Biomedical Science
Biomedical science is the application of biological and scientific principles to the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of human disease. It encompasses the laboratory sciences that underpin clinical medicine, including clinical biochemistry, haematology, immunology, microbiology, histopathology, and medical genetics. Biomedical scientists are the professionals who carry out the laboratory investigations that inform most clinical decisions, from blood tests and tissue biopsies to microbiological cultures and genetic analyses.
The discipline sits at the intersection of scientific research and healthcare delivery, making it both intellectually rich and socially essential.
At the University of Chester this four-year full-time programme includes a foundation year, which provides the academic preparation needed before the main degree begins. The foundation year is designed for students who are enthusiastic about biomedical science but whose prior qualifications may not meet the direct entry requirements, and the typical entry tariff of 72 points reflects this accessible entry point. Across the full four years you will study the major biomedical science disciplines, developing both theoretical understanding of disease mechanisms and the practical laboratory skills needed to work in a clinical or research environment.
You will examine anatomy and physiology as the foundation of human biology, and then explore how pathological processes disrupt normal function across systems from the cardiovascular and respiratory to the nervous and immune systems. Data analysis, laboratory safety, and scientific communication are developed throughout the programme.
Graduates from biomedical science programmes typically pursue careers as biomedical scientists in NHS and private hospital laboratories, in research roles within pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, or in the life sciences industry more broadly. Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council is the standard professional pathway for those working in clinical laboratories. Further study in biomedical science, clinical research, medicine, and related health sciences is also a well-trodden route for graduates seeking to deepen their expertise or expand into clinical practice.