A big focus is how scientists use laboratory tests to support patient diagnosis. You will learn about the structure and function of tissues and organs in normal and disease states. You’ll link your expert knowledge of biology and chemistry to understand biochemical pathways and their influence in disease development. You’ll explore haematology, microbiology and blood transfusion techniques that form the basis of modern medical diagnostics. In other words, you will literally learn how to save lives.  

You have 20 hours of contact time, with lectures and workshops taking up about 6-10 hours per week.  

In your first year you’ll gain a solid foundation in topics such as genetics, how drugs work inside our bodies and how viruses and fungi are formed. Your first year is shared with other degrees in biosciences. You may find you enjoy subjects explored further on the Molecular Biology pathway for example. Our shared first year gives you the opportunity to consider your bioscience pathway before committing. We believe in flexibility. 

In your second year, you’ll specialise even more. You will study areas of Pathology; Biochemistry, Blood Transfusion, Cytology, Genetics, Haematology, Histopathology, Immunology, and Microbiology. Patient case studies allow you to apply theory from each area. You will analyse the different methods of research on diseases and treatment options. Building your skills as a researcher is developed through our Bioscience Research Methods module. 

Work placement/study abroad option: Between your second and final year, you’ll have the possibility to study abroad or do a work placement for up to a year. Not only will this give you an amazing experience to talk about but will also give your CV a boost. If you’d rather go straight to your final year, that’s absolutely fine too.   

In your final year you’ll find that you have grown to love certain topics and now you have the chance to delve further. Final year is the chance to bring knowledge of subjects studied together. The final year project shows how you can answer a research question independently working with a member of our subject specialist staff.  

Work placement

Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd.  

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a work placement sandwich year. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.  

Our dedicated Careers and Employment team are here to help guide you through the process.

If you take up a work placement between your second and third year of study, at the University of Hertfordshire you’ll pay no tuition fee for this year. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it. 

What's next for my career?

On graduation, you'll be eligible for employment as a biomedical scientist in the National Health Service and Public Health Service laboratories. In addition, job opportunities exist in the Blood Transfusion Service Laboratories; pharmaceutical and healthcare industries; forensic laboratories; sales and marketing in the healthcare field; education and research. 80% or our students have gone on to work or study after graduation (Unistats, 2013).

Typical job titles of recent graduates:

• Trainee Biomedical Scientist,,
• Clinical Trials Associate,
• Drug Safety Coordinator,
• Medical Representative,
• Lab Scientist,
• Microbiologist,
• Research Assistant,
• Tissue Culture Technologist,
• Donor Transplant Assistant.

Typical employers of recent graduates:

• Pfizer,
• Denfleet Pharma Ltd,
• Health Protection Agency,
• GlaxoSmithKline,
• AstraZeneca,
• NHS Trusts
• Lark Technology.

Upon graduation and completion of your IBMS portfolio, you'll be eligible to work as biomedical scientist in the NHS and public health laboratories. Alternatively, you could pursue a career in blood transfusion laboratories, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, forensic laboratories, healthcare sales and marketing, education and research.