Biomedical Science / Applied Biomedical Science BSc (Hons)
Course Code
UCAS Code: B940
International Code: HLSU230
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
Start date
September 2022
January 2023
Course overview
Study level: Undergraduate
Key contributors to modern healthcare, biomedical scientists play a vital role in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease, monitoring treatments and developing advanced diagnostic tools or novel therapeutic strategies.
- Both courses are accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and Applied Biomedical Science is also approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- Well-equipped suite of analytical and biological laboratories where you can gain hands-on experience using industry-standard techniques.
- No.1 in the Midlands for career prospects in Biological Sciences in the Times Good University Guide 2021.
- Support applying for placements in laboratory and industrial settings to gain crucial real-world experience.

Global Ready
An international outlook, with global opportunities
Teaching excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
Employability
Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeedWhy you should study this course
Accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), the Biomedical Science and Applied Biomedical Science degrees integrate a broad range of biological disciplines to promote understanding of how the human body works and the biology of disease. Throughout the course you will gain practical experience in the laboratories based in our state-of-the-art Alison Gingell Building. Here you will learn and develop the key skills and techniques required for working in a laboratory.
To practice as a biomedical scientist, you must hold an IBMS accredited degree and also be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Students are enrolled on Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) - those who undertake a 12-month placement between years two and three in an approved laboratory, and complete a training portfolio, are then transferred on to Applied Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) for the final year of study. The academic content of both courses is the same, however those on Applied Biomedical Science are eligible to apply for HCPC registration and biomedical scientist roles upon graduation (additional costs may apply).
Both the Biomedical Science and the Applied Biomedical Science courses explore the human body in health and disease, from the functioning of whole body systems down to cell and molecular processes. Course content provides a broad knowledge in the mechanisms, diagnosis and therapeutics of human disease with particular emphasis place on the specialist areas of biomedical science: clinical biochemistry, medical microbiology, cellular pathology, haematology, immunology and genetics.
Laboratory sessions are a fundamental component of the course and aim to help with the development of not only laboratory techniques, but also data interpretation and analysis. Within the lab you will have the opportunity to gain experience of techniques such as PCR, cell culture, flow cytometry, tissue staining, protein detection and microbial culture.
You’ll be taught by experienced academic staff who have a range of hospital and research laboratory experience, bringing their expertise into their teaching (please note staff are subject to change).
We benefit from extensive links with employers, such as the NHS, university research labs, public health laboratories and biotechnology companies where some of our previous graduates have found employment. We also focus on student-centred teaching in which you devise and carry out your own laboratory experiments so that you can demonstrate your ability to work independently and solve problems to future employers.
in the Midlands for career prospects in Biological Sciences
The Times Good University Guide 2021
Accreditation and Professional Recognition
The course is accredited and recognised by the following bodies:

Health and Care Professions Council
Applied Biomedical Science is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council.

Institute of Biomedical Science - Accredited Programme
Both the Biomedical Science and Applied Biomedical Science courses are accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)v for the 2022/23 intake.
If the accreditation or recognition of these courses change, we will notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
Real-world experience
Our students were commissioned by the BBC to test surfaces around Coventry for microbial contamination (recorded pre-lockdown). This is just one of the projects set for our students so they can experience real-world situations and get prepared for employment.
The human body is one of the most amazing things in the world and laboratory work allows you to delve deeper into finding out how and why things work in the way they do.

What you'll study
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
How you'll learn
Your course will be a combination of online and campus-based sessions, which will include laboratory-based practical classes, workshops and lectures which will be delivered both on campus and online.
Our experienced teaching team includes staff with a variety of both research and industrial backgrounds including staff who are HCPC registered with interests and expertise in a wide range of disciplines which align to the course content (please note staff may be subject to change).
In a typical week, you will have around 18 contact hours of teaching which may include:
- Personal tutorial/small group teaching: You can also arrange to see staff in their ‘drop in’ sessions for any additional help you may need.
- Medium group teaching: practical classes or skills workshops
- Large group teaching: lectures
- Live online teaching
The contact hours will be made up of a combination of these different styles. You will also be expected to spend time each week on guided study which may include online activities and directed reading/preparation.
Assessment
A number of different assessments methods used throughout the course, these include time-restricted assessments such as tests, lab reports, presentations and posters.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes. Assessments may include exams, individual assignments or group work elements.
Job ready
These professionally accredited degrees (please see the Accreditations and Professional Recognition section) aim to equip you with the appropriate knowledge and advanced laboratory skills to pursue laboratory careers in biological industries. Those who complete the Applied Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) can also become a Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) registered practitioner.
You will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience using industry-standard techniques, which aim to help you stand out in the graduate job market.
International experience opportunities
Our sandwich degree option allows a work placement or study year, which can be taken abroad*. Some past students have undertaken fieldtrips to Malawi where they have educational engagement with groups of children participating in diverse community projects at local primary and nursery schools, assisted in monitoring the state of boreholes in rural villages, made sun dried bricks for building projects and climbing the challenging mount Mulanje.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
2022/23 Tuition fees
Student | Full time | Part time |
---|---|---|
UK | £9,250 per year | Not available |
International | £16,650 per year | Not available |
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
Facilities

SuperLab
Our state-of-the-art SuperLab has facilities including equipment for microscopy, DNA analysis and forensic testing.

Analytical Chemistry suite
This is where you can apply your practical and theoretical knowledge to real-life working scenarios. We use a new generation chromatography technique to analyse products ranging from pharmaceutical agents, to cosmetics, drinks and toxins.
Careers and opportunities
These courses aim to prepare you for professional practice within the NHS or private sector as registered Biomedical Scientists and a range of other careers including research.
You will have the opportunity to receive guidance during your studies on the professional routes available to you and the expectations of health professionals. We have excellent links with local employers and are actively involved in liaison with laboratory managers, training officers and other universities via the West Midlands Biomedical Science Training and Workforce Planning Group and the West Midlands regional training committee (South).
On successful completion of the Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) degree, without a training placement, you can apply for Trainee Biomedical Science posts to enter into NHS Health Care Scientist registration training programmes, for which you will typically undergo one to two years of further training to obtain an IBMS certificate of competence so that you can apply for HCPC registration, a legal requirement for anyone who wishes to practice using a title protected by the HCPC.
The scientific knowledge and skills you acquire during the course can be a useful basis for a career in teaching; technical and scientific writing; clinical trials; drug registration, patenting or monitoring; medical publishing or other information services; regulatory affairs or sales and marketing. The course is also an excellent foundation for further postgraduate studies leading to a MSc or PhD.
How to apply
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UK Students
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS. Part-time students should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
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International Students
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
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Disclaimer
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2021/22 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
Tuition fees
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
Facilities
Facilities mentioned on this page may not be relevant for every course. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Placements and study abroad opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
Additional costs
This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to), equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas).