Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) - 2026/7
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 6
Final award and programme/pathway title
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| Ord | Biosciences |
| DipHE | Biosciences |
| CertHE | Biosciences |
Professional recognition
Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)
Accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | UCD10001 | 360 credits and 180 ECTS credits |
| Full-time with PTY | UCD10025 | 480 credits and 240 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Biomedical science
Other internal and / or external reference points
IBMS
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences - School of Biosciences
Programme Leader
COTTELL Alison (Biosciences)
Date of production/revision of spec
14/11/2024
Educational aims of the programme
- To provide a high quality education in the various aspects of biomedical science for students with diverse interests and career aspirations (including medicine, clinical laboratory scientist, Biomedical Scientist, researcher, scientific writer/editor).
- To further the student's knowledge of the fundamental principles of biomedical science and to develop a deeper knowledge in specific areas of biomedical science.
- To provide the appropriate environment to encourage the development of the students interest in biomedical science and to help them acquire appropriate intellectual, scientific, technical and key transferable skills to promote self-directed and life-long learning.
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| Understands basic biological knowledge at molecular, cellular, and organism level. | K | CertHE, BSc (Hons) | |
| Ability to follow basic laboratory protocols as instructed, including being able to work in a safe and ethical manner. | CP | CertHE, BSc (Hons) | |
| Report biological processes, procedures, and data and draw some basic conclusions from these. | CT | CertHE, BSc (Hons) | |
| Understands broad biological knowledge within biomedical science disciplines at molecular, cellular, and organism level. | K | DipHE, Ord | |
| Apply information gathered from suitable sources to address specific scientific questions. | KP | DipHE, Ord | |
| Ability to follow in-depth laboratory protocols as instructed, including being able to work in a safe and ethical manner. | CP | DipHE, Ord | |
| Apply statistical and numerical skills to draw conclusions from experimental data. | CT | DipHE, Ord | |
| Understand laboratory-based investigation with respect to human health and disease. | KCP | DipHE | Ord. QAA benchmark statements 3.3, 3.12, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16 |
| Understand the principles of biomedical sciences and apply these to a range of scientific and academic problems. | CP | DipHE | Ord. QAA benchmark statements 3.3, 3.12, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16 |
| To develop a breadth of knowledge in the field of biomedical science in general, and a depth of knowledge in the specialist fields defined by the bench marking statements. | KP | DipHE | Ord. QAA benchmark statements 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11 |
| Develop advanced practical laboratory skills relevant to specialisms in the biomedical sciences. | PT | DipHE | Ord. QAA benchmark statements 3.3, 3.12, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16 |
| Demonstrate safe working and good laboratory practice when undertaking practical work. | PT | CertHE | Ord. QAA benchmark statements 3.3, 3.12, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16 |
| Interpret qualitative data, and apply statistical and numerical skills to quantitative biomedical data to draw conclusions. | KCPT | CertHE | Ord. QAA benchmark statements 3.3, 3.12, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16 |
| Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively though a representative range of oral, written and visual means. | CT | CertHE | Ord. QAA benchmark statements 3.12, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16 |
| Appreciate how bioscience discipline and developments may impact on society, for example, globally and culturally, and in terms of a sustainable future ethical issues. | K | CertHE | Ord. QAA benchmark statement 3.14 |
| Understand laboratory-based investigation with respect to human health and disease | KCP | BSc (Hons) | QAA benchmark statements 3.3, 3.12, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16 |
| Understand the principles of biomedical sciences and apply these to a range of scientific and academic problems. | CP | BSc (Hons) | QAA benchmark statements 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.12, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16 |
| To develop a breadth of knowledge in the field of biomedical science in general, and a depth of knowledge in the specialist fields defined by the bench marking statements. | KP | Ord | QAA benchmark statements 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11 |
| To understand the role of the Biomedical Scientist together with regulations that define professional standards of practice as governed by e.g. the Institute of Biomedical Science, the Health and Care Professions Council, and QAA benchmark statements. | KPT | Ord | QAA benchmark statements 3.12, 3.14 |
| To be able to evaluate research findings from appropriate scientific literature sources, and demonstrate the ability to critically assess this. | KCT | Ord | QAA benchmark statements 3.12, 3.14 |
| Demonstration and understanding of research design and planning, and the limits of scientific findings. | CT | Ord | QAA benchmark statements 3.3, 3.12, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16 |
| Develop advanced practical laboratory skills relevant to specialisms in the biomedical sciences. | PT | Ord | QAA benchmark statements 3.12, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16 |
| Demonstrate safe working and good laboratory practice when undertaking practical work, together with good knowledge and understanding of aspects of managing health and safety, such as risk assessments and COSHH. | PT | DipHE | QAA benchmark statements 3.12, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16 |
| Interpret qualitative data, and apply statistical and numerical skills to quantitative biomedical data to draw conclusions. | KCPT | DipHE | QAA benchmark statements 3.12, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16 |
| Take responsibility for planning and organisation of a given project or task both independently, and towards a common goal/outcome in a team. | PT | DipHE | QAA benchmark statements 3.12, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16 |
| Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively though a representative range of oral, written and visual means. | CT | DipHE | QAA benchmark statements 3.12, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16 |
| Use appropriate software, online resources and databases, for researching topics with biosciences. | KCP | DipHE | QAA benchmark statements 3.12, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16 |
| Appreciate how bioscience discipline and developments may impact on society, for example, globally and culturally, and in terms of a sustainable future ethical issues. | CT | CertHE | QAA benchmark statement 3.14 |
| Develop resourcefulness and resilience, for example by undertaking self-directed learning; through tutorials and discussion sessions, and through managing progress during the Research Project. | PT | CertHE | QAA benchmark statements 3.12, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16 |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Bachelor's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over three academic years, consisting of 360 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Full-time with PTY
This Bachelor's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over four academic years, consisting of 480 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5, 6 and the optional professional training year). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
Module Selection for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
Students must choose one optional module in semester 1
Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Module Selection for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Students must choose one optional module per semester.
Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Module Selection for Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Students must choose one optional module in semester 1
Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Module Selection for Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Students must choose one optional module per semester.
Professional Training Year (PTY) -
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMSP007 | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (FULL-YEAR WORK) | Core | 120 | Year-long |
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | Y | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | Y | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | N | |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
In the first and second years (Levels 4 and 5) students cover modules that address the core requirements for biomedical sciences as addressed in the Biomedical Science benchmark paper and in the conditions for accreditation by the Institute of Biomedical Science and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The third year can be spent away from the University in an industrial or professional work placement. Where appropriate and possible, this placement will be IBMS accredited for those students wishing to obtain this professional qualification.
In the first and second years (Levels 4 and 5) students cover modules that address the core requirements for biomedical sciences as addressed in the Biomedical Science benchmark paper and in the conditions for accreditation by the Institute of Biomedical Science and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The third year can be spent away from the University in an industrial or professional work placement. Where appropriate and possible, this placement will be IBMS accredited for those students wishing to obtain this professional qualification.
The University of Surrey's curriculum framework is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This programme will embed the enhancement of these attributes in the following ways:
Employability:
Knowledge of subject area, problem solving and critical analysis skills which are key to employment and success in the professional workplace. Students will acquire real-world skills that are valuable for any professional in science such as teamwork, project management, independent learning and clear and concise writing and science communication.
Digital Capabilities:
Use of various digital platforms for online interaction and review of content. Use of programmes for results and data analysis. Preparation of PowerPoint presentations.
Global and Cultural Capabilities:
Consideration of disease pathology and incidence, case studies and research problems that are from a range of countries and cultures are highlighted during the programme.
Sustainability:
In line with a OneHealth approach, the programme works towards relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG3 (good health and well-being).
Resourcefulness and Resilience:
Students will build self-confidence throughout the programme by undertaking a variety of self-directed learning approaches supported by active learning tutorials and discussion sessions. The undertaking of the research project develops resourcefulness and resilience and aims to promote development of students into independent researchers. Students will work independently and in groups and become critical of their ability and understanding of experimental work and design through undertaking practical sessions.
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.