Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) Undergraduate - September 2025/26* Entry

Biomedical Science underpins the scientific investigation of human health and disease. This course will give you an understanding of the biology of disease, including modern concepts and applications of biomedical science in the research, diagnosis and treatment of clinical disorders. There is a growing need for graduates experienced in the advanced diagnostic and molecular techniques that are revolutionising disease diagnosis and treatment in the NHS, Armed Forces, Industry, Academia and Research.

This course has been specifically designed in collaboration with local NHS clinical laboratories and has been accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science. Scientific and clinical staff from hospitals in North Wales will be involved in many aspects of teaching and many members of staff are prior practitioners.

Biomedical Science is concerned with the integration of a wide range of subjects that underpin the scientific investigation of human health and disease. This course is designed to give you an understanding of the biology of disease, including modern concepts and applications of biomedical science in the research, diagnosis and treatment of clinical disorders. You’ll be encouraged and supported to assimilate knowledge from core biological sciences to develop skills in the more specialised biomedical disciplines of clinical biochemistry, cellular pathology, haematology and medical microbiology.

Why choose Bangor University for this course?

• Excellent facilities including cutting edge, specially designed teaching laboratories.
• NHS Pathology lab work experience, designed to meet HCPC requirements for registration as a Biomedical Scientist and graduate with an Applied Biomedical Science degree, available on a competitive basis.

Additional Course Options

This course has been specifically designed in collaboration with local NHS clinical laboratories and has been accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science. Scientific and clinical staff from hospitals in North Wales will be involved in many aspects of teaching and many members of staff are prior practitioners. Biomedical Science is concerned with the integration of a wide range of subjects that underpin the scientific investigation of human health and disease. This course is designed to give you an understanding of the biology of disease, including modern concepts and applications of biomedical science in the research, diagnosis and treatment of clinical disorders. You’ll be encouraged and supported to assimilate knowledge from core biological sciences to develop skills in the more specialised biomedical disciplines of clinical biochemistry, cellular pathology, haematology and medical microbiology.

What will you study on this course?

Year 1

The first year is an introduction to important aspects of Biomedical and Medical Sciences and includes lectures, laboratory practical sessions and tutorial sessions in key foundation subjects. Your first year modules have an emphasis on developing the key factual and practical skills which you will require to progress with the remainder of your studies. Examples of material you’ll be covering include human physiology, molecular genetics, cell biology, microbiology, chemistry as well as fundamental academic skills. In your laboratory sessions we’ll teach you how to work safely within a laboratory environment as well as the wider regulatory frameworks in which laboratory environments operate.

Year 1 is common to both of the degrees listed below which gives you the opportunity to change to one of the other degrees (subject to eligibility criteria), giving you the flexibility to change degree routes before the start of year two if your interests change.

• Biomedical Science (B102)
• Medical Sciences (B100)

Years 2 & 3

Your second and third-year modules have an emphasis on medical microbiology, clinical biochemistry, cellular pathology, immunology, haematology and transfusion science, drug development and molecular and genetic studies. During these two years you’ll spend time working on subject specific case studies to hone the various techniques and knowledge and applying them to real world situations. An over-arching theme will be the development of transferable skills such as critical analysis, data interpretation and the ability to communicate biomedical science to a variety of audiences. In the third year, this culminates in self-directed research and medically related scientific literature research which you’ll submit as your final dissertation.

A further key aspect of the second- and third-year modules is the emphasis placed on genetics & molecular biology. This is essential knowledge for modern day life science and as a result we integrate its teaching into all relevant modules as well as having several bespoke modules which will explore everything from the cell-cycle to complex inherited conditions. We’ll teach you how the world of molecular biology can not only be used to diagnose patients but also to help treat various diseases.

NHS Pathology Laboratory Work Experience Year

There may be an opportunity for those interested in forging careers in NHS Pathology laboratories to apply for voluntary work experience during the course and follow a training programme designed to meet the requirements to apply for registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council. If this is something you’d be interested in there is a competitive selection process and you would apply to transfer onto Applied Biomedical Science at the end of Year 2 (Level 5). Admission to Applied Biomedical Science is based on academic merit, a competitive panel interview and the submission of an appropriate personal statement. Students who successfully complete this one-year voluntary placement would then graduate with the degree BSc Applied Biomedical Science, in recognition of the additional professional skills gained.

Modules for the current academic year

Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) Modules page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

General University Costs

Home (UK) students

• The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,250 per year (2025/26).
• The fee for all integrated study abroad years is  £1,385 (2025/26).
• The fee for an integrated year in industry as part of a sandwich programme is £1,850 (2025/26).

More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.

International (including EU) students

• International Student Tuition Fees
• International Student Living Costs and Scholarships

Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:

• If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
• If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).

Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:

1. Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
2. Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
3. Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.

General University Requirements

To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com.

We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.

All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.

As part of the University’s policy, we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.

We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Bangor section of the website.

EU and International Students' Entry Requirements

For detailed guidance on the entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.

Bangor University offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Bangor University International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.

This programme will give you the theoretical, practical and transferable skills which will be valuable across a range of employers. Examples of paths which our alumni have followed include: pharmaceutical industry, medical research, food science, public health, armed forces, forensic science and the degree is also accepted by many universities for postgraduate courses in Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science.

Another career path that a significant number of our alumni follow is working in NHS pathology laboratories, helping our health service with the diagnosis of patients. Our IBMS-accreditation helps prepare you for the fast paced and interesting work of a modern day pathology laboratory with disciplines ranging from organising blood transfusions to detecting viral infections in patients.*

*Please note. completing an IBMS-accredited degree and accredited NHS placement is essential for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and often a prerequisite for many roles within the NHS.

Graduates will also be ideally placed for MSc and PhD programmes in the wider life science disciplines and for research positions within the NHS as well as being well placed to apply for the NHS Scientist Training Programme.

Opportunities at Bangor

The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. 

Internships

Bangor University runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.

Student Volunteering

Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about volunteering on the Students’ Union’s website.

A 'with Foundation Year' option is available for this course. Apply for Biomedical Science (with Foundation Year).