# Study Biomedical Science in the UK — universities, IBMS accreditation and entry

> Biomedical Science is a lab-based UK degree; an IBMS-accredited course keeps healthcare-science careers open.

Biomedical Science studies the science behind human health and disease — physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology and genetics — with substantial laboratory work. A degree accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), ideally with a placement in an approved laboratory, keeps open the route to registering as a biomedical scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). International tuition typically runs from around £20,000 to £33,000 a year. Confirm IBMS accreditation and fees with each university.

## Quick facts
- **Typical offer:** AAB–BBB including Biology & a second science (varies)
- **Intl. tuition:** ≈ £20,000–£33,000 / year
- **Accreditation:** Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)

## Key takeaways
- An IBMS-accredited degree (plus an approved lab placement) supports HCPC registration as a biomedical scientist.
- The degree is lab-intensive: physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology and genetics.
- International tuition is typically around £20,000–£33,000 a year (confirm with each university).
- It is also a strong springboard into research, postgraduate study and (with further steps) medicine.

## What Biomedical Science covers and why accreditation matters
Biomedical Science degrees explore how the human body works and what happens in disease, spanning physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, haematology and genetics, with extensive laboratory training. If you intend to work as a registered biomedical scientist in an NHS or clinical laboratory, you need a degree accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and, usually, a placement in an IBMS-approved laboratory leading to the Certificate of Competence — the route to registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Confirm a course's accreditation before applying if this is your goal.

## Entry requirements, careers and choosing a course
Typical offers range from AAB to BBB, usually requiring Biology and often a second science (Chemistry, Maths or Physics). Graduates work in clinical and research laboratories, pharmaceutical and biotech industries, public health and academia, and the degree is a recognised stepping stone to postgraduate study and graduate-entry medicine. Because not all programmes are IBMS-accredited and not all include a clinical placement, course choice directly shapes your options. Study UK Now matches accredited, placement-bearing programmes to your science background and goals.

## Frequently asked questions
### Is a UK Biomedical Science degree accredited for working in a hospital laboratory?
Only if it is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and you complete an approved laboratory placement leading to the Certificate of Competence — together these support registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a biomedical scientist. Not all degrees include this, so confirm accreditation and placement availability before applying.

### Can I study Medicine after a Biomedical Science degree in the UK?
Yes — Biomedical Science is a common route into graduate-entry Medicine, and a strong degree plus the relevant admissions test can make you a competitive applicant. Requirements vary by medical school, so research graduate-entry criteria early. Study UK Now can help you plan a Biomedical Science degree with a later medical application in mind.

## Sources
- [UCAS — Biomedical Sciences subject guide](https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/biomedical-sciences) — UCAS
- [Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)](https://www.ibms.org/) — IBMS

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Verified: 2026-06-15