Biomedical Science

Biomedical Science - BSc (Hons)
with a Foundation Year

This is an archived course for 2022 entry
2023 courses

This is an archived page and for reference purposes only

Are you interested in a career in the health services, in a pharmaceutical company or in medical research? Whether you're looking for a change of career, or may not have the scientific background or entry requirements for a degree in Biomedical Science, our Foundation Year offers the opportunity to fill any knowledge gaps and build your confidence.

Overview

This programme is designed for students who do not meet the requirements for direct entry to Stage 1 of our degree courses, and is an excellent conversion course for applicants who have shown academic ability in non-science subjects.

As well as learning about the latest developments in the understanding and treatment of human diseases, you develop wider transferable skills in problem solving, communication and teamwork.

Reasons to study Biomedical Science with a Foundation Year at Kent

  • Our foundation year offers you the flexibility to progress to degrees across our Division of Natural Sciences. You may choose a degree in Biomedical Science, but equally you could opt for a degree within another area of Biosciences, or Chemistry, Forensic Science or Sport and Exercise Sciences.
  • Regular investment in our laboratories ensures you learn in a world-class environment – take a look around with current student Georgia.
  • Our lecturers are both innovative teachers and active researchers. Two of our academic staff have been awarded National Teaching Fellowships.
  • Study a wide range of modules and build your degree around your interests.
  • Focus on your future with expert careers advice and the opportunity to take a paid Summer Studentship, giving you valuable hands-on experience in our research labs.
  • Get real-world experience and see how your degree can help build a better world with hospital visits as part of your course.
  • We collaborate with research groups in industry and academia and have excellent links with local employers, including the NHS, Lonza and Sekisui Diagnostics, Roche, Sanofi and Pfizer.
  • Get involved with science outside of the lab by joining Kent BioSoc. This student-run society holds a seminar series, academic talks, trips and social events.

What you’ll learn

In your foundation year, you study compulsory modules in biology, chemistry and scientific methods, plus a choice of optional modules. On successful completion of the foundation year, you will have reached a standard above A level and so be fully equipped to tackle a BSc degree course.

In your Biomedical Science degree, you'll explore the biochemical processes that occur in the human body, learn how they respond to diseases and how this knowledge can be used to identify and treat diseases. Practical work is at the heart of our teaching and this allows you to gain skills that are in high demand in the industry. We give you extensive practical training and you spend up to two-and-a-half days a week in the laboratory.

Early in your degree you develop your skills as a bioscientist, covering biological chemistry, genetics, molecular and cellular biology, human physiology and disease, and metabolism. Modules go on to include advanced immunology, haematology and blood transfusion, and pathogens. In your final year you complete a research project which can be lab or literature based. You have a broad choice of optional modules including neuroscience, bioinformatics and genomics and cancer biology.

See the modules you'll study

Biomedical Science student Timo talks about his course at the University of Kent.

You can also tailor your degree to suit you by adding a sandwich year, where you’ll undertake a paid role. This will give you the chance to put into practice the skills you’ve learnt and develop new ones, as well as building important connections. You can also expand your horizons with our year abroad, where you'll study at one of our partner institutions.

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Accreditation

Our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science course is fully accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and the Royal Society of Biology (RSB).

Entry requirements

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. All applications are assessed on an individual basis but some of our typical requirements are listed below. Students offering qualifications not listed are welcome to contact our Admissions Team for further advice. Please also see our general entry requirements.

  • medal-empty

    A level

    DDD including either a Science subject (i.e. Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Sport, Psychology or Mathematics at grade D

  • medal-empty GCSE

    Maths and English Language at grade 4/C

  • medal-empty Access to HE Diploma

    The University welcomes applications from Access to Higher Education Diploma candidates for consideration. A typical offer may require you to obtain a proportion of Level 3 credits in relevant subjects at merit grade or above.

  • medal-empty BTEC Nationals

    MMP in Applied Science, Biomedical Science, Medical Science, Sport or Sports Coaching. All other subjects are considered on a case by case basis. Please contact us for further advice on your individual circumstances.

  • medal-empty International Baccalaureate

    24 points overall or 11 points from three HL subjects including HL Science subject, Sport, Psychology or Maths at 4 or SL Science subject, Sport, Psychology or Maths at 5

  • medal-empty International Foundation Programme

    N/A

  • medal-empty T level

    The University will consider applicants holding T level qualifications in subjects closely aligned to the course.

Please contact the School for more information at studynats@kent.ac.uk.

If you are an international student, visit our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country, including details of the International Foundation Programmes. Please note that international fee-paying students who require a Student visa cannot undertake a part-time programme due to visa restrictions.

Please note that meeting the typical offer/minimum requirement does not guarantee that you will receive an offer.

English Language Requirements

Please see our English language entry requirements web page.

Please note that if you do not meet our English language requirements, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.

Course structure

Duration: 4 years full-time

The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.  

The modules for Stages 1-3 of the degree course can be viewed on the Biomedical Science - BSc (Hons) page.

Foundation year

Fees

The 2022/23 annual tuition fees for this course are:

  • Home full-time TBC
  • International full-time TBC

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.

For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* 

Your fee status

The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.

Additional costs

General additional costs

Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.

Funding

We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.

Search scholarships

University funding

Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details. 

Government funding

You may be eligible for government finance to help pay for the costs of studying. See the Government's student finance website.

Scholarships

General scholarships

Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.

The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence

At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. 

The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of A*AA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching includes lectures, laboratory classes, workshops, problem-solving sessions and tutorials. You have an Academic Adviser who you meet with at regular intervals to discuss your progress, and most importantly, to identify ways in which you can improve your work further so that you reach your full potential.

Most modules are assessed by a combination of continuous assessment and end-of-year exams. Exams take place at the end of the academic year and count for 50% or more of the module mark. Stage 1 assessments do not contribute to the final degree classification, but all stage 2 and 3 assessments do, meaning that your final degree award is an average of many different components. On average, 26% of your time is spent in an activity led by an academic; the rest of your time is for independent study.

Contact hours

For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours.  The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Programme aims

The programme aims to:

  • instil a sense of enthusiasm for biomedical science, confront the scientific, moral plus ethical questions and engage in critical assessment of the subject material covered
  • offer an understanding of scientific investigation of human health and disease
  • provide a stimulating, research-active environment in which students are supported and motivated to achieve their academic and personal potential
  • educate students in the theoretical and practical aspects of biomedical science
  • facilitate the learning experience through a variety of teaching and assessment methods
  • give students the experience of undertaking an independent research project
  • prepare students for further study, or training, and employment in science and non-science based careers, by developing transferable and cognitive skills
  • develop the qualities needed for employment in situations requiring the exercise of professionalism, independent thought, personal responsibility and decision making in complex and unpredictable circumstances
  • provide access to as wide a range of students as practicable.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You gain knowledge and understanding of:

  • the structure, function and control of the human body
  • the main metabolic pathways used in biological systems in catabolism and anabolism, understanding biological reactions in chemical terms
  • the variety of mechanisms by which metabolic pathways can be controlled and the way that they can be co-ordinated with changes in the physiological environment
  • the genetic organisation of various types of organism and the way in which genes can be expressed and their expression controlled
  • molecular genetic techniques and the causes and consequences of alterations of genetic material
  • the structure and function of the main classes of macromolecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids and polysaccharides
  • the immune response in health and disease
  • the structure, physiology, biochemistry, classification and control of microorganisms
  • the main principles of cell and molecular biology, biochemistry and microbiology
  • the microscopic examination of cells (cytology) and tissues (histology) for indicators of disease
  • the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of analytes to aid the diagnosis, screening and monitoring of health and disease (clinical biochemistry)
  • immunological disease/disorders
  • the different elements that constitute blood in normal and diseased states (haematology)
  • the identification of blood group antigens and antibodies (immunohaematology and transfusion science)
  • pathogenic microorganisms
  • the main methods for communicating information on biomedical sciences.

Intellectual skills

You gain the following intellectual abilities:

  • to understand the scope of teaching methods and study skills relevant to the biomedical science degree programme
  • the ability to understand the concepts and principles in outcomes, recognising and applying biomedical specific theories, paradigms, concepts or principles. For example, the relationship between biochemical activity and disease
  • the skills for analysis, synthesis, summary and presentation of biomedical information
  • to demonstrate competence in solving extended biomedical problems involving advanced data manipulation and comprehension
  • integrate scientific evidence, to formulate and test hypotheses
  • structure, develop and defend complex scientific arguments by understanding and applying your knowledge base
  • the ability to plan, execute and interpret the data from a short research project
  • recognise the moral and ethical issues of biomedical investigations and appreciate the need for ethical standards and professional codes of conduct.

Subject-specific skills

You gain subject-specific skills in the following:

  • to handle, biological material and chemicals in a safe way, thus being able to assess any potential hazards associated with biomedical experimentation
  • perform risk assessments prior to the execution of an experimental protocol
  • to use basic and advanced experimental equipment in executing the core practical techniques used by biomedical scientists
  • to find information on biomedical topics from a wide range of information resources and maintain an effective information retrieval strategy
  • to plan, execute and assess the results from experiments
  • to identify the best method for presenting and reporting on biomedical investigations using written, data manipulation/presentation and computer skills
  • awareness of the employment opportunities for biomedical graduates.

Transferable skills

You gain transferable skills in the following:

  • the ability to receive and respond to a variety of sources of information
  • communicate effectively to a variety of audiences using a range of formats and approaches
  • problem solve by a variety of methods, especially numerical, including the use of computers
  • the ability to use the internet and other electronic sources critically as a means of communication and as a source of information
  • interpersonal and teamwork skills that allow you to identify individual and collective goals, and recognise and respect the views and opinions of others
  • self-management and organisational skills
  • awareness of information sources for assessing and planning future career development
  • the ability to function effectively in a working environment.

Careers

Graduate destinations

Our recent graduates have gone on to careers including: 

  • healthcare in the NHS
  • medical research based in academic, government, industrial and medical labs
  • biotechnology
  • teaching
  • industry and commerce
  • scientific publishing
  • marketing
  • information technology. 

Help finding a job

The School of Biosciences runs employability events with talks from alumni outlining their career paths since graduation.

The University also has a friendly Careers and Employability Service, which can give you advice on how to:

  • apply for jobs
  • write a good CV 
  • perform well in interviews.

Career-enhancing skills

You graduate with an excellent grounding in scientific knowledge and extensive laboratory experience. In addition, you also develop the key transferable skills sought by employers, such as:

  • excellent communication skills
  • teamwork
  • the ability to analyse problems
  • time management.

You can also gain new skills by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.

Professional recognition

Our Biomedical Science degree programme is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and the Royal Society of Biology (RSB). For future employers, this accreditation helps to demonstrate a wide-ranging scientific education with practical skills and experience.

Apply for Biomedical Science with a Foundation Year - BSc (Hons)

This course page is for the 2022/23 academic year. Please visit the current online prospectus for a list of undergraduate courses we offer.

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International student enquiries

Enquire online

T: +44 (0)1227 823254
E: internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk

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School of Biosciences

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