Overview

Biomedical scientists carry out laboratory tests on specimens sent for analysis by GPs and other healthcare professionals.

Biomedical Science is vital for the clinical diagnosis of disease and accurate treatment of patients and the operation of the NHS and other health-related industries.

As a Glasgow Caledonian Pathways student you'll study an HNC Applied Science at Glasgow Kelvin College over the first year, in preparation for transfer to the BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science course in Year 2. You will then complete the Year 2, 3 and 4 modules from the main course.

We offer the only Biomedical Science course with placement in Glasgow that is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). Re-accreditation of the Biomedical Science course from the Institute of Biomedical Science is being sought in 2025. The Biomedical Science course is also accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.

As a graduate of the BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science Pathways, you'll also be able to gain employment as a Biomedical Scientist once you have undertaken additional hospital laboratory training and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Graduates of the BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science degree are eligible to apply for HCPC Registration on successful completion of the course. For further details on routes to HCPC registration, see the Become a Biomedical Scientist page on the Institute of Biomedical Science website.

You'll gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a Biomedical Scientist, including cellular pathology, clinical biochemistry, haematology, and clinical microbiology. A key strength of the course is a work-based placement in a Scottish hospital by selection.

Graduate opportunities

A degree in Biomedical Science gives you a range of career options. The following are just a sample of the possible career paths you may choose:

Biomedical Scientist,
Research Scientist
Academic Researcher
Laboratory/Research Technician
Postgraduate study, including research degrees (PhD/MSc), and taught MSc courses
Primary and secondary teaching, medicine and dentistry.

Health and Care Professionals Council

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Institute of Biomedical Science

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Royal Society of Biology

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What you
will study

Year 2

Year 3 - Biomedical Science

Year 3 - Applied Biomedical Science

Year 4

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and conditions

Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.

Course
information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location	UCAS
BSc (Hons)	Full Time	3 Years	Sep 26	Glasgow	B941	Enquire Apply

Please note that admission to GCU is considered on a competitive basis, and the academic entry requirements stated here may be the minimum required to be eligible for an offer.

International students can get information on entry requirements specific to their country in our International Study section.

Year 1

Scottish Higher: Standard entry requirement: BB or equivalent Nat 5: C in two Sciences

Progression criteria: Progress to Year 2 with HNC Applied Science - graded unit B

English language

IELTS score of 7.0 with no element below 6.5 (or equivalent)

Additional information for international applicants

Entry requirements by country
Application deadlines
English language tests
Knowledge of English - Applicants from a majority English speaking country may not be required to provide further proof of your English language proficiency. Information about this requirement is available on the Student Visa section of the gov.uk website.

Additional information for all applicants

Relevant experience (Recognition of Prior Learning)

GCU's flexible entry policies exist to allow relevant work experience and prior learning to be considered towards standard entry or advanced entry into a course.

If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.

Minimum entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements are for widening access students only. If you are from a group that is not currently well-represented in higher education you may qualify as a widening access student. This includes living in a target postcode area, attending a target school or college, attending SWAP, are care-experienced or provide care for someone else, have refugee status or are an asylum seeker.

Assessment methods

We use a wide range of learning and teaching methods to ensure that you have both the necessary knowledge and understanding of biomedical science and a portfolio of intellectual, personal and scientific skills.

Each module in the course uses its own learning, teaching and assessment strategy to achieve learning objectives. Assessment methods vary between modules and may include unseen examinations, class tests, essays, laboratory reports, case studies, presentations and group work.

Exchange and study abroad

Students have the opportunity to participate in various international exchange schemes. These can be short-term summer exchanges or longer-term exchanges where students complete a full trimester at an international university. In recent years, our students have been to Hong Kong, South Korea, the Netherlands, the USA and Canada.

Studying abroad broadens your personal, academic and cultural horizons and helps develop and enhance transferable skills, including confidence, adaptability and effective communication. These skills are highly valued by employers and increase graduate employability.

Teaching methods

The learning and teaching methods we use ensure that our programme is both vocationally relevant and academically challenging. Our approach is student-centred, practical, participative and relevant to the needs of employers.

We've moved away from the traditional teacher-centric learning to a more independent learning approach, where you are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills.

Work placements

A strength of the Applied Biomedical Science degree course is the work-based placement. This placement takes place in Scottish hospitals, based in the clinical disciplines in which a Biomedical Scientist would work. A student on the Biomedical Science degree course will complete an alternative study plan in Year 3 in which the training element is completed post-graduation.

Students are invited to take part in a series of graduate employability workshops. Life science companies also contribute to our course with guest lectures and interactive discussion sessions. A bioscience placement with a life sciences employer is an option in Year 3.

Biomedical Science (Pathways)

Overview

Graduate opportunities

Accreditations

What you
will study

Download the programme specification

Terms and conditions

Course
information

Overview

Graduate opportunities

Accreditations

What youwill study

Download the programme specification

Terms and conditions

Course information

What you
will study

Course
information