Applied Biomedical Science (Degree Apprenticeship) (Hons)

Overview

You'll build on your existing knowledge of working in a pathology lab, learning more about how diseases behave and how this can be exploited in the lab to diagnose disease and monitor patients.

You'll learn about the main pathological disciplines and the practical approaches used in their investigations. You'll learn how to interpret data effectively, and have the opportunity to apply what you learn straightaway in your role.

You'll study alongside your existing job, and won't need to pay anything towards your course fees.

When you complete the course successfully, you can apply to register as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You'll have a vital, in-demand skill set, opening paths to roles from diagnosing illnesses such as COVID–19 to establishing whether a patient and donor are compatible for transplantation. 

What you'll experience

On this Applied Biomedical Science Degree Apprenticeship course, you'll:

• Learn about the main pathological disciplines, including haematology, blood transfusion, microbiology, clinical biochemistry, histology and immunology
• Develop your skills in interpreting data in a laboratory context
• Have the opportunity to apply for membership to the IBMS, opening up a further portfolio of training courses, and the potential for future professional advancement
• Share your experiences with the wider undergraduate biomedical science community, developing both your independence, and your ability to work in a team
• Improve your communication skills in scientific and analytical writing, learning how to communicate complex scientific concepts to a broad audience
• Learn with a university that has been teaching prospective biomedical science practitioners for more than 40 years
• Continue your full-time job as you study, allowing you to put what you learn in to action in the workplace
• Have access to the University's student support services and community, including the Library, study support, sports and recreation facilities, and the Students’ Union

• Get a personal tutor from the University and a workplace mentor, with 12-weekly reviews of your progress with your tutor and mentor

Work experience and career planning

Never has the role of Biomedical Scientists been so prominent and publicly important. Qualification as a Biomedical Scientist gives you the opportunity to make a significant impact on the health of the nation.

Whether it’s testing during a pandemic to enable effective Test, Track and Trace or determining if a patient has active immunity following vaccination, Biomedical Scientists have a significant role to play. 

When you graduate, you'll be ready to work in a Band 5 Biomedical Scientist role in areas such as:

• Main pathology disciplines, such as haematology, biochemistry, blood transfusion, microbiology, histology or immunology
• Molecular medicine
• Genetics
• Government and professional research

With further training and experience, this qualification allows progression to roles such as:

• Section leader
• Laboratory manager
• Consultant Biomedical Scientist

You'll also be able to continue onto qualification routes such as:

• Master's
• PhD
• Professional Doctorate
• IBMS professional qualifications

• The Scientist Training Programme (STP)

Teaching

Teaching on this course includes a mix of face-to-face and online activities, such as:

• recorded online lectures
• online extension activities
• online self-assessment quizzes 
• face-to-face seminars
• workplace training sessions
• work-based practice and proficiency testing
• case study analysis

How you're assessed

You'll be assessed through:

• written exams
• multiple choice assessments
• interpretation of case studies
• portfolios of work
• written evidence sheets 
• learning contracts
• short video documentary productions
• proficiency testing 
• final year research project
• IBMS registration portfolio during years 3 and 4

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.