BSc Biomedical Sciences
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UCAS code
C741 -
Typical offer
BBB -
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
-
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
With our BSc Biomedical Sciences course, learn about the inner workings of the human body and take part in world-class research with this strongly practical course.
Our BSc Biomedical Sciences course 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. 90% of our students are satisfied with teaching in BSc Biomedical Sciences (National Student Survey, 2020).
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 is the home of the School of Biological Sciences. It offers state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories, seminar rooms, and plenty of study and social space, including a café. The building also houses the Cole Museum of Zoology. The collection, featuring more than 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.
For more information, please visit the School of Biological Sciences website.
Overview
With our BSc Biomedical Sciences course, learn about the inner workings of the human body and take part in world-class research with this strongly practical course.
Our BSc Biomedical Sciences course 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. 90% of our students are satisfied with teaching in BSc Biomedical Sciences (National Student Survey, 2020).
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 is the home of the School of Biological Sciences. It offers state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories, seminar rooms, and plenty of study and social space, including a café. The building also houses the Cole Museum of Zoology. The collection, featuring more than 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.
For more information, please visit the School of Biological Sciences website.
Entry requirements A Level BBB
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Typical offer
BBB, including Grade B in A level Biology/Chemistry and a second science subject.
Acceptable science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Computer Science.
International Baccalaureate
30 points overall, including 5 in Biology/Chemistry and a second science subject, both at higher level.
Extended Project Qualification
In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.
BTEC Extended Diploma
DDD (modules taken must be comparable to subject specific requirement)
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5
For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.
Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students
For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.
International Foundation Programme
If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.
Pre-sessional English language programme
If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
BI1AP12 | Anatomy & Physiology | DR Natasha Barrett |
BI1BAC2 | Bacteriology and Virology | DR Geraldine Mulley |
BI1BEC1 | Building Blocks of Life | PROF Phillip Dash |
BI1BF1 | Laboratory and Study Skills for Biomedicine | DR Francoise Mazet |
BI1BM12 | Key Skills in Biomedicine | DR Chris Jones |
BI1BP2 | Pathology | DR Sam Boateng |
BI1S1 | Introductory Microbiology | DR Geraldine Mulley |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
BI1BAB2 | Metabolic and Practical Biochemistry | DR Alice Pollitt |
BI1EPM | Fundamentals of Physics for Medicine | DR Lindsey Thompson |
BI1MB2 | Metabolic Biochemistry | DR Craig Hughes |
AP1A18 | Digestion and Nutrition | DR Sokratis Stergiadis |
CH1FC1 | Fundamental Concepts in Chemistry 1 | DR Silvia Baldanza |
CH1FC3 | Molecular Studies for the Life Sciences | DR Silvia Baldanza |
CH1IN4 | Inorganic Chemistry for Biological Sciences | DR Michael Piperakis |
CH1OR2 | Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry | DR Jessica Gusthart |
CH1PH2 | Physical Processes for Biologists | DR Joanne Elliott |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
BI2BC45 | Cells and Immunity | DR Mike Fry |
BI2BCB5 | Clinical Biomedicine | PROF David Leake |
BI2BE4 | Pharmacology and Toxicology | PROF David Leake |
BI2BI45 | Infectious Diseases | DR Geraldine Mulley |
BI2BM45 | Key Skills in Biomedicine 2 | DR Renee Lee |
BI2BMG4 | Molecular Genetics | DR Eva Kevei |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
BI2APM | Medical Applications of Physics | DR Lindsey Thompson |
BI2BB4 | Endocrinology | PROF Phil Knight |
BI2BL5 | Protein Structure and Function | PROF Kimberly Watson |
BI2BPB5 | Physiological Biochemistry | DR Francoise Mazet |
BI2BR5 | The Bacterial Cell | PROF Simon Andrews |
BI2BT5 | Introduction to Bioinformatics & Computational Biology | PROF Liam McGuffin |
BI2EVP5 | Venoms and Poisons | PROF Phillip Dash |
BI2PLA | Summer Placement | DR Renee Lee |
ED2TS1 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 1 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
ED2TS2 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 2 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
BI3BA7 | Medical Genetics | DR Dyan Sellayah |
BI3BE8 | Cardiovascular Disease | PROF David Leake |
BI3BT78 | Cancer and Cell Communication | DR Mike Fry |
BI3PRO | Research Project | DR Renee Lee |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
BI3BAI8 | Applied and Integrated Biochemistry | DR Chris Jones |
BI3BB7 | Selected Topics in Endocrinology and Endocrine Disease | DR Andrew Bicknell |
BI3BC7 | Bacterial Pathogens | DR Simon Clarke |
BI3BDI2 | Radiation in Medicine | DR Lindsey Thompson |
BI3BG8 | Mechanisms for Microbial Function | DR Glyn Barrett |
BI3BH8 | Mammalian Reproduction | PROF Phil Knight |
BI3BI8 | Neurobiology | DR Nandini Vasudevan |
BI3BJ8 | Viral Pathogens | PROF Ian Jones |
BI3BQ78 | Bacterial Pathogens & Experimental Approaches | DR Simon Clarke |
BI3BR7 | Structural Proteomics | PROF Kimberly Watson |
BI3EHD | Evolution in Health and Disease: Lessons from the Natural World | DR Dyan Sellayah |
BI3S78 | Seminars in Biology | DR Louise Johnson |
BI3ZE8 | Zoonotic Epidemiology | DR Francoise Mazet |
ED3TS3 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 3 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
ED3TS4 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 4 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
FB3NGLA | Genes, Lifestyle and Nutrition | DR Vimal Karani |
FB3NHD | Nutrition, Health and Disease (Part taught with FBMNH1) | PROF Julie Lovegrove |
PM3IPD1 | Innovation and Product Development | DR Al Edwards |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250*
New international students: £24,500
*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes
UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
EU student fees
With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.
Additional costs
Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
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. 92% of our graduates are in work or study 15 months after the end of their course [1].
[1] Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018/19; First Degree responders from Biological Sciences.