Biomedical Sciences BSc (Hons)
University of Reading
Key Course Facts
Course Description
With our BSc Biomedical Sciences degree, you'll learn about the inner workings of the human body and take part in world-class research.
Our BSc Biomedical Sciences course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science and was developed in partnership with practising NHS laboratory scientists. All of our lecturers are involved in research and you will be taught by experts in their fields.
You will learn about the systems that underpin all living organisms from a cellular, tissue, organ and whole body perspective. From this basis, you will study the diseases that affect each area and the mechanisms that the body uses to combat them. The flexible nature of the course will then allow you to pick specialist modules that match your interests. You will also have the chance to carry out a year-long industrial placement or a paid vacation studentship in order to gain valuable work and research experience.
The course has a strong practical basis, and you will learn key cellular, molecular and biochemical techniques, including live cell microscopy, and DNA and protein technology. During your final year will have the chance to spend 11 weeks working in a lab on a biomedical research project. Past projects have investigated coronary heart disease, gene therapy for muscular dystrophies, and the role of cell movement in the spread of cancer.
Our new £60m Health and Life Sciences building will open in 2020. As the new home of the School of Biological Sciences, it will offer state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories, seminar rooms, and plenty of study and social space, including a café. The building will also house the Cole Museum of Zoology. The collection, featuring over 3,500 natural history specimens, provides a fantastic resource for biological scientists and the wider community.
Placement You will have the opportunity to carry out a year-long industrial placement between your second and final year. Student in previous years have worked at Diamond Light Source, Public Health England, GSK, and Covance. You can also choose to spend a year abroad, typically carrying out research in an academic laboratory.
You will have the opportunity to undertake paid vacation studentships funded by organisations such as the Wellcome Trust. These can take place over six weeks during the summer break, or be carried out part-time over a longer period. During studentships you will typically work on a set project and benefit from valuable training in techniques, experimental design and the interpretation of data.
Additionally, you can choose to take a work placement module. Our department has a dedicated academic in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support.
Careers This degree is geared towards biomedical careers, and you could go on to work as a biomedical scientist within a hospital or pharmaceutical laboratory. Alternatively, you could work in academic laboratories, scientific publishing or clinical trials. You may also decide to study for higher research degrees or commence a medical, dentistry or veterinary degree course.
Student Reviews
Below you can see course specific reviews for 57 graduates of Biomedical Sciences BSc (Hons) at University of Reading for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Biomedical Sciences.
This particular course
Salary
Salary of Graduates of Biomedical Sciences BSc (Hons) at University of Reading
Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Biomedical Sciences BSc (Hons) 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 | £24000 | £23500 | £29500 |
| 25-75 percentile range | £21000 - £26000 | £20000 - £28500 | £22500 - £36500 |
All Biomedical Sciences courses of University of Reading
Salary of all UK Graduates of Biomedical Sciences
| 15 months after graduation | 3 years after graduation | 5 years after graduation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median salary | £24010 | £27000 | £35000 |
| 25-75 percentile range | £20530 - £26990 | £20500 - £34500 | £27500 - £44500 |
All Biomedical Sciences courses of UK
What You Will Learn
Programme content: As a student of Biomedical Sciences, BSc (Hons) you will study the following course modules.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
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.
This particular course
Current jobs
Job in line with future plans
Utilise skills from studies
Work is meaningful
Required skill level of job after 15 months
% Skilled jobs
Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)
Example below based on all graduates of Biomedical Sciences BSc (Hons) at University of Reading
| 40% | Science, engineering and technology associate professionals |
| 10% | Administrative occupations |
| 10% | Sales occupations |
| 10% | Natural and social science professionals |
| 5% | Elementary occupations |
| 5% | Information Technology Professionals |
| 5% | Teaching Professionals |
| 5% | Business, Research and Administrative Professionals |
| 5% | Business and public service associate professionals |
Grading & Study Time
Assessment Methods
Study Time Distribution
Grading Distribution
Students of the course received the following grades
Entry Requirements / Admissions
Minimum Required UCAS Tariff
UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course
This particular course
Qualification requirements
A level Biology and one other science at grade B. Acceptable Science subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Studies, Applied Science, Geology.
Biology and one other science at grade B.
including relevant science units.
In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification provides to students for University study, we now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer. Eligible applicants would receive two offers, our usual offer plus an alternative offer of a B in the EPQ and one grade lower in their A level subjects
Biology and one other science at grade 5 at Higher Level.
including relevant science modules.
Principal subjects must include Biology and one other science.
Contextual offers for this programme are typically two grades beneath our standard entry requirement, e.g. BBD including A level Biology and one other science at grade B.
English language requirements
| test | Grade | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 88 | We require a minimum score of 88 overall with no less than 17 in Listening and Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | We require a grade B or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | We require a grade C or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162. | |
| PTE Academic | 69 | We require a minimum score of 69 overall with at least 59 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). |
| Institution's Own Test | Test of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP). We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). | |
| Trinity ISE | We require a Merit in each element from ISE II. If you take ISE III or ISE IV, we require a Pass in each element. |
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still be able to join Biomedical Sciences, BSc (Hons).
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 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | year 1 |
| Ireland | £9250 | year 1 |
| EU | £23700 | year 1 |
| International | £23700 | 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, 2024
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 University of Reading in top UK and global rankings.
See all university rankings of University of Reading
What students say about studying Biomedical Sciences in the UK?
About University of Reading
The University of Reading is a publicly funded university in Reading, Berkshire, England. Reading has four major campuses; London Road and Whiteknights campus which are located in Reading itself, with Greenlands campus being found on the banks of the River Thames. The fourth campus is known as Iskandar Puteri, in Malaysia.
Where is this programme taught
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Biomedical Sciences with Foundation BSc (Hons) | University of Westminster | 58% | 5% | 4% | £9250 | £14400 | 79 | London | On campus Full-time | |
|
Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) | University of Abertay Dundee | 86% | 10% | 10% | £9250 | £14000 | 164 | Dundee | On campus Full-time | |
|
|
Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) | University of Westminster | 58% | 5% | 4% | £9250 | £14400 | 79 | London | On campus Full-time | |
|
Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) | University of Portsmouth | 85% | 10% | 7% | £9250 | £18300 | 126 | Portsmouth | On campus Full-time |