Ever wondered who the scientists were behind the statistical data that informed governments’ decisions during the Covid-19 pandemic? As a biomedical scientist, you’ll research and understand how the human body works, both in health and disease. You’ll learn about genetics, genomics, pathology, cellular biology, and immunity, among other things.
It could lead to a career as a biomedical scientist, medical laboratory assistant, research technician, or marketing assistant. You could progress to teaching, postgraduate study, or even into medicine or dentistry. It’s a relatively stable industry, with 3.31% job growth predicted over the next eight years.
The impact you could make
- Be the team that tests and analyses samples from the next global pandemic and reduces its impact worldwide.
- Explore further into the causes, prevention, and treatment of diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s.
- Work on clinical trials and help bring the next life-changing drug to market.
What you could study
- Biochemistry
- Molecular biology
- Laboratory science
- Genetics
- Microbiology
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Cells of the nervous system
- Pharmacology
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Chat to a current biomedical sciences student
Chat to a current biomedical sciences student using UniBuddy.
Some conversation starters for you:
- Ask which modules they really enjoyed.
- Find out how easy it was for them to make friends on their course.
- Do they have any tips on your personal statement?
- Did they do anything to prep for uni before they went?
- Are there books, podcasts or YouTube channels they would recommend?
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Biomedical science or biomedical sciences?
Biomedical science: This degree is specifically geared towards becoming a biomedical scientist, working in hospital and private clinical labs to help doctors diagnose and treat diseases. To work as a biomedical scientist in the UK, you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). An Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) accredited degree is crucial for this.
Biomedical sciences: This broader degree covers various aspects of human biology. It's great if you want to explore different specialties but will not include all the subjects needed to become a biomedical scientist.
Why IBMS accreditation matters
An IBMS accredited biomedical science degree is the key to becoming a registered biomedical scientist in the UK. Here's why:
- Statutory registration: To practise as a biomedical scientist in the UK, you must be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). An IBMS accredited degree is a crucial step in meeting their strict requirements.
- Essential training: Getting your HCPC registration also involves hands-on training in an IBMS-approved training laboratory. An accredited degree often streamlines this process, sometimes even incorporating a clinical placement to complete the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio into the program itself.
- Clear career path: These specialised degrees are designed to meet the requirements for a biomedical scientist role but also provide you with excellent transferable, technical, and practical skills that a variety of employers demand.
If you're serious about becoming a biomedical scientist, an IBMS accredited degree is your launchpad to a rewarding career in healthcare.
Example module
Example assignment
Subjects it's useful to have studied first
Some biomedical sciences courses or apprenticeships will have requirements for previous qualifications in certain subjects. Entry requirements vary, so always check with the provider.Biology
Chemistry
Maths
Physics
Hard skills you'll develop
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Project management
- Data analysis
- Microbiology
Soft skills you'll develop
- Research
- Communications
- Management
- Planning
- Innovation
Careers: Where it can take you
Find out more about your career prospects from studying biomedical sciences. The following information is based on a typical biological scientist role.Available jobs
Average salary
Career options
Conservation
Pharmacy and pharmacology
What is a… toxicologist?
You may have never heard of a toxicologist, but the work they do can impact human and animal safety. Toxicologists carry out lab tests and field studies to investigate and understand the potential risks or side effects of new medicines, chemicals, situations, and substances on humans and the environment. They’ll then help create regulations to manage the use of these substances and protect public health. Their work can go as wide as advising on treatment for drug overdose patients, to the wider implications of gene-editing technologies.
Find your ideal career
Take our careers quiz to find your ideal job matched to your personality type.Getting in: Entry requirements
Find out more about what you'll need to study biomedical sciences at university or as an apprenticeship.
Average requirements for undergraduate degrees
Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from biomedical sciences applicants.
A levels
Scottish Highers
Vocational
Health and science apprenticeships
Check out our industry guide to help you decide if a health and science apprenticeship might be the right choice for you.Other subjects you may be interested in
Considering an apprenticeship?
Applying for an apprenticeship is just like applying for a normal job. Here’s what you need to know:
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Deadline
Apprenticeships don't follow the same deadlines as applying to uni, the deadline is down to the employer. -
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Where to apply
You apply directly through the employer. -
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No limits
You're not restricted to one apprenticeship application; you can do as many as you like. -
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Apply to university and apprenticeships
There's nothing stopping you applying to university through UCAS, while also applying for apprenticeship vacancies. -
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Find out more
Let's talk about... science apprenticeships (Sponsored by Manchester Metropolitan University)
Katie discusses social life, work-life balance, and what day-to-day life is like as a science apprentice with representatives from GSK, Unilever, and Manchester Metropolitan University.
Apprenticeship vacancies
Check out live apprenticeship vacancies in medicine, dentistry and nursing.A day in the life of a Biology Apprentice
Watch our day in the life of a biology apprentice video.
Explore further
Go deeper into topics around biomedical sciences with the following:-
1
IBMS podcast
Podcast hosted by the Institute of Biomedical Science, which interviews award-winning scientists about their careers, and discusses things like testing strategies for future pandemics, and how digital pathology is changing the way scientists share specimens. -
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Health & Care Professions Council
Show you understand how biomedical scientists are regulated by reading the Health & Care Professions Council’s web page about the requirements for this career. -
3
Biomeducated on YouTube
Run by a PhD student with five years’ biotech experience, this channel has guides on what you might cover when studying biomedical sciences. A bitesize, accessible way to discover more about this subject.
Application advice
Whether it's personal statement tips or what to write in a cover letter for an apprenticeship application, our application advice will help you get ahead in your biomedical sciences journey.Skills, experiences, and interests to mention
- Show you know what you’re applying for by mentioning what you’ve been reading or listening to that tells you more about this subject or career. Think critically about what you’ve learned and which areas intrigue you.
- Demonstrate your practical skills and your enthusiasm for this subject. Have you got experience in lab work and experiments, perhaps at your school or college in science lessons? Maybe you’ve been doing some sort of science experiments at home?
- Biomedical scientists will need to use their initiative, conduct their own experiments and solve problems independently. Try to give examples of when you’ve carried out your own work – at school, during work experience or as part of your part-time job – and explain what you learned from those experiences.
- Don’t be afraid of talking about your hobbies or extracurricular activities too. Often there are attributes you’ll have picked up from these interests that will be relevant to studying this subject, as well as getting as much as possible out of university life too.
