On this course, you’ll study the human body at a molecular, organ and systems level.
You’ll learn how to investigate and treat disease, and discover the latest findings about conditions such as cancer, diabetes, antibiotic resistance and haemostasis.
We’ll cover modern diagnostic techniques and biomedical disciplines including haematology and transfusion science, clinical biochemistry, cellular pathology, medical genetics, medical microbiology, and clinical immunology.
Health and Care Professions Council
We will support and cover the fees for students wishing to work in the NHS as a biomedical scientist on graduation to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) via the certificate of competence route.
Learn in our specialist training laboratory at ARU Peterborough, designed to mirror real-world labs in this fast-moving field of science.
Why ARU?
Benefit from study in our specialist labs, including a human tissue culture lab and a category 2 microbiology lab
Use the latest industry-standard equipment for microbiology and tissue culture
Choose to focus on an area of interest in year 3
Build expertise and confidence with a hands-on approach to your lab-based learning
Gain critical experience with live briefs and challenges from our employer partners
We'll cover the fees for you to register with the Health and Care Professions Council after graduation
We’ve co-created our Biomedical Sciences course with employers to ensure you graduate with the skills valued in industry.
Our hands-on approach and small class sizes mean you’ll become highly adept at working in the lab, and receive personalised support throughout your studies.
You’ll also gain transferable skills such as communication and working both independently and as part of a team.
You could pursue a career as a microbiologist, a clinical scientist, a physician associate, or a scientific laboratory technician, typically within the health care or pharmaceutical sectors. This degree is also valuable if you want to work in the life sciences industry.
If you wish to become a doctor and pass the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT), plus 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. There's a limited opportunity to transfer to Year 1 of our MBChB Medicine degree, following successful completion of your first year of Biomedical Sciences, application, and interview.
Alternatively, you may 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.
We want you to be a step ahead when you graduate, so we offer:
We’re here to help you develop your CV and find that all-important role after graduation. Our Employability Service offers tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, help to complete job applications, and much more. You’ll have 24/7 access to an online Careers Centre too, which is packed with useful resources.
The support continues after you graduate, with lifelong access to our Alumni Career Centre.
You’ll begin by studying general biology, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and cellular and molecular biology.
You’ll then learn about modern diagnostic techniques and biomedical disciplines including haematology and transfusion science, clinical biochemistry, cellular pathology, medical genetics, medical microbiology, and clinical immunology.
You’ll also explore the history and philosophy of science and medicine, and the ethical dilemmas posed by scientific advances.
In your final year, with support from a supervisor, you’ll carry out a research project and explore an area of biomedical sciences that’s of particular interest to you.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.
It’s possible to combine placement and foundation year options. Contact us to discuss what you can do, or choose your preferred option when you apply.
A foundation year prepares you for the rest of your course, and focuses on general skills such as researching and referencing, numeracy and ICT, and communication. We'll also start to look at some more subject-specific topics.
Your placement year is a chance to put everything you’ve learnt in Years 1 and 2 into practice. Spend typically 9-12 months working for an organisation, developing your skills and gaining valuable work experience. Our Placements Team is here to help you secure a placement.
You’ll be assessed on essays, exams and practical analysis, so we can make sure you’re developing the knowledge and skills you need.
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
You’ll learn in our specialist biomedical sciences lab, category 2 microbiology lab and tissue-culture lab.
These are some of the newest facilities in the country, equipped with the latest industry-standard equipment, ensuring you graduate well-used to the kit used in employers’ labs.
Entry requirements
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.
We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.
We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.
We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.
We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.
International students
We welcome applications from international and EU students, and accept a range of international qualifications.
This course includes an optional placement year. The placement year fee is:
£1,500 (2025-26)
£1,700 (2026-27)
You will be responsible for covering the cost of travelling to your placement during your placement year. This cost could vary significantly depending on where your placement is located, where you live during your course and how you travel.
Living at university
We understand that affordability is an important issue when you’re thinking about studying at university.
The overall cost of university can vary depending on where you’re studying and which course you’re taking.
Costs may also be lower if you're living at home. However, some of the main costs you’ll want to think about include:
accommodation
bills
internet, mobile phone and calls
travel
food and drink
socialising and going out
study materials.
Most full-time UK students can apply for a Maintenance Loan to help cover living costs. More about maintenance loans.
Our Money Advice Service is on hand if you’d like to chat about living costs, budgets and managing your money. You can also find out more about student finance at one of our Open Days.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, which provide extra financial support while you’re at university.
If you're eligible for a scholarship, you'll generally receive it automatically – there's no need to apply.
Our campus employment bureau, ARU Temps, can help you find part-time work that fits around your studies. It's a great chance to enhance your CV and boost your income while you study.
Dr William Humphries
Dr Denise V. Dear
Dr Ian Tennant