MSc/Postgraduate Diploma Biomedical Science
Page last updated 2 July 2025
Specialist Routes in Medical Microbiology, Immunology, Cellular Pathology, Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology and Medical Genetics.
This course is open to applications. However, please be aware that we are currently experiencing a high demand for this programme and are unable to guarantee that we will be able to review new applications for September 2025 entry.
Introduction
An intensive modular programme offering specialist routes in Medical Microbiology, Immunology, Cellular Pathology, Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology, and Medical Genetics.
The MSc Biomedical Science course is aimed at students who want to take their biomedical science skills and knowledge to a higher level. It's ideally suited to those with an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science or other degrees that have a significant amount of human biology or biomedical content, as well as medical, dental or veterinary degrees and some biotechnology degrees depending on what modules you studied at undergraduate level.
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Structure
Content
Core Modules:
- Current Issues in Biomedical Science - a multi-disciplinary module looking at topical issues in biomedical science.
- Practical Skills for Biomedical Science - an opportunity to refresh and develop your practical skill set and prepare for your project.
- Research and Diagnostic Methodologies - looking at core scientific methods, for example PCR, and how they are used both in research and diagnostic laboratories.
- Advanced Specialist Subject Studies - the module where you focus on your specialism and apply advanced academic skills to develop your presentation of specialist knowledge
- Research Project - an opportunity to undertake an extended laboratory project in your specialist discipline.
Choose from one of the specialist routes:
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Medical Microbiology
- Applied Immunology
- Medical Genetics
- Cellular Pathology and Oncology
- Haematology
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we'll inform you.
Learning and Teaching
You learn and develop experience through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, workshops, laboratory practicals, computer-based activities and a conference week.
For more details see our glossary of teaching and learning terms.
Study time
Full-time one year.
Part-time two year and three year routes available.
Full-time students should allow 40 hours per week study time. This will be pro rata for part-time.
Assessment
We assess modules using a range of methods, including practical report writing, statistical analysis, oral presentations, poster presentations, researched essays and exams.
For more details see our full glossary of assessment terms.
Features
Professional accreditation
We're currently seeking re-accreditation of this course by The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).
It's important to note that to become a biomedical scientist in the UK you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This is a legal requirement for anyone using the title "Biomedical Scientist".
To become registered with the HCPC you'll need to ensure your degree meets the HCPC standards. This is done by completing an Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) accredited degree or a HCPC approved honours degree in biomedical science. Please note, that accreditation of the MSc Biomedical Science by the IBMS would not fulfil the requirements to gaining registration with the HCPC.
If your degree was not IBMS accredited you can apply for a degree assessment.
Study facilities
Find out more about the facilities and resources UWE Bristol has to offer.
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Life
Postgraduate support
Our support includes access to fantastic facilities, study tools and career consultants, plus practical help to access everything from funding to childcare.
Bristol
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
Sports, societies and activities
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
Health and Wellbeing
We provide support in the way you need it.
Campus and facilities
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
Careers
Careers / Further study
Graduates from this course have gone on to employment in the healthcare sector, teaching and academia, with many going on to take PhDs in the biomedical sciences.
It's important to note that to become a biomedical scientist in the UK you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This is a legal requirement for anyone using the title "Biomedical Scientist".
To become registered with the HCPC you'll need to ensure your degree meets the HCPC standards. This is done by completing an Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) accredited degree or a HCPC approved honours degree in biomedical science. Please note, that accreditation of the MSc Biomedical Science by the IBMS would not fulfil the requirements to gaining registration with the HCPC.
If your degree was not IBMS accredited you can apply for a degree assessment.
Our award-winning careers service helps you develop your employment potential through career coaching, a vacancy service for internships, placements, jobs, global opportunities, volunteering and community activity plus support for entrepreneurial activity, and access to employer events.
Fees
Full time course
Part time course
Indicative Additional Costs
Supplementary fee information
Funding for students studying this course part-time:
If you study the two year part-time route of this course you'll be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate loan but the three year part-time route is not eligible for the loan.
Further information about fees and funding.
See details of scholarship opportunities for international students.
Entry
Entry requirements
Applicants normally have one of the following:
- An honours degree awarded by a UK institute of higher education (at least 2:2), in a relevant subject, with significant biological, biochemical or biomedical content related to the vocational specialist subject to be studied;
- Qualifications deemed equivalent by the course leader.
Please note, in order to become a biomedical scientist you should have an Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) recognised degree. Please check the list of recognised degrees (paying attention to the date accredited). If your degree is not recognised by the IBMS and you wish to work as a Biomedical Scientist in the UK you should apply for a degree assessment.
UWE Bristol's International College
International students who do not meet the academic or English language requirements to study this course can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
English language requirement
International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The University accepts a large number of UK and international qualifications in place of IELTS. To find details of acceptable tests and the required grades please visit English Language requirements.
If you meet the academic requirements but require additional support to take your language skills to the required level, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Students who successfully complete the pre-sessional course can progress onto their chosen degree course without retaking an IELTS or equivalent.
English language support
If you meet the academic requirements but require additional support to take your language skills to the required level, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Students who successfully complete the pre-sessional course can progress onto their chosen degree course without retaking an IELTS or equivalent.
Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.
How to apply
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
For further information
- Email: admissions@uwe.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 83333
