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BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

  • Placement year available
How to apply Come to an Open Day

Introduction to our Biomedical Science degree

Hear from our staff and students

Studying Biomedical Science at ARU

Discover how biomedical scientists diagnose and treat diseases through hands-on experience, by studying for a Biomedical Science degree in our specialist laboratories.

Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2023 logo

Study at an award-winning university

We're the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Why Biomedical Science at ARU?

  • Learn with your peers in a state-of-the-art 200-seat SuperLab at the heart of our Science Centre.
  • Investigate and treat disease in our specialist tissue culture and microbiology laboratories.
  • Gain valuable employment experience with our placement year and internship opportunities.
  • Studying in the Cambridge area means you are in a world-renowned centre for life sciences research and development.
  • The course and placement year are accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and Royal Society of Biology (RSB).

What will you study on our Biomedical Science degree?

As a Biomedical Science student at ARU, you’ll learn about the human body at molecular, organ and systems levels, and how to investigate and treat disease.

Our passionate, highly-qualified lecturers will teach you the latest findings about conditions such as cancer, diabetes, antibiotic resistance and haemostasis.

Biomedical science is an exciting and dynamic subject, where research is constantly leading to breakthroughs and medical advances that have an impact on the health and wellbeing of society.

Course options

Course options

Key facts

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Entry requirements

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Fees and paying for university

Facilities

Specialist facilities

As a Biomedical Science student in Cambridge, you’ll have access to our cutting-edge Science Centre with seven floors of labs and teaching space, and specialist tissue culture and microbiology laboratories.

Experience our Biomedical Science facilities with our virtual tour.

Outstanding student support

Join our student community and:

  • learn from experienced tutors, who'll provide encouragement and feedback
  • benefit from a Personal Development Tutor from day one, who's there to support you throughout your time at university
  • access support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more.

Accreditation

Institute of Biomedical Science and Royal Society of Biology

In Cambridge, our three-year course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science. Both our three-year and four-year (placement) courses are accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.

Careers – What can you do with a degree in Biomedical Science?

As our three-year course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science, you will be set up for a trainee position in an NHS laboratory as a Health and Care Professions Council-registered biomedical scientist after you graduate.

The average salary for ARU graduates of this course after 15 months is £29,000. Some of our graduates have gone on to work at:

  • Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
  • GE Health Care
  • GSK
  • UK Health Security Agency
  • Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
  • Roche
  • Scientific analysis laboratories
  • Medical schools
  • Further study (PhDs/MSc)

Both our three-year and four-year (placement) courses are accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, preparing you for a wide range of biomedical roles or further study.

Can I be a doctor with a Biomedical Science degree?

If you pass the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) and have relevant work experience in the healthcare sector, you can apply for a four- or five-year accelerated programme at a UK medical school after graduation.

Cambridgeshire is home to number of world-renowned biomedical research institutes and biotechnology companies, offering plenty of opportunities for work experience and employment. Or you might decide to stay at ARU and study one of our postgraduate degrees, such as MSc Applied Bioscience. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Employability and personal career development

Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.

To amplify your career ambition, you will need to actively dedicate time outside of your studies, whether you choose to explore placements, internships or volunteering. Or you could make a social impact by collaborating with our partner organisations through our volunteer scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). These all give you an edge, providing you with experience that you will be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews.

Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.

Komal

"I never imagined that I would enjoy studying this much, all thanks to my amazing friends and the outstanding facilities that ARU provides to students - including the SuperLab in Cambridge."

Komal

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science student

Read Komal's blog

Apply now for BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

Life in Cambridge

Our friendly, bustling campus is a stone’s throw from the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.

Explore Cambridge

Want to talk to someone?

Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.

We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.

Placement year available

You have the option to take a placement year as part of this course. It’s a great chance to get hands-on experience in the industry you want to work in.

Your guide to placements

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