
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science
Clearing places are still available for this course. Call us on 03455 76 06 06
Biomedical Science is an exciting, interdisciplinary subject exploring the normal functioning of the human body at the molecular, cellular and whole organism levels and how understanding these processes enables breakthroughs in the treatment of human disease and improvements to health.
Placing significant emphasis on laboratory techniques and scientific communication from writing labs reports, critical evaluation of scientific data and solving research problems, this biomedical science course provides essential skills required for a wide range of scientific careers.
The Biomedical Science course is an ideal choice if you are interested in the scientific basis of how the human body normally functions, how pathological changes can result in disease and how these diseases can be treated.
You will develop laboratory skills in biomedical science, alongside learning to critically evaluate scientific information to communicate this information to a range of different audiences.
Year One: Biomedical Science Degree
The first year of this Biomedical Science degree will introduce you to basic laboratory techniques fundamental to a career in biomedical science, genetics, microbiology, cell biology, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry, human development, and will build a foundation of scientific inquiry.
- Skills and Professional Development 1
- Human Growth and Development
- Skills for Biomedical Scientists
- Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry
- Diversity of Cellular Life
- Genetics and Evolution
Year Two: Biomedical Science Degree
In the second year you will build on your knowledge and skills acquired in the first year to gain insight into disease processes and how the human body adapts.
- Skills and Professional Development 2
- Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology
- Microorganisms and disease
- Cellular Pathology and Disease Processes
- Human Molecular Genetics
Year Three: Biomedical Science Degree
Your final year is your opportunity to pursue your specialist area of interest by conducting a supervised research project combining all of your acquired knowledge and laboratory skills. You will also be able to choose a module that takes your education in a specialised or emerging path of biomedical or anthropological emphasis.
- Research Project and Career Development
- Global Heath Challenges
- Modern Molecular Advances
- Bench to Bedside
With Biomedical options of:-
- Regenerative Medicine OR
- Applied Forensic Toxicology
Or anthropology option:
- Human Variation
Teaching
You will learn through a combination of lectures, tutorials and practical classes. You will typically spend 15 - 20 hours in scheduled classes per week, and are expected to spend the same amount of time doing background reading and working on assignments.
There is strong emphasis on applied, practical learning throughout each year of the course, which culminates in all students undertaking an extensive project in their final year. A wide range of projects are available from microbiology, cancer biology, reproductive biology and genetics.
Assessment
Assessment methods vary by module and include coursework such as laboratory reports, essays, oral presentations, problem solving and in-class or online tests as well as written examinations.
Facilities
Our Glyntaff campus provides a range of modern laboratory facilities including
- Category II microbiology labs for the growth and analysis of micro-organisms
- Molecular analysis labs for advanced DNA analysis and sequencing
- Tissue culture facilities for the growth of cells
- Biology labs with a wide range of anatomical models and microscopes
- Clinical Skills room with state of the art simulation mannequins for applied physiology teaching.
- Coagulation laboratory for the analysis of blood clotting
Support
Your course leader is your first point of contact to discuss any questions you may about the course in general. The module leaders will be able to help you, specific issues on a particular module, for example in relation to assessments.
All students will be assigned an academic member of staff at the start of their studies to provide more general help, for example on career development and academic life in general
Lecturers
- Dr Sioned Owen (course leader)
- Dr Tracie McKinney
- Dr Lewis Fall
- Dr Josie Bradley, Anatomy and Reproductive Biology
- Dr Rhian Newman
- Dr Emma Hayhurst
- Dr Jeroen Nieuwland
- Dr Cerith Jones
- Dr Martin Powell
- Dr Aled Bryant
- Dr Sky Redhead
- Dr Emma Higgins
- Miss Natalie Lubbock
- Ms Lynsey McAllister
- Mr Harri Little
- Dr Rebecca Simmonds-Cavanagh
We regularly revalidate courses for quality assurance and enhancement
At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.
If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.
The entry criteria below reflect our standard entry requirements for the course for September 2023. However, all applications received by the University are reviewed holistically and individually. Entry criteria for September 2024 is changing and will be published on ucas.com from 8th May 2023. Entry criteria for September 2024 will be updated on our website from the end of October 2023.
Contextual offers
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions. USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Here is a link to our Contextual Admissions Policy.
Other qualifications and experience
We can also consider combinations of qualifications and other qualifications not listed here may also be acceptable. We can sometimes consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or advanced entry to year two or three of a course where this is possible.
To find out which qualifications have tariff points, please refer to the UCAS tariff calculator.
If you need more help or information or would like to speak to our friendly admissions team, please contact us here
Typical A-Level Offer
BCC - CDD to include Biology and one other Science such as Chemistry or Physics but to exclude General Studies (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).
Typical Welsh BACC Offer
Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C/D in the Skills Challenge Certificate and BC - CD at A Level to include Biology and one other Science such as Chemistry or Physics but to exclude General Studies (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).
Typical Science Requirements
Applicants taking Science A levels in England will need to pass the practical element alongside achieving the requested grade(s)
Typical BTEC Offer
BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit - Merit Merit Pass in a relevant subject which must include Biology modules (this is equivalent to 112-80 UCAS tariff points).
Typical Access to HE Offer
Pass an Access to HE Diploma in Science and obtain a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points
Additional Requirements
GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances.
International Entry Requirements
We also welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications. Please visit the country specific pages on our international website for exact details.
English Requirements
In general, international applicants will need to have achieved an overall IELTS grade of 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.
However, if you have previously studied through the medium of English IELTS might not be required, but please visit the country specific page on our international website for exact details. If your country is not featured please contact us.
Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course.
August 2023 - July 2024 Fees
Full-time UK: £9000
Full-time International: £14400
August 2024 - July 2025 Fees
Full-time UK: TBC
Full-time International: £15260
Student Perks
At the University of South Wales, you’re investing in so much more than a degree. We strive to provide our students with the best possible experience, no matter what you chose to study. Whether it’s access to top of the range mac books and PCs, state-of-the-art facilities packed with industry-leading equipment and software, masterclasses and events led by industry experts, or a wide range of clubs and societies to meet likeminded people, better tomorrows start with extra perks.
Each course also has their own unique student benefits to prepare you for the real word, and details of these can be found on our course pages. From global field trips, integrated work experience and free course-related resources, to funded initiatives, projects working with real employers, and opportunities for extra qualifications and accreditations - at USW your future, is future-proofed.
Click here to learn more about student perks at USW.
Additional Costs
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.
Funding
Funding to help pay for (or cover) course tuition fees and living costs
Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
To learn about course fees, funding options, and to see if you are eligible for financial support, visit our Fees and Funding pages.
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science Travel Bursary
The Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science offers a travel bursary of £500 which is available to all students undertaking an undergraduate sandwich degree. Find out more.
UK students
Apply via UCAS if you are a UK residing applicant, applying for year one of a full-time undergraduate degree, Foundation Year, Foundation Degree or HND and you have not applied through UCAS before. If you are applying to study part-time, to top up your Foundation Degree or HND, or to transfer to USW from another institution, please apply directly.
International and EU students
Apply directly to the University if you live outside the UK.
This BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science degree provides the scientific basis for a career in a range of fields, including biomedical research, teaching, and biotechnology industries, as well as postgraduate study (e.g. MSc or PhD). Graduates may also choose to progress to careers in healthcare, for example, as Physicians Associates or working in Public Health.