NHS Learning Support FundAt least £5,000 a year
Students on health and nursing courses
Check eligibility →
University of Portsmouth · Undergraduate
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with Human Biosciences Bachelor's degree at the University of Portsmouth
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with Human Biosciences at University of Portsmouth. The dual-degree structure is distinctive, you'll spend your second year at Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia, graduating with qualifications from both institutions.
BSc (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
81%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
Learn how we can use the biology of disease to fight it on this BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with Human Biosciences dual degree course. Study in Portsmouth and spend a year at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Australia, gaining two degrees and international scientific study experience. From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with Human Biosciences is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at the University of Portsmouth. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Medical sciences graduates from this provider, 81% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 60% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £28,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Medicine & Dentistry, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
8.4
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent86
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Excellent81
Moderate evidence Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 81% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Excellent84
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 84% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 1 modules
- Fundamentals of Biomedical ScienceCore120 credits
Module details
Discover how the human body works, what causes disease, and how biomedical scientists make a real difference in healthcare. Covers cells and biological molecules, tissues, organs and body systems, microbiology, genetics and inheritance, laboratory disciplines including haematology, immunology, biochemistry, histopathology and transfusion science, neuroscience and pharmacology.
Assessment: Practical work, case studies, group projects and tutorials
Year 2 5 modules
- Computational Biology and BioinformaticsCore30 credits
Module details
Explore how computers and data are used to unlock insights from modern biomedical research and healthcare. Learn to analyse and interpret different types of biomedical data from laboratory experiments to clinical and healthcare datasets using modern digital tools.
- Fundamentals of Biomedical ResearchCore30 credits
Module details
Learn how biomedical research really works, from designing studies to analysing data and judging the evidence behind healthcare decisions. Develop practical and analytical skills, understanding ethics, consent, evidence-based medicine, clinical trials and regulation.
- PathobiologyCore30 credits
Module details
Explore the functioning of the heart, lungs and immune system, the disorders associated with them, and how biomedical science helps diagnose and manage these conditions. Focus on pathology of cardiovascular system, lungs and immune system, conditions such as respiratory infections, anaemia, thrombosis, vascular disease.
Assessment: Laboratory sessions, data interpretation and case-based discussions
- Business for BioscienceOptional30 credits
Module details
Introduce and apply the principles of business disciplines required to develop a new business idea in the bioscience sector. Develop graduate skills inclusive of enterprise, effective communication, team work, project management, problem solving and decision making.
- Development, Stem Cells and DifferentiationOptional30 credits
Module details
Explore how life develops from a single cell, and how development, repair and disease are closely connected. Learn how organs develop, how things can go wrong before birth, and how cells and stem cells help repair tissues.
Year 3 8 modules
- Advanced Biomedical TechniquesCore15 credits
- Biomedical EthicsCore15 credits
- Developmental BiologyCore15 credits
- Evolutionary Perspectives on Health and DiseaseCore15 credits
- Forensic GeneticsCore15 credits
- Human Molecular GeneticsCore15 credits
- Human Reproduction, Development and AgeingCore15 credits
- The Biology of Human DiseaseCore15 credits
Year 4 8 modules
- Advanced PathobiologyCore30 credits
Module details
Investigate kidney failure, neurological disease, gut disorders and blood cancers, using real laboratory data to understand diagnosis and treatment. Explore pathology of skin, nervous system, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract and haemato-oncology.
Assessment: Case-based learning and interprofessional clinical event
- Genetic Sciences and Integrated PathologyCore30 credits
Module details
Explore the molecular roots of cancer and complex disease, seeing how genes, molecules, cells and laboratory science drive modern diagnosis and treatment. Explore inherited and acquired disorders, including mitochondrial disease, sepsis and infectious pathology.
- Biomedical ResearchOptional30 credits
Module details
Explore cutting-edge biomedical research and discover how new discoveries shape medicine and future careers. Immerse in the biology of disease, exploring how research uncovers new biomarkers, improves diagnosis and uses experimental models.
Assessment: Literature searching, data analysis, scientific writing and critical thinking
- Clinical Case StudiesOptional30 credits
Module details
Work through complex clinical cases to investigate disease, make diagnoses and understand how patients are monitored in practice. Uses real-world clinical case studies to deepen understanding of pathology and how disease is investigated, diagnosed and monitored.
Assessment: Problem-based learning pathways, peer review and guided collaboration
- Work Based LearningOptional30 credits
Module details
Turn your placement experience into real skills that boost confidence, independence and employability. Develop practical, problem-solving and transferable skills using an individual learning contract tailored to your goals.
Assessment: Reflection and supported planning
- Current Topics in Development, Congenital Disorders and RegenerationOptional30 credits
Module details
Explore current research in embryonic development and its application in medicine. Explore current hot topics in developmental biology through seminars and workshops delving into current research papers.
- Project (BMS)Optional30 credits
Module details
Design and carry out your own biomedical research project, tackling real scientific questions with expert support. Take ownership of an independent research project in an area of biomedical science that interests you most.
- Research Based Work ExperienceOptional30 credits
Module details
Gain real world experience by completing an independent pharmacology research project in industry or a clinical setting, developing professional, analytical, and career ready skills with expert supervision and support.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
Who it's for
You're curious about the biological basis of human illness and drawn to problem-solving that bridges lab science and patient care. You'll thrive if you're methodical, analytical, and comfortable with both practical work and theoretical study. The course suits those aiming for careers in diagnostics, research, pharmaceutical development or clinical science, or for further postgraduate training. Studying in two countries means you'll need independence and adaptability; the year abroad is an asset, not a burden, for those seeking an international scientific network and broader perspective on biomedical practice.
Careers & job market
Across Medicine and Dentistry graduates nationally, 89% are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 75% are in highly skilled roles or continuing study. National earnings data show biomedical science graduates starting at £27,000–£32,000 (15 months post-graduation), rising to £29,325–£41,400 after five years. Routes include diagnostic pathology, pharmaceutical research, quality assurance in medical devices, clinical trial coordination, or progression to postgraduate degrees in specialist areas such as immunology or oncology.
University & format
The course is delivered full-time at the University of Portsmouth, a public university founded in 1869. It runs for 3 years and is taught in English. As a recognised UK degree-awarding body, your BSc (Hons) is nationally recognised. The university holds Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Published entry120-128 UCAS points to include a minimum typical offer
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of 120-128 UCAS points to include a minimum and around 128 UCAS points. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent89% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 112 - 127 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check the University of Portsmouth's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 89% |
| another higher-education qualification | 6% |
| No / unknown prior qualifications | 3% |
| a previous degree | 1% |
| an Access course | 1% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Offer-based entry
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesBBBA-level equivalent admitted students held
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask University of Portsmouth whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Homeup to £9,790 / yr
Internationalset by the university
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at University of Portsmouth →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 3 years
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Funding matched to this course
All University of Portsmouth funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Criminology graduates joining Thames Valley Police
Check eligibility →National funding for this subject
- NHS Learning Support Fund: Eligible nursing, midwifery and allied-health students can receive a non-repayable training grant. Official guidance
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
StudyKit · free
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Medicine & Dentistry graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £28,000 | £25,000 – £30,000 | 35 |
| 3 years after | £30,500 | £24,000 – £37,000 | 95 |
| 5 years after | £34,500 | £26,000 – £43,500 | 105 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
81%
in work or further study 15 months on
60%
in highly skilled work or study
84%
continue past their first year
70%
find their work meaningful
60%
say work fits their future plans
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in medicine & dentistry · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Medicine & Dentistry nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£28,000
£27,000 – £32,000After 3 years LEO
£30,500
£24,650 – £34,800After 5 years LEO
£34,500
£29,325 – £41,400national rangethis course’s medianaxis £23,000 – £43,000
National figures for Medicine & Dentistry graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
81 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
57% working11% working and studying13% in further study60% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Medicine & Dentistry courses at the same study level.
This course £34,500Peer median £34,500Middle 50% £31,500–£38,500
52nd percentile
Compared with 804 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Natural and social science professionalsSOC 2020 211 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £44,243
- Sales occupationsSOC 2020 71 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £15,975
- Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 85; response rate: 60%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Medicine & Dentistry graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
89%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Medicine & Dentistry courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes75%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Medicine & Dentistry graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- The NHS
- Private practice
- Research & academia
- Public health
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Medicine & Dentistry graduates.
Medicine-Focused Veterinary Surgeon | Patient Care LeaderMedivet & PartnersMedicine Service Delivery Manager - Operations ImprovementNHSMedicine Occupational Therapist - StaffordshirePulse HealthcarePart-Time Palliative Medicine Consultant | 1-in-5 On-CallEvora Hospice (formerly Southern Area Hospice Services)Consultant Medicine - ElderlyPertemps Medical ProfessionalsSpecialty Doctor in Acute MedicineTriple West MedicalLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
📈
Where graduates go
81% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £28,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
🎯
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.4 out of 10: NSS 86.4% · in work or study 81% · continued 84%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Portsmouth
All students24,015
International24.5%
Aged 25+27.1%
Medicine and dentistry across the UK
Students85,345
Aged 25+28.8%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around University of Portsmouth
2,930 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 1120Anti Social Behaviour 450Public Order 252Shoplifting 242Drugs 164
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Medicine & Dentistry right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Portsmouth from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by University of Portsmouth; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of Portsmouth’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Portsmouth and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Portsmouth
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is offer-based and set by the university. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 112 - 127 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by the University of Portsmouth. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Medical sciences graduates from this provider, 81% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 60% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £28,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
No obligation
Request information about BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with Human Biosciences
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.