Biomedical Science with Foundation Year

The highlights

• The course focuses on developing your practical laboratory skills, so you'll gain first-hand experience of lab work from year one
• You'll also spend time honing your interpersonal skills and general employability, so you can move on to a diverse range of careers in clinical and public health laboratories, industry and research settings
• The course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science. Once successfully completed, this degree will fast-track your journey towards registration as a biomedical scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council
• All of our teaching team are active researchers as well as teachers, so they will be able to share some of the latest findings and innovative thinking from the human health field

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.

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:

• Infectivity and pathophysiology of COVID-19 and other viral pandemics
• Air pollution and its effects on a growing placenta
• The link between Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and head and neck cancer
• Tumour biology
• Obesity
• Diabetology
• Developmental physiology
• Antibody and Aptamer research.

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:

• 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.
• Scanning Electron Microscope: We mainly use this for medical research, exploring everything from human/animal tissue infrastructure to bacteria and viruses. It's also useful in vaccination testing.
• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: This has a variety of uses including quantifying plasma levels of drugs and their metabolites. It is also used in the measurement of biogenic substances that help in diagnosis.
• Gas Chromatography: We use this for various medical activities, including bioanalysis of body fluids, detecting pollutants and metabolites in serum, and for fatty acid profiling in microbes.
• Fluorescent Microscope: You may use this to understand the cellular ultra-structure or sub cellular organelles.
• Atomic Absorption Spectrometry: Used to detect minute concentrations of toxic substances in blood.
• Ion Chromatography: Used to determine many ions and substances in clinical and pharmaceutical samples.
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR): Used to identify molecules and for diagnostic purposes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We use a good variety of teaching methods including:

• Lectures, tutorials, workshops and seminars, which are interactive — these are sometimes led by external speakers from the NHS and other medical organisations 
• Laboratory sessions to develop your technical skills and ability to design experiments
• Computer sessions to introduce you to the latest software for data analysis, genetic analysis and protein databases
• Private study with online materials to support

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:

• Coursework, such as:
  • Laboratory reports on experiments
  • Essays
  • Multiple-choice questions
  • Case studies
  • Oral presentations
  • An independent research study
  • Presentations and practical assessments
  • Unseen written or computer-based exams

2024 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry. Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

English language requirements

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

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry. Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

English language requirements

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

2024/25

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

Additional costs and optional extras

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:

• Biomedical Scientist
• Research Scientist​
• Medical Professional​
• Health Care Specialist​
• Pharmaceutical Researcher​
• Lecturer​
• Teacher​
• Scientific Writer​
• Pharmaceutical Sales​ Executive
• Clinical Trials Co-ordinator

You will gain valuable transferable skills, including:

• Critical thinking
• Data retrieval and analysis
• Report writing and written communication skills
• Time management and organisation
• Presentation and verbal communication skills

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

Boosting your employability

We recommend making the most of our Careers and Employment Service from day one of your course, so you leave with an impressive CV as well as a high-quality degree. This team can help you find opportunities for work placements, part-time jobs and volunteering, and also offer you career guidance and practical tips. Better still, you can use this service for up to three years after you graduate.

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.

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.

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.

Additional costs and optional extras

We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

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.

Included in your fees

• You will receive goggles and a laboratory coat
• All equipment and consumables needed for your experimental/ fieldwork are provided by the University. This is subject to the type of project and consumables being approved by your Programme Leader
• If a DBS check is needed for the purposes of a module or programme related work placement, this is included in your fee if done via the University

Mandatory costs not included in your fees

• Most assignments are submitted through an online platform but due to the nature of the course, you will need to submit several hard-copy submissions such as portfolios and case files
• Additionally you are expected to produce a poster which would cost around £15

Optional costs not included in your fees

• Recommended textbooks - approximate cost is £60
• If a DBS check is needed for the purposes of a module or programme related work placement (Summer research internships offered on a competitive basis to second year students. You can also take a work placement credit-bearing module at Level 6, though you will need to find your own placement)
• Travel to work experience/placements - cost is dependent on your placement venue of choice

Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. 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.

Other courses you might like

• Human Biology with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)
• Human Biology BSc (Hons)
• Biomedical Science BSc (Hons)