BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

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.

2023
2024

UCAS Code	Study Mode 2023	Duration	Start Date	Campus	Campus Code
B902	Full-time	3 Years	September	Glyntaff	A
B904	Sandwich	4 Years	September	Glyntaff	A

UCAS Code	Study Mode 2024	Duration	Start Date	Campus	Campus Code
B902	Full-time	3 Years	September	Glyntaff	A
B904	Sandwich	4 Years	September	Glyntaff	A

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 it’s a 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: TBC

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.

Admissions statement

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.