Brand new facility opened January 2021
Find out more about the Verena Holmes Building, an inspirational learning environment, with industry-standard, hi-tech facilities on every floor.
A combination of hard-work, determination and the right support will see you through. If you’ve got the first two, Christ Church can provide the third.
Marie, current PhD student
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Overview
Biomedical Science operates in a regulated environment and needs well trained professionals with a knowledge of human physiology, human disease and genetics, as well as possessing strong laboratory and computer analytical skills.
You will also be encouraged to broaden your experience by interacting with a range of employers through the Industry Liaison Lab at Discovery Park, Sandwich.
Why study Biomedical Science with Foundation Year?
A foundation year helps you develop the study skills and self-confidence needed for higher education when you don’t reach the entry requirements for your subject.
Our Biomedical Science course has been designed to provide you with a broad understanding of the scientific basis of both human health and disease, and to help you learn the critical scientific skills that you need to allow you to succeed in a rapidly changing employment environment. This course will provide you with a gateway to life-long learning about issues that will really matter to our shared future.
You'll gain knowledge in all these areas, and will develop the practical skills desired by industry employers. You'll also have the opportunity to undertake specialist training to meet your own individual career aspirations, including an optional placement, internships where available, and volunteer opportunities.
All about the course
During the foundation year, you'll learn essential study skills that you'll need as you progress through the degree.
The course emphasises the development of practical and employment-relevant skills in our newly opened, state-of-the-art laboratories.
It offers you the opportunity to receive expert research informed teaching, and involves you in current research being undertaken in a variety of core topics specifically relevant to human form, function and disease.
You will learn how to apply this theoretical scientific knowledge base to active research areas that address contemporary challenges in society. You may also have the option to supplement your degree with a work placement in either an academic or industrial environment.
Several medically related disciplines are covered in this course, including anatomy and physiology, histology, genetics, biochemistry and microbiology. On completion of your degree, you could follow any one of a wide variety of future graduate-entry career paths.
Entry requirements
Qualification type |
Grades |
| A Levels | EEE |
| BTEC | PPP |
| Access | Pass 45 Credits |
| International Baccalaureate | 24 points |
| Combinations | A combination of qualifications totalling 32 UCAS points minimum |
For more information on the IELTS (International English language Testing System) requirements for this course, please click here to visit our dedicated web page.
More information about entry requirements.
Applicants should normally have 32 UCAS Tariff points. We will also welcome applications from students with few or no formal Level 3 qualifications who wish to return to education and applicants may be asked to attend an interview.
32
UCAS Points
How you’ll learn
You will study the modules listed below. Module descriptors will be available in due course.
Level 0:
- Introduction to Biology
- Introduction to Chemistry
- Science Skills
- Advancing Chemistry
- Maths and Physics for the Life Sciences
- Introduction to Human Biology
Level 4:
- Biochemistry 1
- Statistics and Introduction to R Software
- Cell Biology and Genetics
- Microbiology and human Health
- Human Anatomy and Introduction to Human Physiology
- Biochemistry 2
Level 5:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology 1
- Human Disease
- Neurobiology and Neuroscience
- Analytical Techniques
- Human Anatomy and Physiology 2
Optional modules at Level 5:
- Human Genetics
- Work Placement
Level 6:
- Honours Project in Biomedical Science (40 credits)
- Immunology
- Techniques in Clinical Laboratory Specialities
- Systems in Pathobiology
- Human Reproduction and Development
You will be taught through a combination of blended learning with workshops, laboratory practicals and seminars.
Workshops will enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures. In addition, you will meet with your academic personal tutor at least once each semester, but you are encouraged to arrange additional meetings as required.
You will use industry-standard software, and you will have access to specialist facilities and equipment throughout your course.
In your final year, you will conduct an independent research project that can cater to your particular interests and skills development. You will be supervised by a member of our academic team and guided in undertaking independent research, data analysis and presentation of your results. Depending on the topic of your project, you may also have the opportunity to collaborate with an industry partner on an industry-relevant research project.
Your actual contact hours depend on the option modules you select.
When not attending workshops, practical sessions or other timetabled activities you will continue learning through self-study that will be structured for you by the module leader for each module. Typically, this involves reading journal articles and books, engaging with online learning materials (videos, quizzes etc.), undertaking research in the library, working on projects, and preparing for coursework assignments/examinations, workshops and seminars.
Your module tutor will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before class.
For the Honours Project module in the final year, you will undertake independent research. You will work under the supervision of a member of our academic team, with support of other members of the teaching team where necessary. You will meet with your supervisor regularly.
The team consists of highly qualified academics. They have a range of expertise and experience.
All our team members hold doctoral and teaching qualifications, and they are research-active. They have experience in delivering research-informed teaching. You should note that members of the teaching team might change.
Postgraduate students sometimes assist in teaching and assessing some modules. However, experienced academics teach the vast majority of lectures and seminars.
How you’ll be assessed
The course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark.
There is also a formal or 'summative' assessment element for each of the modules. Assessment methods include a range of coursework assessments, such as laboratory reports, literature reviews, skills assessments, presentations and your final year major project. Some modules also have a formally assessed exam. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.
Percentage of the course assessed by coursework
The balance of assessment by examination and assessment by coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose.
Typically, there will be two coursework assessments weighted at 50% and 40% and a practical skills portfolio weighted at 10%. Some modules will have an exam that replaces the 50% piece of coursework.
Feedback
You will receive feedback on all practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback on examination performance is available upon request from the module leader. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module leader or personal academic tutor.
We aim to provide you with feedback within 15 working days of hand-in (formal coursework assessment).
Your future career
Major employment areas for Biomedical Science graduates include the NHS and the wider healthcare sector, sales and marketing of healthcare and diagnostic products, diagnostic and clinical laboratories, and research and development for the pharmaceutical, diagnostics, medical devices and laboratory instrumentation industries. Alternatively, you may choose to continue on to postgraduate study through to a PhD.
Fees
The 2022/23 annual tuition fees for this course are:
| UK** | Overseas*** | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,250 | £14,500 |
Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.
Please read the 2022/23 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding 2022/23 tuition fees and year on year fee increases.
**Home (UK) Fees
The fees above are for the 2022/23 academic year but may be subject to change following any announcements by the UK Government (approved by Parliament) regarding maximum Undergraduate tuition fee caps for 2022/23.
In addition, the University reserves the right to increase all full-time and part-time Undergraduate tuition fees mid-course, in line with any further inflationary increase in the Government tuition fee cap which is approved by Parliament. The University will publish information about any changes to tuition fees on its website.
***Overseas Fees (including EU fees):
Undergraduate Overseas tuition fees for International students are not subject to the Government’s regulations on maximum tuition fees.
Students with an Overseas fee status will be eligible for an International student Scholarship fee discount of £1,500, which will be applied to all Full-time Undergraduate courses with a tuition fee of £14,500.
Students with an EU fee status will be eligible for the EEA Transition Scholarship. Further details can be found here: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/fees-and-funding/international-student-fees-and-funding
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
Diamond Jubilee Scholarships and Bursaries
To celebrate 60 years of transforming lives through education new cash bursary and scholarship opportunities are available for students starting a degree in September 2022. See full details.
Specialist Facilities
This course is associated with the university’s Industry Liaison Labs at Discovery Park, Sandwich. You will have the opportunity to undertake laboratory work at this site. The location of these specialist facilities within an industrial setting facilitates access to and collaboration with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
Industry Links
The University’s Industry Liaison Lab works with many companies in healthcare research and development, drug discovery and equipment design and manufacture.
"Venomtech have been very impressed with our partners at Canterbury Christ Church University, this partnership has enabled us to progress projects much faster than we could on our own. This includes being able to generate novel data on the use of our products through student projects, advancing research into new antibiotics and cancer therapies from venoms and increasing the understanding of invertebrate welfare. Generation of this proof of concept data has, and continues to have, a positive influence with our potential customers and therefore our business. I also impart my 10+ years industrial drug discovery experience directly to the students as part of the Drug Discovery and Development module.
As a science employer in the area, Venomtech benefit greatly from being directly involved in the curriculum to make sure the new graduates have the skills useful to employers. This includes an understanding of applied drug discovery that will make CCCU graduates stand out from others in job interviews.”
Steve Trim, CEO, Venomtech Ltd
Apply now
I would like to start
I would like to study
Duration:
4 yearsUCAS code:
B10FLocation(s):
CanterburyAny questions?
Email us
courses@canterbury.ac.uk
Phone us
+44 (0)1227 928000
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