Employability
96% of our graduates are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating (2019/20 Graduate Outcomes Survey).
Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £9,535 per year
International/EU: £17,155 per year (£1,200 for placement year) -
How long will I study?
3 / 4 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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What is the UCAS code?
B940
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When do I start?
September 2025
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Placement year available?
Yes
Come to an open day
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Course summary
- Develop the skills and knowledge you need to become a biomedical scientist.
- Train in state-of-the-art labs and cell culture suites with industry-standard equipment.
- Apply the latest research and technology to disease diagnosis and treatment.
- Work with experts in our research centre to complete your own cutting-edge research.
- Complete an optional year-long placement with health or research organisations.
This BSc Biomedical Science course, accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science, will build your practical and digital skills to prepare you for a career as a graduate scientist. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of biomedical science and how to apply your knowledge to medicine, research and the wider scientific industry.
You can also transfer to the MSci route for a specialist year of research-intensive study.
Accredited by
The biomedical science degree is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and approved as a preliminary qualification for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You must register with the HCPC before you can work as a biomedical scientist in a hospital laboratory.
Completing an appropriate hospital pathology placement during this course can lead to the IBMS Certificate of Competence, which enables you to register with the HCPC after you graduate.
How you learn
On this course you’ll be taught by biomedical science experts – all our staff are research active and most have a history in industry. Your learning will be linked to departmental research themes, ensuring the course content is at the forefront of science.
You’ll get hands-on with industry-standard laboratory equipment and take part in in-class activities, problem solving and group discussions. You’ll work with other students on practical projects, as well as independently using digital tools to analyse data.
You’ll also have opportunities to undertake research, from clinical specialisms to bioanalytical projects.
You learn through:
- In-person lectures and seminars
- Guest lectures from industry professionals
- Interactive workshops
- Independent study
- Tutorials and academic adviser sessions
- Practical laboratory experiences with industry-standard equipment
- Placements and research opportunities
- Real-world projects, simulated environments and networking opportunities
Key themes
Initially you’ll explore fundamentals in biomedical science to gain a grounding in life science. You’re then able to apply this knowledge in practical laboratory sessions. You’ll also explore the role of the Institute of Biomedical Science and the Health and Care Professions Council – learning about the diverse range of lab techniques used in both routine patient analysis and biomedical research.
In your second year, you’ll cover a range of topics, including DNA technology, cancer research, disease diagnostics and therapeutic monitoring, that align with the clinical specialist pathology disciplines. You’ll then apply this knowledge to practical labs and an applied pathology-themed project.
In your third year, you’ll learn about blood sciences, cellular pathology and medical microbiology – before completing an independent project in our teaching labs.
In year four, you’ll complete independent research projects alongside active researchers in our Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre. This means you can research specific areas of interest and be integrated into a research group that focuses on a scientific research discipline – enabling you to discuss your project with fellow students and staff.
Course support
Throughout your learning journey, you’ll experience a range of dedicated support, such as:
- Access to specialist support services to help with your personal, academic and career development
- Access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources to help you to plan and structure your assignments
Course leaders and tutors
Laura Cole
Senior Lecturer in Biomedical ScienceLaura is Course Leader of the BSc Biomedical Science Course and fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Applied learning
Work placements
You’ll have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your second and third years. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.
We have excellent links with a range of NHS hospitals – such as Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Rotherham General Hospital, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and organisations such as Hammersmith Medical.
There are also placement opportunities with our industrial partners such as Abbot Diagnostics, Covance or Quotient Bioresearch.
Networking opportunities
We have extra-curricular career-focused activities such as careers and job fairs, employer events, mentoring schemes, volunteering, internship opportunities, and leadership awards – helping you to accelerate your progression towards your chosen career.
You could also have the opportunity to return to your placement host and undertake some real-world research in their labs.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in:
- Hospital pathology laboratories
- Academic research
- The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry
- Medical-related disciplines
- Clinical trials research
- Scientific sales and marketing
- Postgraduate study options, including MSc, MRes, PhD and PGCE
- Teaching
- You could also continue your studies to postgraduate level – MSc, MRes, PhD or PGCE
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for world-leading companies such as:
- The NHS
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Scientific law firms
- Research institutes
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreLearn more about your department
Biosciences and Chemistry Facilities Tour
Take a look around the biosciences and chemistry facilities at Sheffield Hallam University with senior lecturer and recruitment lead Dr Susan Campbell.
Equipment and facilities
You’ll have access to various collaborative and independent learning spaces, and a large suite of high-quality laboratories. You’ll use the same industry-standard equipment and software that you’ll be using in your career.
On this course you work with:
- Analytical tools such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography equipment.
- Our award-winning cell culture suites with laminar flow hoods and incubators.
- High-powered fluorescent and confocal microscopes for cell and tissue analysis.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction equipment.
- If you transfer to the MSci route, you’ll work alongside PhD students and scientists in our Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, with access to a range of cutting-edge facilities.
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.
360 tour - biosciences and chemistry facilities
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 120-128
From A levels including 32 points in Biology or equivalent BTEC national qualifications in Applied Science to include suitable biology modules. The study of Chemistry is useful, but not essential. We do not accept General Studies. We will consider a combination of qualification types.
- DDM BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science (please list units on your application).
- BTEC Diploma in Applied Science D*D with relevant biology modules (please list units on your application) alongside other level 3 study.
- Distinction overall from a T level qualification with T level Science: Laboratory Technician Pathway only.
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels and EPQ.
GCSE
- English Language or English Literature at grade C or 4.
- Maths at grade C or 4.
• Access - an Access to HE Diploma from a relevant QAA-recognised Access to HE course which has mainly biology and chemistry related modules, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 15 level 3 credits should be graded at distinction level.
* GCSE English and mathematics equivalent.
• Equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 7.0 (or equivalent) with no less than 6.5 in each skill. This is a graduate requirement of the Institute of Biomedical Science. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.5 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long-term health conditions or disabilities you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the course requirements and take part without disadvantage. You can contact our University student support staff and explore any issues you may have.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Biomedical Science In Practice
Demonstrating Professional Skills For Scientists
Fundamentals Of Biomedical Science
Introducing Professional Skills For Scientists
Year 2
Compulsory modules
Applying Professional Skills For Scientists
Developing Professional Skills For Scientists
Disease, Diagnostics, And Therapeutics
Genes To Proteins, Biochemistry In Action
Immunology And Microbiology
Year 3
Compulsory modules
Placement Year For Biosciences And Chemistry
Final year
Compulsory modules
Advanced Professional Skills For Scientists
Blood Sciences
Cellular Pathology And Infection
Research Project
Elective modules
Advanced Genetics
Advanced Therapeutics And Personalised Medicine
Applications Of Data Science
Applied Biochemistry
Human Nutrition And Health
Neurobiology And Neurophysiology
Pharmacology
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year). These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Biosciences and Chemistry (PDF, 131.3KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
