Biomedical Science

Biomedical science is the branch of science most directly concerned with understanding and improving human health. Biomedical scientists investigate the biological processes that underpin disease, develop and apply the diagnostic tests that clinicians depend on, and contribute to the research that leads to new treatments and preventive strategies. The field draws on microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, haematology, immunology, and cellular pathology, and biomedical scientists work in hospital laboratories, research institutions, and the pharmaceutical and diagnostics industries.

At the University of Lincoln, this three-year full-time programme includes a sandwich year and a year abroad as well as work placement opportunities, giving you substantial experience beyond the lecture theatre and laboratory. The sandwich year takes you into a professional environment, typically a hospital or research laboratory, where you apply your skills in a real working context alongside qualified scientists. The year abroad adds an international dimension to your studies and broadens your scientific perspective.

You will study the core disciplines of biomedical science, developing practical laboratory skills alongside theoretical understanding. You will learn to apply diagnostic techniques, analyse and interpret scientific data, and understand the clinical significance of laboratory findings.

The programme equips you with the methodological skills and scientific reasoning needed to work effectively in a field that combines rigour with direct relevance to patient care. You will also develop professional communication skills and an understanding of the regulatory and quality frameworks that govern scientific practice in healthcare settings.

Graduates from biomedical science programmes enter a wide range of careers. Many pursue professional registration as biomedical scientists, working in NHS or independent laboratories across specialisms such as clinical biochemistry, haematology, immunology, and histopathology. Others move into pharmaceutical research, medical technology, public health, or science communication.

The placement year often provides a direct route into employment, and the research skills developed during the degree are equally applicable in academic or industrial settings. Postgraduate study in biomedical science, clinical research, or specialist laboratory medicine is a well-trodden next step.