Biomedical Sciences
Biomedical sciences form the scientific foundation of modern medicine and healthcare, encompassing the study of how the human body functions in health and how that function breaks down in disease. Drawing on biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, genetics, microbiology, pharmacology, haematology and immunology, biomedical scientists work at the interface between fundamental research and clinical application, generating the knowledge and laboratory capabilities that make diagnosis, treatment and drug development possible.
At the University of Nottingham, this three-year full-time programme includes a foundation year, a sandwich year, a year abroad and a work placement, giving you an exceptionally comprehensive set of academic and professional experiences. The foundation year provides the scientific grounding needed for degree-level study, covering chemistry, biology and mathematics at an appropriate level before you move into the main programme. Through the degree you will develop expertise across the breadth of the biomedical sciences, building laboratory competence alongside theoretical understanding of disease mechanisms, the immune system, genetics, drug action and clinical diagnostic methods.
The sandwich year and work placement place you in research or clinical laboratory environments, giving you professional experience and contacts that are valuable in a competitive graduate market. The year abroad broadens your perspective and exposes you to biomedical science in a different institutional and cultural context.
Graduates of biomedical sciences programmes pursue careers in NHS clinical laboratories (where registration with the Health and Care Professions Council is the professional route), pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, medical device organisations, public health bodies, research institutions and science communication. The analytical and laboratory skills developed transfer well into roles in clinical trials management, regulatory affairs, quality assurance and healthcare consulting. Further study at master's or doctoral level in biomedical science, pharmacology, molecular biology, clinical research or a related field is the typical path for those drawn to research or specialist clinical careers.