Birmingham City University
Biomedical Sciences BSc (Hons)
Birmingham City University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 90 graduates of Biomedical Sciences BSc (Hons) at Birmingham City University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Biomedical Sciences (Non-Specific).

Overall student satisfaction
69 /100
90 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Medical Sciences

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Biomedical Sciences (Non-Specific) at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25000 £27500 £30500
25-75 percentile range £24000 - £27000 £23500 - £31000 £25500 - £36500


Salary of all UK Graduates of Medical Sciences

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25000 £27000 £35000
25-75 percentile range £21091 - £28004 £20500 - £34500 £27500 - £44500

Course Description

Do you want a career in biomedical sciences? Our practice-led degree offers a unique insight into human life processes, as well as disease and health within the population. You’ll develop a range of practical and analytical skills, with the opportunity to put them into practice during an optional sandwich year work placement. This course is based at our recently extended state-of-the-art £71 million campus in Edgbaston, Birmingham. Biomedical sciences embrace a number of important disciplines, including physiology, biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology and genetics. These subjects are of great importance in the provision of healthcare, medical research and underpin the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. On this course you will learn about how the human body functions in health and disease, and develop an understanding of the diagnosis, management and treatment of a range of diseases. This degree emphasises critical thinking and independent problem solving skills, which will help you to navigate a successful career after graduation. Throughout this course you will acquire important practical and scientific skills whilst being taught in our new state-of-the-art life sciences laboratories. You will have the opportunity to take an optional sandwich-year placement in an industrial, clinical or research setting between years 2 and 3 of this course. In the final year you will undertake an independent Research Project where you will execute your own experiments under supervision. Graduates may go on to a range of careers directly or after further post-graduate training and study. These careers include medical laboratory assistants, trainee biomedical scientists, physician associates, clinical trials for drug companies, research assistants and research technicians, marketing assistants and medical and scientific representatives. Graduates may also use their qualifications to progress into teaching careers, as well as post-graduate study to obtain MSc, MPhil, Physician Associate/Assistant and PhD qualifications. Exceptional graduates may be able progress into post-graduate Medicine and Dentistry.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Biomedical Sciences BSc (Hons) at Birmingham City University

25% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
25% Administrative occupations
10% Caring personal services
5% Managers, directors and senior officials
5% Artistic, literary and media occupations
5% Elementary occupations
0% Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations
0% Sales occupations
0% Sports and fitness occupations
0% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Qualification requirements

Access to HE Diploma

Including a relevant subject/science @ C or above (80 UCAS tariff points)

Level 4 qualification in a related discipline (usually HNC in an engineering pathway).

ALL applicants must possess a Level 5 qualification, such as an HND or FdA in a relevant area in order to be considered for this course. A copy of your HND/FdA module transcripts will be requested, and the original required to be seen at enrolment.

D*D in the BTEC Level 3 Diploma plus grade A in A-level mathematics. or DD in the BTEC Level 3 Diploma plus grade A* in A-level mathematics. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without A-level maths. Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year.

Considered at confirmation

Considered with a maximum of 3 other Level 3 qualifications to obtain 88 pts Preferred subjects:- Art and Design, Business and Economics, Construction and Built Environment, Design Technology, English, Geography, History, Languages, Land Based and Environment, Music, Performing Arts and Drama, Science Excluded subjects:- Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, Hospitality, Early Years, Customer Service, Citizenship, Accounting, PE and Sport, Public Services and Uniformed Services, Travel & Tourism Applicants doing Media subjects will be considered on an individual basis by Admissions Tutor.

Including one in a relevant subject/science (80 UCAS tariff points)

A minimum of DDM with the main subjects being Science or Maths. Also required: GCSE at C or above in English or English Language, Mathematics and in either Chemistry, or Physics or Dual Award Science.

With this BTEC you must also achieve grades BB in two A Level subjects.

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades A*A in two A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) or D* in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA in A-levels including mathematics. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without A-level Maths. Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year.

BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: DD plus A Level English at grade B. Preferred:- Performing Arts, Art & Design, Digital Film and Video Production,Business IT, Applied Science,Sport, Sport and Exercise Science

Grade combinations between 112 - 128 points considered when combined with other Level 3 qualifications including AS and Extended Project to achieve 112 - 128 points. (Subject grades achieved at AS level and then taken at A2 do not count).

Considered with a maximum of 3 other Level 3 qualifications to obtain 88 pts Preferred subjects:- Art and Design, Business and Economics, Construction and Built Environment, Design Technology, English, Geography, History, Languages, Land Based and Environment, Music, Performing Arts and Drama, Science Excluded subjects:- Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, Hospitality, Early Years, Customer Service, Citizenship, Accounting, PE and Sport, Public Services and Uniformed Services, Travel & Tourism Applicants doing Media subjects will be considered on an individual basis by Admissions Tutor.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Including one in a relevant subject/science (90 UCAS tariff points)

We consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course.  Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with a Distinction grade, PLUS one A-level at Grade A in an essay-based arts, humanities or social science subject, PLUS an EPQ or AS at Grade B.

In a relevant subject/science (112 UCAS tariff points)

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: D plus AB in two A Levels to include English. Preferred:- Performing Arts, Art & Design, Digital Film and Video Production,Business IT, Applied Science,Sport, Sport and Exercise Science

Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 - 128 tariff points.

Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 - 128 tariff points.

The Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A Level at the A Level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6.5

Applicants who have not received their secondary school education in English will require an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no subtest below 6

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Biomedical Sciences, BSc (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Biomedical Sciences BSc (Hons)

England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
EU £16085 year 1
International £16085 year 1

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of Birmingham City University in top UK and global rankings.

See all 17 university rankings of Birmingham City University

About Birmingham City University

Founded in 1853, Birmingham City University (BCU) is located in the city of Birmingham, England. The student population of this institution is made up of students from over 80 nationalities, which allows newly arrived foreign students to quickly feel welcome and at home. State-of-the-art facilities and resources await students on all courses, including the latest Engineering technology, 3D Printing studios, and Horology Workshops, just to name a few. BCU maintains a reputation for having a selective admissions process, so all applicants are recommended to prepare for their interview thoroughly.

List of 265 Bachelor and Master Courses from Birmingham City University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Birmingham City University

undergraduates:
20675
postgraduates:
5010
Total:
25685
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Where is this programme taught

City South Campus, Edgbaston
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