Biomedical Science

Biomedical science is the discipline that connects laboratory science to clinical medicine. Biomedical scientists analyse samples of blood, tissue, and other materials to provide the diagnostic information that clinicians depend on to diagnose disease, monitor treatment, and make decisions about patient care. The field encompasses haematology, clinical biochemistry, medical microbiology, immunology, cellular pathology, and transfusion science, giving biomedical scientists a central role in virtually every area of modern healthcare.

At the University of Northampton, this three-year full-time degree is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science, which is the leading professional body in the field. IBMS accreditation is an important requirement for obtaining statutory registration as a biomedical scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council, and the programme is designed to meet the high standards of teaching, facilities, and course content that accreditation demands. You will develop both the laboratory skills and the scientific knowledge to work across the range of biomedical science disciplines, understanding the biological and chemical processes that underlie disease and the analytical methods used to detect and characterise them.

The typical entry tariff is 72 UCAS points.

Graduates of IBMS-accredited biomedical science programmes are eligible to apply for HCPC registration, which allows them to work as biomedical scientists in the NHS, independent laboratories, and the private healthcare sector. The NHS is the largest employer of biomedical scientists in the UK, offering careers across all the major diagnostic disciplines. Many graduates also work in pharmaceutical research, forensic science, quality assurance, and the biotechnology sector.

Postgraduate study in clinical science, biomedical research, or specialist biomedical science areas is a natural next step for those who want to develop specialist expertise or pursue research careers.