Biomedical Science with Foundation Year

Biomedical science is the laboratory-based discipline that underpins modern medicine, investigating the biological mechanisms of disease, developing diagnostic tests, and contributing to the research that leads to new treatments. It encompasses areas including microbiology, haematology, clinical biochemistry, immunology, cellular pathology, and molecular biology, bringing together the life sciences in the service of human health. The discipline sits at the heart of healthcare systems: biomedical scientists working in NHS laboratories perform the tests that inform the majority of clinical decisions made by doctors.

This programme at the University of Derby is progressive and challenging, focusing on the latest advances in medical research aimed at preventing ill health and prolonging life. You will study the scientific foundations of the discipline alongside its clinical applications, developing laboratory technique, analytical reasoning, and an understanding of how biomedical knowledge translates into patient care. The programme begins with a foundation year, providing a structured academic preparation for students entering degree-level study, and runs over four years in total.

It includes a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and a work placement, giving you substantial hands-on and international experience before graduation.

Graduates of biomedical science programmes enter careers as registered biomedical scientists in NHS and private laboratories, in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, in medical research, and in roles such as clinical trials management and regulatory affairs. The degree also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study in biomedical science, medicine, public health, or related disciplines. Given the sustained global demand for laboratory expertise and the central role biomedical scientists play in healthcare, graduate career prospects are consistently strong.