Biomedical Science BSc (Hons)

Undergraduate

This course is designed to give you valuable hands-on experience in biomedical science, supporting your development for roles in healthcare, research or industry.

Course option

Degree with foundation year

Year of entry

2026-27

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

UCAS codes

B940

Start date

September 2026
January 2027

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

Course overview

Biomedical science involves the study of human biology, health and disease.

This course explores key clinical laboratory specialities such as medical microbiology, clinical biochemistry, pathology, and haematology and transfusion science.

You will have the opportunity to:

study current and emerging techniques used in the diagnosis and treatment of disease aligned to key specialisms, including clinical genetics, biochemistry, haematology and transfusion science.
learn advanced lab techniques in our Super Lab. Our laboratory classes are designed to help you develop and build confidence in key techniques to support your professional development.
focus on key clinical specialisms within biomedical science, developing your understanding of disease and diagnostic processes, as well as providing insight into the role of a biomedical scientist.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2026

Why you should study this course

Super Lab: you’ll have the chance to build strong practical skills in our purpose-built Super Lab, where you can learn essential laboratory techniques in an environment designed to reflect real-world settings.⁴ With a capacity of over 200 students, it supports collaborative and interactive learning.
Career ready: throughout the course, you'll develop knowledge and skills that can support a range of career options within public diagnostic laboratories, hospitals, and private sector industries such as biotechnology, genomics and pharmaceutics.
Student-centred active learning: apply your knowledge and skills in practical settings through a blend of laboratory-based sessions, interactive lectures and discursive workshops. An independent research project in your final year gives you the opportunity to expand your knowledge and transferable skills.
Placement opportunities: choose either a one-year professional training placement, or an international experience year to enhance learning and gain a competitive advantage in the workplace after graduation.²
Common first year: collaborate and work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions.

Our Award-winning Green Superlab

With space for over 250 students and packed full of industry-standard equipment, the Coventry University Superlab is an amazing place to learn, experiment and discover. Find out what we’re doing in our Superlab to make it greener and reduce our waste and carbon emissions.

I chose Coventry University because of the university’s reputation and I chose biomedical science because I have always wanted to explore the world of science. The course has been great, with interesting topics and the university has been supportive with resources like the library, academic writing support, career counselling and student success coaches.
Jan Kwiatkowski, Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) student, quoted in 2023

People wearing white coats while working in a lab looking through microscopes

What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses

Biomedical Science BSc (Hons)
Biotechnology BSc (Hons)
Human Biosciences BSc (Hons)
Pharmacology BSc (Hons)

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

Modules

Introduction to Biomolecules and Biochemistry - 30 credits

Learn about the structures of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, linking them to function and roles within biological systems. Examine enzymes, metabolic pathways and the energy used to drive these processes, while also considering the role of computational biology in visualising and understanding biological activities. Analysis methods, including spectrophotometry and chromatographic separation techniques, will be considered in both theory and practice.

Gain a sound appreciation of good laboratory practice, including proper record keeping, following quality standards and conducting key lab procedures and calculations. Learn to use modern digital tools to analyse and present data clearly, along with how to write standard laboratory reports.

Compulsory

Cells to Systems – 30 credits

Investigate the physiology of the human body, beginning with cellular organisation and signalling, all the way through to organ systems, their control and pathophysiology. Learn the process of human embryonic development to understand how distinct physiological systems develop.

Build your knowledge of how the main systems in the human body are developed, structured and organised, such as the nervous, muscular, skeletal, hormonal, heart, lung, reproductive, digestive and kidney systems. Learn how these systems work together to keep the body in balance (homeostasis). This module also covers how cells interact and communicate through cell signalling. You will be introduced to key concepts in how drugs work in the body (pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics), as well as how new medicines are developed.

Compulsory

Microbiology and Immunology – 30 credits

Learn about the different types of microorganisms with a detailed focus on bacteria and viruses. The structure, growth characteristics, laboratory cultivation and enumeration of bacteria and viruses will be considered. Explore the role of microorganisms in both human health and disease, as well as control strategies for microorganisms, including sterilisation, disinfection, antimicrobial agents and vaccines. This module will also introduce how mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance develop and work.

Learn how the body defends itself against infections through both the innate and adaptive immune response. Understand how lymphocytes develop and how the immune system tells the difference between the body’s own cells and foreign cells and molecules, including how it responds to tissue transplants.

Compulsory

Genetics and Molecular Biology – 30 credits

Learn the principles of inheritance, human genetics, population genetics and evolution. You will be introduced to the discovery and structure of DNA and study how traits are passed down, including human blood groups and mitochondrial inheritance.

Discover how DNA is used to make RNA and proteins (transcription and translation) and learn how to analyse genetic sequences using bioinformatics tools and analytical software. Explore the ethical issues around access to genetic data and how historical events and research projects have shaped the field.

Compulsory

In your second year, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with infectious disease and immune defence, genetic basis of disease, haematology and blood disorders, cellular basis of disease and metabolic and endocrine disorders, among others.

Modules

Cellular Pathobiology and Disease Mechanisms – 30 credits

Explore how eukaryotic cells grow, divide and communicate, and how proteins are folded, modified and transported. Examine what happens when these processes go wrong and how they relate to diseases like cancer. Learn about the key features of malignancy and what makes cancer cells different from normal cells. In the lab, you'll carry out histopathology investigations and use modern techniques to analyse gene expression and understand the biological meaning behind the data.

Compulsory

Haematology, Immunology and Transfusion Science – 30 credits

Explore how blood cells are formed and function, understand the clotting process and learn about bone marrow and the reticulocyte. Study different types of anaemia, clotting disorders and immune system conditions. Learn about key topics in transfusion science, including blood groups and compatibility testing. Throughout the module, you’ll see how lab work supports the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of blood and immune-related diseases, giving you valuable insights into real-world clinical practice.

Compulsory

Clinical Biochemistry and Endocrine Disorders – 30 credits

Explore how your body maintains biochemical balance through homeostasis and what happens when things go wrong. Study human nutrition, digestion, and metabolism, and investigate diseases linked to the dysfunction of these processes. Learn how the endocrine system controls growth, metabolism and reproduction, and how disorders in these systems are diagnosed. Examine how clinical biochemistry labs test for fluid, electrolyte and acid/base imbalances, and take a deeper look at lab quality control and modern Point of Care Testing (POCT) technologies.

Compulsory

Medical Microbiology and Virology - 30 credits

Explore what causes infectious diseases, both locally and around the world. Learn how infections develop in the body, what virulence factors make pathogens harmful and how they resist treatment. Discover how antibiotics work and what drives antimicrobial resistance. Investigate how microbiology labs help diagnose, manage and treat infections, using both current and emerging technologies..

Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement² can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement² or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee³ to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2027/28 will pay £1,500 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,800 if they are paying international fees.

Modules

Professional Experience Sandwich Year

Your third year of study aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work, by consolidating your knowledge and skills from your first and second years. You will also work on a large final project in an area of your interest, with the support of a mentor.

Modules

Advanced Studies in Clinical Specialisms - 30 credits

Explore more advanced topics across key areas of biomedical science, including clinical biochemistry, haematology, transfusion science, immunology, genetics and microbiology. Study subjects like epigenetics, coagulopathies, cancer susceptibility, antimicrobial resistance and autoimmunity. You'll link clinical data with current research and literature, giving you insight into both established knowledge and the latest developments shaping the field.

Compulsory

Integrated Pathophysiology – 30 credits

Explore how diagnostic and therapeutic techniques are used across biomedical science by applying your knowledge to real-life diagnosis scenarios. Investigate current and emerging diagnostic and research-based methods and see how they relate to different specialisms. Bring together everything you've learned so far and build a strong understanding of how different areas of biomedical science work together in patient care and treatment.

Compulsory

Research Project in Biomedical Science- 60 credits

Research, plan and conduct an investigative project, laboratory or non-laboratory based, within the area of Biomedical Science. You will be guided through the module to develop your research and experimental design skills specific to your own research project but also from a wider perspective. Supported by your supervisor, you are encouraged to develop independence of thought, and the ability and confidence to adapt and evolve your research ideas. You are encouraged to consider how you will continue your professional development, identify career opportunities and align transferable skills between university and the workplace.

Compulsory

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

Teaching and learning methods may include:

hands-on laboratory-based sessions
interactive lectures
interactive formats such as quizzes
discussions
presentations
case studies
self-guided and directed study.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. You will normally study one 30-credit module at a time. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary depending on your year of study and selected modules. During your first year, you can expect 12-15 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

core tests
essays and critical reviews
pitches
case studies
proposals
portfolios
group work for presentations, lab projects and reports
individual presentations
laboratory reports
lab skill competency
independent research project.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

International experience opportunities

Our sandwich degree option allows a work placement or study year, which can be taken abroad. Previous 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.

We have previously run a number of field trips to European cities including Brno in the Czech Republic and Amsterdam.

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements, and are therefore not guaranteed².

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement	What we're looking for
UCAS points	120
A level	BBB to include Biology. Excludes General Studies.
BTEC	DDM in a Biological Science subject. Excludes Health and Social Care
International Baccalaureate	32 points to include 5 points in Biology at Higher Level.
GCSE	GCSE maths, English and two sciences at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.
Access to HE	The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits above Merit of which 15 must be at Distinction in Biology units. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual/Fair Access Offers

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Offer, you could automatically receive a contextual offer which is 16 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Offer.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation pathway. Upon successful completion this should provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 overall (with at least 5.5 in each component area)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Chat with us

Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year	Not available
EU	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary 2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £18,300 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £18,300 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.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university 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.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

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.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

This course is taught predominantly in the Alison Gingell Building where you will benefit from the outstanding facilities, including our biomedical science SuperLab. This outstanding facility enables you to gain hands-on experience in contemporary laboratory techniques including flow cytometry, real time PCR and automated analysers, as used in hospital diagnostic laboratories.

SuperLab

Our state-of-the-art SuperLab can hold up to 250 students at one time and has equipment that allows you to gain skills and experience with techniques and equipment that you will encounter in your graduate careers including biosafety hoods, flow cytometers and DNA sequencers.

Students in Analytical Chemistry female student using a petri dish

Analytical Chemistry suite

Students apply their 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.

Students using physiology testing equipment

Physiology suite

Separate physiology and health laboratory facilities enable the measurement of physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, lung function test and neuromuscular functioning.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

This course aims to enable you to develop knowledge, skills and competence to prepare you for a variety of careers in biomedical and biological science, or for other graduate level roles.

These courses aim to prepare you for professional practice within the NHS or private sector as biomedical scientists (subject to further training, application and registration which may incur additional costs and have eligibility criteria) and a range of other careers, including research.

You will be supported in your studies by a team of academically and professionally qualified staff, who also bring their research and commercial expertise to the classroom (staff are subject to change). If you undertake a placement, you will be supported by a visiting university tutor. Our dedicated and committed staff team are passionate in supporting you through your studies and empowering you to succeed within your chosen career routes.

Possible employment destinations include hospital, public health and other diagnostic providers, clinical sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, cancer research, microbiology, genetics and genomics laboratories. You may choose to continue your studies to MSc or PhD level to develop your specialist knowledge and research skills, or consider graduate entry to medicine or dentistry, Physicians Associate or teaching qualifications. Equally, the skills you will develop, such as problem-solving, analytical skills and written and oral communication, will enable you to access non-scientific careers such as graduate training schemes, civil service or managerial roles. Thus, the opportunities for graduates of biomedical sciences are diverse and exciting.m-solving, analytical skills and written and oral communication, will enable you to access non-scientific careers such as graduate training schemes, civil service or managerial roles. Thus, the opportunities for graduates of biomedical sciences are diverse and exciting.

Where our graduates work

You will have the opportunity to receive guidance during your studies on the professional routes available to you and the expectations of health professionals². We have excellent links with local employers and are actively 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).

Upon successful completion of the Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) degree, without a training placement, you could be eligible to apply for Trainee Biomedical Science (additional fees and eligibility criteria may apply), 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 this 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 graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

Further study

The course is an excellent foundation for further postgraduate studies leading to a MSc or PhD. We run a range of related taught MSc courses that allow our graduates to specialise in the area that they have a passion for and would like to pursue a career in. These courses also have a ‘with professional experience’ option, allowing you to apply for and complete an extended period of experience in a professional environment.

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How to apply

BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Apply via UCAS

C85

Institution code

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

UK students

Full-time students can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If this course has a part-time option you will need to apply directly to the university.

Apply via the portal

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
EESU053

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

ioadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

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. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University 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.

⁴Facilities

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 current 2025/2026 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2026/2027 contract will apply for the 2026/2027 intake. 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.