Biomedical Science with Foundation Year

Biomedical science provides the scientific underpinning of clinical diagnosis and medical research, drawing on biology, chemistry, and physiology to understand the molecular and cellular processes that govern health and disease. The discipline is central to modern healthcare, supporting the testing and analysis that allows clinicians to diagnose infections, monitor chronic conditions, identify cancers, and guide treatment. At the University of Surrey, this four-year, full-time programme includes a foundation year, making it an excellent option for students building their scientific confidence before embarking on the main degree, and covers a curriculum that spans from fundamental cell biology to the applied sciences of pathology and pharmacology.

The foundation year introduces you to the core sciences, developing your mathematical and scientific foundations before you move into the main biomedical science programme. You will then study physiology, pharmacology, pathology, microbiology, haematology, and immunology, developing both theoretical knowledge and practical laboratory competence. Surrey's programme has a strong emphasis on applied and translational science, and you will engage with topics including infectious disease diagnosis, outbreak modelling, and the genetic basis of cancer, developing the skills to connect fundamental science with real clinical and public health problems.

Graduates of biomedical science are well prepared for careers in NHS pathology laboratories as registered biomedical scientists, as well as roles in pharmaceutical companies, clinical research organisations, biotechnology, medical diagnostics, and public health. Professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council is the typical next step for those entering NHS laboratory practice, and many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in biomedical science, clinical research, or medical sciences. Surrey's research environment and London connections provide strong professional networks for graduates moving into the life sciences and healthcare sectors.

For those who want to understand the science of disease and apply it to improve human health, this programme provides a thorough and professionally relevant preparation.