Undergraduate Course 

The highlights

This is a progressive, challenging course which focuses on the latest advances in medical research aimed at preventing ill health and prolonging life. The devastating COVID-19 pandemic has increased demand for skills in this area, so this degree is highly relevant right now and you can expect to have strong career prospects.

Biomedical Science is a broad discipline of modern medical science. It is all about understanding human health and the diseases that affect the normal processes in the human body, including their diagnosis. On this degree you'll gain the skills and knowledge to understand the operation of human organisms through subjects like clinical chemistry, immunology, microbiology, histology, clinical genetics, molecular biology, pathology and cancer biology.

Top15for student satisfaction with feedbackBSc (Hons) Biomedical Science, The Guardian University Guide 2024
Top15for students satisfactionBSc (Hons) Biomedical Science - Complete University Guide 2025
Top25for learning resourcesBSc (Hons) Biomedical Science, National Student Survey 2024

Training you for research

During the programme, you will gain an understanding of biomedical investigations, diagnosis, monitoring and disease treatment. There's a strong focus on laboratory research and you will gain first-hand experience of this from year one. You will have access to a student research laboratory and regularly get the chance to conduct scientific investigations — sometimes in a group and sometimes on your own. You will also need to report your findings to others, including at a student conference attended by employers.

As well as giving you this practical experience, we will of course teach you the essential underpinning knowledge around research governance, ethics, and good scientific practice. In your final year, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate the research skills you have amassed, with an independent study into an area of your choice. This will be a lab-based study or one that uses clinical data.

Expert teaching

All of our Biomedical Science teaching team are active human health researchers as well as experienced teachers. This means that in your lectures, practicals, and seminars they will be able to draw upon and discuss some of the latest findings and innovative thinking from the field. You will also hear from NHS professionals and other external speakers.

Our tutors are currently carrying out collaborative research in areas such as:

As a Biomedical Science student, you will be able to apply for competitive research internships and if you're successful, you'll find yourself assisting with influential studies with academic staff. This will be valuable experience and make a great addition to your CV.

Specialist facilities

You will be able to use a range of analytical and biomedical equipment including:

We also have new molecular and cellular biology laboratories. These will help us conduct in vitro cell/tissue culture based investigations, so we can understand the pathophysiology and establish effect treatment strategies against cancer, age-related disorders (such as dementia), diabetes, pre-eclampsia and more.

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New Bioscience Superlab

The University of Derby has been awarded £5.8 million from the Office for Students (OfS) to develop a new technology enhanced Bioscience Superlab and Research Lab with an opening date in 2025.

Find out more about the Superlab and Research LabFind out more about the Superlab and Research Lab

Preparing for your future career 

We’re focused just as much on your professional and career development as your academic progress. We have regular employability sessions within modules as well as events such as the annual Bioscience and Forensic Science Employability Conference, employer forums, and placement year events.

We also have strong links with employers including hospital trusts, research institutions and biomedical companies. These links will really help when you're looking for work experience or internship opportunities. Everyone is expected to complete at least 30 hours of work experience in their second year, but on top of that you could choose to take a year in industry between years two and three of your course. This would super-charge your employability and your career prospects after graduation. We can help you find a placement and provide support during your year away.

Purple slides used for examination

Facility for Omics Research in Metabolism (FORM)

We have recently secured £850k of capital funding to establish this new facility. This ultra-modern, innovative research facility will provide training in the new and emerging fields of genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics.

Find out more about our Facility for Omics Research in Metabolism (FORM)Find out more about our Facility for Omics Research in Metabolism (FORM)

Accredited course

The prestigious Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) accreditation sets a quality benchmark which ensures that the course is delivered to a high standard, includes content relevant to current medical and research practice and is future ready.

This degree meets the academic and professional requirements for registration as a Biomedical Scientist. The course will provide comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of core subjects, and offers the most recent developments in research and analytical methods.

Studying biomedical science at Derby will enhance your knowledge of science, its practical application to biomedical practice and related research. You will develop skills that are at the forefront of advances in healthcare, pharmaceutical research, and diagnostics, as well as transferable skills valued by a wide range of employers. We work closely with our local NHS pathology labs where you will get opportunity to develop your understanding of the profession.

Once completed, an IBMS accredited degree will enhance your employability by offering hands-on experience in the field of biomedical science.

A male student pipetting liquid into a test tube.
Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Big spaces for big ideas

Kedleston Road offers it all: study in our largest library, relax at Basecamp, train in real-world healthcare settings, and stay active in our state-of-the-art Sports Centre.

Discover your campusDiscover your campus

What you will study

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day

How you will learn

We use a good variety of teaching methods including:

You will also learn through work placements, internships or your year in industry, if you choose to do one. 

How you are assessed

Assessments vary depending on the module but we use a range of assessment methods, including:

 

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Helping you reach your full potential

Our Personal Academic Tutoring programme supports your academic journey, helping you achieve your goals and unlock your potential.

Explore the programme

Entry requirements

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points72
A LevelDDD
T LevelPass
BTECMMP
GCSEGCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15

English language requirements

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

Fees and funding

2025/26

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,250 per year

N/A

International

£16,900 per year

N/A

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


UK students

If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.

Apply through UCAS

If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

Careers

You will graduate with skills that put you at the forefront of advances in medical health. Biomedical science is key to any healthcare science and allows you to pursue a career in a broad range of fields, such as clinical sciences, pharmaceutical science, and biomedical research. However, thanks to the focus on employability and interpersonal skills within this programme, you won't be limited to a clinical role.

You’ll be well prepared for jobs such as:

You will gain valuable transferable skills, including:

These will be useful for any professional role and are sought-after by employers. 

Further study

After graduating from this course, you could gain graduate entry on to programmes like physician associate studies, medicine or dentistry, or move on to a postgraduate research degree such as an MSc/MRes or PhD. We now offer our MSc Biomedical Health programme, which will provide an in-depth understanding of biomedical regulation of the human body and how this is impacted by disease, and also our MRes Molecular Medicine programme that will help you to develop the key skills you need for a research career.

Getting you career ready

Your degree is only part of your story.

We're here to help prepare you for life after university.

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96%
of UK graduates are in employment or further study.

Top 5
for employability.
Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025.

87%
of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningful.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

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Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

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This is a new course so the data displayed via Discover Uni is for students studying in another subject area.

Full-time

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