Biomedical Science

Biomedical science is the application of biological and physical science principles to the understanding of human health and disease. It encompasses the laboratory disciplines that underpin clinical medicine, including haematology, clinical chemistry, medical microbiology, histopathology, and immunology, and it trains scientists who can analyse samples, interpret results, and contribute to the diagnosis and monitoring of disease. Biomedical scientists work largely behind the scenes in healthcare, but their work is central to the clinical decisions that doctors and other health professionals make.

At Northampton this four-year programme includes an integrated foundation year, which provides the scientific grounding in biology, chemistry, and mathematics that the main degree requires. The foundation year is designed for students who have the ambition and potential to succeed in biomedical science but who may not have the specific prior qualifications for direct entry. Across the full programme you will study the core biomedical science disciplines, developing theoretical knowledge of human physiology, pathology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, and molecular biology alongside the laboratory skills that professional practice demands.

The programme develops your ability to work scientifically and to apply your knowledge to the complex analytical challenges that arise in clinical and research laboratories.

Biomedical science graduates work in NHS hospital laboratories, public health laboratories, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and research institutions. Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a biomedical scientist, which is required for clinical laboratory work in the NHS, typically follows the degree. Many graduates also continue to postgraduate study in biomedical science, clinical laboratory science, molecular diagnostics, or research-focused programmes.

The broad scientific foundation the degree provides is also a stepping stone for graduate-entry medicine, dentistry, or other clinical professions for those who wish to move into direct patient care.