Accredited degree courses
The University of Greenwich offers BSc Applied Biomedical Science and BSc Biomedical Science degree courses. The University’s biomedical science degrees are accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). Students will study human health and disease and learn to investigate, monitor and develop interventions and treatments. To support their learning, students will put the theory they have learned in their lectures to practice by undertaking practical work and project work in the laboratories on the Medway Campus, which include a new dedicated biomedical science laboratory space completed in 2023.
Opportunity to undertake a training year
BSc Applied Biomedical Science differs from the BSc Biomedical Science programme as it is an integrated biomedical science programme that gives students an opportunity to undertake an IBMS portfolio training year within an NHS laboratory. Students therefore study for four years, rather than three years, with the additional year being the training year.
Upon completion of an IBMS portfolio in an NHS laboratory during the placement year , a student would meet the criteria to receive the IBMS Certificate of Competence. With the successful completion of the IBMS portfolio and achieving the certificate of competence, the student would be able to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) once they have graduated.
Students on the full-time three-year BSc Biomedical Science programme can transfer onto the BSc Applied Biomedical Science programmes during their second year if they wish. If not, they will graduate with a degree in BSc Biomedical Science.
A personal choice
A student’s choice in whether to transfer to the BSc Applied Biomedical Science or continue on their BSc Biomedical Science pathway will be dependent on whether they wish to undertake the year’s placement and work towards registration with the HCPC – this is the route needed to become a biomedical scientist. These placements are not usually paid, and there would be an increase in total course fees for studying a four-year degree rather than a three-year degree, so there is a cost implication to completing this training year. BSc Biomedical Science would be the preferred route for students who are still considering their options after graduation or would like to undertake the training year through employment.
There are other options students may wish to consider if they would like to gain work experience, such as a sandwich year. A sandwich year allows students to complete a placement year in industry, which can be in a placement other than an NHS laboratory and is usually paid. However, this would not form part of the IBMS portfolio and will not be considered for registration with the HCPC.
The University of Greenwich also offers Master’s degrees students can progress onto with a Biomedical Science degree, including MSc Healthcare Management and MSc Biotechnology.
