Biomedicine Lancaster University

Biomedicine is an interdisciplinary field that applies biological and medical principles to understand, diagnose, manage and treat diseases. It focuses on how cells, organs and systems function in the body.

Our four-year Biomedicine degree with an integrated master’s (MSci) is ideal for students interested in gaining a broad knowledge of human life processes within the context of health and disease. You will study topics in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics and physiology - which are at the heart of modern medical and health research.

These subjects are taught with a particular emphasis on the molecules and mechanisms fundamental to life processes and how these are disrupted by disease.

This research-led biomedicine degree is an ideal basis for a host of careers across the biomedical, research, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals sectors, offering you the scientific knowledge, practical lab skills and career-ready mindset to succeed.

By studying for an integrated master’s degree, you will graduate with advanced research skills and a more mature outlook, giving you the edge in a competitive job market, both within the field of biomedicine and beyond.

And, because you will build your skills and competence in experimental design, data recording, analysis, presentations, effective project management, teamwork and communication, you will have developed the highly transferable skills valued by employers both within the sciences and in broader fields such as marketing, finance and management.

Your journey through biomedicine

Our academics have carefully designed this course to provide you with a progressive training in biomedicine.

• You will begin, in Year 1, by studying themes that will provide you with a firm foundation for the rest of your course, such as the molecules of life, infection, immunity, cell biology, anatomy and physiology.

• In Year 2, you will study key topics in biomedicine in more detail for example microbiology, immunology, molecular genetics, cell biology and cellular metabolism, as well as either pharmacology or neuroscience.

• During Year 3, you will have greater choice in the modules you study (depending on the second-year modules you take) and may explore themes such as advanced drug design and development. In Year 3, you will also carry out your own independent research project. This is your opportunity to make a unique contribution to increasing scientific knowledge in an area of biomedicine that fascinates you.

• In Year 4 you will gain additional practical skills by undertaking a further, more extended research project, as well as studying a variety of master’s level themes.

You will be supported by our research-active academics whose research includes neglected tropical diseases like leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis and snakebite as well as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and inflammatory conditions like asthma and psoriasis.

This additional experience will be invaluable in a future career, such as in a research-based role in the biomedical, research, pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries, or further study.

A hands-on degree

Our state-of-the-art life science teaching laboratories will be at the heart of your degree. They are where you will put the knowledge you have acquired from lectures and tutorials into practice and get to know your course-mates and academics.

You will gain hands-on experience (depending upon your specialisation) of using equipment and facilities such as:

• our bioimaging facility

• protein purification and characterisation facilities

• cell sorters

• confocal microscopes

• flow cytometers

• PCR thermocyclers

• cell culture facilities

Altogether, our classroom learning and practical experience means you will graduate well-prepared for a successful career in biomedicine or in other scientific and non-scientific fields.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.

A levels

AAA. This should include Biology and one other science subject from: Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics.

Access to HE Diploma

Considered on a case-by-case basis. Our typical entry requirement would be 45 Level 3 credits at Distinction, but you would need to meet the subject requirements.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level, or equivalent qualification, as long as any subject requirements are met.

BTEC Extended Diploma

Only considered for entry to the BSc Hons course variant. Subject to academic progression and availability, students can transfer to the MSci course.

BTEC in combination with A levels

Our typical entry requirement would be A level grade A plus BTEC(s) at DD, or A levels at grade AA plus BTEC at D. This should include sufficient Biology and other science content.

International Baccalaureate

36 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects including 6 in HL Biology and 6 in one further HL science subject from Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

We are happy to admit applicants on the basis of five Highers, but where we require a specific subject at A level, we will typically require an Advanced Higher in that subject. If you do not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone, we will consider a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers in separate subjects. Please contact the Admissions team for more information.

T levels

Not accepted

GCSE requirements

Mathematics grade 5/B, English Language grade 4/C.

We will also look at your overall GCSE profile when considering your application as a whole.

We do have flexibility when considering GCSE requirements. Go to our GCSE information for more details.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component for this programme. English language qualifications for undergraduate study.