Best Biomedical Science Universities In The UK – 2023 Guide

Pursuing a degree in biomedical science opens doors to a world of scientific exploration, cutting-edge research, and groundbreaking discoveries. In this article, we will take you on a journey through the top biomedical science universities in the UK that excel in providing exceptional education and research opportunities. Whether you aspire to unravel the mysteries of human health, develop life-saving therapies, or contribute to the advancement of medical knowledge, our guide will help you navigate the options available to you.

Why Get a Biomedical Science Degree?

Enrolling in a biomedical science course offers numerous compelling reasons to students who are passionate about scientific exploration, medical advancements, and improving human health. Here are some key reasons why this is a valuable and rewarding choice:

Explore the Frontiers of Medical Knowledge. Biomedical science is at the forefront of medical research. This allows students to delve into the mysteries of human biology, diseases, and the intricate workings of the human body. With a biomedical science degree, you have the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking discoveries, uncover new treatment options, and advance our understanding of health and disease.
Contribute to Improving Human Health. Biomedical science plays a crucial role in improving human health outcomes. By studying this field, you can actively contribute to the development of life-saving therapies, innovative medical technologies, and novel diagnostic tools. As a biomedical science professional, you have the power to make a tangible impact on the lives of individuals and communities.
Dynamic and Interdisciplinary Field. Biomedical science brings together various disciplines, including biology, chemistry, genetics, pharmacology, and physiology, among others. This multidisciplinary approach fosters a comprehensive understanding of human health and disease, enabling you to develop a diverse skill set and a broad knowledge base. Such versatility opens doors to a wide range of career opportunities within the healthcare and research sectors.

Jobs for Biomedical Science Degrees in the UK?

Earning a degree in biomedical science opens up a wide range of exciting and rewarding career opportunities within the UK’s thriving healthcare and research sectors. Here are some of the prominent job roles that biomedical science graduates can pursue:

Biomedical Scientist. Biomedical scientists play a vital role in diagnosing and monitoring diseases by analysing patient samples, conducting laboratory tests, and interpreting results. They work in hospitals, clinical laboratories, and research institutions, applying their scientific knowledge and technical skills to contribute to patient care and medical research.
Clinical Research Associate (CRA). CRAs are involved in the planning, coordination, and management of clinical trials. They ensure that research studies are conducted ethically, safely, and in compliance with regulatory guidelines. CRAs work closely with research teams, monitor trial progress, collect data, and ensure the quality and integrity of research outcomes.
Pharmaceutical Research Scientist. Pharmaceutical research scientists work in the pharmaceutical industry, conducting research to develop new drugs, test their efficacy, and ensure their safety. They design experiments, analyse data, and contribute to the development of innovative medications that can potentially improve patient outcomes and advance medical treatments.
Medical Sales Representative. Medical sales representatives act as liaisons between pharmaceutical or medical device companies and healthcare professionals. They promote and sell medical products, providing information, demonstrations, and support to healthcare providers. This role requires strong communication skills, product knowledge, and an ability to build relationships with medical professionals.
Laboratory Technician. Laboratory technicians support scientific research by conducting experiments, performing laboratory tests, and maintaining equipment and supplies. They assist scientists and researchers in various fields.
Healthcare Science Associate. Healthcare science associates work alongside healthcare professionals, providing technical support and assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. They may specialise in areas such as medical physics, clinical engineering, or physiological measurement.
Biomedical Engineer. Biomedical engineers combine engineering principles with medical and biological sciences to design and develop medical equipment, prosthetics, and other healthcare technologies. They work on projects that aim to improve patient care, enhance diagnostics, and innovate medical devices, contributing to advancements in healthcare technology.
Research Scientist. Research scientists in biomedical science focus on advancing knowledge in specific areas of study through scientific research.

Best 5 Biomedical Science Universities in the UK

Here are the best universities for biomedical science degrees in the UK entering 2024.

1. University of Oxford

The undergraduate course in Biomedical Sciences in the University of Oxford is a broad and flexible one. The programme includes in-depth courses on genetics, molecular and cellular biology, physiology, neuroscience, psychology, and many more. The broad first year ensures all students have a strong foundation entering the second year. After the second year, you can choose to graduate with either a BA degree in Cell and Systems Biology or a BA degree in Neuroscience. After that, you can also opt for the fourth year to obtain your MBiomedSci Master’s degree.

2. Lancaster University

Lancaster University’s BSc Biomedical Science is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). The course also grants you access to an NHS lab, which opens up a career path as a biomedical scientist in the NHS. During the degree, you will have exposure to laboratory-based projects along with the highly-experienced faculty. Through this exposure, you will gain experience to various research such as skin, colorectal, breast and prostate cancers; Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases; arthritis and other human conditions and diseases.

3. University of St Andrews

The MSc (Res) in Biology: Biomedical Sciences programme in the University of St Andrews is a 12-month, research-based degree. Completion of this course will be based on your 30,000-word research thesis. You will immerse yourselves in decades of world-class research, where over 84% is world-leading or internationally excellent. All this happening in the Biomedical Sciences Research Complex.

4. University College London

The Biomedical Sciences BSc in UCL is one of the very best in the country. The first year of this course covers compulsory courses such as anatomy, cellular and molecular biology, chemistry, genetics, pharmacology and physiology. If you are among those that know very well what your interests are, you may apply to transfer to a specialist degree programme. Otherwise, you will remain to complete the customisable Biomedical Sciences programme. In the third year, you will undertake a research project under the supervision of a staff member in conjunction with a research group in one of the faculty’s departments or within UCL’s biomedical institutes.

5. University of Aberdeen

BSc Biomedical Sciences in the University of Aberdeen is ranked 1st in the UK for Anatomy and Physiology, The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023. This school offers you more than 10 biomedical science-related programmes to choose from. Here, you have the option to undertake the 5 year MSci degree. This is where you go through a year’s placement in an industrial, commercial or research environment and graduate after five years with an MSci (an undergraduate Masters degree) instead of a BSc.

Biomedical Science University Rankings in the UK

Here are the best universities for biomedical science in the UK as we enter 2024:

Rank	Institution	Entry Standards	Student Satisfaction	Research Quality	Continuation	Graduate prospects outcomes	Graduate prospects on track	Overall Score
1	University of Oxford	205	4.04	3.56	97.8	90	96	100
2	Lancaster University	163	4.15	3.32	98.4	90	90	96.6
3	University of St Andrews	209	4.01	3.22	97.6			96.4
4	UCL (University College London)	187	3.89	3.44	97	86	82	96.3
5	University of Aberdeen	191	4.35	2.97	97.9	94	86	95.7
6	The University of Edinburgh	197	3.83	3.59	98.1	82	90	95.7
7	Loughborough University	165	3.97	3.53	98.2	84	84	95.4
8	University of Bristol	172	3.82	3.53	98.3	84	82	95.4
9	University of Manchester	169	3.77	3.56	97.8	86	78	94.9
10	University of Birmingham	157	3.87	3.39	98.3	88	86	94.8
11	University of Warwick	155	3.93	3.22	97.8	90	82	94.4
12	Swansea University	152	3.67	3.53	95	92	92	94.3
13	Queen's University Belfast	164	3.64	3.55	98.6	86	76	94.2
14	Newcastle University	159	3.73	3.39	98.3	86	82	94
15	University of Sheffield	159	3.93	3.59	97	80	80	94
16	King's College London, University of London	165	3.63	3.2	97	90	82	93.9
17	University of Strathclyde	214	3.81	3.3	96.4	76	92	93.4
18	University of Glasgow	214	4.01	3.5	95.7	76	74	93.4
19	University of Dundee	187	3.93	3.7	97.2	78	74	93.4
20	University of Exeter	158	3.94	3.31	96.1	76	84	92.7
21	Ulster University	144	3.95	3.29	97	80	88	92.5
22	University of Nottingham	143	4.09	3.23	96.9	80	78	92.2
23	University of Surrey	135	3.93	3.36	95.9	88	76	92.2
24	University of Southampton	154	3.92	3.28	98.4	76	82	92.2
25	University of Huddersfield	138	3.87	2.69	97.7	94	82	92.1
26	Bangor University	121	4.05	3.54	97.6	80	86	91.9
27	University of Bath	182	4.13		98.4	86	86	91.7
28	University of East Anglia UEA	136	3.91	3.36	95.7	82	82	91.7
29	Glasgow Caledonian University	198	3.93	3.41	94.7	80	82	91.7
30	Queen Mary University of London	153	3.81	3.28	98.5	74	72	91.5
31	University of Leicester	139	3.65	3.57	96.8	76	84	91.3
32	Northumbria University, Newcastle	139	3.77	3.3	95.9	82	84	91.2
33	University of Reading	127	3.95	3.23	96.7	82	80	91
34	Bristol, University of the West of England	128	3.88	3.13	98.5	86	80	90.8
35	University of Leeds	159	3.68	3.27	99.2	70	64	90.6
36	University of Hull	114	4.05	3.3	98	78	78	90.2
37	Aston University, Birmingham	122	3.67	3.18	99.1	78	84	90
38	Keele University	130	3.79	3.03	98.4	78	78	90
39	University of Liverpool	148	3.66	3.27	98.2	68	74	89.9
40	University of Sunderland	127	3.95	2.87	96.6	84	82	89.8
41	University of South Wales	133	3.86	2.77	100			89.7
42	York St John University	128	4.45	2.34	95.2	82	80	89.7
43	St George's, University of London	142	3.52	3.23	95.6	76	80	89.6
44	Robert Gordon University	170	4.02	2.53	94.3	90	86	89.6
45	University of Plymouth	138	3.93	2.99	93.7	76	80	89.6
46	Manchester Metropolitan University	138	3.82	3.02	96.4	78	76	89.5
47	University of Portsmouth	129	3.98	3.13	96	78	76	89.5
48	University of Lincoln	127	4.01	3.35	94.9	72	76	89.4
49	University of Sussex	134	3.69	3.28	98.3	70	76	89.4
50	Nottingham Trent University	125	3.72	3.24	97.6	74	84	89.3
51	University of Brighton	127	3.57	3.22	97.6	76	80	88.8
52	Teesside University, Middlesbrough	119	4.05	2.92	97.5	78	76	88.8
53	University of Hertfordshire	111	3.92	3.21	96.6	78	84	88.8
54	Coventry University	136	3.86	3.08	91	80	78	88.6
55	University of East London	106	3.79	2.76	93.4	94	88	88.5
56	Anglia Ruskin University	111	3.93	3	92.8	84	90	88.4
57	University of Essex	124	3.98	3.07	86.9	78	88	87.9
58	Kingston University	118	3.86	3.04	94.7	78	78	87.8
59	University of Central Lancashire	133	3.84	3	96.9	74	64	87.8
60	Liverpool John Moores University	130	3.78	2.74	97.5	70	82	87.7
61	University of Worcester	113	3.86	2.06	95.7	86	92	87.6
62	University of Chester	134	3.56	2.81	97.6	68	68	86.9
63	Middlesex University	115	3.83	2.71	92.5	72	96	86.5
64	Oxford Brookes University	108	3.7	3.01	97.7	70	74	86.4
65	University of Salford	126	3.78	3.01	96.7	70	60	86.4
66	University of Roehampton	107	3.85	3.06	95.5	70	66	86.1
67	Bournemouth University	101	3.85	2.72	96.1			85.9
68	Abertay University	154	4.21		95.7	82	76	85.7
69	Solent University (Southampton)	107	4.02	2.49	95.5			85.7
70	Sheffield Hallam University	118	3.6	2.52	93.7	78	70	85.3
71	University of the West of Scotland	119	4.08	2.78	97.1	66	82	85.2
72	University of Derby	114	3.94	2.59	89.8	72	80	84.6
73	London Metropolitan University	139	3.97	2.67	84	62	72	84.1
74	University of Westminster, London	109	3.54	2.95	95.2	64	68	84
75	University of Northampton	102	3.46	2.21	96.6			83.5
76	University of Wolverhampton	120	3.59		93.8	76	80	82.7
77	De Montfort University	108	3.71	2.64	94	60	70	82.6
78	Leeds Beckett University	117	3.81		96.3	66	72	82
79	Staffordshire University	101	4.1	2.75	85.1	70	40	81.2
80	Birmingham City University	131	3.88	1.48	95.3	52	72	81.1
81	London South Bank University	99	3.75		94.1			80.2

How are the Rankings Measured?

The ranking methodology includes several key indicators, such as teaching quality, research output and reputation, industry connections and engagement, international diversity, and citations. These indicators help evaluate the academic environment, resources, faculty expertise, and global impact of relevant institutions. The rankings also consider factors like student satisfaction, graduate employability, and the influence and reach of research conducted by the universities.

Frequently Asked Questions about UK Biomedical Science Universities

What are the admission requirements for Biomedical Science programmes in the UK?

Admission requirements may vary slightly between universities, but generally, applicants are expected to have a strong background in science subjects such as Biology and Chemistry at the high school level. Most universities also require applicants to meet specific grade and English language proficiency requirements.

What career opportunities are available for graduates of Biomedical Science programmes?

Biomedical Science graduates have a wide range of career opportunities available to them. They can pursue careers in research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare organisations, biotechnology firms, and government agencies. Graduates can work as biomedical scientists, clinical researchers, laboratory technicians, pharmaceutical consultants, or pursue further education in specialised areas such as medicine or genetics.

What is the duration of Biomedical Science programmes in the UK?

The duration of Biomedical Science programmes in the UK can vary depending on the level of study. Undergraduate programmes typically last three to four years, while master’s programmes typically last one to two years. PhD programmes, for those interested in pursuing research and academia, can range from three to five years.

Can I specialise in a specific area of Biomedical Science during my studies?

Yes, many Biomedical Science programmes in the UK offer the opportunity to specialise in a specific area of interest. Some universities provide specialised tracks or modules that allow students to focus on areas such as genetics, immunology, neuroscience, or bioengineering. Additionally, research projects and internships can further allow students to explore and specialise in their chosen field of interest.

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