Biomedical Science MSc

Study level: Postgraduate
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This professionally focused MSc engages with current trends in disease diagnostics. It has been developed to provide advanced knowledge and skills in the expanding area of biomedical science.

Year of entry

2024-25

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Work based Learning

Duration

1 year full-time
20 months full-time with professional experience

Course code

Various - see overview section

Start date

September 2024
May 2025


Course overview

Specialist and senior biomedical scientists are key contributors to modern healthcare, including disease diagnosis, monitoring of therapy and research into disease mechanisms. They are in great demand both within the NHS and private hospital laboratories.

  • This master’s course offers you the chance to focus your studies by selecting a specific course pathway – Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science, Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Cellular and Molecular Pathology or Infection Science.
  • The Biomedical Science MSc with Professional Experience aims to produce master’s graduates who are not only knowledgeable about their chosen field of study but also have the skills and competencies, backed by real-world experience2, to apply these to the workplace.
  • This course aims to advance your skills and knowledge in laboratory management, together with modern scientific developments, such as genomics and stem cell technology.

You can study this course via multiple pathways:

  • HLST289 - Haematology and Blood Transfusion Sciences pathway
  • HLST290 - Haematology and Blood Transfusion Sciences pathway with Professional Experience
  • HLST291 - Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology pathway
  • HLST292 - Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology pathway with Professional Experience
  • HLST293 - Infection Science pathway
  • HLSU294 - Infection Science pathway with Professional Experience
  • HLST295 - Cellular and Molecular Pathology pathway
  • HLST296 - Cellular and Molecular Pathology pathway with Professional Experience
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

You’ll be taught by an experienced teaching team, many of whom have worked in NHS laboratories as scientists or doctors. They bring their professional and research expertise into their teaching through clinical case studies as the basis for problem-based learning activities (staff may be subject to change).

There is a focus on developing laboratory and other scientific skills, giving you the opportunity to learn key experimental techniques and develop essential experimental, data handling and reporting skills required in biomedical, biological and other careers. Our multi-million pound Alison Gingell Building features a suite of analytical and biological laboratories where you can gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge industry techniques4. Other scientific skills, such as literature research, information technology, bioinformatics, data processing and the use of statistics are integrated within the course.

A key feature of this course is its engagement with current developments in disease diagnosis as well as updated information in areas such as quality assurance, laboratory accreditation, and work-based training.

This course appeals to recent graduates who have progressed from an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science, as well as those who may be working as Biomedical Science practitioners. For those students on the course who are working as Specialist Biomedical Science practitioners, the course aims to provide a link to their Specialist portfolio training programme and provide professional development opportunities to enhance development into more senior roles. The course will also appeal to overseas students who want to work in laboratories in their own country or perhaps open up a diagnostic laboratory; this course should provide the academic and skills background needed to supply a safe and accountable service. The Biomedical Science MSc can also be considered an excellent foundation for those wishing to pursue research in the area at PhD level.

The course offers four pathways, which are taught with the expectation of some prior knowledge of the specialisms.

If you choose the extended ‘With Professional Experience’ route, you will have the opportunity to gain substantive professional experience and have the option of applying for a placement with a host of different organisations2 or participate in supervised, campus-based roles. Placements have previously been organised within the public and private sector, including the NHS, private laboratories, healthcare providers, medical research, university research centres and more. While all students are assured of a professional experience placement which may be campus-based, the range of opportunities available varies from year to year. Some are also competitive and selective, so it is not possible to guarantee a specific professional experience2. Students on Biomedical Science MSc with Professional Experience are given additional support and are assisted to apply for, and secure, professional experience opportunities during their first two semesters of study by our Talent Team and the course director.

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

Institute of Biomedical Science

Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)

This course (all pathways) is accredited by the IBMS for the 2024/25 intake. Please note that the course is not IBMS-accredited specifically as a qualification suitable for registration with the HCPC, although it is possible some modules may contribute to subject-specific requirements. Prospective students wishing to become HCPC-registered are advised to consult the IBMS directly for assessment of their undergraduate degree and additional requirements for registration.


 Chartered Management Institute

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

As part of this course, you will undertake a professional development module which is currently accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Chartered Management Institute (CMI) for the 2024/25 intake. Upon successful completion of the module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost. Further details can be found on the Professional Development module homepage.


Our Award-winning Green Superlab

With space for over 250 students and packed full of industry-standard equipment, the Coventry University Superlab is an amazing place to learn, experiment and discover. Find out what we’re doing in our Superlab to make it greener and reduce our waste and carbon emissions.


What you'll study

All modules are compulsory unless stated (note - you will only complete one of the four pathway modules).

Modules

Please note that we regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

The master’s course offers the opportunity to study one of the specialist areas in biomedical science, all of which aim to advance knowledge and link to the IBMS specialist training portfolio:

  • Clinical Haematology and Blood Transfusion
  • Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology
  • Infection Science
  • Cellular and Molecular Pathology.

Teaching and learning incorporates lectures, workshops, tutorials, presentations, group and individual problem-based learning projects, and practical laboratory sessions to improve your skills in data analysis and statistical evaluation. This is supported by an extensive suite of analytical and biological laboratories staffed by experienced technicians.

The university's online learning environment will be used for links to relevant resources and online discussions. Some modules will require you to collate and analyse data from your workplace or from the university and you will be expected to spend a significant proportion of your time in self-guided and guided study, discussing your learning with your peer group both informally in workshops and formally through seminars and other presentations.

Where possible, coursework uses applied tasks that mimic the skills needed in jobs to help ensure you are attractive to future employers, such as testing and critically analysing a range of genotyping techniques to report on the most suitable for diagnostic use. The course also offers the opportunity for industry visits and field trips within the UK (subject to availability and additional fees), which have previously included a subsidised day trip to look around the biotechnical laboratories within Nottingham’s BioCity, the UK’s largest bioscience business incubator, or other professional laboratories.

You will receive a series of lectures and seminars on selected contemporary topics in modern biomedical science, delivered by university teaching, research staff and specialist visiting lecturers, including HCPC-registered biomedical scientists from local hospitals (subject to availability). For example, we previously hosted a session on current blood transfusion methods with an HCPC-registered practitioner from the local hospital and an expert from a well-known toxicology department in the West Midlands. These may be delivered virtually.

The Biomedical Science MSc with Professional Experience course can be studied over five semesters (20 months) as an extended full-time course. This incorporates two additional professional experience modules, in which you gain experience through either an internship with an external organisation or with the university. Placements, subject to competitive application and selection, will normally be undertaken for three to five days (20 hours) per week for 20 weeks over two semesters2.


Teaching contact hours

As a full-time student, you can expect to have approximately 12 hours per week of contact teaching. In addition, you will be expected to engage with approximately 4 hours per week of directed study and approximately 12 hours per week of self-directed study, plus preparation of assignments.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods, which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Essays
  • Laboratory or project reports
  • Group work
  • Individual assignments
  • Presentations
  • Posters
  • Data analysis and case study exercises
  • Portfolio-based assessments
  • Time-restricted coursework.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

  • An Honours degree in a Biomedical Science undergraduate course; with a minimum of a lower second class (2:2) classification (2:1 for the professional experience course)

or

  • An equivalent appropriate qualification that includes substantial clinical or biomedical content. We would expect to see the study of one or more of the following modules in the final year of an undergraduate degree: clinical biochemistry, microbiology and virology, clinical immunology, haematology, histology, cytology, pathology.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section5.

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Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

  • An Honours degree in a Biomedical Science undergraduate course; with a minimum of a lower second class (2:2) classification (2:1 for the professional experience course)

or

  • An equivalent appropriate qualification that includes substantial clinical or biomedical content. We would expect to see the study of one or more of the following modules in the final year of an undergraduate degree: clinical biochemistry, microbiology and virology, clinical immunology, haematology, histology, cytology, pathology.

Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section5.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5
  • For the ‘with professional experience’ course IELTS: 7.0 overall (with at least 6.0 in each component area)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

2024/24 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £11,200 | £21,250 (with prof. experience)   Request fee information
EU £11,200 | £21,250 (with prof. experience) per year with EU Support Bursary**
£18,600 | £21,250 (with prof. experience) per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £18,600 | £21,250 (with prof. experience)   Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

The Alison Gingell Building contains a state-of-the-art SuperLab4. The lab's facilities include equipment for flow cytometry, DNA analysis, microscopy and cell culture.

superlab facilities

SuperLab

Our SuperLab can hold up to 250 students at one time and has equipment that allows you to gain skills and experience with techniques and equipment that you will encounter in your graduate careers including biosafety hoods, flow cytometers and DNA sequencers.

Students in Analytical Chemistry female student using a petri dish

Analytical Chemistry suite

This is where you can apply your practical and theoretical knowledge to real-life working scenarios. We use a new generation chromatography technique to analyse products ranging from pharmaceutical agents, to cosmetics, drinks and toxins.


Careers and opportunities

The educational aims of the Biomedical Science MSc and Biomedical Science MSc with Professional Experience courses are to:

  • Enable you to advance your biomedical science knowledge and understanding through in-depth study of focused areas of the discipline
  • Equip you to develop critical appraisal and evaluation skills and provide opportunities to apply these to contemporary topics informed by published literature and ongoing research
  • Provide opportunities for development of research skills through the completion of a self-directed project, with due regard for health and safety and ethical issues
  • Generate a stimulating and active learning environment allowing you to explore current issues and future developments in biomedical science, with a focus on real world global initiatives
  • Facilitate the development of problem-solving skills in complex scenarios, utilising creativity and initiative, and fostering a continuing professional development ethos
  • Equip you to understand, appreciate and apply leadership and management skills appropriate to your own career development goals
  • Empower you to take ownership of your own learning, through structured self-reflection, independent approaches and professional responsibility and accountability
  • Enhance your communication skills, enabling you to develop into confident presenters and collaborators, using written, oral, and digital formats.

In addition, Biomedical Science with Professional Experience MSc aims to:

  • Support you to successfully secure and complete an appropriate with Professional Experience placement2, helping you gain valuable workplace skills that will benefit your future employability.

On successful completion of Biomedical Science MSc and Biomedical Science MSc with Professional Experience, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate in-depth and advanced knowledge and understanding of specialist areas of biomedical science practice
  • Critically evaluate scientific literature and current research outcomes
  • Apply knowledge of technological advances to critically appraise the current challenges and future opportunities for biomedical science on a global stage
  • Apply principles of leadership and management to biomedical environments understanding how such skills are key to career advancement
  • Evaluate problems from diverse perspectives, propose creative solutions and reflect on personal learning experiences developed through such challenges
  • Utilise a diversity of formats to effectively communicate with professional colleagues in a global community
  • Devise, carry out, and report an independent hypothesis-driven biomedical research project, with due regard to health and safety and ethical requirements
  • Recognise and demonstrate key professional skills and practices including independence, initiative, team working, professional integrity and ethical awareness
  • Critically evaluate the principles for leading and developing people and equality, diversity and inclusion at a strategic level.

In addition, a graduate of Biomedical Science MSc with Professional Experience will be able to:

  • Demonstrate the ability to contribute effectively to a work environment, exhibiting professional conduct and behaviours and reflect on the learning experience.

The course aims to prepare you for a wide range of careers spanning government, academic, commercial, industrial and healthcare applications of biomedical sciences.

Examples of possible career routes include working in laboratory quality assurance and management, becoming a researcher or biomedical scientist for the NHS, or working in public health laboratories, commercial diagnostic laboratories, the Blood Transfusion service, university research laboratories and bioscience/life sciences private companies. Within the NHS, a master’s qualification is required for further career progression to apply for Senior Biomedical Scientist positions at Band 7 and above.

The scientific knowledge and skills you should acquire during and on successful completion of the course can be a useful basis for a career in teaching; technical and scientific writing (such as medical writing or writing for the media); clinical trials; drug registration, patenting or monitoring; medical publishing or other information services; regulatory affairs or sales and marketing. The course is also an excellent foundation for further studies leading to a PhD.

Throughout the world, there is an increasing demand for highly trained biomedical scientists who can supply a quality service based on UK NHS/IBMS standards for laboratory training linked to recognised Clinical Pathology Accreditation schemes and UK Assurance Standards. In China, India and especially Africa, for the diagnosis and treatment of HIV, healthcare and healthcare training with quality assurance of standards within laboratory practice is now a prime concern. Indeed, many of our international students plan to return to their home countries and work in - or open their own - diagnostic laboratories.

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university’s Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.

Where our graduates work

Our previous graduates have gone on to careers in teaching, research and the NHS.

Graduate Immigration Route visa

Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.


How to apply

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