BSc (Hons)

Applied Biomedical Science

Healthcare Science Practitioner – Level 6

Attendance

Campus

Start

Duration

3 years

Start

September 2024

Delivery

In-person

Our Applied Biomedical Science degree is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). You'll study health and disease and learn how the human body functions during normal and diseased states.

This course will give you an in-depth understanding of the human body in health and disease. It is accredited by the IBMS, which is essential if you want to work in hospital pathology laboratories. You'll learn by studying practical and theoretical modules. Helping you to gain the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about patient treatment in a lab setting.

Year 1 provides a sound theoretical and practical framework covering:

biochemistry
microbiology
physiology and pharmacology
key laboratory skills.

In Year 2 you'll develop analytical and critical skills and study in detail areas such as:

human physiology
metabolism
molecular biology
enhanced practical and research skills

The final year of the course covers a range of specialist modules taught by expert staff. You'll complete a research project, which will allow you to integrate your acquired theory and skills.

Why study with us

We tailor learning to prepare you for a career in the NHS. You'll be guaranteed work placements in NHS pathology laboratories. This will allow you to complete a portfolio to achieve HCPC registration.
Taught by internationally-recognised research-active scientists and biomedical scientists.
Our Biomedical Science course ranked 1st in the North West for graduate prospects. (Complete University Guide 2022).

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Why choose a Degree Apprenticeship?

With a Degree Apprenticeship, you get a great qualification and a career boost. It’s the perfect opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge through work-based learning, as you earn.

Grow and nurture your talent through the forward-thinking businesses we collaborate with.

Who is the course for?

The course is for individuals who want to work within NHS pathology labs and progress into a career as a Biomedical Scientist.

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Learn from expert Applied Biomedical Science course staff

What you'll do

You’ll develop a range of lab-based and theoretical skills associated with sound scientific practice.
We have a strong focus on practical experience, with access to excellent facilities. This ensures that you graduate with real-world skills.
Course staff have a long association with the NHS pathology service. Each has a deep understanding and extensive experience in pathology laboratory procedures.

Modules

Compulsory modules

These modules are set and you have to study these as part of your course.

Fundamentals of Biosciences

Essential Skills in Biosciences

Biosciences in Practice

The module introduces the professional roles in biosciences. You will study different disciplines within bioscience through lectures and practicals. You will leave with analytical and written skills to present laboratory data. You will explore employability within haematology, clinical biochemistry, clinical microbiology, and cellular pathology, as well as physiology, pharmacology, genetics, and the wider healthcare environment.

Module code: BL1013

Compulsory modules

These modules are set and you have to study these as part of your course.

Bioscience Practical Skills

Biology of Disease

Molecules to Cells

Placement and Professional Practice

The Roles, Attitudes And Working Practices Of Healthcare Professionals – The wider aims of the NHS will be explored. In addition, the importance of regulations, the patient and carer perspective and communication issues across a range of boundaries will be further explored. Knowledge And Accompanying Skills And Attitudes To Work As A Healthcare Science Practitioner – To explore and reflect upon personal qualities and behaviours such as time management and organisational skills, communication with patients and professionals and maintenance of their own well-being and personal development. This will be recorded by starting the compilation of a portfolio.

Module code: BL2015

Compulsory modules

These modules are set and you have to study these as part of your course.

Research Project including End Point Assessment

Diagnosis of Disease

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Accreditations

This course is accredited by the IBMS, which is essential if you're looking for employment in hospital pathology laboratories. The IBMS is the professional body for biomedical scientists and support staff - advancing knowledge and setting professional standards.

Future careers

Our BSc Applied Biomedical Science degree provides a government-prescribed route into NHS pathology. Biomedical scientists are employed in a range of areas including, hospitals, industry and the Civil Service.

All the necessary accreditations are in place for you to pursue a career as an NHS biomedical scientist.

As a graduate, you can follow a career in areas such as:

the bioscience industry
diagnostic and pathology laboratories
toxicology
public health
medical research
bioengineering
bioinformatics

Former graduates include many NHS biomedical scientists and research scientists. Graduates have also gone on to pursue further studies in dentistry or medicine.

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of bursaries, scholarships and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country to see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

Select your country/region

Degree Apprentice Care Leaver Bursary
We offer a range of support and services to help all apprentices, but you may need a little extra assistance if you have been in Local Authority care and don’t have support from your parents. Find out more about our Care Leaver Bursary for our Degree Apprentice students.
Find out more about Degree Apprentice Care Leaver Bursary

Vacancies

Fees and funding

Learning and End Point Assessment

Our course is taught via day release and you will usually attend university one day per week.

Teaching on the course involves a diverse range of methods and styles including:

lectures
tutorials
seminars
computer-based learning
case studies
laboratory practicals
e-learning
problem-based learning techniques

Assessments are by a combination of:

examinations
essays
data handling and interpretation
audits
lab books
portfolios
practical reports
project reports
poster and oral presentations

These all allow a full range of information handling and presentation skills to be developed.

You'll also have the opportunity to hear about the experiences of service users, carers, patients and public members via our community engagement and service user support groups (Comensus).

Further information

All applicants will also be required to undergo DBS and occupational health clearance.

In the first year of the course, you'll gain a broad-based understanding of the key scientific concepts. You'll explore these in more depth in years 2 and 3. You will cover cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology and pharmacology. These areas are supported by skills and professional practice modules that help to form a good starting point for a career in the NHS.

The areas covered form part of a common mode of study for all students on our biosciences routes. This provides the opportunity for you to transfer into and out of the course on a seamless basis. You will study many modules that explore how the human body functions on a variety of levels.

Alongside this will be periods of laboratory training and research skills as well as an introduction to the working of the NHS. Training within the NHS pathology lab will allow you to see processes and procedures first-hand. Allowing you to gather evidence that will form part of the professional registration process.

You'll also expand your academic studies to cover areas such as:

how disease processes originate
how a variety of techniques can be used in identifying and treating a range of disease states
an in-depth appreciation of how the NHS functions to provide patient care

You'll also be able to refine your skills in data and information handling. This is an essential step in preparing you for the final year research project in one area of healthcare specialism.

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Information for employers

You'll employ an apprentice to do a real job while they study for a formal qualification. Usually, they'll study for one day a week at one of our campuses or training centres.

This course meets Apprenticeship Standards ST0413 (Healthcare Science Practitioner). After successfully completing the course, your apprentice will be eligible to apply for registration with The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a biomedical scientist.

Apprentices follow an approved study programme. This means they’ll gain a nationally-recognised qualification at the end of their apprenticeship.

The course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). As such, employers must be accredited as an IBMS training laboratory.

Apprentices learn a broad range of skills and knowledge that can be applied to their professional practice.

Levels 4, 5 and 6 of this course include:

Fundamentals of Biosciences
Essential skills in Biosciences
Biosciences of Practice
Bioscience Practical Skills
Biology of Disease
Molecules to Cells
Professional Practice
Research Project
Diagnosis of Disease

Benefits to the employer

Apprenticeships enable your staff to develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours to become a Biomedical Scientist.
Successful graduates will have completed their IBMS registration training portfolio as part of the course. They can then apply for HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist.
Apprenticeships can provide a way to a succession plan, enabling specific skill sets to be retained within your business.

Key information and funding

Award: BSc (Hons)
Apprenticeship Standard: Healthcare Science Practitioner
Level: Level 6
Funding band: £27,000

View more information on Levy and Non-levy paying organisations and eligibility.

Tuition fees are paid by funding through the employer and/or Government. This funding comes via the Apprenticeship Levy, meaning that the learner does not pay the standard tuition fee rates. Students on Degree Apprenticeships do not qualify for any funding from Student Finance.

How to access

This course is based in the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page

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Applied Biomedical Science

Why study with us

Why choose a Degree Apprenticeship?

Who is the course for?

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What you'll do

Modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Fundamentals of Biosciences

Essential Skills in Biosciences

Biosciences in Practice

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Bioscience Practical Skills

Biology of Disease

Molecules to Cells

Placement and Professional Practice

Year 3

Compulsory modules

Research Project including End Point Assessment

Diagnosis of Disease

Accreditations

Future careers

Scholarships and bursaries

Degree Apprentice Care Leaver Bursary

Vacancies

Fees and funding

Learning and End Point Assessment

Further information

Information for employers

Benefits to the employer

Key information and funding

How to access