Biomedical Science
Biomedical science is the discipline that bridges fundamental biology and clinical medicine, using laboratory science to understand disease, develop diagnostic tests, and support clinical care. Biomedical scientists work in hospital laboratories and research institutions, analysing blood, tissue, and other biological samples to inform clinical decisions and advance understanding of how diseases arise and how they can be treated. The discipline draws on biochemistry, cell biology, immunology, haematology, microbiology, and genetics.
At Edinburgh Napier University, this four-year, full-time programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study biomedical science in a different national and institutional context, broadening your scientific perspective and your personal resilience. Edinburgh Napier has well-equipped laboratory facilities and a commitment to applied learning, and the programme is designed to prepare graduates for laboratory careers alongside offering a strong foundation for postgraduate study. You will study core biomedical science disciplines in depth, including clinical chemistry, haematology, cellular pathology, medical microbiology, and immunology, alongside the underpinning science of cell biology, genetics, and physiology.
Research methods, scientific communication, and laboratory practice are developed throughout the programme. A typical entry tariff of 136 UCAS points indicates the scientific background expected for entry.
Biomedical science develops precise laboratory skills, critical scientific reasoning, and the ability to work with biological systems and data in ways that directly support clinical and research applications.
Graduates work as biomedical scientists in NHS laboratories, research institutes, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and diagnostic manufacturers. Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council is available for graduates who complete the appropriate placement requirements. Postgraduate study in specialist clinical laboratory science, research science, or clinical medicine is also a common pathway.