth education in human health, disease, and potential treatments, we'll promote the transferable and employability skills that employers demand. The course will support and challenge you to develop strong communication and problem-solving skills, quantitative and scientific reasoning, independence, confidence and resilience, and the ability to collaborate with others as part of a team. Overall, we aim to ensure you graduate with the skills and knowledge needed for a rewarding career in biomedical science, and related fields such as medical technology, biomedical technology, the pharmaceutical industry, and beyond.
The University will offer lots of support to help you find a placement with a relevant organisation in preparation for your placement year (the placement takes place between the third and final years of your course). Through our relationships with the NHS and other relevant employers, we'll share placement adverts as they become available, and you can also seek your own placement. Our placement team will help with applications and interview skills. Your placement does not have to be in the Bolton area – it could be elsewhere in the UK. Completing a placement year will give you invaluable skills and experience that will help you in your final year of study with us and boost your CV to help you find an enhanced career afterwards. Placements are limited by the capacity of placement providers, and their selection process is competitive. If you're unsuccessful in securing a placement, you'll be able to transfer directly to the final year of study and complete your degree in four years.
*The University of Bolton's BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with foundation and placement year is designed to meet the academic components required for registration as a biomedical scientist by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and the course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). For information about training and registering as a biomedical scientist, please visit the IBMS careers web page at https://careers.ibms.org/graduates/.
Highlights
- This course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).
- You'll explore the causes of disease and the methods and technologies used to treat and diagnose disease.
- This course focuses on developing your practical skills and knowledge of research methods by giving you hands-on experience using equipment in our high-spec instrumentation laboratory.
- Many of the areas you'll explore benefit from University staff research, so you'll have direct access to in-house expertise and the latest ideas and learning.
- The placement year offers valuable experience in the workplace. This can be of great benefit to you in your final year of studies and will enhance your employment prospects after graduation.
- At the honours level, you'll undertake a research project. This is your opportunity to conduct a significant piece of original, independent research, using all of the analytical, critical, practical and ICT skills you've gained throughout your studies. Our excellent facilities ensure that on-campus laboratory-based projects are available to all our biomedical science students.
Key Features
- On successfully completing our BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science with foundation and placement year, you'll be eligible to take the next steps towards registration as a professional biomedical scientist*.
- We're based in the Queens Specialist Building, which offers modern teaching laboratories and classrooms, a high-spec instrumentation laboratory, a microscopy facility, a microbiology laboratory and a tissue engineering suite, all dedicated to undergraduate teaching.
- Our anatomy and physiology classes take place in Bolton One. This facility contains large, spacious clinics for learning anatomy and a well-equipped physiology laboratory.
- You'll have opportunities to explore medical biochemistry, molecular genetics, medical microbiology, clinical immunology, haematology, and transfusion science.
- We prefer to keep lecture and practical classes relatively small so that you have plenty of opportunities to ask our friendly, supportive tutors for help and benefit from the ideas and support offered by your classmates. Our small class sizes also allow you to learn sophisticated laboratory procedures that would not be possible in larger groups.
- By inviting experts in specialist areas of biology and biomedicine to give guest lectures and provide an overview of their research and professional experience, we aim to enhance your learning and help you make contacts in the industry.
- You'll also have the chance to attend our annual careers event and be inspired by the career journeys of successful experts in the biomedical field.
- We've consulted our contacts in the NHS and biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies about the design of this course to ensure that our graduates possess the knowledge and skills these industries need.
- We offer a warm and friendly environment with relatively small class sizes, purpose-built teaching and laboratory facilities, and excellent student support and library services.
- By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Nearby Manchester is one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, and the Northwest of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline, and heritage.
Entry Requirements
- 48 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T-levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
- Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3. Biology, chemistry or other relevant science-related subjects are preferred.
- You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English, Mathematics and Science.
- You’ll be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
- If English isn't your first language, you'll need IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band (or equivalent) to meet the HCPC and IBMS's English language requirements. Please visit the HCPC's Certificate of English language proficiency web page for more information and details of the other English language tests they accept.
- After enrolment, you'll need to meet further conditions to secure your placement. We'll discuss these with you during levels HE4 and HE5 of the course. Each organisation offering placements will have specific conditions you must meet before attending their placement. The exact requirements will vary depending on the nature of the organisation and placement. For example, the conditions for an NHS placement will include: (1) As the placement involves regulated activity, you'll need to get an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). (2) You'll be required to pass occupational health screening satisfactorily. (3) You'll need to demonstrate that you're of good health and good character before transfer and on an ongoing basis throughout your studies and career. This list is not exhaustive.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
If you're interested in improving human health but seek an alternative to working directly with patients, the University of Bolton's BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science with foundation and placement year is ideal. Whether your motivation is to diagnose disease or develop new medicines, vaccines and treatments, this degree offers you an exciting combination of career-focused skills and knowledge. As well as exploring the human biology aspects of biomedical science, the course covers essential biotechnological principles and advancements relevant to the medical technology, biomedical technology and pharmaceutical job markets.
Understanding how to use laboratory equipment is crucial for careers in biomedical science and related fields, so this is an important focus of our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with foundation and placement year degree. As a graduate of our course, you’ll possess knowledge of a wide range of laboratory techniques and experience using high-specification instrumentation. Your practical expertise will be underpinned by your sound understanding of the theories and principles of anatomy, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, haematology and physiology. You'll have experience planning, conducting and evaluating experiments, complying with health and safety regulations, and researching and interpreting scientific literature.
In addition to academic and scientific knowledge, this degree offers you the opportunity to develop an impressive range of employability skills. We'll support and challenge you to develop skills in analysis and problem-solving, data analysis, evaluation and interpretation, IT, numeracy and statistics, oral and written communication, project management, teamwork, organisation and time management. These abilities are highly valued in the industry and transferrable to a wide range of areas beyond biomedical science.
As a graduate of this BSc degree, you'll be able to define your pathway to a rewarding career in biomedical science and be qualified to pursue exciting opportunities in research and academia if you wish.
What can I do with this qualification?
As a graduate of our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with foundation and placement year degree, you'll possess a highly transferable skill set adaptable to a vast range of careers and work environments in the public, private and third sectors. Your in-depth knowledge of human biology and laboratory techniques will support you in seeking work immediately as a clinical trials assistant, healthcare technical officer, medical laboratory assistant, laboratory technician, or research assistant. You'll be well placed to apply for roles in medical and veterinary research laboratories, perhaps developing novel therapeutic strategies or diagnostic tests. You might also seek work in research and development, quality assurance and sales in the food and drink, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Biomedical science graduates may also help develop health policy in government departments, become science writers and editors for publishing companies or the specialist press or work in crime scene investigation for the police.
Alternatively, you may use your degree as a springboard to higher-level study in medicine or postgraduate qualifications. If you're attracted to a career in medicine, you may be interested in becoming a physician associate (PA). Physician associates work under the direct supervision of a doctor and carry out many similar tasks, including patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. The University of Bolton's MSc Physician Associate Studies course is open to BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with foundation and placement year graduates who achieve at least a lower second class (2.2) honours degree and takes only two years to complete. A wide range of other postgraduate options will also be open to you, including teaching, social work, graduate entry law, accountancy, physiotherapy and genetic counselling, to name a few.
Alternative career options
Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into various other careers, bearing in mind that these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Some possibilities include:
- Teaching and education
- Medical administration
- Health service management
- Science writing
- Health promotion
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Research and development
- Medical sales
- Intellectual property
- Financial analysis
- Genetics
- Health education
- Public relations
Professional Recognition
The University of Bolton's BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with foundation and placement year degree is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). The course is designed to meet the academic components required for registration as a biomedical scientist by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The curriculum offers a wide-ranging, research-informed scientific education and develops practical skills and experience that employers value.
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2025-26 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
If you wish to apply to multiple institutions or courses for September, then apply through UCAS
You can apply for up to 5 courses through UCAS (at the same or different institutions) for a fee of £27. Alternatively, if you only wish to apply for a single course at a single institution then a reduced applicant's fee of £22.50 is applicable.
The online application form and guidance notes are available on the UCAS website.
You will need the following information to complete your UCAS application form:
Institution Code Name: BOLTN
Institution Code Number: B44
Tel: 0870 1122211
Web: www.ucas.com
International Applicants
The University welcomes applications from international students from all over the world. We try to make the application process as simple and as fast as possible for our international applicants.
This course is not currently accepting international online applications.
Please contact Admissions by telephone on 01204 903903 or email enquiries@bolton.ac.uk
Admissions
University of Bolton
Deane Road
Bolton, BL3 5AB
United Kingdom
Tel: 01204 903903
Email: enquiries@bolton.ac.uk
Partner Organisation Applicants
Please contact Admissions by telephone on 01204 903903 or email enquiries@bolton.ac.uk
Admissions
University of Bolton
Deane Road
Bolton, BL3 5AB
United Kingdom
Tel: 01204 903903
Email: enquiries@bolton.ac.uk
Teaching & Assessment
Face-to-face contact with our expert team is highly interactive, and we pride ourselves on offering personalised support and attention. Our strong preference for small group teaching means your tutors quickly get to know you as an individual. This ensures we can respond to your questions, identify your learning style and support your learning more effectively.
We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods to help you achieve your potential. Lectures introduce course content, while seminars are a valuable way to explore subjects in greater detail. Tutorials allow you to ask questions about the topics we cover and discuss your learning approaches and strategies for success. Practical laboratory sessions help you learn to apply academic theory to scientific problems and develop practical skills in research methods and scientific techniques. Mini-research projects embedded in practical classes encourage your curiosity and help build your critical thinking skills. Also, guided computer-based workshops help you gain the data analysis skills and knowledge you'll need for your final year research project and develop crucial skills in bioinformatics. Overall, we take a blended learning approach, combining face-to-face sessions with online work as appropriate.
Self-directed and independent study is essential if you want to reach your potential in this hugely rewarding and constantly evolving subject. We'll expect you to devote significant time to activities such as background reading, preparing for seminars and assignments, writing essays and revising for exams.
While you're away from the University on your placement, our academic team will contact you during the year to check that everything is going well.
Summative assessments contribute to your final module marks and include in-class tests, essays, seminar presentations, laboratory reports, independent project work, and exams. These assessments are your chance to confirm your knowledge and understanding and demonstrate your critical and evaluation skills.
Meanwhile, you'll benefit from ongoing formative assessments throughout your degree. These don't contribute to module marks or final grades but focus on supporting your progress, helping you build on your strengths and overcome challenges. They're also an excellent way to help you identify and pursue the independent learning strategies that best suit your needs and preferences.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Transition to Higher Education
- Foundations of Anatomy and Physiology
- Principles of Biomolecular Science
- Research Skills for Medical Biology
- Investigating Science and Personal Development
- Introduction to Biochemistry
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Introduction to Biomedical Science
- Molecular Genetics
- Medical Biochemistry
- Medical Microbiology
- Research Science in Practice
- Cellular Pathology
- Preparation for Placement
- Biomedical Science Placement
- Biological Basis of Disease and Therapeutics
- Project
- Professional Practice
- Blood Science
- Clinical Immunology
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 0 | Coursework 67% Practical exams 10% Written exams 23% |
| Level 1 | Coursework 58% Practical exams 15% Written exams 27% |
| Level 2 | Coursework 63% Practical exams 13% Written exams 25% |
| Level 3 | Coursework 58% Practical exams 17% Written exams 25% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 0 | Guided independent study 62% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 38% |
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 66% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 34% |
| Level 2 | Guided independent study 47% Placement/study abroad 33% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 20% |
| Level 3 | Guided independent study 77% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 23% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
